Free Republic

Pondering the Night of the Senses and the Paradox That We See Farther in the Darkness Msgr. Charles Pope • September 14, 2017 • As human beings we are very visual; there is a certain demand of our flesh to see on its own terms. But of course God, who is pure spirit, will not be seen in this way.How can the human eye perceive what is spiritual? It is not designed to do so. We cannot see God as God any more than we should expect to be able to see justice sitting down to lunch with humility....

On the Paradoxical Freedom of Poverty Msgr. Charles Pope • September 13, 2017 • There is a saying that you cannot steal from a man who has nothing and you cannot threaten a man who has nothing to lose. Of Jesus, the Son of Man who had nowhere to lay his head (Matt 8:20), this was surely true. The world had no claim on Him, nothing with which to hook Him or claim His loyalty. Even His life could not be taken from Him, for He had already laid it down freely (cf Jn 10:18).St. John Chrysostom spoke of...

Next month, October 31st, will be the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's posting his ninety-five theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church. Whether one thinks Luther was right or wrong, this was one of the most important events in history. Western Civilization was rent in half. My views concerning Luther have gone all over the place during my lifetime, Was he a villain? Was he a hero? At times, I have held these diametrically opposed views. Now, I am of the opinion that he was a bit of both. Luther's chief attraction as a role model was that...

Strange Moments In Liturgical History – How a Paragon of Liturgical Tradition May Have Caused Unintended Effects Msgr. Charles Pope • September 12, 2017 • I have been asked by a number of people what I think of Pope Francis’ recent decision to remand a lot of the task of translating sacred texts to regional bishops’ conferences. To be honest, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I share many of the concerns about how the norms will be applied and how consistently accurate translations will be assured, but on the other, I do not know if it...

Considerations in Fraternal Correction Msgr. Charles Pope • September 11, 2017 • Fraternal correction is so important to the health of individuals, the family, the Church, and even nations, that some further reflection following Sunday’s Gospel is in order. The correction of a sinner is complex and difficult to accomplish well. Many avoid it entirely, especially due to these hypersensitive times, when some people base their very identity on their sins. Many take correction very personally, even labeling it “hate speech.” Those who dare to correct are often shamed for doing so and accused of “judging.”Distinguishing between what God...

On the Balance of Kindness and Correction Msgr. Charles Pope • September 10, 2017 • As a follow-up from Sunday’s Gospel (on correcting the sinner) it is important to reflect on balancing salutary discipline with necessary consolation and encouragement—never an easy task. For example, it is possible for parents to be so severe with their children that they become disheartened and lack necessary self-esteem; but it is also possible for parents to be so lax with them that the children become spoiled and lack proper self-discipline and humility. Scripture, seeking to balance teaching with encouragement, says, Fathers, do not...

My wife joined me on a business trip to New York City in 2004. I took an afternoon off to give her tour of my old neighborhood – Battery Park City in lower Manhattan. It looked a lot different than I remembered. That’s because there was a giant crater across the West Side Highway from where I used to live and work. It was the 16-acre site where the World Trade Center once stood, before its twin towers were reduced to scrap metal and rubble by Islamic jihadists using fuel-laden jetliners as weapons of mass destruction. As I toured what...

The Obligation of Clear, Compassionate Correction of the Sinner – A Homily for the 23rd Sunday of the Year Msgr. Charles Pope • September 9, 2017 • We live in times in which there is a widespread notion that to correct sinners is to “judge” them. Never mind that it is sin that we judge, not the sinner. Never mind that in accusing us of judging, the worldly-minded are themselves doing the very judging they condemn. Never mind any of that; the point of the charge is to try to shame us into silence. Despite the fact that Scripture...

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome Fr. Don Miller, OFM Image: Christian heroes and martyrs | William A. Foster | The Library of Congress First Martyrs of the Church of Rome Saint of the Day for June 30 (d. 64)  First Martyrs of the Church of Rome’s Story There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the “Apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 15:20). Paul had not yet visited them at the time he wrote his great letter in 57-58 A.D.There was a large Jewish...

Fr. Don Miller, OFM Image: The Virgin and Child with Saints Peter and Paul | Girolamo Figino Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul Saint of the Day for June 29  Saints Peter and Paul’s Story Peter (d. 64?). Saint Mark ends the first half of his Gospel with a triumphant climax. He has recorded doubt, misunderstanding, and the opposition of many to Jesus. Now Peter makes his great confession of faith: “You are the Messiah” (Mark 8:29b). It was one of the many glorious moments in Peter’s life, beginning with the day he was called from his nets along...

Fr. Don Miller, OFM Image: Stained glass window of Saint Irenaeus | Église Saint-Irénée, France | photo by Gérald Gambier Saint Irenaeus Saint of the Day for June 28 (c. 130 – c. 202)  Saint Irenaeus’ Story The Church is fortunate that Irenaeus was involved in many of its controversies in the second century. He was a student, well trained no doubt, with great patience in investigating, tremendously protective of apostolic teaching, but prompted more by a desire to win over his opponents than to prove them in error.As bishop of Lyons he was especially concerned with the Gnostics,...

Reparation to Mary Msgr.Charles Pope Question: In the Fatima devotions, we are told to make the five First Saturdays in reparation to Mary. But, though I am devoted to Mary, I wonder how I can make reparation to Mary for my sin when the sins I have committed have been against God and those around me? Is it not to God that reparation needs to be made? — Margaret Mantia, St. Louis Answer: The word “reparation” means to repair damages that we or others have inflicted. Even in secular language the word is used when one nation or group is...

On Priestly Discretion Msgr. Charles Pope • September 6, 2017 • To be discreet most commonly means to be careful, prudent, or circumspect, especially in terms of speech. The word discreet comes from Latin discretus, meaning separate or distinct. To be discreet is not to be secretive; it is to make a prudent discernment about what to say to whom and when to say it. Personal, private conversations ought to stay that way.For a priest, discretion is obviously essential. This is true not only because we hear confessions (in which case absolute secrecy is mandatory) but also because many...

When Jesus Said No Msgr. Charles Pope • September 5, 2017 • One of the difficulties that many Christians experience is that although the needs around us are great, we are limited in both personal strength and resources. Lurking in the back of our minds is the idea that whatever the problem, Jesus would always help and therefore we should as well. Is it always wrong to say “no” when there is a need?Jesus was quite generous with His time, attention, and resources. We are counseled to be rich in mercy and kindness, expansive in charity, and willing to...

Who is the Thief? Exploring One of Jesus’ More Provocative Images Msgr. Charles Pope • September 4, 2017 • One of the more interesting and surprising images the Lord used for Himself was “thief.” There is an indirect reference to this in the first reading for Tuesday of the 22nd week of the year. I’ll comment more on that passage in a moment, but first here are some other texts in which He used this imagery: But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have...

Fr. Don Miller, OFM Image: Statue in Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Sameiro, Braga, Portugal | photo by Joseolgon Saint Cyril of Alexandria Saint of the Day for June 27 (378 – June 27, 444)  Saint Cyril of Alexandria’s Story Saints are not born with halos around their heads. Cyril, recognized as a great teacher of the Church, began his career as archbishop of Alexandria, Egypt, with impulsive, often violent, actions. He pillaged and closed the churches of the Novatian heretics–who required those who denied the faith to be re-baptized–participated in the deposing of Saint John Chrysostom, and confiscated...

Fr. Don Miller, OFM Saint Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer Saint of the Day for June 26  Saint Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer’s Story An estimated 300,000 people filled St. Peter’s Square on October 6, 2002, for the canonization of Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei. His canonization came only 27 years after his death, one of the shortest waiting periods in Church history.Opus Dei, which means Work of God, emphasizes that men and women can become holy by performing their daily duties with a Christian spirit. In his homily, Pope John Paul II emphasized the importance of...

Fr. Don Miller, OFM Image: Grave Monument for Jutta, wife of count Louis II of Thuringia | Saint George parish Church, Thuringia | photographed by Wolfgang Sauber Blessed Jutta of Thuringia Saint of the Day for June 25 (d. c. 1260)  Blessed Jutta of Thuringia’s Story Today’s patroness of Prussia began her life amidst luxury and power but died the death of a simple servant of the poor.In truth, virtue and piety were always of prime importance to Jutta and her husband, both of noble rank. The two were set to make a pilgrimage together to the holy places...

Fr. Don Miller, OFM Image: St. John the baptist | Alessandro Rosi The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Saint of the Day for June 24  Saint John the Baptist’s Story Jesus called John the greatest of all those who had preceded him: “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John….” But John would have agreed completely with what Jesus added: “[Y]et the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28).John spent his time in the desert, an ascetic. He began to announce the coming of the Kingdom, and...

Fr. Don Miller, OFM Image: from a book entitled The life and death of Cardinal Wolsey | Authors: George Cavendish, Hans Holbein, and Bruce RogersSaint John Fisher Saint of the Day for June 23 (1469 – June 22, 1535)  Saint John Fisher’s Story John Fisher is usually associated with Erasmus, Thomas More, and other Renaissance humanists. His life therefore, did not have the external simplicity found in the lives of some saints. Rather, he was a man of learning, associated with the intellectuals and political leaders of his day. He was interested in the contemporary culture and eventually became...