Most people in the world are quite aware of the problems that afflict mankind. Put more colloquially, people know that “something is wrong with the world.” Yes, indeed, peoples around the globe are facing terrible crises: personal, social, economic and political. It is all over the media: hunger, poverty, underdevelopment, terrorism, etc. Evidently, these obstinate challenges and afflictions are immense barriers that stand in the way of necessary integral human development, they are obstacles, really, to the vocation that every man and woman is called to bring to fulfillment.
To be sure, there are many who have courageously “stood up” against said atrocities. For their courage, they are to be commended and thanked for. It must also be admitted, however, that there many among those who are committed to human development who, without necessarily questioning or judging their zeal or intentions, have approached the problem of human development with the help of bad philosophy and, consequently, harmful ideologies that either inevitably inhibits development or actually further accentuates underdevelopment. Prominent among such harmful ideologies is what we may call an “Anti-life ideology”; that is, an outlook which underestimates or denies the value of human life from conception to natural death.
A rampant anti-birth and anti-life ideology (or mentality) has seemingly taken over many individuals and institutions committed to, quite ironically, human development. Worldwide movements and organizations such as Amnesty International and the Institute of Development Studies (IPPF), human rights activists and politicians such as Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Nancy Pelosi are among those who have been infected, as it were, with an anti-life mentality. And of course, some of you might be thinking that I am exaggerating when I say that these organizations and individuals have embraced an anti-life mentality; after all, you might be wondering, aren’t they all, in some way or another, human rights activists? Haven’t they spent practically all their lives fighting for equality, social justice and human development? To a certain extent, I must admit, you are right. They have spent much of their lives fighting for freedom and liberty, for human rights. At the same time, however, I also contend that their beliefs regarding human life issues have in fact been a great disservice to integral human development, to making the world a “better” world.
Take, as an example, Hillary Clinton. In her remarks on the 15th Anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development, the current Secretary of State lamented that “More than 215 million women worldwide lack access to the modern forms of contraception, and this contributes to the nearly 20 million unsafe abortions that take place very year.” At first sight this might seem like an innocent remark. But, when examined closer, and taking the overall context of this remark into consideration, we see that it actually communicates a deep lack of respect for life and an erroneous concept of human progress. [Artificial] contraception, contrary to what Mrs. Clinton would like to have us believe, is not conducive–nor is it constitutive–of human progress! Rather, artificial contraception, being intrinsically contrary to the natural law, has greatly contributed to the deterioration of the human family (Please visit: Contraception: Why It’s Wrong). And what can we say about what Mrs. Clinton calls “unsafe abortions”? Unsafe abortions? Is there such a thing as a safe abortion? Well, apparently, according to the Secretary of State, suction abortions and dismemberment abortions are considered to be safe simply because they are carried out by a physician and because they take place at an abortion clinic! What’s even more appalling is that Mrs. Clinton apparently considers the availability of “safe abortions” to be a sign of human progress. Human progress? How can anyone consider the killing of millions of unborn babies a sign of progress, of international development? Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta said that “It is a poverty to decide that a child must die [through abortion] so that you may live as you wish.” The Venerable Pope John Paul II said that “It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all the other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop.” Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his Encyclical Letter Charity in Truth:
“If there is a lack of respect for the right to life and to a natural death, if human conception, gestation and birth are made artificial, if human embryos are sacrificed to research, the conscience of society ends up losing the concept of human ecology”.
If integral human development is to take place, if society hopes to make authentic progress, if the world is to be a better world, then openness to life must be acknowledged as the very center of true development. There will be no progress unless more individual human beings are enkindled by charity and are led by truth. Openess to life needs to be promoted and cultivated. The time for mankind to embrace and respect the fundamental right to life of every people and every individual is now!
The Holy Name of Jesus doesn’t seem to be all that holy anymore. Not one day passes without hearing someone abuse the Name of Jesus. Believers and non-believers, they all shamelessly abuse His Name. What’s worse is that those who profess to be Christians also treat the Name of Jesus as if it was “just another name”! But, is the Name of Jesus just an ordinary name? Is there anything special in it? Is the Name of Jesus meaningless?
The holy writers of the New Testament attest to the fact that the Name of Jesus is no ordinary name. All throughout their sacred writings we are constantly told of the greatness, holiness and power of the Name of Jesus. St. Paul tells us: “In the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10). St. Luke the Evangelist tells us that “there is no other name [other than Jesus'] under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus Himself assures us: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name” (John 16:23). The very meaning of the Name “Jesus” proclaims its glory and power: God saves (cf. Matthew 1:21). Jesus: God saves. What a beautiful name! Let us always love that blessed Name.
Rather than keep abusing the divine name, I exhort everyone–especially Christians–to follow the example set forth in the Holy Scriptures and in the Church’s history in regard to the name of the Savior God. Whenever and wherever we hear the Name “Jesus,” let us devoutly bow our heads. Whenever and wherever we hear the Name of the Lord taken in vain, let us resolutely pray “Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum!” (English: Blessed be the Name of the Lord). Whenever and wherever we ourselves utter the Name “Jesus,” let us do so with devotion, keeping in mind that “Jesus” is the Name by which we are saved. Let us not be like the “unclean spirit” who dared to utter Jesus’ Holy Name without any love or any devotion, lest we be harshly rebuked by Jesus as he rebuked the unclean spirit: “Be silent” (cf. Mark 1:21-28)!
“Those who assemble in church should extol with an act of special reverence that Name which is above every Name, than which no other under Heaven has been given to people, in which believers must be saved, the Name, that is, of Jesus Christ, Who will save His people from their sins. Each should fulfil in himself that which is written for all, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious Name is recalled, especially during the sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head.” –Second Council of Lyons, A.D. 1274, convened by Pope Gregory X.
Just some simple spiritual/biblical reflections. I hope that they may help you in your lives.
“The Mighty One, God the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.”
Our God, the only true God (John 17:3), touches everything; absolutely everything! Consequently, our lives, and the way we live our lives, should incarnate this truth.
I do not reprove you for your sacrifices;
your burnt offerings are continually before me.
I will accept no bull from your house,
nor he-goat from your folds.
For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
God does not need our sacrifices. He does not need that we “give up” chocolate or any other food. Everything is His! He owns everything. We cannot give Him anything.
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and pay your vows to the Most High . . .
“He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me;
to him who orders his way aright
I will show the salvation of God!
Our God wants us to be thankful to Him! He wants us to fulfill our baptismal vows in our lives. He only wants what’s good for us. We truly honor God not through the things we give up without reference to Him, but through our thanksgiving, through the fulfillment of our baptismal vows; in a word, we truly honor God when our entire being is configured to Him who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Today is the optional Memorial of St. Frances of Rome.
Prayer:
Saint Frances of Rome, help us to see the difference between what we want to do and what God wants us to do. Help us to discern what comes from our will and what comes from God’s desire. Amen
Here is Father Robert Barron’s sermon for the Second Sunday of Lent.
TITLE: The Terrible Aqedah
SUMMARY: The story of the Aqedah, the Binding of Isaac, haunted the Israelite religious imagination. In it is contained one of the most important spiritual lessons in the Bible: everything we are and everything we have belongs, finally, to God. Knowing this is our liberation.
Iesu, Dulcis Memoria (Jesus, Sweet Memory) is a beautiful hymn attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153). Parts of this hymn were used for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. The entire hymn is composed of about 42 to 52 stanzas.
IESU, dulcis memoria,
dans vera cordis gaudia,
sed super mel et omnia,
eius dulcis praesentia.
JESU, the very thought of Thee,
with sweetness fills my breast,
but sweeter far Thy face to see,
and in Thy presence rest.
Nil canitur suavius,
nil auditur iucundius,
nil cogitatur dulcius,
quam Iesus Dei Filius.
Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
nor can the memory find
a sweeter sound than Thy blest Name,
o Savior of mankind!.
Iesu, spes paenitentibus,
quam pius es petentibus!
quam bonus te quaerentibus!
sed quid invenientibus?
O hope of every contrite heart
o joy of all the meek,
to those who fall, how kind Thou art!
how good to those who seek!
Nec lingua valet dicere,
nec littera exprimere:
expertus potest credere,
quid sit Iesum diligere.
But what to those who find? Ah this
nor tongue nor pen can show:
the love of Jesus, what it is
none but His loved ones know.
Sis, Iesu, nostrum gaudium,
qui es futurus praemium:
sit nostra in te gloria,
per cuncta semper saecula.
Amen.
Jesu, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize wilt be:
Jesu, be Thou our glory now,
And through eternity.
Amen.
Today, Holy Mother Church celebrates the lives of two holy, Christian women: Perpetua and Felicity
Saint Perpetua is said to have written one of the earliest pieces of writing by a Christian woman. The account of her martyrdom, which Perpetua herself wrote, is mostly written in Latin. Here is a link to The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity
Christ’s passion is the remedy for sin (John 1:29). Christ’s passion, however, is at the same time the prime example of how Christians should live in this world. Christ’s passion, in other words, powerfully tells us the “secret” or the key to living a virtuous, successful life. “How so”, one might understandably ask. How does Christ’s Cross reveal to us the way by which we can live a successful life?
St. Thomas Aquinas tells us in his Catechism: “Whoever wishes to live perfectly need do nothing other than despise what Christ despised on the cross, and desire what Christ desired.” What did Christ despise on the cross? WEALTH, WORLDLY HONOR, PLEASURE, BEING PHYSICALLY ATTRACTIVE, PRIVILEGE, ETC. What did Jesus Christ love on cross? DOING THE WILL OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER!
Of course, given our fallen natures, it is not always exactly easy to do the Father’s will. It is not easy to die to oneself so that Christ will live in us. For this reason, then, it is absolutely necessary that we ask God, who is love (1 Jn 4:16), to help us live for Him alone, to grant us the necessary graces to accept and do His holy will in love. Surely, God will never reject our petition if we ask Him in faith and humility.
Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart.
Give me true faith, certain hope
and perfect charity, sense and
knowledge that I may carry out
Your Holy and true command.
- Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi to discern God’s will
About a month ago I attended the Parish Leadership/Evangelization Day organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
The Archbishop of Chicago, Francis Cardinal George, answered a few questions posed by the attendees. Following, are three of his succinct responses to questions dealing with topics such as understanding the Holy Trinity, Liberation Theology, and immigration reform.
Today, Holy Mother Church remembers Saint Casimir of Poland (1458-1484).
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, this king of Poland would spend some of his nights praying outside the churches, regardless of how “good” or “bad” the weather was! We ask ourselves: When was the last time I visited the Lord at a perpetual adoration church or chapel? Does bad weather stop me from visiting my Lord and Saviour? Are there any other superfluous things that stop me from going to Eucharistic adoration?
———————————————
From The Catholic Encyclopedia:
St. Casimir was possessed of great charms of person and character, and was noted particularly for his justice and chastity. Often at night he would kneel for hours before the locked doors of churches, regardless of the hour or the inclemency of the weather. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and the hymn of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, “Omni die dic Marix mea laudes anima”, was long attributed to him. After his death he was venerated as a saint, because of the miracles wrought by him. Sigismund I, King of Poland, petitioned the pope for Casimir’s canonization, and Pope Leo X appointed the papal legate Zaccaria Ferreri, Bishop of Guardalfiera, the Archbishop of Gnesen, and the Bishop of Przemysl to investigate the life and miracles of Casimir. This inquiry was completed at Turn in 1520, and in 1522 Casimir was canonized by Adrian VI. Pope Clement VIII named 4 March as his feast.
Today, the Church honors St. Katharine Drexel (1858-1955).
Here’s a summary of the things God Almighty did –and is still doing– through our sister, Katharine Drexel:
Saint Katharine Drexel, Religious (Feast Day-March 3) Born in 1858, into a prominent Philadelphia family, Katharine became imbued with love for God and neighbor. She took an avid interest in the material and spiritual well-being of black and native Americans. She began by donating money but soon concluded that more was needed – the lacking ingredient was people. Katharine founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People, whose members would work for the betterment of those they were called to serve. From the age of 33 until her death in 1955, she dedicated her life and a fortune of 20 million dollars to this work. In 1894, Mother Drexel took part in opening the first mission school for Indians, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Other schools quickly followed – for Native Americans west of the Mississippi River, and for the blacks in the southern part of the United States. In 1915 she also founded Xavier University in New Orleans. At her death there were more than 500 Sisters teaching in 63 schools throughout the country. Katharine was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 20, 1988.
In today’s First Reading the Lord tells us: “You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow man, do not incur sin because of him.“
I think that we should all ask Our Lord to help us have the courage to correct our brothers and sisters, to help us choose the right words, and to do so in a truly charitable manner. Fraternal correction is a matter of precept, according to the Angelic Doctor.
Fraternal correction may be omitted in three ways:
1) MERITORIOUSLY. Augustine says (De Civ. Dei i, 9): “If a man refrains from chiding and reproving wrongdoers, because he awaits a suitable time for so doing, or because he fears lest, if he does so, they may become worse, or hinder, oppress, or turn away from the faith, others who are weak and need to be instructed in a life of goodness and virtue, this does not seem to result from covetousness, but to be counselled by charity.”
2) INCURRING MORTAL SIN. “when” writes Augustine ” one fears what people may think, or lest one may suffer grievous pain or death; provided, however, that the mind is so dominated by such things, that it gives them the preference to fraternal charity.”
3) INCURRING VENIAL SIN. Aquinas writes: “such an omission is a venial sin, when through fear or covetousness, a man is loth to correct his brother’s faults, and yet not to such a degree, that if he saw clearly that he could withdraw him from sin, he would still forbear from so doing, through fear or covetousness, because in his own mind he prefers fraternal charity to these things.”
We ask Our Lord to put people in our lives that are willing to correct us!
Lent encourages us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and thus to know the fundamental truth: who we are, where we come from, where we must go, what road to take in life. And thus, the Season of Lent offers us an ascetic and liturgical route which, while helping us to open our eyes to our weakness, opens our hearts to the merciful love of Christ. BENEDICT XVI, GENERAL AUDIENCE, 1st March 2006.
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
The liturgical season of Lent is fast approaching. The Lord is giving us yet one more opportunity to work on ourselves, on our souls. For this, I thank Him!
As you are well aware we are living in a very tumultuous time; a time of financial distress, war, and a time in which radical politicians –and presidents–boldly undermine the sanctity of life. This time in which we live demands conversion, a radical turning away from sin to God. But unless we ourselves begin this conversion process, the world will continue getting worse and worse by the minute.
I warmly encourage each and everyone reading this post to take advantage of Lent, to make it the best Lent you ever had, the most spiritually fruitful. Let us enter into this holy season with a deep desire “to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,” so that we “may be filled with all the fullnes of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
Please realize that God has given us everything we need to experience the conversion of our own hearts and minds, if we but humbly accept His Divine Grace. Let us ask our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary, to plead our cause before the Lord, to teach us how to be good sons and daughters of the Most High, to protect us from all harm. Let us also ask our Brothers and Sisters who dedicated their lives to the fulfilment of the Christian vocation, and who now enjoy the Beatific Vision, to come to our aid in times of temptation so that we may be strengthened and may come off unharmed after the battle. Finally, let us be mindful that, through Baptism, we are members of the Mystical Body of Christ, and so we all have the responsibility to look out for one another, especially for the poor (Philipians 2:4; Matthew 25:40). Let us, then, pray for one another during Lent!
For my Topics in the Philosophy of Religion (Philosophy 441) class, we have to write an informal, one page, reaction paper for each of the reading assignments. This week’s reaction paper is written in response to Leo Tolstoy’s What is Religion and of What Does Its Essence Consist?
I wish I could have said more things about Tolstoy’s version of “Christianity”, but I am limited to a one page paper.
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