Now this is a link for a great way to start, or to refresh, your day:
3-Minute Retreats
3-Minute Retreats.I have found them to be short, thoughtful ... and challenging.
Please take advantage of this online opportunity.
3
-Minute Retreats
DAILY 3-MINUTE RETREAT COURESY OF LOYOLA PRESS.
Now this is a link for a great way to start, or to refresh, your day:
I have found them to be short, thoughtful ... and challenging.
Please take advantage of this online opportunity.
SO MANY PEOPLE DYING DAILY ... WHAT IS THEIR ETERNAL DESTINATION?
Today there was a horrific collision between a city bus and a passenger train about a half an hour north of me. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-train-crash-kills-6-in-commuting-horror-1.1858868
For the last year or two, as I listen to/read the news, my mind keeps turning to the immortal souls of those who die. Everyday we have tragedies and people dying natural deaths.
Obviously we are concerned about those who are mourning their deaths, but far more important than that is whether or not they died in a state of grace!
Jesus gave many warnings about how hard it is to enter the kingdom of heaven. We need to enter through the narrow gate. He warns, through the parable of the ten virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom, that those who do not stay prepared (in the parable by bringing enough oil for their lamps) that he will 'not know them'. Matthew 25:1-13:
[1] Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. [2] And five of them were foolish, and five wise. [3] But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: [4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. [5] And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept.
[6] And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. [7] Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. [8] And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. [9] The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. [10] Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.
[11] But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. [12] But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. [13] Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.[ Douay-Rheims Bible]
Jesus separates the 'lambs' from the 'goats' per their deeds. For the 'goats' there is no entrance into heaven. (Matthew 25:31-46)
The Holy Spirit, speaking through His holy Catholic Church, has warned us that to die in a state of mortal sin means a decent into hell ... for eternity.
[ In order for a sin to be mortal, it must meet three conditions:
Even if our spiritual leaders fail to mention it. Even though the media never goes near the idea. Even though it makes us uncomfortable to consider that any individual may be choosing hell over eternity with God, WE MUST REMEMBER THE SOULS OF EVERYONE WHO DIES.
Never, ever, assume that someone is going to heaven. We only know for sure that the saints are in heaven.
For everyone who is destined for heaven, unless they are already pure in every way, they have to head to purgatory for to be purified from the stains of their sins.
We need to pray, pray and pray.
For the last year or two, as I listen to/read the news, my mind keeps turning to the immortal souls of those who die. Everyday we have tragedies and people dying natural deaths.
Obviously we are concerned about those who are mourning their deaths, but far more important than that is whether or not they died in a state of grace!
Jesus gave many warnings about how hard it is to enter the kingdom of heaven. We need to enter through the narrow gate. He warns, through the parable of the ten virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom, that those who do not stay prepared (in the parable by bringing enough oil for their lamps) that he will 'not know them'. Matthew 25:1-13:
[1] Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. [2] And five of them were foolish, and five wise. [3] But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: [4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. [5] And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept.
[6] And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. [7] Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. [8] And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. [9] The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. [10] Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.
[11] But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. [12] But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. [13] Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.[ Douay-Rheims Bible]
Jesus separates the 'lambs' from the 'goats' per their deeds. For the 'goats' there is no entrance into heaven. (Matthew 25:31-46)
The Holy Spirit, speaking through His holy Catholic Church, has warned us that to die in a state of mortal sin means a decent into hell ... for eternity.
[ In order for a sin to be mortal, it must meet three conditions:
- Mortal sin is a sin of grave matter
- Mortal sin is committed with full knowledge of the sinner
- Mortal sin is committed with deliberate consent of the sinner ]
Even if our spiritual leaders fail to mention it. Even though the media never goes near the idea. Even though it makes us uncomfortable to consider that any individual may be choosing hell over eternity with God, WE MUST REMEMBER THE SOULS OF EVERYONE WHO DIES.
Never, ever, assume that someone is going to heaven. We only know for sure that the saints are in heaven.
For everyone who is destined for heaven, unless they are already pure in every way, they have to head to purgatory for to be purified from the stains of their sins.
We need to pray, pray and pray.
(From http://kbpipes.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/purgatory.jpg)
Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Have mercy, dear Jesus,
on all the poor souls in purgatory,
and especially for
(Mention the name[s] here...)
Grant them (him/her) eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon them (him/her).
Amen.
(Mention the name[s] here...)
Grant them (him/her) eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon them (him/her).
Amen.
See also: purgatory.ca
Catholics are on the "winning team"!
The Catholic Church was instituted by God Himself. The world may strive to lead people one way, but in the end the world will never triumph over the Church
Being on the winning team, let us all act the part. Be brave and speak out to the world. Speak with charity and with Truth.
Let us arm ourselves with knowledge (now readily available via the Internet). Pray for wisdom. When it is necessary to defend God's teachings as revealed through the Catholic Church let's all be prepared and do so with love and wisdom.
God be with you!
Originally Posted on the Feast of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
(Image from: http://0.tqn.com/d/catholicism/1/7/P/0/-/-/Exaltation_of_the_Holy_Cross.png)
Here's a great link with more information on "The Triumph of the Cross" AKA "The Exaltation of the Holy Cross":
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
By Scott P. Richert, About.com Guide
Homosexual? Maybe you can help send souls to heaven
Watch this for a genuinely Catholic look at homosexuality.
The Catholic Church has a long history of recognizing "the victim soul".
[ If the video doesn't load you can also find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0sILSapUUc#t=15 ]
The Catholic Church has a long history of recognizing "the victim soul".
Abortion as a "woman's rights" issue?
Abortion is a question of woman's rights?
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6F8iwED6jEheXRjbU_2_P_aHqifld-noWDoEfQ_p7yKzRZnfGjLrPHuS6nJ9Fhre8N11ANXdOyE1E3uW6iPfuO-6bVJweImbj0qnB6ZZrG5yGc8CaJYh0cZO-TvFsw-CTN1mjcGM2Eg/s1600/fetus-facepalm_www-zaaap_-net_.jpg
Of the many serious problems I see with the 'pro-choice' arguments, this is one of the silliest ideas. But it is being drummed into us year after year. Abortion is a HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE.
The mother carries the baby, but the father and the baby are also involved.
How can we, as a civilized society, ever condone the taking of an innocent life if there is the remotest chance that that life is a the life of a human person?
Every abortion results in a death. It makes no difference whether or not it takes place in a hospital or a back alley. At least one life is lost.
If you consider yourself pro-choice how can you be 100% certain that the life of the fetus is not the life of a human person. I mean 100%.
Here in Canada in a criminal trial guilt must be proved 'beyond a reasonable doubt' for a conviction. (Even if convicted there is no death penalty.) If it can not be proven 'beyond a reasonable doubt' that a fetus, at any stage of development, is not a human person, how can a mother pass a death sentence?
People can find reasons to doubt the fetus's humanity and and come to believe their person-hood to be unlikely, but that idea can never be proved absolutely.
Think about our development. There are only two major events in our lives. Birth is not one of the two.
First we are conceived. Then there follows years of development and decay until our natural death.
The person conceived during sexual intercourse is the exact same person that will die, say, 80 years and nine months later.
Pregnancy. Many people are affected. The mother carrying the life in her womb is most heavily affected.
Abortion. Many people are affected. The mother going through the ordeal (which is NOT "health car") is heavily affected, but the only person loosing a life (if the procedure goes as planned) is the life inside the mother.
How does the pro-choice movement make any logical sense to anyone? It sure is a mystery to me. Logically it is nonsense. But politically it gets votes. Do people like to be 'pro-choice' so that they can be 'modern' and think like the rest of the crowd? That's the only way that I can see this mess staying around for so many decades.
Salvation "outside" the Catholic Church.
Just a quick post before I'm off to work.
I was just reading Father Z's blog, "What does the Prayer Really Say?", on the topic of
One of the greatest advantages of being Catholic: we have the maximum amount of light as we pass through this world. Unfortunately most of us don't bother to turn the light up very brightly, or we sometimes turn away from what the light shows us. That is called "sin".
Let's learn all we can about the Faith that has been passed down through Apostolic Succession and preserved by the Catholic Church. Especially when we have the resources of the Internet and the ability to check things out with our priests and with priests with an online presence.
Dominus vobiscum, Reg.
I was just reading Father Z's blog, "What does the Prayer Really Say?", on the topic of
Pope Francis on the possibility of salvation for atheists
I find analogies to be of great assistance in coming to understand and explain various concepts. That's why I love Jesus' parables. After Fr. Z's post I came across this comment by Father Martin Fox:
Suppose you stand at the threshold of a room. You know there is another door to the room–you must cross the room to the other door–that other door is “Salvation” and that room is “life.”
To be Catholic is to have the maximum light in the room. All the alternatives involve far less light–or, if you don’t mind a change in the metaphor, to have far fewer helps.
The point is, that even with the fullest light, there is no guarantee you will make it. On the other hand, even with a little light, you can make it. Yet having more light is a good thing.
One of the greatest advantages of being Catholic: we have the maximum amount of light as we pass through this world. Unfortunately most of us don't bother to turn the light up very brightly, or we sometimes turn away from what the light shows us. That is called "sin".
Let's learn all we can about the Faith that has been passed down through Apostolic Succession and preserved by the Catholic Church. Especially when we have the resources of the Internet and the ability to check things out with our priests and with priests with an online presence.
Dominus vobiscum, Reg.
The Season of Pentecost has begun ... Come Holy Ghost!
Veni Sancte Spiritus
VENI, Sancte Spiritus,
et emitte caelitus lucis tuae radium. Veni, pater pauperum, veni, dator munerum veni, lumen cordium. Consolator optime, dulcis hospes animae, dulce refrigerium. In labore requies, in aestu temperies in fletu solatium. O lux beatissima, reple cordis intima tuorum fidelium. Sine tuo numine, nihil est in homine, nihil est innoxium. Lava quod est sordidum, riga quod est aridum, sana quod est saucium. Flecte quod est rigidum, fove quod est frigidum, rege quod est devium. Da tuis fidelibus, in te confidentibus, sacrum septenarium. Da virtutis meritum, da salutis exitum, da perenne gaudium, Amen, Alleluia. |
COME, Holy Ghost,
send down those beams, which sweetly flow in silent streams from Thy bright throne above. O come, Thou Father of the poor; O come, Thou source of all our store, come, fill our hearts with love. O Thou, of comforters the best, O Thou, the soul's delightful guest, the pilgrim's sweet relief. Rest art Thou in our toil, most sweet refreshment in the noonday heat; and solace in our grief. O blessed Light of life Thou art; fill with Thy light the inmost heart of those who hope in Thee. Without Thy Godhead nothing can, have any price or worth in man, nothing can harmless be. Lord, wash our sinful stains away, refresh from heaven our barren clay, our wounds and bruises heal. To Thy sweet yoke our stiff necks bow, warm with Thy fire our hearts of snow, our wandering feet recall. Grant to Thy faithful, dearest Lord, whose only hope is Thy sure word, the sevenfold gifts of grace. Grant us in life Thy grace that we, in peace may die and ever be, in joy before Thy face. Amen. Alleluia. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)