Re: Love of Neighbor, Don’ts
Fr: Proverbs 3:27-32 (“The True Security”)
[27] “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. [28] Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’ – when you have it with you.
[29] Do not plan harm against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you.
[30] Do not quarrel with anyone without cause, when no harm has been done to you.
[31] Do not envy the violent and do not choose any of their ways;”
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
theological virtue: faith: ss
Re: "Admonition to trust and honor God" (Prov 3:1-12)
vv5-8 "TRUST in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. [8] It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body."
vv5-8 "TRUST in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. [8] It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body."
virtue: humility: desert father
Re: Gospel commentary, Tues, 2nd Sun of Lent (Mt 23:1-12)
Fr: the Sayings of the Desert Fathers (4th-5th centuries) Macarius the Great 11, http://dailygospel.org/www/popup-comments.php?language=AM&id=1161
"Whoever humbles himself will be exalted" [Mt 23:12]
One day Abba Macarius was returning to his cell from the marshes carrying his palm leaves. Along the way, the devil came to meet him with a reaper’s scythe. He wanted to beat him with it but could not. Then the devil said to him: “Macarius, I endure a great many torments because of you because I am unable to overcome you. Nevertheless, I do all I can. You fast and I never eat; you watch and I never sleep a wink. There is only one point at which you beat me.” “Which?” asked Macarius. “It is your humility that prevents me from overcoming you.”
Fr: the Sayings of the Desert Fathers (4th-5th centuries) Macarius the Great 11, http://dailygospel.org/www/popup-comments.php?language=AM&id=1161
"Whoever humbles himself will be exalted" [Mt 23:12]
One day Abba Macarius was returning to his cell from the marshes carrying his palm leaves. Along the way, the devil came to meet him with a reaper’s scythe. He wanted to beat him with it but could not. Then the devil said to him: “Macarius, I endure a great many torments because of you because I am unable to overcome you. Nevertheless, I do all I can. You fast and I never eat; you watch and I never sleep a wink. There is only one point at which you beat me.” “Which?” asked Macarius. “It is your humility that prevents me from overcoming you.”
Monday, February 11, 2008
virtue: humitily: st. bernadette
Re: Virtues, Humility; St. Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879); Canonized 1933 by Pope Pius XI
Fr: http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0416.htm, accessed 2008 Feb 11 (highlight mine)
-- oldest of 6 children to the impoverished miller Francois
-- lived in the basement of a damp building
-- contracted cholera in 1854 and had asthma
-- at age 14: ailing, undersized, of pleasant disposition, sensitive, and a SLOW STUDENT – even stupid – but was a kind, helpful and obedient child
-- for some years, suffered greatly from suspicious disbelief of some and the tactless enthusiasm and insensitive attention of others; these TRIALS she bore with impressive patience and dignity
-- prevented by bad health to enter convent for 2 years
-- health remained fragile in convent
-- worked as infirmarian, then sacristan
“Here [convent] she was more sheltered from trying publicity, but not from the 'stuffiness' of the convent superiors nor from the tightening grip of asthma. "I am getting on with my joy," she would say. "What is that?" someone asked. "Being ill," was the reply.
“The nuns, disappointed by the simplicity of this child of nature, in whom they had expected to find a second Teresa of Ávila or another Catherine of Siena, made the peasant girl feel bitterly the scant esteem in which they held her; and even her superiors, with the aim of protecting the visionary of Lourdes from the sin of pride, were not sparing in humiliations.
“With the excuse that she was a "stupid, good-for-nothing little thing," her profession was continually delayed. God gave to the despised creature, who was punished for 13 years because of her visions, the strength to say: "You see, my story is quite simple. The Virgin made use of me, then I was put into a corner. That is now my place. There I am happy and there I remain."
“Thus, she lived out her self-effacing life, dying at the age of 35 …. The events of 1858 resulted in Lourdes becoming one of the most important pilgrim shrines in the history of Christendom, ending with the consecration of the basilica in 1876. But Saint Bernadette took no part in these developments; nor was it for her visions that she was canonized, but for the humble simplicity and religious trust that characterized her whole life (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Farmer, Sandhurst, Schamoni, Trochu, Walsh, White).
Saint Bernadette is the patron saint of shepherds (White).
Fr: http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0416.htm, accessed 2008 Feb 11 (highlight mine)
-- oldest of 6 children to the impoverished miller Francois
-- lived in the basement of a damp building
-- contracted cholera in 1854 and had asthma
-- at age 14: ailing, undersized, of pleasant disposition, sensitive, and a SLOW STUDENT – even stupid – but was a kind, helpful and obedient child
-- for some years, suffered greatly from suspicious disbelief of some and the tactless enthusiasm and insensitive attention of others; these TRIALS she bore with impressive patience and dignity
-- prevented by bad health to enter convent for 2 years
-- health remained fragile in convent
-- worked as infirmarian, then sacristan
“Here [convent] she was more sheltered from trying publicity, but not from the 'stuffiness' of the convent superiors nor from the tightening grip of asthma. "I am getting on with my joy," she would say. "What is that?" someone asked. "Being ill," was the reply.
“The nuns, disappointed by the simplicity of this child of nature, in whom they had expected to find a second Teresa of Ávila or another Catherine of Siena, made the peasant girl feel bitterly the scant esteem in which they held her; and even her superiors, with the aim of protecting the visionary of Lourdes from the sin of pride, were not sparing in humiliations.
“With the excuse that she was a "stupid, good-for-nothing little thing," her profession was continually delayed. God gave to the despised creature, who was punished for 13 years because of her visions, the strength to say: "You see, my story is quite simple. The Virgin made use of me, then I was put into a corner. That is now my place. There I am happy and there I remain."
“Thus, she lived out her self-effacing life, dying at the age of 35 …. The events of 1858 resulted in Lourdes becoming one of the most important pilgrim shrines in the history of Christendom, ending with the consecration of the basilica in 1876. But Saint Bernadette took no part in these developments; nor was it for her visions that she was canonized, but for the humble simplicity and religious trust that characterized her whole life (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Farmer, Sandhurst, Schamoni, Trochu, Walsh, White).
Saint Bernadette is the patron saint of shepherds (White).
Saturday, February 9, 2008
sin: cause: solzhenitsyn
"We do not err because truth is difficult to see. It is visible at a glance. We err because this is more comfortable."
- Alexandr Solzhenitsyn (b. 1918), Russian nobel laureate for literature (1970), as quoted by lukeabaya.multiply.com
- Alexandr Solzhenitsyn (b. 1918), Russian nobel laureate for literature (1970), as quoted by lukeabaya.multiply.com
criteria: act: example
Re: Responsible Parenthood
Fr: Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) # 2368
[> Subjective intent]
"When it is a question of harmonizing married love with the responsible transmission of life, the morality of the behavior does not depend on sincere intention and evaluation of motives alone;
[> Objective act]
but it must be determined by OBJECTIVE criteria, criteria drawn from the nature of the person and his acts, criteria that respect the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love; this is possible only if the vritue of married chastity is practiced with sincerity of heart."
- Gaudium et spes 51 par 3.
Fr: Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) # 2368
[> Subjective intent]
"When it is a question of harmonizing married love with the responsible transmission of life, the morality of the behavior does not depend on sincere intention and evaluation of motives alone;
[> Objective act]
but it must be determined by OBJECTIVE criteria, criteria drawn from the nature of the person and his acts, criteria that respect the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love; this is possible only if the vritue of married chastity is practiced with sincerity of heart."
- Gaudium et spes 51 par 3.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
virtues: modesty
Re: "Concerning almsgiving" (Mt 6:1-4)
v3-4 "'But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.'"
Re: "Concerning fasting" (Mt 6:16-18)
v17 "'But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, [18] so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.'"
v3-4 "'But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.'"
Re: "Concerning fasting" (Mt 6:16-18)
v17 "'But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, [18] so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.'"
Sunday, February 3, 2008
sex: purpose
Fr: Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994)
Re: "Offenses against chastity"
"Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its
- PROCREATIVE and
- UNIVITIVE purposes." (CCC # 2351)
Re: "The fecundity of marriage"
"... the Church, which is 'on the side of life' (Pope John Paul II [1981] Familiaris consortio # 30], teaches that 'it is necessary that each and every marraige act remain ordered per se to the PROCREATION of human life' (Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae # 11). 'This particular doctrine, expounded on numerous occasions by the Magisterium, is based on the inseparable connection, established by God, which man on his own initiative may not break, between the
- UNITIVE significance and the
- PROCREATIVE significance which are
both inherent to the marriage act' (Humanae Vitae # 12; cf. Pius XI, Enc. Casti connubii.) (CCC # 2366)
Re: "Offenses against chastity"
"Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its
- PROCREATIVE and
- UNIVITIVE purposes." (CCC # 2351)
Re: "The fecundity of marriage"
"... the Church, which is 'on the side of life' (Pope John Paul II [1981] Familiaris consortio # 30], teaches that 'it is necessary that each and every marraige act remain ordered per se to the PROCREATION of human life' (Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae # 11). 'This particular doctrine, expounded on numerous occasions by the Magisterium, is based on the inseparable connection, established by God, which man on his own initiative may not break, between the
- UNITIVE significance and the
- PROCREATIVE significance which are
both inherent to the marriage act' (Humanae Vitae # 12; cf. Pius XI, Enc. Casti connubii.) (CCC # 2366)
Saturday, February 2, 2008
masturbation: catholic view
Fr: Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) # 2352
. Definition
= "the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure."
. Teaching
"'Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an INTRINSICALLY and GRAVELY DISORDERED action.'"
- Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Persona humana 9.
. Rationale
It is contrary to the purpose of marriage because here "sexual pleasure is sought outside of 'the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of MUTUAL SELF-GIVING and HUMAN PROCREATION in the context of TRUE LOVE is achieved.'"
- Ibid.
. Possible mitigating circumstances to moral culpability
- "... affective immaturity,
- force of acquired habit,
- conditions of anxiety or
- other psychological or
- social factors...."
. Definition
= "the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure."
. Teaching
"'Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an INTRINSICALLY and GRAVELY DISORDERED action.'"
- Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Persona humana 9.
. Rationale
It is contrary to the purpose of marriage because here "sexual pleasure is sought outside of 'the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of MUTUAL SELF-GIVING and HUMAN PROCREATION in the context of TRUE LOVE is achieved.'"
- Ibid.
. Possible mitigating circumstances to moral culpability
- "... affective immaturity,
- force of acquired habit,
- conditions of anxiety or
- other psychological or
- social factors...."
sins against marriage
Grave offenses against the dignity of marriage:
- adultery,
- divorce,
- polygamy, and
- free union.
-- Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) # 2400
- adultery,
- divorce,
- polygamy, and
- free union.
-- Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) # 2400
sins against chastity
"Among the sings gravely contrary to chastity are
- masturbation,
- fornication,
- pornography, and
- homosexual practices."
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) # 2396
- masturbation,
- fornication,
- pornography, and
- homosexual practices."
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) # 2396
the beatitudes
Fr: Excerpted from newsletter@catholicexchange.com (2008 Feb 2).
"Worrying Won't Get You Where You Want to Go." [Homily of the Day]
Sunday's Gospel, the eight beatitudes, is Jesus's response to us weary, wounded folks who are such easy prey to fear and worry. "Congratulations," He says -- eight times. That's what all those "blesseds" mean.
"I congratulate you NOT because you're poor, sad, lowly, or persecuted, but because, in spite of that, God our Father cherishes you, walks with you, and will not let you be destroyed by any of that -- no matter what.Congratulations!
"I congratulate you further," says Jesus, "Not just because you're striving to be good, striving to be compassionate and faithful.I congratulate you because God our Father sees your striving, and will bless your efforts in His own way and in His own time -- if only you'll be patient.Congratulations!" Jesus says -- eight times.
"Worrying Won't Get You Where You Want to Go." [Homily of the Day]
Sunday's Gospel, the eight beatitudes, is Jesus's response to us weary, wounded folks who are such easy prey to fear and worry. "Congratulations," He says -- eight times. That's what all those "blesseds" mean.
"I congratulate you NOT because you're poor, sad, lowly, or persecuted, but because, in spite of that, God our Father cherishes you, walks with you, and will not let you be destroyed by any of that -- no matter what.Congratulations!
"I congratulate you further," says Jesus, "Not just because you're striving to be good, striving to be compassionate and faithful.I congratulate you because God our Father sees your striving, and will bless your efforts in His own way and in His own time -- if only you'll be patient.Congratulations!" Jesus says -- eight times.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)