Today, i am grateful for the Love of God, not only for me but for the whole world.
When i joined the Catholic Church at 18 yrs. some 50 years ago this past May, i learned about this devotion and fell in love with it and with Jesus Christ. So on this day i am starting my post about my Conversion Story as some have asked me to do, by answering the question posed to me recently in a chat. "Why did you leave your church?" "Why did you join the Catholic Church? This story started a long time ago, i will try to weave some clear, true and factual episodes. I make 'no apology' for some terms, it is the way i tell it.
I was born into a family with parents & 2 older brothers. We were close, my paternal background is French-Canadian with a real French name but grew up in English-speaking part of my ancestral country. My Ancestors came from the area of Bordeaux, France and settled in Quebec, and some settled in Michigan area in the early 1700's.
My maternal side is from the eastern side of England and were farm laborers. I have had the privilege to visit the rural area of my ancestors, visit the Anglican churches where my great-great-great parents worshipped. I like to think that there was some Catholic connection back into the late 1600's. A friar of the Carthusians
bears my family surname. He was made Blessedy Pope Leo the 13th in the late 1880's when the Pope honored the English Martyrs. He died in the foul jail of the reformers under King Henry. He was staked to the ground, wore an iron neck collar. He was fed and cleansed by the daughter of St. Thomas More. She fed some prisoners from the roof but when further visits were declined, he was left to die, the last of the captured priests and brothers of the Carthusian Order ((will be continued))
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Solemnity : The Body and Blood of Christ (Word Among Us Magazine)
June 14, 2009
The Body and Blood of Christ
I will raise up the cup of salvation. (Psalm 116:13)
The word “blood” appears in more than 350 different verses in the Bible, and more than 400 times over all. What was it about blood that so captured the imaginations of the Israelites? Blood reapresented two basic premises in their Jewish faith: sacrifice and life. These two premises came together in the Jewish tradition of offering the blood of sacrificed animals as a way to atone for sins. With the benefit of hindsight, we can see how this ancient method of atonement pointed the way to the divine sacrifice that Jesus would make for the salvation of the world.
So when we celebrate Mass and receive Jesus’ precious blood at Communion, we are actually celebrating the covenant that God made with us through the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. We are drinking his own blood, even as we celebrate the blessed fact that this blood has washed away our sins.
The Old Testament tells us: “The life of a living body is in its blood” (Leviticus 17:11). Physically speaking, we would die without blood. And spiritually speaking, we would die without the grace of Jesus’ blood. His precious blood does more than just wash away our sin. It continues the flow of divine life in us as well, keeping us connected to our heavenly Father. Without Jesus’ blood, we would have no spiritual health or vitality.
As we celebrate the body and blood of the Lord today, let’s think about Jesus and his gift of divine life. Let’s remind ourselves that the church itself was brought into being by this blood. And let’s remember that the “cup of blessing” which we bless is nothing less than our participation in the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16).
“Lord, let your blood, offered without blemish to God, purify our minds so that we might serve our heavenly Father.”
Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 116:12-13,15-18; Mark 14:12-16,22-26
The Body and Blood of Christ
I will raise up the cup of salvation. (Psalm 116:13)
The word “blood” appears in more than 350 different verses in the Bible, and more than 400 times over all. What was it about blood that so captured the imaginations of the Israelites? Blood reapresented two basic premises in their Jewish faith: sacrifice and life. These two premises came together in the Jewish tradition of offering the blood of sacrificed animals as a way to atone for sins. With the benefit of hindsight, we can see how this ancient method of atonement pointed the way to the divine sacrifice that Jesus would make for the salvation of the world.
So when we celebrate Mass and receive Jesus’ precious blood at Communion, we are actually celebrating the covenant that God made with us through the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. We are drinking his own blood, even as we celebrate the blessed fact that this blood has washed away our sins.
The Old Testament tells us: “The life of a living body is in its blood” (Leviticus 17:11). Physically speaking, we would die without blood. And spiritually speaking, we would die without the grace of Jesus’ blood. His precious blood does more than just wash away our sin. It continues the flow of divine life in us as well, keeping us connected to our heavenly Father. Without Jesus’ blood, we would have no spiritual health or vitality.
As we celebrate the body and blood of the Lord today, let’s think about Jesus and his gift of divine life. Let’s remind ourselves that the church itself was brought into being by this blood. And let’s remember that the “cup of blessing” which we bless is nothing less than our participation in the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16).
“Lord, let your blood, offered without blemish to God, purify our minds so that we might serve our heavenly Father.”
Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 116:12-13,15-18; Mark 14:12-16,22-26
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Baptism of the Lord
(this meditation is from the Word Among Us magazine)
The Gospel of St. Mark 1:7-11. Today's Gospel can leave us with a puzzling question: Why did Jesus allow himself to be Baptized? He hadn't sinned, so he didn't need to repent. On one level, we can see that Jesus' baptism marked the beginning of his public ministry. We can also see how it showed that Jesus was completely submitted to his Father's will - even if it meant embracing the " baptism of fire" that was to be his death on the cross. Another dimension of Jesus' baptism: it marked his entry into the community of those awaiting the kingdom of God. When Jesus was baptized, he joined a community of Jews who believed that repentance had the power to bring them into a new time of God's favor and blessing.
But Jesus just didn't enter this community, he transformed them. He showed them that the new era they were awaiting was one of closeness to him. It was an era marked by the power of God active in their lives. And it was an era filled with the promise of a new heart and a new mind.
Jesus wants us to live in community, united with one another and empowered by his Spirit. Baptism into Christ means baptism into his church. So let's pray for each other in our parish, and let's commit to loving each other in Christ.
The Gospel of St. Mark 1:7-11. Today's Gospel can leave us with a puzzling question: Why did Jesus allow himself to be Baptized? He hadn't sinned, so he didn't need to repent. On one level, we can see that Jesus' baptism marked the beginning of his public ministry. We can also see how it showed that Jesus was completely submitted to his Father's will - even if it meant embracing the " baptism of fire" that was to be his death on the cross. Another dimension of Jesus' baptism: it marked his entry into the community of those awaiting the kingdom of God. When Jesus was baptized, he joined a community of Jews who believed that repentance had the power to bring them into a new time of God's favor and blessing.
But Jesus just didn't enter this community, he transformed them. He showed them that the new era they were awaiting was one of closeness to him. It was an era marked by the power of God active in their lives. And it was an era filled with the promise of a new heart and a new mind.
Jesus wants us to live in community, united with one another and empowered by his Spirit. Baptism into Christ means baptism into his church. So let's pray for each other in our parish, and let's commit to loving each other in Christ.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Memorial - Most Holy Name of Jesus
This Franciscan feast day in honor of the Most Holy Name of Jesus was spread in Italy and Europe by St. Bernadine of Siena, he preached against 'gambling' and apparently it was so effective that he put a local Card-player producer out of business. When the saint preached with a placard with IHS, the short form for Jesus in Greek, many people wanted to have one for their home. The local Card-player producer became even more wealthy as he assembled the placards with IHS. This feast was promulgated in 1530 for the Franciscans by Pope Clement VII, and it was extended to the whole Catholic Church by Pope Innocent XIII in the year1721.
With the revisions of Vatican Council II, it was assigned as an Optional Memorial. It is not found in the Roman Liturgy Hours, but it remains in the Franciscan book of Christian Prayer.
The Holy Name of Jesus was invoked by the faithful from the very beginning of the Church.
Ant. 1 O Lord, how glorious is your name through all the earth.
Ant. 2 At Jesus' name every knee must bend in the heavens, on earth, and under the earth.
Ant. 3 Give glory to the Lord and call upon his name; remember that his name is exalted.
O God, may we venerate his name on earth and also his presence in heaven!
With the revisions of Vatican Council II, it was assigned as an Optional Memorial. It is not found in the Roman Liturgy Hours, but it remains in the Franciscan book of Christian Prayer.
The Holy Name of Jesus was invoked by the faithful from the very beginning of the Church.
Ant. 1 O Lord, how glorious is your name through all the earth.
Ant. 2 At Jesus' name every knee must bend in the heavens, on earth, and under the earth.
Ant. 3 Give glory to the Lord and call upon his name; remember that his name is exalted.
O God, may we venerate his name on earth and also his presence in heaven!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Feast of Mary, Mother of God
I have been trying to decide what to write for this Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and also an important Franciscan feast day of an American Francisan Martyr, Juan de Padillo.
So I have chosen some of the Antiphons from the Liturgy of the Hours for Jan.1
Ant.1 'O marvelous exchange! Man's Creator has become man, born of a virgin. We have been made sharer's in the Divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
Ant. 3 Mary has given birth to a King whose name is everlasting; hers the joy of motherhood, hers the the virgin's glory. Never was the like seen before; never shall it be seen again, alleluia
Oh! the divine life that we share with Jesus Christ from our baptism.Can we really fathom the depths, and appreciate this gift that has been given to us who are believers. The kindness of God and the generosity in marking out Mary to be the Mother of Jesus Christ. From her conception, the Lord blessed her and kept her, preserved her from the stain of 'original sin.' She did nothing to earn such a blessing. Imagine her love for 'Abba-father', she was a chosen daughter of the race of Israel.
Mother of Jesus, pray for us.
Father Juan de Padilla, First Order of St. Francis of Assisi - Protomartyr of the United States of America, died in Kansas. He was born about 1492 and arrived 50 years after the discovery of the New World, by Christopher Columbus, a Franciscan tertiary. Father Padilla with other Franciscans, worked among the Quivara & Kaw Indians. Having preached the Gospel to them, he succeded in converting a large number of them. When he faced his death kneeling, he realized his most ardent desire - the felicity of martrydom by the arrows of these natives. Because of granted favors through the intercession of Father Juan de Padillo, Bishop Henry Tihen of Denver diosese granted him the honor of being the protomartyr of the United States.
So I have chosen some of the Antiphons from the Liturgy of the Hours for Jan.1
Ant.1 'O marvelous exchange! Man's Creator has become man, born of a virgin. We have been made sharer's in the Divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
Ant. 3 Mary has given birth to a King whose name is everlasting; hers the joy of motherhood, hers the the virgin's glory. Never was the like seen before; never shall it be seen again, alleluia
Oh! the divine life that we share with Jesus Christ from our baptism.Can we really fathom the depths, and appreciate this gift that has been given to us who are believers. The kindness of God and the generosity in marking out Mary to be the Mother of Jesus Christ. From her conception, the Lord blessed her and kept her, preserved her from the stain of 'original sin.' She did nothing to earn such a blessing. Imagine her love for 'Abba-father', she was a chosen daughter of the race of Israel.
Mother of Jesus, pray for us.
Father Juan de Padilla, First Order of St. Francis of Assisi - Protomartyr of the United States of America, died in Kansas. He was born about 1492 and arrived 50 years after the discovery of the New World, by Christopher Columbus, a Franciscan tertiary. Father Padilla with other Franciscans, worked among the Quivara & Kaw Indians. Having preached the Gospel to them, he succeded in converting a large number of them. When he faced his death kneeling, he realized his most ardent desire - the felicity of martrydom by the arrows of these natives. Because of granted favors through the intercession of Father Juan de Padillo, Bishop Henry Tihen of Denver diosese granted him the honor of being the protomartyr of the United States.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
My Ramblins' on the last day of 2008
I just can't believe that this is the last day of 2008 and a New Year is upon us. This year i started with this blog, not knowing how to start and even if i wanted to do this. I may not have been here with some regularity or rhythm. This has been a year of surprises in Politics, finances, and weather around this nation and around the global village.
Having followed the Church's Season's too, i want to share some meaningful passages of these past few days from the Liturgy of the Hours. Passages that reflect our faith in Christ, Col 2:4-15 -Reflections "I tell you all this so that no one my delude you with specious arguments. I may be absent in body but I am with you in spirit, happy to see good order among you and the firmness of your faith in Christ."
" See to it that no one deceives you through any empty, seductive philosophy that follows mere human traditions, a philosophy based on cosmic powers rather than on Christ."
" He canceled the bond that stood against us with all its claims, snatching it up and nailing it to the cross. Thus did God disarm the principalities and powers. "
From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, Pope
"For every believer regenerated in Christ, no matter in what part of the whole world he may be, breaks with that ancient way of life that derives from original sin, and by rebirth is transformed into a new man."
Having followed the Church's Season's too, i want to share some meaningful passages of these past few days from the Liturgy of the Hours. Passages that reflect our faith in Christ, Col 2:4-15 -Reflections "I tell you all this so that no one my delude you with specious arguments. I may be absent in body but I am with you in spirit, happy to see good order among you and the firmness of your faith in Christ."
" See to it that no one deceives you through any empty, seductive philosophy that follows mere human traditions, a philosophy based on cosmic powers rather than on Christ."
" He canceled the bond that stood against us with all its claims, snatching it up and nailing it to the cross. Thus did God disarm the principalities and powers. "
From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, Pope
"For every believer regenerated in Christ, no matter in what part of the whole world he may be, breaks with that ancient way of life that derives from original sin, and by rebirth is transformed into a new man."
Friday, December 26, 2008
St. Stephen Martyr
It has been awhile since I last blogged, and many national international events have occurred. I want to share Jesus' words to his disciples that are appropriate to our times.
Matthew 10:17-20 "Beware of people" who will persecute and you and haul you into court. But he moves quickly to God's work in all this: You will be led before governors..for my sake as a witness.""Do not worry,"he counsels,"about how to speak or what you are to say...For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
Acts 6:10 "but they could not withstand his wisdom and conviction."
And as a result of his zeal and plain speaking, Stephen was put to death. He too followed Jesus' command not to worry but let the Spirit give him the right words to speak.
We too should listen for the Spirit and do our best to speak as we think he is leading us.
As Stephen and Paul, we know that our lives are in God's hands and that he will never abandon us.
"Holy Spirit, help me discern and welcome the opportunities you give me today to proclaim Jesus, both in the way I live and the words as you inspire."
Matthew 10:17-20 "Beware of people" who will persecute and you and haul you into court. But he moves quickly to God's work in all this: You will be led before governors..for my sake as a witness.""Do not worry,"he counsels,"about how to speak or what you are to say...For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
Acts 6:10 "but they could not withstand his wisdom and conviction."
And as a result of his zeal and plain speaking, Stephen was put to death. He too followed Jesus' command not to worry but let the Spirit give him the right words to speak.
We too should listen for the Spirit and do our best to speak as we think he is leading us.
As Stephen and Paul, we know that our lives are in God's hands and that he will never abandon us.
"Holy Spirit, help me discern and welcome the opportunities you give me today to proclaim Jesus, both in the way I live and the words as you inspire."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)