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Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 09-19-10, Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 09-19-10 | New American Bible

Posted on 09/18/2010 10:07:06 PM PDT by Salvation

September 19, 2010


Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Reading 2
Gospel


Reading 1

Am 8:4-7

Hear this, you who trample upon the needy
and destroy the poor of the land!
"When will the new moon be over," you ask,
"that we may sell our grain,
and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?
We will diminish the ephah,
add to the shekel,
and fix our scales for cheating!
We will buy the lowly for silver,
and the poor for a pair of sandals;
even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!"
The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
Never will I forget a thing they have done!

 
Responsorial Psalm

R. (cf. 1a, 7b) Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
to seat them with princes,
with the princes of his own people.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.

 
Reading 2

Beloved:
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers,
petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,
for kings and for all in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life
in all devotion and dignity.
This is good and pleasing to God our savior,
who wills everyone to be saved
and to come to knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God.
There is also one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus,
who gave himself as ransom for all.
This was the testimony at the proper time.
For this I was appointed preacher and apostle
— I am speaking the truth, I am not lying —,
teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray,
lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

 
Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples,
"A rich man had a steward
who was reported to him for squandering his property.
He summoned him and said,
'What is this I hear about you?
Prepare a full account of your stewardship,
because you can no longer be my steward.'
The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do,
now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?
I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.
I know what I shall do so that,
when I am removed from the stewardship,
they may welcome me into their homes.'
He called in his master's debtors one by one.
To the first he said,
'How much do you owe my master?'
He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.'
He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note.
Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.'
Then to another the steward said, 'And you, how much do you owe?'
He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.'
The steward said to him, 'Here is your promissory note;
write one for eighty.'
And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
"For the children of this world
are more prudent in dealing with their own generation
than are the children of light.
I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,
so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters
is also trustworthy in great ones;
and the person who is dishonest in very small matters
is also dishonest in great ones.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,
who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,
who will give you what is yours?
No servant can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and mammon."

or

Jesus said to his disciples:
"The person who is trustworthy in very small matters
is also trustworthy in great ones;
and the person who is dishonest in very small matters
is also dishonest in great ones.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,
who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,
who will give you what is yours?
No servant can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and mammon."



TOPICS: Catholic; General Discusssion; Prayer; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholic; catholiclist; ordinarytime
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For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

1 posted on 09/18/2010 10:07:13 PM PDT by Salvation
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To: nickcarraway; NYer; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ArrogantBustard; Catholicguy; RobbyS; markomalley; ...
Alleluia Ping!

If you aren’t on this ping list NOW and would like to be on it, please Freepmail me.

2 posted on 09/18/2010 10:11:53 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Keep praying for the Pope!

[Double] NOVENA FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI [Ecumenical]

3 posted on 09/18/2010 10:13:09 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
Prayers for The Religion Forum (Ecumenical)
4 posted on 09/18/2010 10:17:20 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
40 Days for Life starts September 22 in 238 locations [September 22-October 31]

5 posted on 09/18/2010 10:17:53 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All


Information:
St. Januarius
Feast Day: September 19
Born: 275, Benevento or Naples, Campania, Roman Empire
Died: 305, Pozzuoli, Campania
Major Shrine: Cathedral of San Gennaro, Naples, Italy
Patron of: blood banks; Naples; volcanic eruptions

6 posted on 09/18/2010 10:22:50 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
The Memorial or Optional Memorial is superseded by the Sunday Liturgy.

San Gennaro Miracle Recurs (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
Naples hails annual miracle of liquefying blood (San Gennaro) [St. Januarius] [2007]
San Gennaro (St. Januarius): New Miracle [2006]

Miracle of San Gennaro Repeated (St. Januarius) [2005]
Sept. 19: St. Januarius, Bishop & Martyr, and His Companions, Martyrs (Gueranger)
The Life Of St. Januarius
Saint's Dried Blood Liquefies in 'Miracle' [2002]
Saint's Blood Liquefies - Good Omen for the World [2001]

7 posted on 09/18/2010 10:24:37 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
 
Jesus. High Priest
 

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem.  He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

8 posted on 09/18/2010 10:31:39 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

Pray the Rosary

1.  Sign of the Cross:  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

2.  The Apostles Creed:  I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3.  The Lord's Prayer:  OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary:  HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be:  GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer.  Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

 

The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.


The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]


9 posted on 09/18/2010 10:32:42 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All



~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
 Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we  humbly pray,
 and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
 by the power of God,
 Cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
 Amen
+

10 posted on 09/18/2010 10:33:07 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Pray for the Upcoming Elections

God Save Our Country web site (prayer warriors)
Prayer Chain Request for the United States of America

Pray for Nancy Pelosi
Bachmann: Prayer and fasting will help defeat health care reform (Freeper Prayer Thread)
Prayer Campaign Started to Convert Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians to Pro-Life
[Catholic Caucus] One Million Rosaries
Non-stop Rosary vigil to defeat ObamaCare

From an Obama bumper sticker on a car:

"Pray for Obama.  Psalm 109:8"

Psalm 109:8

    "Let his days be few; and let another take his place of leadership."

PLEASE JOIN US -

Evening Prayer
Someone has said that if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless.
Did you know that during WWII there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?  


There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.    Please forward this to your praying friends.


11 posted on 09/18/2010 10:33:38 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
 

September Devotion: Our Lady of Sorrows

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. Due to her feast day on September 15, the month of September has traditionally been set aside to honor Our Lady of Sorrows. All the sorrows of Mary (the prophecy of Simeon, the three days' loss, etc.) are merged in the supreme suffering at the Passion. In the Passion, Mary suffered a martyrdom of the heart because of Our Lord's torments and the greatness of her love for Him. "She it was," says Pope Pius XII, "who immune from all sin, personal or inherited, and ever more closely united with her Son, offered Him on Golgotha to the Eternal Father together with the holocaust of her maternal rights and motherly love. As a new Eve, she made this offering for all the children of Adam contaminated through his unhappy fall. Thus she, who was the mother of our Head according to the flesh, became by a new title of sorrow and glory the spiritual mother of all His members."

INVOCATIONS
Mary most sorrowful, Mother of Christians, pray for us.
Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us.

TO THE QUEEN OF MARTYRS
Mary, most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, accept the sincere homage of my filial affection. Into thy heart, pierced by so many swords, do thou welcome my poor soul. Receive it as the companion of thy sorrows at the foot of the Cross, on which Jesus died for the redemption of the world. With thee, O sorrowful Virgin, I will gladly suffer all the trials, contradictions, and infirmities which it shall please our Lord to send me. I offer them all to thee in memory of thy sorrows, so that every thought of my mind, and every beat of my heart may be an act of compassion and of love for thee. And do thou, sweet Mother, have pity on me, reconcile me to thy divine Son Jesus, keep me in His grace, and assist me in my last agony, so that I may be able to meet thee in heaven and sing thy glories. Amen.

TO THE MOTHER OF SORROWS
Most holy Virgin. and Mother, whose soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the Passion of thy divine Son, and who in His glorious Resurrection wast filled with never-ending joy at His triumph; obtain for us who call upon thee, so to be partakers in the adversities of Holy Church and the sorrows of the Sovereign Pontiff, as to be found worthy to rejoice with them in the consolations for which we pray, in the charity and peace of the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

IN HONOR OF THE SORROWS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
O most holy and afflicted Virgin! Queen of Martyrs! thou who didst stand motionless beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy expiring Son--through the unceasing sufferings of thy life of sorrow, and the bliss which now more than amply repays thee for thy past trials, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity on me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy dolors, and place my requests, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart; present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred death and passion, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the cross, and through the united efficacy of both obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I resort in my wants and miseries if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer for me to my Savior one drop of the Blood which flowed from His sacred veins, one of the tears which trickled from His divine eyes, one of the sighs which rent His adorable Heart. O refuge of the universe and hope of the whole world, do not reject my humble prayer, but graciously obtain the grant of my petition.

TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS
O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and the death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that, being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen.    --Saint Bonaventure

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady

1. The Prophecy of Simeon 
2. The Flight into Egypt .
3. The Loss of Jesus in the Temple 
4. Mary meets Jesus Carrying the Cross 
5. The Crucifixion
6. Mary Receives the Dead Body of Her Son
7. The Burial of Her Son and Closing of the Tomb.
Consecration to Our Lady of Sorrows

Most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, Mary, would that I could be in Heaven, there to contemplate the honors rendered to thee by the Most Holy Trinity and by the whole Heavenly Court! But since I am still a pilgrim in this vale of tears, receive from me, thy unworthy servant and a poor sinner, the most sincere homage and the most perfect act of vassalage a human creature can offer thee. 
In thy Immaculate Heart, pierced with so many swords of sorrow, I place today my poor soul forever; receive me as a partaker in thy dolors, and never suffer that I should depart from that Cross on which thy only begotten Son expired for me. 
With thee, O Mary, I will endure all the sufferings, contradictions, infirmities, with which it will please thy Divine Son to visit me in this life. All of them I offer to thee, in memory of the Dolors which thou didst suffer during thy life, that every thought of my mind, every beating of my heart may henceforward be an act of compassion to thy Sorrows, and of complacency for the glory thou now enjoyest in Heaven. 
Since then, O Dear Mother, I now compassionate thy Dolors, and rejoice in seeing thee glorified, do thou also have compassion on me, and reconcile me to thy Son Jesus, that I may become thy true and loyal son (daughter); come on my last day and assist me in my last agony, even as thou wert present at the Agony of thy Divine Son Jesus, that from this painful exile I may go to Heaven, there to be made partaker of thy glory.
Amen.


 

Our Lady of Sorrows: Sorrowful Mother


to At the Cross Her Station Keeping

The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows

The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows consists of 7 groups of 7 beads, with 3 additional beads and a Crucifix.  Say each of the sorrow below followed by 7 Hail Mary's. The 7 groups of 7 Hail Mary's are recited in remembrance of
the 7 Sorrows of Mary:

1. The prophecy of Simeon.
2. The flight into Egypt.
3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
4. Mary meets Jesus carrying His cross.
5. The Crucifixion
6. Mary received the Body of Jesus from the cross
7. The Body of Jesus is placed in a tomb.

3 Hail Mary's are added in remembrance of the tears Mary shed because of the suffering of her Divine Son. These are said to obtain true sorrow for our sins.
The concluding prayer follows:

V/. Pray for us, O most sorrowful Virgin.
R/. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, we now implore, both for the present and for the hour of our death, the intercession of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, whose holy soul was pierced at the time of Thy passion by a sword of grief.  Grant us this favor, O Saviour of the world, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

The Blessed Virgin Mary grants 7 special graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying 7 Hail Mary's
and meditating on her tears and dolors. This devotion was passed on by St. Bridget of Sweden.

Here are the 7 special graces:

1. I will grant peace to their families.
2. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
3. I will console them in their pains, and I will accompany them in their work.
4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy, and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death; they will see the face of their mother.
7. I have obtained (this grace) from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.

The Chaplet to Our Lady of Sorrows

(Jesus said, "The Chaplet is to be a Devotion for the Time of Darkness, and is being given
as a spiritual weapon against the Seven deadly sins.")

First Sorrow of Mary, the Prophecy of Simeon:
"This was My Mother's 'Agony in the Garden' in which She said yes to the coming pain that acceptance of the Divine Will of God would bring."

PRAYER: "I pray for the gift of surrender to the will of God to overcome the temptation to envy."
Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be and the following Litany:

Litany

Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, pray for us.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
Mother of the Sorrowful Heart, pray for us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Maria, Rosa Mystica, pray for us.
House of God, pray for us.
Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Roses, pray for us.
Queen of Mercy, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

Second Sorrow of Mary, The Flight Into Egypt:
"The hatred and fear which led to the slaughter of the innocents was on of the most painful aspects of this sorrow. My Mother and I continue to weep today over the slaughter of innocents in the womb caused by the hatred and fear which still fills the hearts of mankind."

PRAYER: "I pray for the gift of respect for life to overcome the temptation to anger."
Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be, and the Litany

Third Sorrow of Mary, The Loss of Jesus in the Temple:
"My Mother did not look in the Temple for Me, and so lost Me for three days (like My three days in the tomb). My Priests are failing today to look for Me in the 'Temple,' in obedience to My Pope and to the authority I have placed in My Church. My Church is in its THREE DAYS OF DARKNESS and has much to suffer for its disobedience. Offer the pain in My Mother's Hearts that My priests might return to MY TEMPLE and find me again." (There was an interior Knowledge that Jesus was Not saying this was true of all His priests, but rather He was mourning over those priests who were doing this, plus asking for prayer for them.)

PRAYER: "I pray for the gift of obedience to overcome the temptation to Pride."
Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be, and the Litany

Fourth Sorrow of Mary, Mary Meets Jesus on the Road to Calvary:
"My priests will no longer accept the pain of the WAY OF THE CROSS. They no longer walk with Me as My Mother did. They especially refuse the pain and sacrifice of their vow of celibacy. Sexual sins are destroying My Church." (Again, as above, Jesus was not saying this was true of all priests, but was grieving over those who were doing this.)

PRAYER: "I pray for the gift of chastity to overcome the temptation to lust."
Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be, and the Litany

Fifth Sorrow of Mary,Jesus is Nailed to the Cross:
"Offer your pain as Mary did, in union with My Cross. All pain, united to My Pasion, has power to redeem. My Church, more than ever, has need of sacrificial offerings."

PRAYER: "I pray for the gift of sacrifice to overcome the temptation to gluttony."
Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be, and the Litany

Sixth Sorrow of Mary, Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross and Laid in His Mother's Arms:
"My priests and My people are no longer willing to hold My broken body. They will not minister to the brokenness they see around them. They will not help Me bring salvation to those in need. They will not let Me put in their hearts the gift I would give them of a thirst for souls. Pray that they will return to a willingness to do penance and offer sacrifices for their brothers and sisters in need, who still constitute My broken body."

PRAYER: "I pray for the gift of compassion to overcome the temptation to sloth.
Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be, and the Litany

Seventh Sorrow of Mary, Jesus is Laid in the Tomb:
"My Church, My chosen ones, must lay all attachments in the TOMB, especially the attachment to their own way, their will, their plans. They must die and accept the death of al lthey would hold dear to allow God's Will and His Plan to replace their own."

PRAYER: "I pray for the gift of detachment to overcome the temptation to greed."
Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be, and the Litany

Prayer To Our Lady of Sorrows

I compassionate thee, O most sorrowful Mother! Thy heart was pierced with a sword of grief when Simeon foretold to thee in the Temple the ignominious death and the desolation of thy divine and most dear Son, which thou west destined one day to witness. By the great anguish of thy suffering heart, O gracious Queen of the universe, impress upon my mind, in life and in death, the sacred Passion of Jesus and shine own sorrows. Amen.

~~ by Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, you stood beneath the cross, witnessing the agony of your dying Son. Look with a mother's tenderness and pity on me, who kneel before you. I venerate your sorrows and I place my requests with filial confidence in the sanctuary of your wounded heart.

Present them, I beseech you, on my behalf to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred passion and death, together with your sufferings at the foot of the cross. Through the united efficacy of both, obtain the granting of my petition. To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries if not to you, Mother of Mercy? You have drunk so deeply of the chalice of your Son, you can compassionate our sorrows.

Holy Mary, your soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the passion of your divine Son. Intercede for me and obtain for me from Jesus (mention your petition) if it be for His honor and glory and for my good. Amen.

Lenten Prayer to the Sorrowful Mother

Remember, O Virgin Mother of God, when you stand in the sight of the Lord, to speak good things for us and to turn away His indignation from us.

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew,
Of my Savior crucified.
Let me to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death,
Of that dying Son of thine.
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh
Lest in flames I burn and die.
In that awful judgment day.
Christ, when Thou shall call me hence,
Be Thy Mother my defense.
Be Thy Cross my victory.
While my body here decays,
May my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in paradise with Thee. Amen.

V. Pray for us, O most sorrowful Virgin,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Let intercession be made for us, we beseech You, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of Your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow, in the hour of Your bitter Passion. Through You, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

Our Lady of a happy Death, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Most holy Mother of Sorrows, by that soul-piercing martyrdom that you experienced at the foot of the Cross during the three hours of agony of your Son, Jesus, assist me in my time of need. I am a a child of sorrows and when I am faced with my agony, intercede on my behalf so that I may be found worthy to pass from my deathbed to the blessed paradise of the Kingdom of God. Amen.

V. >From a sudden and unprovided death,
R. Deliver me, O Lord.
V. >From the snares of the devil,
R. Deliver me, O Lord.
V. From everlasting death,
R. Deliver me, O Lord.

The Sorrowful Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of sorrows, the Crucified is with thee; thou art pitiable amongst women, and pitiable is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of the Crucified, implore for us, the crucifiers of thy Son, tears of contrition, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

~~approved by Pope Pius IX in 1847

Stabat Mater

At the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword had passed.
Oh, how sad and sore distressed was that Mother highly blest, of the sole begotten One!
Christ above in torment hangs; she beneath beholds the pangs of her dying, glorious Son.
Is there one who would not weep, 'whelmed in miseries so deep Christ's dear Mother to behold?
Can the human heart refrain from partaking in her pain, in that Mother's pain untold?
Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, she beheld her tender Child all with bloody scourges rent;
For the sins of His own nation saw Him hang in desolation, till His Spirit forth He sent.
O thou Mother, fount of love! Touch my spirit from above, make my heart with thine accord;
Make me feel as thou hast felt; make my soul to glow and melt with the love of Christ, my Lord.
Holy Mother! Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour Crucified;
Let me share with thee His pain, Who for all my sins was slain, Who for me in torments died.
Let me mingle tears with thee, mourning Him Who mourned for me, all the days that I may live.
By the Cross with thee to stay, there with thee to weep and pray, is all I ask of thee to give.
Virgin of all virgins blest! Listen to my fond request: Let me share thy grief divine;
Let me to my latest breath, in my body bear the death of that dying Son of thine.
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, lest in flames I burn and die, in His awful Judgment Day.
Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence, be Thy Mother my defense, be Thy Cross my victory;
While my body here decays, may my soul Thy goodness praise, safe in paradise with Thee. Amen.

~(Cf Raccolta, No. 378)  

Offering

Eternal Father, we offer Thee the Blood, the Passion, and the Death of Jesus Christ, the sorrows of Mary most holy, and of St. Joseph, in satisfaction for our sins, in aid of the holy souls in Purgatory, for the needs of holy Mother Church, and for the conversion of sinners.

Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us!

Prayer Before an Image of the Mother of Sorrows

O most compassionate Mother, what bitterness filled thy heart when thou didst embrace the lacerated Body of thy Son with thy virginal arms, press Him lovingly to thy maternal heart, and cover Him with tenderest kisses. I remind thee of this inexpressible bitterness, in virtue of which I beseech thee to obtain for me forgiveness of my sins.

O Mary, pray for me, a poor sinner, to thy Jesus Whom thou didst hold in thy arms. Take the wounded Body of thy Son into thy maternal arms, and offer Him in this condition to the Heavenly Father for me. Offer His pierced Heart, His Passion and Death, and all thy own immeasurable sorrows to obtain grace and mercy for me, particularly (mention the favor you desire here). Amen.

Holy Mother, pierce me though; in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour Crucified.

O Mary, our hope, have pity on us!

A Precious Offering

O Mary, Mother of Sorrows, I beseech thee, by the inexpressible tortures thou didst endure at the death of thy Son, offer to the Eternal Father, in my stead, thy beloved Son all covered with Blood and Wounds, for the grace of (mention your intention). Amen.

~ St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars

Prayer to Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted

Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most compassionate Mother, we present ourselves in thy sight in all humility, and with full confidence we implore thee for thy maternal patronage.

Thou hast been proclaimed by Holy Church the Comforter of the Afflicted, and to thee constant recourse is had by the sorrowful in their afflictions, the sick in their maladies, the dying in their agony, the poor in their straitened circumstances, those who stand in all manner of need in both public and private calamities; and from thee they all receive consolation and strength.

Our dearest Mother, turn upon us also, wretched sinners that we are, thy merciful eyes, and graciously accept our humble and confident prayers. Aid us in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; deliver us from all evil, and especially from sin, which is the greatest evil, and from all danger of falling into it; obtain for us from thy Son Jesus every blessing of which thou seest we stand in need, both in soul and in body, and especially the greatest blessing of all, which is Divine grace. Comfort our spirits, troubled and afflicted in the midst of the many dangers that threaten us and in the countless miseries and misfortunes that beset us on every side. This we ask through that immense joy which filled thy pure soul in the glorious Resurrection of thy Divine Son.

Obtain tranquility for Holy Church, help and comfort for her visible Head, the Roman Pontiff, peace for Christian princes, refreshment in their pains for the Holy Souls in Purgatory; for sinners, the forgiveness of their sins, and for the just, perseverance in well-doing. Receive us all, our most tender Mother, under thy loving and mighty protection, that we may be enabled to live virtuously, die holily and attain to everlasting happiness in heaven. Amen.

~~ (Rac., No. 419)

Prayer to the Mother of Sorrow

O Mother of Sorrows, by the anguish and love with which thou didst stand at the cross of Jesus, stand by me in my last agony. To thy maternal heart I commend the last three hours of my life. Offer these hours to the Eternal Father in union with the agony of our dearest Lord in atonement for my sins. Offer to the Eternal Father the most Precious Blood of Jesus, mingled with your tears on Calvary, that I may obtain the grace of receiving Holy Communion with the most perfect love and contrition before my death, and that I may breathe forth my soul in the adorable Presence of Jesus.

Dearest Mother, when the moment of my death has at length come, present me as your child to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive me for having offended Him for I know not what I did. Beg Him to receive me into His kingdom of glory to be united with Him forever. Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows, by St. Bridget

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of God, who didst endure a martyrdom of love and grief beholding the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus! Thou didst cooperate in the benefit of my redemption by thine innumerable afflictions and by offering to the Eternal Father His only begotten Son as a holocaust and victim of propitiation for my sins. I thank thee for the unspeakable love which led thee to deprive thyself of the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, true God and true Man, to save me, a sinner. Oh, make use of the unfailing intercession of thy sorrows with the Father and the Son, that I may steadfastly amend my life and never again crucify my loving Redeemer by new sins, and that, persevering till death in His grace. I may obtain eternal life through the merits of His Cross and Passion. Amen.

Mother of love, of sorrow and of mercy, pray for us.  

PRAYER TO OUR SORROWFUL MOTHER

O Mother of Sorrows, thou, who beneath the Cross of Jesus were given to us as our Mother, look down with pity on us, thy children, who weep and mourn in this valley of tears. By that sword of sorrow which pierced thy Heart when thou looked upon the Face of thy dead Son, obtain for us that comfort we so sorely need in our sufferings.

Thou were given to us our Mother in the hour of thy greatest grief that thou might be mindful of our frailty and the evils that press upon us. Without thy aid, O Sorrowful Mother, we cannot gain the victory in this struggle against flesh and blood. Therefore, we seek thy help, O Queen of Sorrows, lest we fall prey to the wiles of the enemy. We are orphans in need of the guiding hand of our Mother amid the dangers that threaten our destruction. Thou whose grief was boundless as the sea, grant us by the memory of those sorrows the strength to be victorious.

Intercede further, O Mother of Sorrows, for us and all who are near and dear to us, that we may ever do the Will of thy Son, and may direct all our actions to His honor, and to the furtherance of devotion to thy sorrows. Amen.

Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us.

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be....

Mary, most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, accept the sincere homage of my filial affection. Into thy Heart, pierced by so many swords, do thou welcome my poor soul. Receive it as the companion of thy sorrows at the foot of the Cross, on which Jesus died for the redemption of the world. With thee, O sorrowful Virgin, I will gladly suffer all the trials, contradictions, and infirmities which it shall please Our Lord to send me. I offer them all to thee in memory of thy sorrows, so that: every thought of my mind and every beat of my heart may be an act of compassion and of love for thee. And do thou, sweet Mother, have pity on me, reconcile me to thy Divine Son, Jesus; keep me in His grace and assist me in my last agony, so that I may be able to meet thee in Heaven and sing thy glories.

Most holy Virgin and Mother, whose soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the Passion of thy Divine Son, and who in His glorious Resurrection wast filled with never ending joy at His triumph, obtain for us who call upon thee, so to be partakers in the adversities of Holy Church and the Sorrows of the Sovereign Pontiff, as to be found worthy to rejoice with them in the consolations for which we pray, in the charity and peace of the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Recommendation:

Pray 1 Hail Mary for each of the 7 Sorrows Our Lady experienced. This is easy and can be done anywhere, anytime, without having to have your prayerbook with you. You just have to memorize the 7 Sorrows, and you're set! This will at least show Our Lady that you acknowledge her sorrows, and remember them in appreciation. I'm sure she will be happy with you, and shower you with her special blessings.

[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] Spirituality: Our Lady of Sorrows
The Seven Swords Rosary Of Our Lady Of Sorrows [Catholic Caucus] Prayer and Meditation
The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows [Catholic Caucus] Prayer/Devotion

Our Lady of Sorrows, part I: "Her Martyrdom was longer and greater than that of all the martyrs"
The Seven Dolors (Sorrows) of Mary [Catholic/Orthodox Devotional]
Apparition in Africa: Our Lady of Sorrows [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary [Catholic Caucus Devotional]
Feast of Our Lady/Mother of Sorrows
Homilies on Our Lady of Sorrows
Starkenburg:Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine
Our Mother of Sorrows
ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI, OF THE DOLOURS OF MARY, The Glories [Sorrows] of Mary
Our Lady of Sorrows - Sep 15


12 posted on 09/18/2010 10:34:41 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
 

Holy Father's Intentions for September
The Word of God as Sign of Social Development

General:  That in less developed parts of the world the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people’s hearts, encouraging them to work actively toward authentic social progress.

The End of War
Missionary:  That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the numerous wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world.

13 posted on 09/18/2010 10:35:14 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

From: Amos 8:4-7

Exploiters denounced


[4] Hear this, you who trample upon the needy,
and bring the poor of the land to an end,
[5] saying, “When will the new moon be over,
that we may sell grain?
And the Sabbath,
that we may offer wheat for sale,
that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great,
and deal deceitfully with false balances,
[6] that we may buy the poor for silver
and the needy for a pair of sandals,
and sell the refuse of the wheat?”

[7] The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
“Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.
[8] Shall not the land tremble on this account,
and every one mourn who dwells in it,
and all of it rise like the Nile,
and be tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

8:1-14. The fourth vision, that of the ripe fruit (vv. 13), introduces a denunciation
of injustices (vv. 4-8 and a further description of the “day of the Lord” (vv 9-14).
The three things are interconnected. In the vision, the prophet plays with the
words (v. 2) “summer fruit”, qayits, and “end”, qets (see notes q and r). In this
way he is saying that Israel’s rottenness has run its course (vv. 4-8); nothing
can be done about it now — nothing but wait for the day of the Lord’s judgment
(vv. 9-14).

In his denunciation of injustices, Amos mentions, specifically, fraud (v. 5) and
exploitation of others when they are suffering need (v. 6). Church catechesis
uses this and other passages (cf. Deut 24:14-15; 25:13-16; Jas 5:4) to spell out
what the virtue of justice involves: “We should not dedicate our lives to the accu-
mulation of money and wealth when there are so many others who struggle to
survive in abject poverty; thus shall we heed the warning contained in the words
of the prophet Amos: Hear this, you who trample upon the needy, and bring the
poor of the land to an end, saying, ‘When will the new moon be over, that we
may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale’” (St Grego-
ry Nazianzen, De pauperum amore [Oratio, 14], 24).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.


14 posted on 09/18/2010 10:41:04 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

From: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

God Desires the Salvation of All


[1] First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanks-
givings be made for all men, [2] for kings and all who are in high positions, that
we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. [3]
This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires
all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is
one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Je-
sus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne
at the proper time. [7] For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle (I am tel-
ling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Men at Prayer, Women at Prayer


[8] I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hand without
anger or quarreling.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1. St Paul here establishes regulations for the public prayer of all the faithful; it
is up to Timothy, as head of the church of Ephesus, to specify these in detail,
and to preside over them. He refers to four types of prayer; however, since the
first three are almost synonymous, he is probably just stressing the key impor-
tance of prayer in the Christian life. St Augustine uses this text to explain the
various parts of the Mass: “We take as ‘supplications’ those prayers which are
said in celebrating the Mysteries before beginning to bless (the bread and wine)
that lie on the table of the Lord. We understand ‘prayers’ as meaning those pra-
yers that are said when (the offering) is blessed, consecrated and broken for dis-
tribution, and almost the whole Church closes this prayer with the Lord’s prayer
[...]. ‘Intercessions’ are made when the blessing is being laid on the people [...].
When this rite is completed and all have received this great Sacrament, the
whole ceremony is brought to an end by ‘thanksgiving’ — which is also the word
which concludes this passage of the Apostle’s” (”Letter 149”, 2, 16).

St Paul orders that prayers be said for all, not just for friends and benefactors
and not just for Christians. The Church helps people keep this command by the
Prayers of the Faithful or at Mass when “the people exercise their priestly func-
tion by praying for all mankind” and “pray for Holy Church, for those in authority,
for those oppressed by various needs, for all mankind, and for the salvation of
the entire world” (”General Instruction on the Roman Missal”, 45).

2. This desire to lead “a quiet and peaceful life” does not in any way imply a rela-
xation of the demands St Paul makes in other letters. He specifically says that
prayers have to be said “for kings and all who are in high positions” because they
are responsible for ensuring that civil law is in line with the natural law, and when
it is citizens are able to practise religious and civil virtues (to be “godly and re-
spectful”). Rulers have a heavy responsibility and therefore deserve to be prayed
for regularly.

St Paul’s instruction to pray for kings and others is particularly interesting if one
bears in mind that when he was writing this letter, Nero was on the throne — the
emperor who instigated a bloody persecution of Christians. St Clement of Rome,
one of the first successors of St Peter at the see of Rome, has left us touching
evidence of intercession for civil authority: “Make us to be obedient to your own
almighty and glorious name and to all who have rule and governance over us on
earth [...]. Grant unto them, O Lord, health and peace, harmony and security,
that they may exercise without offense the dominion you have accorded them
[...]. Vouchsafe so to direct their counsels as may be good and pleasing in your
sight, that in peace and mildness they might put to godly use the authority you
have given them, and so find mercy with you” (”Letter to the Corinthians”, 1, 60-
61).

If one bears in mind the injustices and brutality of the world in which Christians
lived when St Paul wrote this letter, the tone of his teaching shows that Christia-
nity has nothing to do with fomenting political or social unrest. The message of
Jesus seeks, rather, to change men’s consciences so that they for their part can
change society from within by working in an upright and noble way. The Church,
through its ordinary magisterium, teaches that “the political and economic run-
ing of society is not a direct part of (the Church’s) mission (cf. “Gaudium Et
Spes”, 42). But the Lord Jesus has entrusted to her the word of truth which is
capable of enlightening consciences. Divine love, which is her life, impels her to
a true solidarity with everyone who suffers. If her members remain faithful to this
mission, the Holy Spirit, the source of freedom, will dwell in them, and they will
bring forth fruits of justice and peace in their families and in the places where
they work and live” (SCDF, “Libertatis Conscientia”, 61).

3-4. God’s desire that all should be saved is a subject which appears frequently
in the Pastoral Epistles (cf. 1 Tim 4:10; Tit 3:4), and so he is often given the title
of “Savior” (cf. note on 1 Tim 1:1-2). Here it is given special emphasis: pray for
all men (v. 1), particularly those in high positions (v. 2), that all may be saved (v.
6).

Since God wants all men to be saved, no one is predestined to be damned (cf.
Council of Trent, “De Iustificatione”). “He came on earth because “omnes homi-
nes vult salvos fieri”, he wants to redeem the whole world. While you are at your
work, shoulder to shoulder with so many others, never forget that there is no
soul that does not matter to Christ!” (St. J. Escriva, “The Forge”, 865).

God desires man to be free as intensely as he desires his salvation; by making
man free he has made it possible for man to cooperate in attaining his last end.
“God, who created you without you,” St Augustine reminds us, “will not save
you without you” (”Sermon”, 169, 13).

In order to attain salvation, the Apostle lists as a requirement that one must
“come to the knowledge of the truth”. “The truth” is firstly Jesus (cf. Jn 14:6; 1
Jn 5:20); knowledge of the truth is the same as knowing the Christian message,
the Gospel (cf. Gal 2:5, 14). The human mind needs to come into play if one is
to be saved; for, although affections, emotions and good will are also involved,

it would be wrong to give them so much importance that the content of the truths
of faith is played down. As the original Greek word suggests, this “knowledge”
is not just an intellectual grasp of truth: it is something which should have an im-
pact on one’s everyday life; knowledge of the faith involves practice of the faith.

“The Church’s essential mission, following that of Christ, is a mission of evange-
lization and salvation. She draws her zeal from the divine love. Evangelization is
the proclamation of salvation, which is a gift of God. Through the word of God and
the Sacraments, man is freed in the first place from the power of sin and the po-
wer of the Evil One which oppress him; and he is brought into a communion of
love with God. Following her Lord who ‘came into the world to save sinners’ (1
Tim 1:15), the Church desires the salvation of everyone. In this mission, the
Church teaches the way which man must follow in this world in order to enter
the Kingdom of God” (SCDF, “Libertatis Conscientia”, 63).

5. Verses 5 and 6 compress a series of statements into the rhythmic format of
a liturgical hymn, a kind of summarized confession of faith containing the truths
one needs to believe in order to be saved (cf. v. 4).

“One mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”: the Apostle lays
stress on Christ’s humanity, not to deny his divinity (which he explicitly asserts
elsewhere: cf. Tit 2: 13) but because it is as man particularly that Christ is me-
diator; for if the function of a mediator is to join or put two sides in touch, in this
particular case it is only as man that he is as it were “distant both from God by
nature and from man by dignity of both grace and glory [...], and that he can
unite men to God, communicating his precepts and gifts to them, and offering
satisfaction and prayers to God for them” (”Summa Theologiae”, III, q. 26, a. 2).
Christ is the perfect and only mediator between God and men, because being
true God and true man he has offered a sacrifice of infinite value (his life) to re-
concile men to God.

The fact that Jesus is the only mediator does not prevent those who have
reached heaven from obtaining graces and helping to build up the Church’s holi-
ness (cf. “Lumen Gentium”, 49). Angels and saints, particularly the Blessed Vir-
gin, can be described as mediators by virtue of their union with Christ: “Mary’s
function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique media-
tion of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin’s salutary influ-
ence on men originates not in any inner necessity but in the disposition of God.
It flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ” (”Lumen Gentium”,
60).

6. “Ransom”: in the Old Testament God is said to ransom or redeem his people
particularly when he sets them free from slavery in Egypt and makes them his
own property (cf. Ex 6:6-7; 19:5-6; etc.). The liberation which God will bring
about in the messianic times is also described as redemption (cf. Is 35:9) and
implies, above all, liberation from sin: “he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities”
(Ps. 130:8). The same idea occurs in this verse: Jesus “gave himself” in sacrifice
to make expiation for our sins, to set us free from sin and restore to us our lost
dignity. “Unceasingly contemplating the whole of Christ’s mystery, the Church
knows with all the certainty of faith that the Redemption that took place through
the Cross has definitively restored his dignity to man and given back meaning to
his life in the world, a meaning that was lost to a considerable extent because
of sin” (John Paul II, “Redemptor Hominis”, 10).

“At the proper time”: God’s plan for man’s salvation is eternal, it did not start at a
particular time; however, it unfolds gradually in God’s good time (see the note on
Eph 1:10).

8. The raising of the hands at prayer is a custom found among both Jews (cf. Ex
9:29; Is 1:15; etc.) and pagans; it was also adopted by the early Christians, as
can be seen from murals in the Roman catacombs.

External stances adopted during prayer should reflect one’s inner attitude: “we
extend our arms”, Tertullian explains, “in imitation of the Lord on the Cross; and
praying we confess Christ” (”De Oratione”, 14). St Thomas Aquinas, referring to
liturgical rites, comments that “what we do externally when we pray helps to
move us internally. Genuflections and other gestures of that type are not plea-
sing to God in themselves; they please him because they are signs of respect
whereby man humbles himself interiorly; similarly, the raising of the hands signi-
fies the lifting of the heart” (”Commentary on 1 Tim, ad loc.”).

Everyone should pray regularly (vv. 1-2) and be sure to have the right dispositions;
men need to make sure that they do not approach prayer with their thoughts full
of earthly ambition; and women need to be sure vanity does not creep in. “Holy
hands” refers to the need to pray with a calm conscience, free from anger and
spite. We already have our Lord’s teaching that “if you are offering your gift at
the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer your gift” (Mt 5:23-24).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.


15 posted on 09/18/2010 10:41:36 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

From: Luke 16:1-13

The Unjust Steward


[1] He (Jesus) also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a ste-
ward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. [2]
And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear from you? Turn in the
account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ [3] And the ste-
ward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship
away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. [4] I
have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when
I am put out of the stewardship.’ [5] So, summoning his master’s debtors one by
one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ [6] He said, ‘A hun-
dred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly
and write fifty.’ [7] Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said,
‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’
[8] The master commended the dishonest steward for his prudence; for the sons
of this world are wiser in their own generation that the sons of light. [9] And I tell
you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that
when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations.

[10] “He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dis-
honest in a very little is dishonest also in much. [11] If then you have not been
faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches? [12]
And if you had not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that
which is your own? [13] No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate
the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1-8. The unfaithful steward manages to avoid falling on hard times. Of course, our
Lord presumes that we realize the immorality of the man’s behavior. What he em-
phasizes and praises, however, is his shrewdness and effort: he tries to derive
maximum material advantages from his former position as steward. In saving our
soul and spreading the Kingdom of God, our Lord wants us to apply at least the
same ingenuity and effort as people put into their worldly affairs or their attempts
to attain some human ideal. The fact that we can count on God’s grace does not
in any way exempt us from the need to employ all available legitimate human re-
sources even if that means strenuous effort and heroic sacrifice.

“What zeal people put into their earthly affairs: dreaming of honors, striving for ri-
ches, bent on sensuality. Men and women, rich and poor, old and middle-aged
and young and even children: all of them the same. When you and I put the
same zeal into the affairs of our souls, we will have a living and operative faith:
and there will be no obstacle that we cannot overcome in our apostolic underta-
kings” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 317).

9-11. “Unrighteous mammon” means temporal good which have been obtained
in some unjust, unrighteous way. However, God is very merciful: even his unjust
wealth can enable a person to practice virtue by making restitution, by paying for
the damage done and then by striving to help his neighbor by giving alms, by cre-
ating work opportunities, etc. This was the case with Zacchaeus, the chief tax
collector, who undertook to restore fourfold anything he had unjustly taken, and
also to give half his wealth to the poor. On hearing that, our Lord specifically de-
clared that salvation had that day come to that house (cf. Luke 19:1-10).

Our Lord speaks out about faithfulness in very little things, referring to riches —
which really are insignificant compared with spiritual wealth. If a person is faithful
and generous and is detached in the use he makes of these temporal riches, he
will, at the end of his life, receive the rewards of eternal life, which is the greatest
treasure of all, and a permanent one. Besides, by its very nature human life is a
fabric of little things: anyone who fails to give them their importance will never be
able to achieve great things. “Everything in which we poor men have a part — even
holiness — is a fabric of small trifles which, depending upon one’s intention, can
form a magnificent tapestry of heroism or of degradation, of virtues or of sins.

“The epic legends always relate extraordinary adventures, but never fail to mix
them with homely details about the hero. May you always attach great impor-
tance to the little things. This is the way!” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 826).

The parable of the unjust steward is a symbol of man’s life. Everything we have
is a gift from God, and we are His stewards or managers, who sooner or later
will have to render an account to Him.

12. “That which is another’s” refers to temporal things, which are essentially im-
permanent. “That which is your own” refers to goods of the spirit, values which
endure, which are things we really do possess because they will go with us into
eternal life. In other words: how can we be given Heaven if we have proved unfaith-
ful, irresponsible, during our life on earth?

13-14. In the culture of that time “service” involved such commitment to one’s
master that a servant could not take on any other work or serve any other master.

Our service to God, our sanctification, requires us to direct all our actions to-
wards Him. A Christian does not divide up his time, allocating some of it to God
and some of it to worldly affairs: everything he does should become a type of
service to God and neighbor — by doing things with upright motivation, and being
just and charitable.

The Pharisees jeered at what Jesus was saying, in order to justify their own at-
tachment to material things; sometimes people make fun of total commitment
to God and detachment from material things because they themselves are not
ready to practice virtue; they cannot even imagine other people really having this
generosity: they think they must have ulterior motives. See also the note on Mat-
thew 6:24.

[The note on Matthew 6:24 states:

24. Man’s ultimate goal is God; to attain this goal he should commit himself en-
tirely. But in fact some people do not have God as their ultimate goal, and instead
choose wealth of some kind — in which case wealth becomes their god. Man can-
not have two absolute and contrary goals.]

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.


16 posted on 09/18/2010 10:42:11 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Scripture readings taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd

Mass Readings

First reading Amos 8:4-7 ©
Listen to this, you who trample on the needy
and try to suppress the poor people of the country,
you who say, ‘When will New Moon be over
so that we can sell our corn,
and sabbath, so that we can market our wheat?
Then by lowering the bushel, raising the shekel,
by swindling and tampering with the scales,
we can buy up the poor for money,
and the needy for a pair of sandals,
and get a price even for the sweepings of the wheat.’
The Lord swears it by the pride of Jacob,
‘Never will I forget a single thing you have done.’
Psalm Psalm 112:1-2,4-8
Second reading 1 Timothy 2:1-8 ©
My advice is that, first of all, there should be prayers offered for everyone – petitions, intercessions and thanksgiving – and especially for kings and others in authority, so that we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet. To do this is right, and will please God our saviour: he wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus, who sacrificed himself as a ransom for them all. He is the evidence of this, sent at the appointed time, and I have been named a herald and apostle of it and – I am telling the truth and no lie – a teacher of the faith and the truth to the pagans.
  In every place, then, I want the men to lift their hands up reverently in prayer, with no anger or argument.
Gospel Luke 16:1-13 ©
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”
  Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master?” “One hundred measures of oil” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down straight away and write fifty.” To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe?” “One hundred measures of wheat” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond and write eighty.”
  ‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.
  ‘And so I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity. The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?
  ‘No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.’
Alternative gospel Luke 16:10-13 ©
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?
  ‘No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.’

17 posted on 09/18/2010 11:02:42 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Faithful Stewards of God’s Gifts and Mysteries — A Biblical Reflection for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Faithful Stewards of God’s Gifts and Mysteries — A Biblical Reflection for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

September 15th, 2010

Today’s Scripture readings see the proper use of material possessions as an essential ingredient in the life of faith.  The three sayings of today’s Gospel suggest a contrast between worldly wealth and eternal wealth.  Luke’s parable of the dishonest steward [16:1-8a] must be understood in the light of the Palestinian custom of agents acting on behalf of their masters and the usurious practices common to such agents. The dishonesty of the steward consisted in the squandering of his master’s property [1].

The master commends the dishonest steward who has forgone his own commission on the business transaction by having the debtors write new notes that reflected only the real amount owed the master (i.e., minus the steward’s profit). The dishonest steward acts in this way in order to ingratiate himself with the debtors because he knows he is being dismissed from his position [3].

The second part of today’s Gospel [8b-13] involves some independent sayings of Jesus gathered by Luke to form the concluding application of the parable of the dishonest steward.  The first conclusion [8b-9] recommends the prudent use of one’s wealth (in view of the coming of the end of the age) after the manner of the children of this world, represented in the parable by the dishonest steward.  The word used for dishonest wealth is literally “mammon of iniquity.”  Mammon is the Greek transliteration of a Hebrew or Aramaic word that usually means “that in which one trusts.” Wealth is characterized as being dishonest.

The second conclusion [10-12] recommends constant fidelity to those in positions of responsibility.  The third conclusion [13] is a general statement about the incompatibility of serving God and being a slave to riches. To be dependent upon wealth is opposed to the teachings of Jesus who counseled complete dependence on the Father as one of the characteristics of the Christian disciple [Luke 12:22-39].  Mammon is used here as if it were itself a god.

Exact meaning of the parable

The exact point of the parable is unclear.  It may ordinarily have been intended to urge disciples to a decision for the kingdom in a time of crisis, imitating the manager who acted decisively when faced with a crisis in his life.  Jesus urges his disciples to be enterprising in their use of the world’s goods, presumably by sharing them with the needy, and more generally, by using them according to God’s will.  The lesson is this: Just as people in business use prudence to secure their passing advantage, so too the followers of Jesus must use prudence to secure lasting advantage with God.  As Christians we are stewards of what God has given us.  We do not own it.  In the kingdom, rewards and responsibilities will be given to those who demonstrated a faithfulness in their earthly entrustments.

CARDINAL NEWMAN

The Stewardship of John Henry Newman

Cardinal John Henry Newman was a faithful steward of God’s gifts and mysteries. Born on February 21, 1801 into an Anglican family of bankers, from an early age he had a passion for God and spiritual matters, having experienced his “first conversion” at 15. He was ordained an Anglican minister in 1825, when he finished his studies at the University of Oxford. Newman spent the first half of his adult life as a scholar and preacher in Oxford, where he led a movement to renew the Anglican Church.

He journeyed from Anglicanism to Catholicism and used his great intellect and masterful writing ability to win over thousands of people to Christ and the Catholic Church.  In becoming a Catholic, Newman had to make many sacrifices. Many of his friends broke off relations with him after his conversion, and his family kept him at a distance. He had to resign his teaching fellowship and lost his only source of income. Newman said that the one thing that sustained him during this trying period was Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.  He spent the second half of his life working as a Catholic priest in Birmingham, serving as head of his community of Oratorians.

“He knows what He is about”

Once Newman had come to that unshakeable sense of the mission entrusted to him by God, he declared:

Therefore, I will trust Him… If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him… He does nothing in vain… He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide the future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.

Newman and young adults

It has been said that teaching is the art of leaving a vestige of oneself in the development of another. Newman did just that with thousands of students.  He was an exemplary model of intellect, fidelity, creativity, graciousness and hospitality to young men and women at the university.  For this reason he is the patron of university Catholic chaplaincies around the world known as “Newman Centers.”

Newman was a masterful poet.  ‘Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom, lead Thou me on’, Newman wrote in The Pillar of the Cloud; and for him Christ was the light at the heart of every kind of darkness.  He was also a profound and penetrating preacher.  One passage from a sermon he preached in 1834, more than a decade before he entered the Roman Catholic Church, often provided great comfort for the bereaved:

May He support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done! Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last.

The treasure in our midst

It was only late in his life that the Roman Catholic Church realized the treasure Newman was, and Oxford – a university he loved – recognized the full value of the man it had lost.  As a tribute to his extraordinary work and devotion, Pope Leo XIII named Father John Henry Newman a Cardinal in 1879.  After a life of trials, Newman received the news with tears and great joy, declaring: “the cloud is lifted forever”.

For Newman, believing in Christianity was like falling in love.  He took as his motto as a cardinal the phrase of St Francis de Sales, “Heart speaks to heart;” bullying and clever arguments, he said, do not bring us to God.

Cardinal Newman died at the age of 89 at the Oratory House in Edgbaston on August 11, 1890.  For his tomb he chose the inscription: Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem; Out of shadows and images into the fullness of truth. Christ was the truth he had found at the end of his life’s journey.

Cardinal Newman was declared Venerable in 1991 by Pope John Paul II.  On Sunday September 19, 2010, in Birmingham, England, this great Victorian Catholic theologian and one of the most influential English Catholics of the 19th century will be proclaimed blessed by Pope Benedict XVI.  The words of today’s second reading from the First Letter to Timothy 2:1-8 could easily flow from the lips of Cardinal Newman:

This was the testimony at the proper time.  For this I was appointed preacher and apostle.  I am speaking the truth, I am not lying, teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.  It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

Newman’s gift of friendship

Cardinal Newman was a brilliant model of friendship.  During his lifetime, Newman had an extraordinary capacity for deep friendship with many people, both men and women, as his 20,000 letters collected in 32 volumes attest.  This personal influence has been exerted very powerfully upon millions of people who have read his works and discovered what friendship really means.  He once wrote in a letter: “The best preparation for loving the world at large, and loving it duly and wisely is to cultivate an intimate friendship and affection for those who are immediately about.”

Are we able to foster such friendships today?  Can such intimate friendships exist for us?  Men and women often have intense friendships with members of their own sex, friendships that have no sexual component; yet we are at a loss to speak about them or even afraid to do so.  Today “friend” is one you add to a social networking profile on the web; or it is a euphemism for a sexual partner outside marriage.

The French writer François Mauriac once wrote about friendship:  “If you are friends with Christ many others will warm themselves at your fire…  On the day when you no longer burn with love, many will die of the cold.”  I am certain that the “kindly light” and flame in Cardinal Newman’s heart gave and continues to give life and warmth to millions of people.  I, for one, have found warmth and consolation at the feet of this great master for many years.  The source of the unquenchable fire was Newman’s deep friendship with Jesus Christ.  We need Newman’s kindly light and brilliant, holy example today more than ever.

Official prayer for the votive Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman:

O God, who bestowed on the Priest Blessed John Henry Newman the grace to follow your kindly light and find peace in your Church; graciously grant that, through his intercession and example, we may be led out of shadows and images into the fullness of your truth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Fr. Thomas Rosica CSB,
CEO, Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation

The readings for this Sunday are Amos 8:4-7; Timothy 2: 1-7; Luke 16: 1-13.


18 posted on 09/18/2010 11:04:13 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: everyone

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2592053/posts?page=3#3

BTW, everyone, the articles about the Pope’s state visit to England are on the thread in that post.


19 posted on 09/18/2010 11:41:44 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Shock and Awe

Shock and Awe

September 18th, 2010 by Fr. Jerry Pokorsky Print This Article Print This Article ·

Very few serial murderers or suicide bombers are devoted to frequent confession. Confession, to be sure, is not the stuff of shock and awe. Indeed, most priests will tell you that hearing confessions is hard work. It requires attentiveness as well as patience, for there seems to be a limit on the number of ways the Ten Commandments can be broken. Thoughtful penitents may find themselves frustrated because of an inability to break a predominant fault. But in the holy struggle against venial sin, they are really avoiding a far more serious pattern of mortal sin. This is one of the lessons that can be drawn from this week’s Gospel.

Christ tells us, “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.” The encounter with Christ in a devotional confession keeps us honest about ourselves and realistic. (A devotional confession is for the purpose of obtaining the sacramental graces to overcome patterns of venial sin, not strictly required because of mortal sin.) We are all capable of great sin. Avoiding the “big” sins begins with repenting of the “little” sins.

Vice never travels alone. In the Old Testament, King David’s sloth led to lust and adultery with Bathsheba. His adultery and his fear of being exposed eventually led to his murder of Bathsheba’s lawful husband, an innocent man. Eventually the prophet Nathan brought him to conversion with his famous, “Thou art the man!” indictment. Adopt a sense for the absurd for a moment and pretend there were Catholic priests hearing confessions in the Old Testament. Suppose King David confessed his sloth in lingering about the home front when he should have been accompanying his soldiers in battle. In his struggle, with the help of the sacrament of penance, the demon of his sloth may not have led him to meet the demons of lust, adultery and murder.

In the Gospels, even the hand-picked Twelve Apostles struggled with vices. James and John struggled with vainglory as they manipulated to be seated next to the Lord in His kingdom. Peter struggled with a chronic failure of nerve. Judas was a thief. Suppose Judas had approached Christ for help in overcoming his propensity for sticky fingers. And suppose Christ, the Good Confessor, had instructed him to make restitution as a condition for forgiveness. Perhaps with his sins “nipped in the bud,” Judas would not have shocked the world with his infamous betrayal.

During a recent television interview, a famous pop singer explained why she left the Catholic Church after years of Catholic training. She said at age 15 she concluded that it was too fantastic to believe that an impure sexual fantasy is a mortal sin. (Of course, impure fantasies begin with relatively venial immodest thoughts.) After leaving the Church her public life of debauchery, personal perversity and serial divorce became the fodder of the tabloids. She is said to have had several abortions along the way. It is all too easy to demonstrate, “the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.”

We are rightly shocked and awed by the horrors and depths of human suffering. But the sufferings of Christ on the cross teach us that one who suffers does not sin in the suffering, nor endanger his immortal soul. To this point, John Henry Newman is provocative. His words contrasting the horror of suffering to the gravity of sin ought to lead us to frequent devotional confession:

“The Catholic Church holds it is better for the sun and moon to drop from heaven, for the earth to fail, and for all the many millions on it to die of starvation in extremist agony, as far as temporal affliction goes, than that one soul, I will not say, should be lost, but should commit one single venial sin, should tell one willful untruth, or should steal one poor farthing without excuse.”

The most extreme human suffering does not have eternal consequences. The moral actions of man do. Even an unrepented venial sin is shocking and awful in its effects.

 
Fr. Pokorsky is pastor of St. Michael Parish in Annandal, Virginia.

(This article courtesy of the
Arlington Catholic Herald.)

20 posted on 09/18/2010 11:47:45 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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