Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 11-18-03,Optl St. Rose Duchesne, Ded. Bas'c. Sts. Peter & Paul

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 11-18-03 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

November 18, 2003
Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Tuesday 49 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel

Reading I
2 Macc 6:18-31

Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes,
a man of advanced age and noble appearance,
was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork.
But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement,
he spat out the meat,
and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture,
as people ought to do who have the courage to reject the food
which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life.
Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately,
because of their long acquaintance with him,
and urged him to bring meat of his own providing,
such as he could legitimately eat,
and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice
prescribed by the king;
in this way he would escape the death penalty,
and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him.
But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner,
worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age,
the merited distinction of his gray hair,
and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood;
and so he declared that above all
he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God.

He told them to send him at once
to the abode of the dead, explaining:
"At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense;
many young people would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar
had gone over to an alien religion.
Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life,
they would be led astray by me,
while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age.
Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men,
I shall never, whether alive or dead,
escape the hands of the Almighty.
Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now,
I will prove myself worthy of my old age,
and I will leave to the young a noble example
of how to die willingly and generously
for the revered and holy laws."

Eleazar spoke thus,
and went immediately to the instrument of torture.
Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed,
now became hostile toward him because what he had said
seemed to them utter madness.
When he was about to die under the blows,
he groaned and said:
"The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that,
although I could have escaped death,
I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging,
but also suffering it with joy in my soul
because of my devotion to him."
This is how he died,
leaving in his death a model of courage
and an unforgettable example of virtue
not only for the young but for the whole nation.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R (6b) The Lord upholds me.
O LORD, how many are my adversaries!
Many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"There is no salvation for him in God."
R The Lord upholds me.
But you, O LORD, are my shield;
my glory, you lift up my head!
When I call out to the LORD,
he answers me from his holy mountain.
R The Lord upholds me.
When I lie down in sleep,
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
I fear not the myriads of people
arrayed against me on every side.
R The Lord upholds me.

Gospel
Lk 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
"Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house."
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
"He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner."
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
"Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over."
And Jesus said to him,
"Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost."

[Salvation]

For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments and discussion.

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Alleluia Ping!

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[Salvation]

**"Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost."**

Zacchaeus was lost and was saved. How am I lost in today's world?

[Salvation]

FEAST OF THE DAY

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne was born in Grenoble, France in the
year 1769. She learned politics from her father and love of the poor
from her mother. At the age of 19, she entered the convent without
the permission or even the knowledge of her parents. When they
found out they opposed her decision, but Rose persevered and was
allowed to remain in the convent.

When the French Revolution broke out, the convent was closed.
Rose adapted to this change by going out and serving the poor and
sick. She even opened a school for the street children and helped
priests who were living underground. After the revolution, Rose was
unsuccessful in restarting her convent, so she and four of the other
nuns joined the Society of the Sacred Heart. Rose was soon made a
superior and supervisor of the novitiate and a school.

At the age of 49, Rose was given the opportunity to fulfill a life long
dream of being a missionary in the Louisiana territory. She and four
other nuns traveled to St. Louis and its surrounding towns. They
established a school, which failed, in St. Charles, Missouri, and a
school for Catholic Indians in Florissant, Missouri, which succeeded.
For the rest of her life, Rose continued her missionary work. At the
age of 72, she went to a new mission at Sugar Creek, Kansas to
work with the Potawatomi. She had trouble learning the language,
but became known as "Woman-Who-Prays-Always" because of her
constant life of prayer. Rose died at the age of 82 in the year 1852,
and was canonized in 1988.


The Basilica of St. Peter in Rome was first built by the Emperor
Constantine on the grave of St. Peter the apostle around the year
319. It was razed in 1506 so a new building could replace the
original, which survived many other renovations. The new Basilica
was dedicated more than one hundred years later.

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls was also originally built by
Emperor Constantine. It sits on the traditional site of St. Paul's grave,
and is not far from the place where Paul is thought to have been
beheaded. This Basilica was rebuilt after a fire in 1823 and was
consecrated in 1854.


QUOTE OF THE DAY

We cultivate a very small field for Christ, but we love it, knowing that
God does not require great achievements but a heart that holds back
nothing for self. -St. Rose Philippine Duchesne


TODAY IN HISTORY

1626 St Peter's Basilica consecrated in Rome by Urban VIII
1966 US bishops end mandatory Friday abstinence from meat


TODAY'S TIDBIT

When the Bishops of the United States said that it was no longer
required that meat not be eaten on Fridays, they did not say that
people could no longer continue this practice as a personal sign of
penance. The abstinence from meat on certain days is still a popular
way of showing interior dedication to God and used as a penance to
remind us of Jesus' sacrifice for us.


INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray for all soldiers.

[Salvation]

Thought for the Day

...man's response to God by faith must be free, and... therefore nobody is to be forced to embrace the faith against his will. The act of faith is of its very nature a free act.

 -- Dignitates Humanae

[NYer]

My favorite rosary is a papal rosary bead that I bought last year. It features the Basillica medals in place of the Our Father beads and look something like these.

The basillicas are:
St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Wall, St. Peter's and St. Mary Maggiore.

[Salvation]

What a beautiful Rosary!

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Tuesday, November 18, 2003 Meditation Luke 19:1-10 As “a chief tax collector, and rich” (Luke 19:2), Zacchaeus seems to have been a big success in a profession that involved cheating and defrauding people of their money. As a “chief,” or leading tax collector, Zacchaeus would probably have been considered a “chief” sinner as well (19:7). Like many of us, Zacchaeus probably wasn’t the most obvious candidate for discipleship. But Jesus knew Zacchaeus and was waiting for him long before this short government employee climbed that sycamore for a better look. And when they met, Zacchaeus was so moved by the encounter that his whole life was turned around. So too, Jesus is waiting for us as we try to get a better look at him. Perhaps something about him intrigues us as we attend Mass. Perhaps we even try to look for him during the week, only to find obstacles blocking our way, just as the crowd initially thwarted Zacchaeus. Still, Jesus is always there, waiting for the right moment when he can reveal himself to us more deeply and invite himself into our life. His meeting with Jesus moved Zacchaeus to give half his goods to the poor and to go far beyond the legal requirements for restitution (Luke 19:8). Amazing in itself, such a decision demonstrated how powerfully Zacchaeus’ heart had been touched by Jesus. Meeting Jesus should make a discernible difference in our lives. It should shake us to the core, moving us to become as generous with others as he has been with us. Most of us don’t have a one-moment conversion that dramatically turns our lives around overnight. But when it comes to knowing Jesus, there are depths upon depths to experience, and at each new level, Jesus invites us into a greater transformation into his likeness. This is true conversion: not just avoiding sin but becoming extravagant in our love for God and for the people he puts in our lives. Jesus is on the lookout for each of us—even as we are searching for him. Does that seem impossible? It’s not. Just remember how salvation came to the notorious Zacchaeus, and reach out for more of Jesus. “Jesus, I want to know you more and more. Come and fill my life. Start by giving me faith to believe that you really want to do this.”

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

<< Tuesday, November 18, 2003 >>

Dedication of the Churches of Sts. Peter & Paul St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

2 Maccabees 6:18-31

Psalm 3

Luke 19:1-10

View Readings

HUMILITY IN PRIDE’S PLACE

Jesus “looked up and said, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry down. I mean to stay at your house today.’ He quickly descended, and welcomed Him with delight.” —Luke 19:5-6

During Jesus’ time on earth, Jericho was considered a city of affluence and arrogance. Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector of the city, fit in well with the spirit of Jericho, for he was also affluent and arrogant. However, when Zacchaeus came down from the sycamore tree he had climbed, he began to come down off his pedestal of pride, even in the midst of a city of pride.

Jesus commanded Zacchaeus to come down out of the tree and to “make it snappy” (see Lk 19:5). We naturally don’t want to take orders, and we don’t want to be told to hurry. When Zacchaeus obeyed these commands, he was humbling himself. Then Jesus invited Himself to be a guest at Zacchaeus’ house (Lk 19:5). Naturally, we want to do our own inviting. But again Zacchaeus humbled himself. Next, Zacchaeus heard himself called a “sinner” (Lk 19:7). Jesus Himself said Zacchaeus was “lost” (Lk 19:10). No matter how lost and sinful we are, we don’t want to admit it, and we don’t want others to say it. Yet again Zacchaeus was humble. He humbly accepted salvation for himself and his house (Lk 19:9). He humbled himself further by promising to give half of his possessions to the poor and to make fourfold restitution to anyone he may have defrauded (Lk 19:8).

In the USA, we live in another Jericho. Our country is known world-wide for its arrogance. In this place of pride, be like Zacchaeus in humility.

Prayer: Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours (Mt 11:29).

Promise: “This is how he died, leaving in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue.” —2 Mc 6:31

Praise: Sts. Peter and Paul brought the good news of salvation and risen life in Christ to both Jew and Gentile.

[Salvation]

Homily of the Day

Homily of the Day

Title:	Through You, God Can Bring Forth Good Out of Evil
Author:	Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Date:	Tuesday, November 18, 2003

II Maccabees 6:18-31 / Lk 19:1-10

Out of every tragedy and every evil, God eventually brings a greater good, though sometimes that good remains hidden and invisible for a long time. Often, in the midst of suffering, it's difficult to understand or believe, but it is true. And from time to time we can see it happening. That's what we have in today's reading from the book of Maccabees: Good coming out of evil.

Eleazar, a ninety-year-old scholar of great dignity and preeminence, was confronted with the subtlest of all temptations, the opportunity to save his life by pretending to abandon his faith, while not really doing so at all. It was the perfect out: He could continue to enjoy his old age, while keeping his hands clean of any formal violations of God's law. Just pretend, for a few minutes! That was all.

But Eleazar refused, for he knew that he still had one gift left to give, a gift that was sorely needed, and that was the example of an old man, whose faithfulness could inspire the young to take heart and not betray what was best in them. Eleazar refused the seductive offer and was put to death amidst great agony. And the young men took heart and remained true.

Because Eleazar listened to God's voice within him, God brought forth good out of evil through him. God wants to do the same through and with you: Bring good out of evil. Are you listening to Him? Are you placing yourself entirely at His service? Some lives will be forever different if you do.

 

 

[Salvation]

St.Peter's in the Vatican Basilica

The splendid square and colonnade, Bernini's finest work, form a superb entryway to the greatest church of Christendom, dominated by the magnificent Dome of Michelangelo. The construction of this basilica, plagued by numerous obstacles and problems,was carried out by Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana. The basilica rises over the foundations of a paleochristian Church, which, according to tradition, was built over the tomb of the Martyred Apostle Peter.

[Salvation]

St. Paul's outside the walls Basilica

---

About 2 Km away on the Via Ostiense rises the Basilica St. Paul outside the walls, built over the burial place of the Apostle of the Gentiles and consecrated in 324. The building of the first place of worship over St. Paul's tomb has been attributed to the Emperor Constantine. A larger basilica was erected by the Emperors Valentiniano II, Theodosius and Arcadius. Destroyed by fire in 1823, it was rebuilt on the same foundations and consecrated by Pope Pius IX.

[Salvation]

ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE

Also known as

The Lady of Mercy; Woman Who Prays Always

Memorial

18 November

Profile

Born to family with wealth and political connections; her father, Pierre Francois Duchesne, was a lawyer, businessman, and prominent civic leader in Grenoble, and her mother, Rose Perier, was a member of a leading family from the Dauphine region. From age eight she had a desire to evangelize in the Americas, sparked by hearing a Jesuit missionary speak of his work there. She received a basic education at home from tutors, and religious education from her mother. Educated from age 12 at the convent of the Visitation nuns in Grenoble, she joined them in 1788 at age 19 without the permission or knowledge of her family. Initially they were violently opposed to her choice, but finally gave in.

Religious communities were outlawed during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution, and her convent was closed in 1792. She spent the next ten years living as a laywoman again, but still managed to act like a good member of her Order. She established a school for poor children, provided care for the sick, and hid priests from Revolutionaries. When the Terror ended, she reclaimed her convent and tried to reestablish it with a group of sisters she had maintained in Grenoble. However, most were long gone, and in 1804 the group was incorporated into the Society of the Sacred Heart under Saint Madeline Sophie Barat. They then reopened the convent of Sainte-Marie-d'en-Haut as the second house of Sacred Heart nuns. Rose became a postulant in December 1804, and made her final vows in 1805.

In 1815 Mother Duschene was assigned to found a Sacred Heart convent in Paris. On 14 March 1818 at age 49 she and four sisters were sent as missionaries to the Louisiana Territory to establish the Society's presence in America. Diseases contracted during the trip to America nearly killed her, and after she recovered in New Orleans, the trip up the Mississippi nearly killed her again. She established her first mission at Saint Charles, Missouri, a log cabin that was the first free school west of the Mississippi River. She eventually six other houses in America which included schools and orphanages. She ran into some opposition as her teaching methods were based on French models, and her English was terrible; her students, however, received a good education, and her intentions were obviously for their best.

She was ever concerned about the plight of Native Americans, and much of her work was devoted to educating them, caring for their sick, and working against alcohol abuse. Finally able to retire from her administrative duties, Mother Duchesne eangelized the Pottowatomies and in the Rocky Mountains at age 71, and taught young girls of the tribe. This work, however, lasted but a year as she was unable to master the Pottowatomi language. She was known to the tribe as "Woman-Who-Prays-Always".

She spent her last ten years in retirement in a tiny shack at the convent in Saint Charles, Missouri where she lived austerely and in constant prayer.

Born

29 August 1769 at Grenoble, France

Died

18 November 1852 at Saint Charles, Missouri, USA

Beatified

12 May 1940 by Pope Pius XII

Canonized

3 July 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Patronage

opposition of Church authorities, diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Missouri

Additional Information

Open Directory Project
History of Our Cradle Land, by Thomas H Kinsella
For All The Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
Columbia Encyclopedia
Catholic Online
Catholic Information Network
Credo Communications
One Year Book of Saints, by Father Clifford Stevens
Find A Grave
Latin Mass Community, Kansas City, Kansas
Catholic Encyclopedia, by Catherine M Lowth
Saints Alive, by Father Robert F McNamara
This Week in Missouri History

Readings

We cultivate a very small field for Christ, but we love it, knowing that God does not require great achievements but a heart that holds back nothing for self.

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne

---

I live now in solitude and am able to use my time reflecting on the past and preparing for death. I cannot put away the thought of the Indians and in my ambition I fly to the Rockies.

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne

[Salvation]

**In 1815 Mother Duschene was assigned to found a Sacred Heart convent in Paris. On 14 March 1818 at age 49 she and four sisters were sent as missionaries to the Louisiana Territory to establish the Society's presence in America.**

American History lesson!

**She established her first mission at Saint Charles, Missouri, a log cabin that was the first free school west of the Mississippi River. She eventually six other houses in America which included schools and orphanages.**

[NYer]

*American History lesson! *

And what a comforting one it is on this day when "history" is being made ... but not the kind we want to revisit in future history books.

[haole]

Words of Encouragement

Title: Wisdom for the Asking!
Author: Mark Shea
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2003


James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men
generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.

In most stories, the path to Wisdom lies through the performance
of Seven Herculean Feats or by climbing the Nine Mystic
Mountains of Zug and finding the Hidden Fleece of the Ram of All
Knowledge. The idea is always that wisdom is only attainable
through tremendous struggle. In contrast, the way to wisdom in
Scripture is almost an anti-climax. Want wisdom? Ask God for it.
Period. To be sure, there are a couple of minor caveats such as
"Don’t ask out of selfish motives," but that's about it. What stands
out is the amazing ease and lavish generosity with which wisdom
is given by God. Today, ask God for the riches of wisdom and
insight that are ours through Christ Jesus.

Passionate About the Passion by Deacon Keith A. Fournier
Catholic Way Passionate About the Passion


I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have been invited to a private viewing of Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion”
but I had also read all the cautious articles and spin.

I grew up in a Jewish town and owe much of my own faith journey to the influence. I have a life long, deeply held aversion to
anything that might even indirectly encourage any form of anti-Semitic thought, language or actions.

I arrived at the private viewing for "The Passion", held in Washington D.C. and greeted some familiar faces. The environment
was typically Washingtonian, with people greeting you with a smile but seeming to look beyond you, having an agenda beyond
the words. I moved out of Northern Virginia over three years ago and realized at that moment that I did not miss this kind of
approach at all. I live in southeastern Virginia now, among people who are neither geographically nor constitutionally close to
"the beltway" mindset or manner. The film was very briefly introduced, without fanfare, and then the room darkened.

From the gripping opening scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, to the very human and tender portrayal of the earthly ministry of
Jesus, through the betrayal, the arrest, the scourging, the way of the cross, the encounter with the thieves, the surrender on the
Cross, until the final scene in the empty tomb, this was not simply a movie; it was an encounter, unlike anything I have ever
experienced. In addition to being a masterpiece of film making and an artistic triumph, "The Passion" evoked more deep
reflection, sorrow and emotional reaction within me than anything since my wedding, my ordination or the birth of my children.
Frankly, I will never be the same.

When the film concluded, this "invitation only" gathering of "movers and shakers" in Washington, D.C. were shaking indeed, but
this time from sobbing. I am not sure there was a dry eye in the place. The crowd that had been glad-handing before the film
was now eerily silent. No one could speak because words were woefully inadequate. We had experienced a kind of art that is
a rarity in life, the kind that makes heaven touch earth.

One scene in the film has now been forever etched in my mind. A brutalized, wounded Jesus was soon to fall again under the
weight of the cross. His mother had made her way along the Via Della Rosa. As she ran to him, she flashed back to a memory
of Jesus as a child, falling in the dirt road out side of their home. Just as she reached to protect him from the fall, she was now
reaching to touch his wounded adult face.

Jesus looked at her with intensely probing and passionately loving eyes (and at all of us through the screen) and said "Behold I
make all things new." These are words taken from the last Book of the New Testament, the Book of Revelations. Suddenly, the
purpose of the pain was so clear and the wounds, that earlier in the film had been so difficult to see in His face, His back,
indeed all over His body, became intensely beautiful. They had been borne voluntarily for love.

At the end of the film, after we had all had a chance to recover, a question and answer period ensued. The unanimous praise for
the film, from a rather diverse crowd, was as astounding as the compliments were effusive. The questions included the one
question that seems to follow this film, even though it has not yet even been released. "Why is this film considered by some to
be "anti-Semitic?"

Frankly, having now experienced (you do not "view" this film) "the Passion" it is a question that is impossible to answer. A law
professor whom I admire sat in front of me. He raised his hand and responded "After watching this film, I do not understand
how anyone can insinuate that it even remotely presents that the Jews killed Jesus. It doesn't." He continued "It made me realize
that my sins killed Jesus"

I agree. There is not a scintilla of anti-Semitism to be found anywhere in this powerful film. If there were, I would be among the
first to decry it. It faithfully tells the Gospel story in a dramatically beautiful, sensitive and profoundly engaging way. Those who
are alleging otherwise have either not seen the film or have another agenda behind their protestations.

This is not a "Christian" film, in the sense that it will appeal only to those who identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. It
is a deeply human, beautiful story that will deeply touch all men and women. It is a profound work of art. Yes, its producer is a
Catholic Christian and thankfully has remained faithful to the Gospel text; if that is no longer acceptable behavior than we are all
in trouble. History demands that we remain faithful to the story and Christians have a right to tell it. After all, we believe that it is
the greatest story ever told and that its' message is for all men and women. The greatest right is the right to hear the truth.

We would all be well advised to remember that the Gospel narratives to which "The Passion" is so faithful were written by
Jewish men who followed a Jewish Rabbi whose life and teaching have forever changed the history of the world.

The problem is not the message but those who have distorted it and used it for hate rather than love. The solution is not to
censor the message, but rather to promote the kind of gift of love that is Mel Gibson's filmmaking masterpiece, "The Passion". It
should be seen by as many people as possible. I intend to do everything I can to make sure that is the case.

I am passionate about "the Passion." You will be as well.

Don't miss it!


What Have We Learned from This Good Shepherd? 11/18/03

Photos of the Pope from the last few years
show one thing that’s changed, and another
that hasn’t. As time passes, we see a man’s
body slowly but surely breaking down. But
what comes home just as clearly and even
more forcefully is the image of the same
crowds with the same fervor, pressing about
him every place he goes.

In This Article...
Living for the Church
He Shows Us Christ
Harmony of Pope and People

Living for the Church

Many have tried to explain the mystery of John Paul II’s magnetism. In general
they have sought for an answer in the hopes that move so many people to
turn to him. For example, with all the conflicts bloodying the world, there is a
widespread desire for peace, and John Paul II has continually declared that
the path to true peace lies in practicing a forgiveness that outlasts division.
Others say that what moves us to look to the Pope is the keen thirst for truth
felt by a society tired of lies and fleeting trends: the voice of the Pope
fearlessly proclaims a perennial truth, an incorruptible morality, which rises up
in defense of the dignity of man.

But we must go deeper if we wish to truly understand John Paul II’s
extraordinary attraction. We must look at what theology calls the sensus
fidei: a sort of instinct of faith permeating the minds and hearts of Catholics.

From this perspective, we see a Church clustered around the Pope, a Church
unable to distance itself from its supreme Shepherd, a Church that grasps the
impossibility of conceiving of itself without him. And we see a Pope who lives
for the Church, a Pope in whom the Church seeks the face of Christ.

He Shows Us Christ

Anyone who listens to him can sense that he speaks with an authority from
above — from that Gospel which will not disappear “till heaven and earth pass
away” (Mt 5:18). Close to the successor of Peter we feel a bond of
communion stronger than any tie based on history or culture. We touch the
mystery that makes the Church the family of God and makes each person a
daughter or son of God.

Age and physical suffering are weakening his strength but strengthening his
will, as he becomes ever more united to the cross of Jesus, the one whom he
loves with such obvious and exemplary generosity.

The Pope has called us to contemplate the face of Christ, so that the Church
can “take up with new impetus its evangelizing mission” in this new millennium
(Apostolic letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, 2). And we cannot help but think of
the Pope’s own example in his mission as Shepherd of the universal Church,
when we read these other words of his: “The men and women of our own day
— often perhaps unconsciously — ask believers not only to ‘speak’ of Christ,
but in a certain sense to ‘show’ him to them. And is it not the Church's task
to reflect the light of Christ in every historical period, to make his face shine
also before the generations of the new millennium?” (Ibid. 16).

This “contact” with our Lord is produced especially through pain: “The Church
is constantly invited by Christ to touch his wounds, to recognize, that is, the
fullness of his humanity taken from Mary, given up to death, transfigured by
the Resurrection: ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your
hand, and place it in my side’ (Jn 20:27). Like Thomas, the Church bows down
in adoration before the Risen One, clothed in the fullness of his divine
splendor, and never ceases to exclaim: ‘My Lord and my God!’ (Jn 20:28)”
(Ibid. 21).

Harmony of Pope and People

In the union between Peter’s successor and Jesus Christ, which everyone
senses to one degree or another, we find another explanation of the
mysterious harmony between Pope and people. The natural sentiment of
affection and gratitude which Catholics have for John Paul II is,
fundamentally, a recognition that the Pope has made us rediscover the best in
ourselves: our personal relationship with God, who created us and saved us in
his love.

In his first encyclical, the Pope wrote that man “is the primary route that the
Church must travel in fulfilling her mission.” The final reason for the
connection he makes with the hearts of believers is the fact that his passion
for man has its roots in the God-become-man. We feel close to John Paul II
because he reminds us that Christ is close to us, that he lives with us, that
he gives meaning to our lives. Certainty of Christ’s closeness needs no more
evidence than that of the cross, the cross to which the Pope is also
fastened.

It is only logical then for us to commemorate John Paul II’s 25th anniversary
by considering his importance, the profundity of his teachings, and the
consequences of his decisions. And it is also quite natural for us to feel the
need to express our gratitude with our whole heart. As he recently requested
in Pompeii on the feast of our Lady of the Rosary, let us pray for him always,
as a sign of our filial affection and of our deep and sincere gratitude.


(This article first appeared in the Osservatore Romano on November 15th
2003. It is used with permission of Opus Dei's Information Office in Canada.)




Working on Sunday 11/18/03

Dear Grace, In one of the Ten
Commandments, we are told to keep holy the
Sabbath. Does this mean that it is considered
sinful to work on Sundays?

The Bible tells us that, “In six days the Lord made the heavens and earth, the
sea, and all that is in them; but on the seventh day, He rested. That is why
the Lord has blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy” (Exodus 20: 11). For
the Jewish people, the seventh day (or Sabbath) was always a day of
“complete rest, sacred to the Lord” (Exodus 16:23). They observed very
strict rules about this day with no work of any kind permitted, and willful
violation of the Sabbath was punishable with death.

Jesus was a Jew. Therefore, He observed the Sabbath, but He also ushered in
a new understanding of it. He criticized the Scribes and Pharisees for putting
an intolerable burden on men’s shoulders (Matthew 23:4) and proclaimed that
“the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. That is why
the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2: 27-28). So, He cured
people on the Sabbath, and this was one reason why they plotted to kill Him.
After Christ died, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven, the Church
(with the authority given by Him) wanted to be as faithful to Jesus as
possible, so, after careful discernment, the Sabbath was eventually replaced
by the Christians with the Lord’s Day, and was changed from Saturday to
Sunday. This was done because some of the major salvation events, including
the Resurrection, had taken place on a Sunday.

Because we still consider that Sunday worship fulfills the moral command of
the Old Covenant, it remains as a day dedicated to the worship of God and to
rest. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “On Sundays and other
holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or
activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's
Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of
mind and body. Family needs or important social service can legitimately
excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that
legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and
health” (CCC# 2185).

Today, many people have jobs that require them to work on Sunday. The
Church would never say that we should leave our Sunday jobs if that is the
best we can do. As Christians, however, we should always be striving to
obtain employment that does not require Sunday work. In other words, it
would only be sinful when or if we have made no effort to seek work that
would allow us to be free on Sunday. In reality, any kind of labor which can
be done on another day of the week and which might take us away from our
focus on God, family, or charitable works is not good. All the other days of the
week God allows for other things, but Sunday is a day for Him, a holy and
sacred day.



Good News, Bad News 11/18/03 Deal Hudson

As you probably already know, the Episcopal church in America
(ECUSA)recently appointed an openly practicing homosexual as the bishop of
New Hampshire. Bishop V. Gene Robinson has been the center of a firestorm in
the ECUSA and the greater Anglican church around the world — some
communities are officially severing ties with the ECUSA because of this
decision, and many people are wondering if full schism isn't far down the road.

Still, Bishop Robinson and his supporters have defended the decision, saying
that the church needs to be open to everyone, not just a select few who
accept "outdated" teachings about homosexuality. Bishop Robinson feels that
this is a sign of God's work in the church, helping people feel welcomed and
free to speak their mind about their personal beliefs.

This is all pretty ironic, given what happened last week in England...

Apparently, the Right Rev. Dr. Peter Forster, Anglican bishop of Chester, said
in an interview with a local newspaper, "Some people who are primarily
homosexual can reorientate themselves. I would encourage them to consider
that as an option, but I would not set myself up as a medical specialist on the
subject — that's in the area of psychiatric health."

For daring to express his quite reasonable views, Forster has been accused by
the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) of making "offensive" and
"scandalous" remarks that others feel could incite violence against
homosexuals. Martin Reynolds, the communications director of the LGCM, said,
"These are irresponsible remarks that could inflame latent homophobia."

But it gets worse.

You see, the local police are now investigating Forster to determine if his
comments amount to a criminal offense under England's hate crime laws.

Even if one disagrees with the bishop's analysis of treating homosexuality, it's
his position — and the position of historic Christianity — that homosexual acts
are disordered. Should he be denied his right to say so publicly? And what
about the LGCM and other groups who push so hard for "equality" and
"inclusion" in the Anglican church? If Bishop Robinson is allowed his say, why
isn't Bishop Forster?

Look, honest efforts to ensure that homosexuals are protected equally under
the law is one thing; encroaching on the rights of others — where now even
disagreement could be made a criminal offense — is quite another. "Equality
for me but not for thee" now seems to be the rallying cry for gay activists.

It's small comfort that this blatant disregard of civil rights is occurring in the
UK and not in the U.S. (not yet,
anyway). But with the continuing success of gay activists in this country,
we're not far behind.

As sobering a thought as that is, I do want to give you some good news to
balance it out. Last week, while I was speaking at my alma mater, the
University of Texas, Austin, several students alerted me to the following...

Planned Parenthood recently began construction on a new abortion facility in
Austin, making it the fourth licensed abortion provider in the city. When local
pro-lifers got wind of the plan, they flooded the contractor's office with calls
and complaints about the project, saying that working with Planned
Parenthood would hurt Browning Construction's business with pro-life
companies.

The result? Browning pulled out of the project and construction came to a
halt. Predictably, some were furious. Former mayor of Austin, Bruce Todd,
called it "economic blackmail." Actually, Mr. Todd, it's called freedom in action.
Browning is free to work for Planned Parenthood, and pro-lifers are free to
take their business elsewhere.

Insisting that the contractor has the right to work for Planned Parenthood but
should be spared from any backlash or criticism is rank hypocrisy... The same
kind of hypocrisy that demands "tolerance" for homosexuality while showing
only intolerance for those who object to it.

It seems that if you're a faithful Christian these days, you need to get used
to the double standard

[fatima]

Bump for Mass,Thank you Salvation,L is in our prayers.