Finished

This will be my last posting on this blog. It has been so difficult to manage this large of a blog and I would prefer to close this out. To begin anew. I enjoy writing even in this format I have found too much to stop--which I tried for months. So, I begin the new blog with the link posted here. Not sure what direction it will take and then again in life we are never quite sure what direction HE will take us in next. I will go back to this blog over the next few days and clear up some typos and character errors on about three or four previous posts which I just published to get them out and done. Besides that this blog is closed.
Keep me in your prayers.
God bless you!
In His Merciful Heart,
E.

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Murder in the Cathedral

"God's law does not reduce, much less do away with human freedom; rather, it protects and promotes that freedom. In contrast, however, some present-day cultural tendencies have given rise to several currents of thought in ethics which centre upon an alleged conflict between freedom and law. These doctrines would grant to individuals or social groups the right to determine what is good or evil. Human freedom would thus be able to "create values" and would enjoy a primacy over truth, to the point that truth itself would be considered a creation of freedom. Freedom would thus lay claim to a moral autonomy which would actually amount to an absolute sovereignty."[1]
In T.S. Eliot's "Murder in the Cathedral" this reader is convinced that the driving force behind the murder of the Archbishop was the evil known today as politically correctness taken to it radical extreme. In his apologia the second Knight makes the comment "No one regrets for violence more than we do. Unhappily, there are times when violence is the only way in which social justice can be secured."[2] As Eliot eludes to unless motives are grounded in Love and Truth, which ultimately are from God, mankind in trying to serve the god of human respect and political correctness will always fold in upon it’s plan ending in evil. For as long as mankind tries to justify itself in relation to other created beings and not the Creator, Who is Love and Truth, chaos will most always ensue as actions and choices are taken to their historic and logical culmination. To make matters worse in an vain attempt to cast off the blame of their murderous action the killers, as many in society currently, on to others in the statement "We have been instrumental in bringing about the state of affairs that you approve"[3]. Thus lacking the integrity to be responsible for their own actions. This is not surprising though as moral integrity is a hallmark trait of the disciple of Jesus Christ which these murders were not though they may have played lip service to the name Christian for personal gain or prestige.
In an interesting contrast to the motives and actions of the killers this reader noticed that the Archbishop relied heavily, as he should, from the Lucan passage regarding persecution[4] and the instructions of Our Lord.
The killers go on to vainly justify their actions like children would say 'he made me mad so he made me do it' in the statements "He used every means of provocation; from his conduct...".[5] They go on further with the ludicrous statement "...when he had deliberately exasperated us beyond human endurance....he could have kept himself from us long enough to allow our righteous anger to cool. That was just what he did not wish to happen, he insisted, while we were still inflamed with wrath."[6] Thus the logic of evil falls apart in the 'justification' of said evil action to one of a childlike excuse and devaluating proposed logic their actions through their own words. Sin and evil are rightfully referred to as things which pull the soul down to a lesser dignity than the Lord God of Hosts created us to live in. The decisions and resulting action of the Archbishop's murders and their banal attempt for justification show, at least, to this reader a example in literary prose of the evil conclusion of moral relativism in which truth is only relevant to the individual and there are no moral absolutes. The same justification used by the murders of the Archbishop in "Murder in the Cathedral" was used by the Nazi's to exterminate human beings and is used today by 'modern and intelligent society' to "justify" the slaughter of millions of innocents in abortion and euthanasia. Evil is justified for a common social 'good' and then hidden in the dark recesses of excuses citing the betterment of a society or class rather than the dignity of the human person. Thus, the Archbishop is dead as are countless millions who question the Divine Truth over individual desires. Rather than allowing Divine Truth reigning supreme the killers in Eliot's play and society today choose to serve a lesser god of relativism and selfish desire.
The clarion call of the killers is similar to that of society which values the imperfect and temporary justice of man over the perfect and eternal Justice of God. In their Confiteor the killers echo the words of society. For we value, many times, the feeble opinions of man over the eternal Wisdom of Almighty God.
"Forgive us, O Lord, we acknowledge ourselves as type of the common man, of the men and women who shut the door and sit by the fire; who fear the blessing of God, the loneliness of the night of God, the surrender required, the deprivation inflicted; WHO FEAR THE INJUSTICE OF MEN LESS THAN THE JUSTICE OF GOD...."[7]
Possibly the killers and society today would be much better served to go back to the words of the 4th century Ambrosian hymn, the "Te Deum", which was sung during the final scene in Eliot's play and pay close attention to it's words for we ultimately answer to God and must beg for His Mercy and help to follow He who is Truth[8].
"O God, we praise Thee, and acknowledge Thee to be the supreme Lord.Everlasting Father, all the earth worships Thee.All the Angels, the heavens and all angelic powers,All the Cherubim and Seraphim, continuously cry to Thee:Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory.The glorious choir of the Apostles,The wonderful company of Prophets,The white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee.Holy Church throughout the world acknowledges Thee:The Father of infinite Majesty;Thy adorable, true and only Son;Also the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.When Thou tookest it upon Thyself to deliver man,Thou didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.Having overcome the sting of death, Thou opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.Thou sitest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father.We believe that Thou willst come to be our Judge.We, therefore, beg Thee to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.Let them be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thy inheritance!R. Govern them, and raise them up forever.V. Every day we thank Thee.R. And we praise Thy Name forever, yes, forever and ever.V. O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day.R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee.R. O Lord, in Thee I have put my trust; let me never be put to shame." [9]
[1] "Veritas Splendor"("The Splendor of Truth"), Pope John Paul II, Rome, 1993
[2] "Murder in the Cathedral", T.S. Eliot, Harcourt, London, 1935
[3] Eliot, page 82
[4] Lk 21:12-19
[5] Eliot, page 83
[6] Ibid
[7] Ibid, page 87-88
[8] Jn 14:6
[9] "Te Deum laudamus", 4th Century A.D., attributed St. Nicetas and St Ambrose.

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“Just As I Am”

“Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so to win over as many as possible”[1]

In reading “Just As I Am” by Dr. Billy Graham what strikes this reader is that Graham has become a slave to all for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how the Lord Jesus used Graham as His Instrument. There can be no mistake that the Lord God has and continues to use Graham to act as an agent of Divine Mercy to a world which so desperately needs the Merciful Hand of God.
One of the things that impressed me was how Graham prepared the way spiritually far in advance of a potential crusade in order to open the right doors and soften hearts. In speaking of his desire to go to India[2] Graham writes “…I had prayed that someday God might open the door for us to go there”. Graham knew then as he does today the importance of spiritual preparation prior to any work that God calls us to do in order to be more effective. Like Nehemiah[3] from Biblical times Graham used prayer as an effective weapon to change the hearts of those he was about to meet with. It is God who can change the hearts and minds of people not a effective preaching style or even a virtuous life however through the Lord God of Hosts hearts and minds can be softened and changed so that He can use us in a manner which brings Him glory and honor and thus souls are won for the King.
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God”.[4] I also saw from Graham’s book that despite the misconception between well intentioned Protestants and Catholics that both can work together effectively for the greater glory of God so to win souls. Far too often we get bogged down on items that while they may be important take our focus away from proclaiming Jesus Christ Crucified and Risen to the farthest corners of the world. Graham writes about his experience working with Catholic Christians that “ [it] taught me that most people were not going to take us seriously if we spent all our time debating our differences instead of uniting at the Cross”.[5] He writes prior to that statement that “Protestants and Catholics- were slowly growing in our understanding of each other and of our mutual commitment to those teachings we hold in common”.[6] One of the oldest tactics in warfare is the concept of divide and conquer and the father of all lies being a excellent and intelligent tactician tries to ensnare well intentioned Christians into backbiting and inter-religious infighting in order to take our focus of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ thereby endangering not only the souls of others but our own souls also in pulling us into the pit of hatred and darkness. Graham as most faithful Christian leaders know that at this critical junction in the history of humankind that all Christians must keep their focus upon the Cross of the Crucified One. Souls depend upon each of us rising above self and looking to the Cross and proclaiming with loud united voices that the only hope for the world and for individual souls comes from Our Lord Jesus Christ.
It came to me in prayer recently that God uses the ordinary events and circumstances in our lives to manifest His infinite power and glory. It is in those ordinary coincidences of life that God working through a soul(s) can be transformed into extraordinary opportunities of grace and blessing. Only God can take the countless seemingly meaningless encounters in our day and create them to better serve Him. One such example in “Just As I Am” that I can quickly recall is the story of when Graham was at the Urbana Missions Conference and suffered a life threatening thrombophlebitis[7]. A medical student just happened to be right there who quickly ascertained the danger and helped Graham receive the life saving help he needed. God planted that young medical student in that place at that time to serve His glory. The story continues though as the medical student later becomes even a better physician by going to the Mayo Clinic for advanced studies and so again the world has a better physician who can act as an instrument of God’s healing power to a hurting world. A chance encounter between two souls on fire for the Lord Jesus and now I can only imagine the number of spiritual and physical healings that have taken place because these two men allowed God to take the ordinary and make it extra ordinary. The other encounter of note is that of the encounters between John Foster Dulles and Graham. While lives and souls benefited then and now from the obvious encounters they had it is interesting to note that the young Avery Dulles did go on to a vocation as a Jesuit priest and years later was created cardinal by Pope John Paul II and is recognized as one of the greatest Christian theological minds alive today. These are but a few of the many chance encounters where God is allowed to work and souls are transformed through His grace. In the book “The Practice of the Presence of God” there is a quote from a conversation with Brother Lawrence which I feel is fitting to shine further light upon the subject of how God is glorified through the ordinary events of our lives.
“That relying on the infinite merits of Our Lord, we should, with complete confidence, ask for His grace regardless of our sins, that God never failed to grant us His grace in each action; that he [Brother Lawrence] perceived this clearly and never failed to do so unless he was distracted from the presence of God, or he had forgotten to ask Him for His aid. That in time of doubt God never failed to enlighten us when we had no other purpose but to please Him and act for His love. That our sanctification depended not upon changing our works but in doing for God what we ordinarily do for ourselves. That it was a pitty to see how many people always mistake the means for the end, attaching great importance to certain works that they do very imperfectly for reasons of human respect. That he found the best way of reaching God was by doing ordinary tasks, which he was obligated to perform under obedience, entirely for the love of God and not for the human attitude towards them.”[8]
In trying to quickly answer the question posed is ‘Just as I am’ a Christian classic I would say that as far as contemporary Christian literature goes then yes the book would certainly qualify. If the book meets the test of time and the discerning eyes of future generations would be a question best posed to The One Whom is outside time and knows the future. I would say that it has many of the characteristics of a potential classic in Christian literature but will let time play itself out to determine the fate of the book. We can only hope that other generations find the book to be one of inspiration and grace as I did.
In closing this reader found it interesting that Graham, and I dare say most Christian leaders would agree, stated that one of his regrets was to not grow closer to Christ in the time he was allotted in life. All the sermons, works and numerous conversions through Graham and other Christian leaders and we come back to the central focus of why we are created—to love and serve the Lord in this life so as to be with Him in the next. If a important Christian leader like Graham can have the devotion and the humility to state that the most important aspect of our lives is to draw close and be conformed to the Crucified One then all of us should take notice and follow his wise words. God is love and all the works even those of God are in vain if we do not put on Christ daily and draw closer into His Heart burning with love.
“If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and knowledge, if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away over everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing…..When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man I put aside childish things…..but the greatest of these is love.”[9]
[1] 1 Cor 9:19
[2] Page 264, “Just As I Am”, Billy Graham, Harper, San Francisco, 1997
[3] Neh 1:5-2:9
[4] Mt 5:9
[5] Ibid, p. 273
[6] Ibid, p. 273
[7] Ibid, p. 424-425
[8] Page 38, “The Practice of the Presence of God”, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, Image/ Doubleday, New York
[9] 1 Cor 13:1-13

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Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine focuses Book II of his “Confessions” with a humble examination of his past life prior to his Augustine draws on the critical element of self knowledge and through that examination the acknowledgment of his own sinfulness. Before Divine Light can permeate the intellect the soul must first gain a healthy fear of the Lord for it is only through knowledge of our sins and imperfections in contrast to His eternal perfection that we can hope to be infused with Light. The exact nature I feel of Augustine’s sins for the reader today (or even then) are not as important, I feel, as the fact that he openly examined his conscience and realizing his unworthiness confessed his sins and failings and begged God for His Mercy.
I found it interesting that Augustine several times brings to bear that it was not God who left his side but Augustine who turned and rebelled from the Holy One. Augustine at one point refers to knots that he has tied through the years. I find that so interesting for in the past few years since my own re-conversion I too have discovered so many ‘knots of rebellion’ that I tied. The God of Love and Mercy can untie all those knots and can create the earth (the soul) anew despite the entanglements we acquire. I think though that God does not nor, I dare say, can not untie those knots of rebellion in the soul who freely chooses the other rather than He. I feel this is the case for God will not take away free will because of His Infinite Justice. Like Augustine and so many who have strayed God waits for the soul to turn to Him, even slightly, so that He may forgive and heal the soul. God never leaves and never stops loving each of us though we can leave His Grace through our own sins. Yet, like He did with Augustine, He waits and allows us to tie ourselves in knots knowing that in time we will cry out for Divine Mercy.
Augustine goes on in Books XII and XIII to speak of the creation story. My personal view is that Augustine focused on this primarily as he was now, having confessed his sins and received Divine Mercy, a new creation. In Book III of “Imitation of Christ” Thomas a’ Kempis has a prayer for the enlightenment of the mind which part of it is fitting here. “Command the winds and storms, say to the sea, ‘Be still’; and to the north wind, ‘Blow not’; and a great calm shall ensue. Send forth Thy light and Thy truth, that they may shine upon the earth; for I am as the earth that is empty and void, until Thou enlighten me. Pour forth Thy grace from above. Water my heart with the dew of Heaven. Send down the waters of devotion to wash the face of the earth, to bring forth good and perfect fruit.”
It is quite natural that Augustine who was created anew through the mercy of God would focus so heavily on the creation story. I can only imagine that after reflecting upon his conversion and the previous years of rebellion that Augustine’s mind now infused with Divine Grace was in a state of awe at the opus Dei within his life. We like Augustine merit nothing but a sure punishment for our sins and evil ways yet to the soul who confesses and begs for mercy He washes away our tears, heals our wounds, unties our knots and brings us into His banquet of love. God did great things with and through Augustine because Augustine rebuked his own selfish pride (he died to self) and thereby it was through his weakness that God was strongest. A lesson I feel I need to take from Augustine is that I should not trust in my own ability for “I am as the earth” but in The One who grants “abundant life”.
Augustine uses the phrase in his ‘Confessions’ which I feel applies not only to him but to myself and so many of us who discover the God of Love and his mission for each of us- “Late have I loved Thee”. It is the realization that despite our own rebellion and wanderings of various sorts that He has always been there loving us, waiting for us and in many souls as Francis Thompson writes in the poem “The Hound of Heaven”- He pursues us tirelessly. “…’All which I took from thee I did but take, not for thy harms, but just that thou might’st seek it in My arms. All of which thy child’s mistake fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home: rise, clasp my hand, and come!’ Halts by me that footfall: is my gloom after all, shade of His hand outstretched caressingly! ‘Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest, I am He Whom thou seekest! Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest Me.” I wonder if Augustine would have become such a great Saint of God had he not seen his own depravity and been allowed to venture into the darkness so that when the caught by the Hound of Heaven he could appreciate the Light even more and serve Him better. Like Augustine did in his ‘Confessions’ if we humble ourselves and stoop beneath the mighty Hand of God then He Himself will lift us up and create us anew.

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“Spiritual Leadership”

Interpretation of the 10 Principles from Chapter 12 of “Spiritual Leadership” by J. Oswald Sanders with Biblical and Non Biblical References.


I. The Biblical writer Qoheleth writes in Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes that “there is and appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens, a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant….”[1] The first principle that I feel that Sanders gives the reader of his chapter on “The Leader and Time” is that the leader and in fact each Christian must understand the brevity and the gift of time. We are created for eternity and the choices we make to live in His love and follow His Will in the allotted time that we are given determine the destination of ourselves and other when we pass beyond the door of our earthly life into eternity. Because time is a gift given to the soul by God to be used prudently for the building of the Kingdom and to aid in the continual conversion of and sanctification of our souls we must take advantage of this short time we have. St James[2] refers to the sin of presumption[3] in speaking of people who assume they have many days or years yet squander the gift of time today and endanger their soul[4]. An understanding of time as a gift which is passing quickly[5] and shall not be repeated will aid the leader in more effective time management there by making them through God’s grace a more productive disciple for His Kingdom.
II. Sanders indicates that the leader must ‘carefully select priorities’ to more effectively break open this gift of allotted time that we have been given and there by bear more fruit for our Divine Sovereign. This can be accomplished in several methods by setting and revising short, medium and long range objectives to correspond with an updated ‘to do list’. In 2nd Chronicles 29 we see the prophet Nathan and others giving a set of priorities which needed to be fulfilled. Furthermore, in Nehemiah[6] we see a well organized man of God setting priorities to better meet the objective. In leadership and in so many other areas in setting priorities to better maximize our time we need to remember the old maxim to “pick and choose our battles”. There will always be battles and important tasks needed to be met by the leader the key in setting priorities is to use the gift of discernment and pray for the grace to choose our tasks and battles in priority setting.
III., IV., V. Sanders goes on to give three additional principles in time management for the God centered leader which are strategic steps, measured steps and never being hurried. The example in the Bible of strategic and measured planning comes from the prophet Ezekiel[7] and others. God is clearly very logical in his Divine Will for us and in following His Will we too must carefully, prayerfully and strategically plan so as to insure we are maximizing our time and talents for His greater glory. The concept of never being hurried has a variety of reasons for being important which would be from maximizing productivity—which in this case in souls for the King of Kings[8]. It would also aid in increasing usable time for other priorities, decreasing stress, increasing enjoyment and maximizing quality. While we will all face times of great stress, suffering[9] and anxiety[10] we need not create an environment which increases these thing which can lead us and others away from God. As Sanders points out in reference to the text of the wedding feast at Cana passage[11] even Our Lord Himself knew the importance of not hurrying the Divine Plan and so too we must. I borrow again from an old idiom to close this selection of principles in the words “haste makes waste”[12].
VI. This is a good point to bring up the next principle which Sanders discusses being the submission to the Divine Will. The Father in His infinite Wisdom and Love has a clear plan for the sanctification of our souls, those around us and to meet the temporal needs of His children who live within His Divine Will. It is in the submission to the Will of God and within His commandments that we find joy and can meet the needs and plans of our days. Just as the Psalmist sang of the joy of the Lord on a ten string lyre[13] we too find our ultimate joy in the 10 commandments[14] and the Divine Will. As the Lord Jesus tells us[15] we pray not for our will be done but rather for the Father’s Will to be done. It is the loving Father who can see the future and the needs of the day and desires the best for us[16] today and then and in eternity with Him[17]. So Sanders correctly points out that the best priority and time management comes from following completely the Will of God daily.
VII. Sanders picks up another key principle in time management in the God centered leader in speaking on the subject of interruptions and distractions. Sanders recognizes that there are time when distractions and interruptions are times when either God wants to use us for His glory, say in witnessing to others, or when God needs us to begin a new task or convey a message to us. Some of the spiritual masters such as St John of the Cross[18], St Theresa of Avila[19] and St Ignatius of Loyola[20] speak of times when a distraction or interruption actually turns out to be an moment when God is giving us a message about Himself or something. It is also true that the evil one[21] can cause distraction and interruption in our lives trying to prevent us from carrying out the Divine plan. Finally we know too that as mere creatures we can cause our own distractions or that in others without any help from God[22] or Satan. That is why great discernment and prayer and a balanced life is needed to carefully gage the situation individually. If we have poorly prepared or have poorly managed our time and not spent quality time encountering the True and Living God in prayer then we will not only not be able to judge the source of the interruption but we may miss an opportunity for grace in our lives or the lives of others.
VIII. Spiritual leadership is similar and different from temporal leadership in that the spiritual leader must always spend time in prayer constantly in order to know and do the Will of God. We can use the best time management strategies known to man and have ever organizing device there is and if we are not following God’s Holy Will we will be at best ineffective and even a counter productive element in the Kingdom. The only way to know the Divine Will is through constant quality time in prayer[23] and then through the Sacred Scripture and other sources. There will be times when our schedules will be so busy that there is no way to accomplish the task of the day or His mission. While many times that is poor planning on our part occasionally it has been arranged like that by God so that we have to fly to Him in prayer and then we see results that we could not have accomplished without prayer. Prayer time for the leader must be a time that is set in the schedule and preferably the same place each day- such as the early morning[24] before the day begins. A scheduled prayer time and various other scheduled times in the day for a smaller amount of prayer sets up regular appointments with God that He can use to give greater fruit to our work. If we structure our day around our encounters with God in prayer[25] then quickly the rest of our time management issues begin to fade away[26] and we become more productive than before.
IX. Sanders brings up another important principle in the need the achieve balance in the life of the leader which greatly contributes to increased time management and productivity. I enjoyed the idea of John Wesley who would break his day into five minute segments. I think that if we were to seriously look at the amount of time we spent per day or per week on needless things we could spend more time in service to Him, more time with family, more time in prayer and so on. We each have our temptation which can be too much time on the telephone, the internet, on television, in un important books or in trivial conversation, etc. A good evaluation of time spent on an occasional basis can free up the schedule and the leader just as a good examination of conscience can help free up the soul of the sin and evil taking hold in various areas of the soul. Balance creates harmony and peace and helps the leader and a individual soul to be a more effective child of God and serve Him better. A balanced life with work/ study, prayer, rest, recreation, worship, family, friends are like the even and fair scales spoke about in the Psalm[27]—it is from the Lord and therefore is good.
X. The final principle which I took from Sanders is a warning for all of us that being to avoid at all costs procrastination. Sanders writes that “procrastination the thief of time, is one of the devil’s most potent weapons for defrauding us of our eternal heritage.”[28] We find God and God’s Will for us in the tasks and duties of the present moment.[29] We need not try to please and serve the Good God tomorrow for that is in Divine Providence for that day that may or may not come. Besides having an awareness of our past sins and short comings and lessons we have committed or learned from in the past we must entrust the past with it’s joys and sorrows with it’s good and evil into Divine Mercy. Today God is present for us at this moment[30] and it is with this realization and for the love of Him Whom we should love above all things and creatures that we can fight the noon day devil of procrastination and avoid the sin of presuming that we can carry out His Will or grow closer to him in the ‘morrow. We are called to be faithful sons and daughters of the Most High today in all of our activities and to all those we meet. In our time management we do the task before us until it is done then if and when the next day comes we move to the next task He sets before us. In a word we are called to be faithful each day. “Work with cheerfulness, with peace, in the presence of God. In this way you will also carry out your task with common sense. You will carry it through to the end. Though tiredness is beating you down, you will finish it off well; and your works will be pleasing to God”[31]
The Lord Jesus calls us today to do certain tasks for Him. These tasks range from family obligations to work to school to Church and things that to the created eye seem mundane and unimportant yet if we are living within the Divine Will and in a life with the Crucified and Risen One these things can be very important to the mission that He gives us to do. To procrastinate in these daily tasks in many ways is akin to the Lord calling us[32] and for us to come up with a laundry list why we can not and he moves on. The potential disciple is left while the work of the Kingdom goes forward. Procrastination is deadly[33] to the soul[34] and deadly to any leadership position.[35] Constant vigilance must be kept to avoid this and if one falls into the trap to pick up quickly and move on.
I close with the poem by Robert Herrick[36] which seems to fit well in this paper on the need for time management in Christian leadership and by all followers of Christ. That we may manage our time better so as to serve Him more fully let us pray that He will guide us and assist us in our shortcomings and better take advantage of this gift of time He has granted to us.


“GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he 's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he 's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.”


[1] Ecc 3:1-15
[2] Jas 4:13-17
[3] Gen 3:1-5- cf. “…’you will surely not die’ said the serpent…”; also see Gen 11:4; et al.
[4] Num 15:30-31
[5] Mt 24:42-51
[6] Neh 3:1; et al.
[7] Ez 40-42
[8] 1 Tim 6:15; et al
[9] Jn 13:13-16; Jn 18-19; Acts 7:54 8:1; et al.
[10] Ps 94:19; Ecc 11:10; Philp 2:28; 1 Peter 5:7
[11] Jn 2:1-12; et al. be patient and diligently pick up our daily crosses and priorities to better fulfill His Will
[12] Prov 29:20
[13] Ps 33:2; Ps 92:3; 144:9
[14] Dt 5:6-21, 6:4-9; et al.
[15] Mt 6:9-14; et al.
[16] Mt 6:25-34; et al.
[17] 2 Jn 1:3; et al.
[18] “Ascent of Mount Carmel”, “Dark Night of the Soul”, “Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ”, St. John of the Cross, 1542-1591.
[19] “Way of Perfection”, “Interior Castle”, St. Theresa of Jesus, 1515-1582.
[20] “Spiritual Exercises”, St Ignatius of Loyola, 1533.
[21] 2 Cor 11:14
[22] Acts 12:7
[23] Acts 1:14; 2 Thes 1:1; 2 Tim 1:3
[24] Ps 88:13; Mk 1:35
[25] Ps 119:64
[26] Prov 3:5-6
[27] Ps 16:11
[28] “Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer”, J. Oswald Sanders, Moody, Chicago, 1994.
[29] 2 Cor 6:2, Ecc 12:1; Prov 27:1
[30] Abandonment to Divine Providence, Jean-Pierre de Caussade, S.J. (d. 1751), St. Louis: B. Herder Book Company, 1921
[31] “The Forge”, # 744, St. Josemaria Escriva, 1902-1975, Scepter Publishing, New York, 1988.
[32] Lk 9:59-62; Ps 119:60; et al.
[33] Lk 13:25
[34] Is 55:6
[35] Dt 23:21; Ecc 5:4
[36] “To the Virgins, to make much of Time”, Robert Herrick. 1591–1674

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10 Biblical Leaders I Admire

10 Biblical Leaders I Admire

Leading off with the number one position would of course have to be the ultimate leader and Shepherd of souls[1] Our Lord Jesus Christ. We see in Christ Jesus leadership which both chastises[2] and heals[3], love which is both tender and tuff, words which bring comfort and which cut like a knife into the soul. We see a leader who inspires the leadership even in those to whom the world would not associate as potential leaders. Our Lord knows the potential for the soul. He knows that there is a time to heal and forgive and a time to chastise and condemn. We see in Jesus Christ who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity[4] that yes God is love and love evolves sacrifice at time. Love is also looking for the best of the individual receiving love not just allowing behavior which would lead the person—the soul into destruction. Our Lord shows us that God way of loving the soul (which we are called to emulate) for the long term benefit of the individual not just a short term gain and certainly not for a selfish motive. Love[5] is a verb alas and Christian leadership must be centered always upon love. As we are creatures and just mere images of our Divine Creator we will fall short however we must look to the ultimate example of leadership in Our Lord Jesus Christ to give us the strength and the courage to face our weaknesses and through His grace[6] overcome to become the Christian leaders He calls us to be.
The next ideal Christian leader for me was a Biblical leader who did not lead a great multitude of people yet through his prayer and example inspired a nation and subsequent generations to turn to God and away from sin and evil. I look to the prophet of God Elijah. Elijah like so many leaders had the role thrust upon him and it frightened him. Facing seemingly insurmountable odds through the grace and mercy of God he defeated the false prophets of Baal and so many others.[7] Elijah comes into town like an old western hired gun for the Lord God of Hosts[8] and once his mission is accomplished realizes the gravity of his situation and retreats to prayer to gain courage and wisdom to fight another day for Him[9]. To myself Elijah shows that the Christian leader will face times when it seems as if the entire world is out against him or her and desires their death yet we turn to The One whom we know can ‘come to our assistance’ and protect us within the shadow of His wings to struggle for the Kingdom another day. Just as Christ Our Lord turned to prayer constantly Elijah also sets the example for us that through prayer to God if we are faithful we can do all things.
St. Peter[10] is an interesting leader as in by all accounts he was not the most successful fisherman around and he denied Christ yet it was his humility along with the infinite mercy of God that he was still called by Christ to be the rock solid foundation[11] upon which Christ would build Christianity. St Peter shows me that despite our failings and even sins if we beg for mercy and forgiveness and reengage in the struggle to serve that God can accomplish anything He desires in the lives of those who are humble. Alone we are destined to fail and without Jesus Christ we have no hope of temporal success for His Kingdom much less in obtaining salvation and partaking in the Beatific Vision. Through Him and with Him we find the courage and strength to rise up to any task no matter how great. We have only to trust and remain in His love. If we count on our own abilities and become filled with pride we will fall just as St. Peter fell after Our Lord was arrested. Through Christ and in humility we find the ability to accomplish any mission He sets before. The mark of any good Christian leader is humility in recognizing where and from Whom we draw our ability and gifts.
Christian leadership more than any other type of leadership involves a great amount of trust in God and I feel that one of the Biblical leaders who demonstrated this unwavering trust is Abraham. God calls each of us as Christians and as Christian leaders to face times when we are called to do the seemingly impossible. We are called to do what He wants and we do not always know the reason why. This involves trust and faith in Divine Providence that God will provide the answers and solutions at the moment when we need it the most. Abraham demonstrated that trust when he took his son to the top of the mountain to prepare to offer him in sacrifice to God. Sacred Scripture tells us that God desires Mercy not sacrifice and the son was spared and Abraham proved his faith and trust to God but most importantly to himself and others through the generations. God knew in His infinite wisdom of the faithfulness of Abraham yet Abraham and later generations did not—a test was in order. The Christian leader and each individual Christian will face tests in life of various sorts yet we must have faith and trust in Him[12] Whom we love and serve. God knows of our ability yet we need to under go the test in order to shine more brightly for Him as the fine metal in the furnace. God can not work great things through us without our cooperation, as He will not violate our free will, if we as Christian leaders do not have faith and trust and step into the unknown with Him as Abraham did.
Within the heart of the successful Christian leader is a hunger for souls to be lead to God also known as apostolic zeal. At root in any real apostolic zeal is the recognition of our complete and total dependence on God and His Mercy despite our past sins and failings and present weaknesses. The Apostle St. Paul demonstrates this recognition of his own weakness and unworthiness and that it is only He Who dwells within that accomplishes the endeavor. Temporal leadership is based on many times our own abilities and accomplishments as I pointed out earlier yet the Christian leader must pour himself out completely to put on the mind of Christ so despite impossible weaknesses or obstacles can through Divine grace accomplish the Will of God.[13]
Some of the other Biblical leaders that I admire would be St. John the beloved for his absolute love of Christ and the purity of his heart. It is interesting that Christian tradition holds that all the apostles were martyred but one St John. He did suffer in prison and exile and was even boiled yet he was not martyred. Because of his purity and love for Christ he was spared the martyrs death. His example of the love for God should inspire Christian leaders to find refuge within the Heart of Jesus and place our heads upon His breast and draw the courage and comfort needed to lead His flock. It should also serve as an example to Christian leaders of all traditions to seek and strive after purity of heart, mind and body so that in seeing the Face of God we can better witness to His glory to a world in darkness. I would also have to say that Moses would be a favorite Biblical leader in the faith that he demonstrated so many times before during and after the Exodus. Moses too shows a great amount of zeal and a leadership style we need to emulate which is centered on prayer to God Almighty.
The next Biblical leader that I would identify as one whom I admire would be someone many may not think of –that being the foster father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, St. Joseph[14]. St. Joseph does not speak much in the Sacred Scripture yet he must have been a great leader to be entrusted by God[15] to care for the Divine Child[16] and the Mother of God[17]. I can not imagine the great faith that he had to be able to accept that this child that his betrothed wife had was from God even when sent an angelic messenger[18]. He demonstrated great trust in God though he did not know all the answers. He was given the responsibility to protect the child Jesus by fleeing into Egypt[19] and throughout His early formative years. Good parents are the best Christian leaders and St. Joseph must have been a very good father and leader to be given the call to be the foster father of Jesus Christ. St. Joseph to me also demonstrates that to the humble and the obedient God can bring about great miracles. He faced his Divinely given duty with great prudence and with an unwavering trust in the Wisdom and Providence of God. To me St. Joseph models what Christian leaders and parents should follow in an unshakable faith and obedience to the call of God regardless if we do not know the reason why –now.
I would close out my list of ten leaders with ‘The Forerunner’, St John the Baptist. St John the Baptist knew that he was just a creature called through grace for a mission and that he was unimportant compared to the One who would follow[20]. St John demonstrated the courage to leave all behind in worldly allurements for the sake of proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. St. John just like the earlier prophet Jeremiah became a pillar of brass and a wall of iron[21] to withstand the attacks of the world so as to proclaim the Day of the Lord with zeal and fervor. In a simple way he knew his mission and Whom he served and did not care about the consequences or the opinions of others. Once he had fulfilled his mission he quickly stepped down from his position as the center of attention to give glory and honor to the Lamb of God[22]. He like the other leaders mentioned was faithful to the end. Christian leaders must recognize that we at best are temporary servants entrusted to a specific mission for a specific time and The One Who called us is more important that we are. We need to pray to be obedient enough that when it is our time to hand over the reigns of leadership to others that we will do so out of love for Christ and the sake of the Gospel which we proclaim. We may not be called to survive on locust and honey[23] but we are called to reject the world and it’s entrapments for the sake of Christ and announces to the world the Salvific action of Jesus Christ regardless of the cost[24].
10 Biblical leaders each with different missions and in different times yet through love of God they changed the course of human history in many ways. If we remain faithful and love God above all else then we too can in some small way model the leadership of these ten in the mission He gives us today.
[1] Jn 10:10-15; et al.
[2] Mt 21:12-17; et al.
[3] Mt 14:34-36; et al.
[4] Gen 1:26; Mt 28:19
[5] Rom 8:39; Eph 2:4; 1 Jn 3:1; 1 Jn 3:10; 1 Jn 4:8; et al.
[6] Ps 84:12; Lk 1:28; Jn 1: 16; Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 16:23; 2 Cor 1:12; Gal 5:4; Heb 13:9; Jas 4:6; Mt 26:26-28; Mk 14: 22-24; Lk 22: 19; Jn 6; 1 Cor 10: 16; 11: 24, 27,29
[7] 1 Kings 18
[8] 1 Kings 18:39-40
[9] 1 Kings 19:3-18
[10] Jn 1:42
[11] Mt 10:2; Mt 16:18-19; Lk 22:32; Jn 21:17; Acts 21:14; Gal 1:18; Is 22:20-23
[12] Heb 2:5-18
[13] Col 1:24:29
[14] Mt 1:16; et al.
[15] Mt 1:19
[16] Is 9:5-6; Jn 1:1; Jn 8:58-59; Jn 20:28; Rev 1:8; Rev 22:13
[17] Mt 1: 20-24; Mt 27:56; Lk 1:28,38,42, 48; Lk 2:35; Acts 19:11-12; Phil 3:17; 1 Tim 2:1; Rev 5:1-8; Ps 136; et al.
[18] Lk 1:26-28; Mt 1:18-24; et al.
[19] Mt 2:19-23; et al.
[20] Jn 1:19-34
[21] Jer 1:16-19
[22] Gen 22:8; Jn 1:29, 36; Rev 5:6, 7:10, 7:15
[23] Mt 3:4-6; et al.
[24] Mt 10:26-39; Mt 16:24-28; et al.

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“Spiritual Administration Vs. Spiritual Leadership: Beans, Bullets and Bad-guys”

“Spiritual Administration Vs. Spiritual Leadership: Beans, Bullets and Bad-guys”


In examining the differences between the gifts of leadership and administration I reflected on my time in the Marine Corps and the role of the tactician/ field commander and the role of the logistician/ echelon commander. Both roles are vital in the implementation of war fighting strategies and battlefield success. Both roles have cross over duties which are applicable to the other yet radically different in their approach and short range mission objectives. However, though short range mission objectives and tasks are different they both work towards the same long range overall mission objective. Similarly the leader as defined by Hocking[1], et al, fulfills more of the field commander role (tactician) in the still very real spiritual war within his/ her area of charge. The logistician conversely would fulfill the role of administrator in the spiritual battles[2] which the Church engages in.
As a Marine one of the many acronyms which we had to memorize in regards to battle preparation what “BBB” “Beans, Bullets and Bad-guys”[3]. The leader and the administrator even to a higher degree must take into consideration the three B’s of logistics to help the local Church better fight the spiritual battles which rage around (and occasionally within) Her.
The shepherd must be concerned not only with the long range mission objective, i.e. guiding the souls under his/ her charge into the safe harbor of the Beatific Vision and bringing a greater harvest of souls along with them but also with the logistics of guiding the flock through the daily rocky shoals that come up. Shepherds must be concerned with the temporal and spiritual needs of the flock that Our Lord has entrusted to them always mindful of the fact that they are but mere stewards of the souls today and that the Almighty One is the ultimate and eternal commander. So borrowing from the acronym I mentioned previously the “beans” that the shepherd must be concerned with is if his/ her flock is being cared for temporally (physically and emotionally). Are there members of the local Church in need? Has someone suffered hardships and needs the support of the shepherd and or the flock in general? Does the individual soul or family need support to deal with loss or emotional issues? These questions and potential problems not only effect the short range effectiveness and vitality of the local Church but if not treated can lead to spiritual ramifications in which the soul(s) leave the flock and could fall victim to the wolves in the non Christian world. The administrator would be concerned for the logistical issues with the “beans” however so should the leader- both have a responsibility to God as shepherds and as Christians to feed the poor, cloth the naked and give comfort to the afflicted.[4]
The shepherd must be concerned with basic war fighting[5] strategies and give his/ her flock the tools (the “bullets”) to engage the enemy who after all is a master strategist though he is the father of lies. The battle as St Paul tells us is ‘not one of flesh and blood’ (though history does show in the blood of the martyrs that a pound of flesh is exacted from the Bride of Christ occasionally) ‘but of principalities and powers’[6]. The “bullets” then that we Christians use and must be trained to use are the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God) and our prayers. In treating the use of prayer as a potent weapon I remember the axiom of praying for our enemies and to pray unceasingly. We study the Word of God and we constantly spend regular time in prayer so that when God needs to use us we are prepared. As the archer prepares the arrows[7] to be used at just the proper time so to do we study the Divine Word and encounter God in prayer while constantly rending our hearts to remove impurities and sin so that we too may be one of those polished arrows that the Almighty One places in His quiver. The shepherd be they gifted with leadership or administration must therefore move “Dei populus”[8] (“God’s people”) into a constant state of conversion where by they study with greater zeal and pray with greater love so that they may be ready at anytime to engage the enemy of souls. The leader in this aspect would be concerned with the vision of the faith community and in achieving the marked goals set forth. The leader must be just as concerned with the individual progression of a soul as with the spiritual objectives of the people God has gathered for Himself. Conversely the administrator keeping in mind the overall mission must be concerned with the daily operation of the Christian community/ individual soul to guarantee that the mission is not compromised due to mismanagement of the seemingly mundane details. Both roles are vital in the operation of the community and in the stewardship of the souls under his/ her charge[9]. The leader might have programs or initiatives while the administrator would handle the task management of one or many programs. One gift it seems builds upon the other and visa versa.
Lest we forget who is the enemy[10] and the potential tragic consequences[11] of our failure to exercise the gift of administration or leadership we must constantly remind ourselves of the very serious nature of the mission before us. Far too frequently the person gifted with administration can fall into the trap set by the evil one of over management and single minded task orientated administration and fail to set vision for the flock entrusted to him/ her. Administration with out the constant influx of vision from the Eternal One is simply basic business management as one would see in the secular world. The administrator focuses so much on the tasks of daily administration that he/ she fails to shepherd. Ministry quickly becomes a business and lack the flowing fire of the Holy Spirit which emblazes the soul to new possibilities in evangelization and the Divine vision for the community. This over administration by the person gifted by administration can manifest it self in what Segundo Galilea refers[12] to as the demon of activism[13] and is dangerous to the soul of the minister and the flock entrusted to him/ her. On more of a psychological/ spiritual perspective the activism takes root in the perfectionism and false pride[14] of the individual. The evil one who Christian tradition tells us personally tempts each soul strikes at the soul of the administrator burying them in meetings/ tasks and paperwork. Eventually though the administrator is successful in his or her business affairs the sin of a false pride creeps in and then lacking the Divine vision tasks and souls that were under the charge of the minister gifted with administration begin to fall like leaves from an autumn tree. Even skilled business administration lacking the Divine infusion pales in comparison to Divinely infused administration which transforms souls, organizations and individual Churches. We do not need another skilled business administrator in the Christian world but Divinely infused administrators who are connected to the quiet movements[15] of the Holy Spirit.
Conversely the leader must be ever vigilant to not under manage or over delegate tasks to others with only vision for the community in mind. While the minister gifted with leadership may have great vision for a community and can delegate tasks they must always insure that projects are met in detail through periodic examinations and reevaluations. Many a battle has been lost by leaders with great battle skills and vision yet without the needed logistical support in the day to day operation of the battle force. Battles and wars are won through strategic vision and planning and in strategic logistics one without the other leads inevitably to the loss of troops. In the case of the spiritual warfare[16] which the minister and all Christians fight the loss of troops is the loss of souls. The minister gifted with spiritual leadership falls and causes other souls to fall in this instance through a ‘demon of messianism’[17] in which vision becomes one of what the individual minister desires and not what the Holy Will deigns for the community. Again the root of this false and fatal spirit finds itself in pride[18] and in the lack of prudence and discernment on the part of the minister. It is a very easy trap to fall into for any Christian leader and one should not be overly critical when the minister steps into this trap[19]. The counter balance for this is similar to the counter balance for the administrator prayer, detachment and examination of the daily operation of the ministry short term objectives.
I am increasingly becoming aware that regardless of the special gift given by God to the minister be it in administration or leadership that the minister must constantly pray for an increase[20] in the gifts of the Holy Spirit[21] that are available in superabundance[22] to all Christians. Gifts and fruits such as discernment, prudence, patience, self control ect must be increased and fully activated to help the minister better use the other gifts.
In relation to the question regarding if the administrator/ leader can carry out the task of the other my simple answer is yes with a condition. The minister regardless of which gift they have must exercise that gift and build upon it using those seven gifts of the Holy Spirit[23] which I touched upon in the previous paragraph. The minister must further challenge his or her self to recognize the areas of potential weakness[24] and use the tools which God provides[25]. Just as the Lord Jesus speaks of in the parable of the talents[26] we too as His faithful servants must build upon the gifts which we have been given so to bring glory to the King and His Kingdom. So, the administrator must first and foremost be a person of deep prayer[27] and grounded in Sacred Scripture[28] and also build up leadership traits even through secular education opportunities. Similarly the leader must be a person of prayer[29] and the Word and build up upon areas of weakness in administration skills to better guide the flock or ministry entrusted to them[30]. God many times I have found gives us tools to use that can work for His Glory that we might have other wise dismissed so that His Kingdom can be built up and His Will be manifested in others[31]. Very often the answer to the problem is before us if we only pray that we are open to the opportunities[32] with the eyes of faith.[33] Therefore, we must pray unceasingly for an increase of faith, hope and love that regardless if we have been given the gift of administration, leadership or any of the other gifts that we can bring back a bounty of souls before the Throne of God. For alas the only reward for the Christian leader or the Christian administrator should be the words of Our Merciful Savior on the final day- “'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful…”![34]




“Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,And in our souls take up your rest;Come with your grace and heavenly aidTo fill the hearts which you have made.O Comforter, to you we cry,O heavenly gift of God Most High,O fount of life and fire of love,And sweet anointing from above.You in your sevenfold gifts are known;You, finger of God's hand we own;You, promise of the Father, youWho do the tongue with power imbue.Kindle our senses from above,And make our hearts o'erflow with love;With patience firm and virtue highThe weakness of our flesh supply.Far from us drive the foe we dread,And grant us your peace instead;So shall we not, with you for guide,Turn from the path of life aside.Oh, may your grace on us bestowThe Father and the Son to know;And you, through endless times confessed,Of both the eternal Spirit blest.Now to the Father and the Son,Who rose from death, be glory given,With you, O holy Comforter,Henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.” [35]
[1] Class handout, p. 8-12, taken from David Hocking, “Be a leader people follow”, Glendale, Regal Books, 1979
[2] 1 Cor 2:10-16, 2 Cor 10:3-6
[3] ‘Combat Orders’, United States Marine Corps, Leatherneck 2007, USMC Officer Training Manuel, item 4 (a), Quantico; et al.
[4] Mt 25:33-46; Mt 22: 37-40; et al.
[5] 2 Cor 10:3-6: “On the Priesthood”, St John Chrysostom, Book IV, A.D. 347-407; et al
[6] Eph 6:10-17
[7] Ps 45:5-8; Ps 7:8
[8] 1 Peter 2:9-10
[9] Gen 18:19
[10] “On the power of demons”, Homilies I-III, St John Chrysostom, A.D. 347-407
[11] Gal 4:4-11
[12] “Temptation and Discernment”, Segundo Galilea, ICS Publications, 1996, Washington DC.
[13] Ibid, p. 25-26
[14] James 4:6-10, Ps 73
[15] 1 Kings 19:9-13
[16] “The Spiritual Combat”, Lorenzo Scupoli, Sophia Institute Press, original publication 1589; “Spiritual Combat Revisited”, Jonathon Robinson, Ignatius Press, 2003
[17] “Temptation and Discernment”, p. 23-24
[18] James 4:6-10, Ps 73
[19] Heb 10:32,35-39
[20] Lk 11:13
[21] 1 Cor 14; 1 Cor 12;
[22] 2 Cor 4:7-18
[23] “On the Holy Spirit”, “Book II”, St. Ambrose, A.D. 340-397; “On the Holy Spirit”, St Gregory of Nysa, circa A.D. 385;
[24] 2 Cor 13:4-9
[25] Heb 6:7-8
[26] Mt 25:14-30
[27] Philp 4:4-9
[28] James 1:22-25, Ps 119:105-112
[29] Philp 4:4-9
[30] 2 Tim 4:1-5; Philp 1:27
[31] Mt 19:26
[32] James 2:17-20
[33] Mt 9:29
[34] Mt 25:21,23
[35] “Veni Creator Spiritus”, attributed to Rabanus Maurus, A.D. 776-856. (A traditional Pentecost hymn.)

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No Man's Land...........

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!
I find my self now in no man's land. I have gone too far with Our Lord and He has shown me too much to turn back yet I can not move forward. It is not so much that I don't want to move forward but rather that there are unknowns that only He knows.
Each of us have been called by God to a particular life. Each of us have certain gifts and certain flaws. God does not create the flaws mind you but He does build on them for His glory. Grace builds upon nature. So, as I have found myself many times before I stand now at a crossroad. I stand today with arms outstretched in love and surrender to God. It is not important today what He tells me tomorrow or the next day. It is not important how He will accomplish in me what He desires. Divine Providence is not for tomorrow but for today. Today I trust in Christ Jesus and say yes. Tomorrow will take care of it's self then.
The world is filled with darkness many times. I was reminded recently that what we must do is look for the light and we will be drawn into the light. If we search for darkness we will find it and it will take over us. Especially in the souls we encounter daily there will be many that we will have to search hard to find some faint light within- but we must search for it and focus on it. So, we look to the future with hope rather than with trepidation and fear. We come to crossroads and we find joy for our hope and joy rests in the Eternal Word- the Eternal Hope- the Eternal Joy who is Jesus Christ.
It is not prudent on a public forum to discuss the particulars right now. I only ask you to please remember me in your prayers. Look to Our Lord Jesus Christ and trust in Him.
In His Merciful Heart,
Ed

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De Monkey and De Vinci

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ! Alleluia! Now and Forever! Alleluia!
So we finally have the real Da Vinci author. To see him speak click here.
To find out the Truth click here.
Don't be a dumb monkey like so many others!
In His Merciful Heart,
Ed

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“A Christian perspective on AIDS/ HIV and Homosexuality: Divine Punishment or a manmade created evil produced by iniquity.”

Initially I must confess that my reaction was yes: AIDS and HIV are a Divine Punishment[1] for the sin of homosexuality[2] in the world. However this standpoint presents problematic in the innocent who suffer as a result of this disease as in the case of children, healthcare workers infected, blood transfusion recipients and victims of sexual crimes such as rape. I began to ponder that if this was a Divine Punishment for homosexuals then why would they be the only ones affected. God in His Infinite Wisdom would certainly see that a blood borne illness would affect countless scores of innocents. This question led me to question the entire notion of suffering within the world and why many times it is the innocent as well as the guilty who suffer greatly.[3] I also began to ponder that if Divine Justice[4] in the form of an illness was exacted as a chastisement[5] upon mankind would not many other crimes against the Almighty One be also similarly exacted upon mankind. Crimes (sins) such as abortion[6], unjust wars[7], terrorism[8], violence[9] against the innocent, genocide[10], racism[11] and the like seem to go unpunished by God while the voices of the innocent cry out to Him. Would not Divine Justice demand that the cries of His innocent children be answered[12]?
Human suffering is wrapped within the mystery of iniquity[13] and is tied directly into the first fall of mankind from God’s Grace[14]. Even the private sins in the spiritual life affect the entire state of mankind in relationship to human suffering. A sin does not have to be public to still be a sin and a direct offence to The Holy One. As a result of the free choices to sin, privately or publicly, by all a division from God’s Grace is formed whereby illnesses of all kinds are formed in the chasm of darkness. God does not create these illnesses nor does He create anything that is evil. It is humanities private and public sins[15] which in a cosmic and spiritual dimension create the environment in the recesses of darkness which a multitude of human suffering is created which effects the just and the unjust. To some degree or another we all have sinned terribly and offended Almighty God. Each sin which is freely committed has a causal relationship on the creation of all forms of suffering upon humankind. Like ripples that are created when throwing a stone in a clear lake the waves of indignation and iniquity beat upon all the vessels in the water. Just and unjust, righteous and wicked are all effected to varying degrees through illnesses and other forms of suffering as a result of the multitude of evils, private and public, committed by the entirety of humanity.
However, to entirely account for AIDS/ HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and the suffering that results from them in simply a broad universal spiritual sense would be wrong. There are definite consequences for our actions in the spiritual and the temporal world. In most cases the suffering brought on through AIDS/ HIV is a direct result of the choices freely made to commit moral evil[16]. Our Loving and Merciful Eternal God has given us standards- commandments- for our behavior to protect us and draw us into Eternal Joy with Him. The rules of conduct for our behavior with Him and with others are not rules that enslave us but rather enable us to rejoice within the warmth of His Heart which burns with love for us. It is when we violate those standards, those commandments, that we fall victim to the consequences of our very poor choices and thereby suffer and cause others to suffer. Like a loving human father would want his children to have fun and play within the yard and not venture into the busy street so as to protect his children from the dangers he sees, I think so to with God’s commandments in relationship to His children. Yet, the deceiver entices the children of God into committing sins of all kinds, especially sexual sins, with the lie that all pleasure is good and there are no consequences for sin and/or it is not even a sin at all. Humans buy into the lies of Satan and reject the Divine Law and then suffer physical, emotional and spiritual consequences of their actions. Then when great sufferings ensue such as AIDS/ HIV and other illnesses mankind instead of owning up to the consequences of their actions and turning to God instead of blaming God for the evil of the illnesses.
It is so sad to me that intelligent Christians either excuse the behavior of the sinner so as not to offend or in some misguided form of charity towards the suffering individual rather than addressing both the physical needs of the suffering individual and their spiritual needs before their soul is lost forever at death (if they remain in unrepentant grave sin). It is also sad to me that Christians fall into the trap laid down by the father of all lies to cast blame for the suffering of AIDS/ HIV upon God by equating it to a Divine Punishment. One of the big problems I feel with exacting Divine Punishment upon anyone is that then we must too stand ready to face the Divine Punishment we are due for our own sins. I feel also to equate illnesses regardless of the behaviors which brought them about with Divine Punishment places the Christian in the very sinful position of being judge rather than allowing God to be the Eternal Judge[17]. Souls freely choose their own heaven or hell by the actions they make. We can choose to live as Children of the Light[18] and accept and follow The Crucified and Risen One bearing our crosses daily for Him or we can choose evil and the temporal and eternal hell that ensues. God desires that all men and women repent of any number of sins- including homosexual actions- and come to salvation in and through Jesus Christ.
I feel the evil one ensnares some with temptations to homosexual activity and they allow him to pull their soul into the pit by committing the vile sin. In relationship to the previous statement the evil one also, I feel, ensnares the faithful Christian by acts of hatred or by not being Christ like to the homosexual person. The evil one ensnares the Christian into either dealing with the homosexual with either ‘kid gloves’ by not being truthful about the danger they are placing their immortal soul and their temporal bodies in- through AIDS/ HIV or by dealing strictly with the sin while not caring for the sinner- body and soul. It is a very precarious balance between Love and Truth that the faithful Christian must walk. It is a balance that can only be found in the Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ- for it is at the foot of the Cross that the Christian achieves the balance through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We must, I feel, as Christ’s faithful boldly and clearly proclaim the Truth[19] and not shy away from calling a sin a sin. The faithful Christian must also treat each person- regardless of their individual sinfulness with Christian Charity. The faithful Christian must make the distinction between the sinner (which to some degree or order we all are) and the sin itself. We must look on each sinner regardless of how repulsive the sin they commit as a potential repentant child of God. We must give comfort and aid to the person, in body and soul, as they are the least of his children[20]. The homosexual person will not come into repentance and conversion if they are not given the Truth with Love[21]. Like wise the person suffering from the ravages of HIV/ AIDS must be ministered to in body and soul by the entire Christian community just as Our Lord[22]. If Christians can learn to look upon all people as potential repentant saints of the Most High God and as Jesus Christ, in a distressing disguise[23], then I feel we can not only treat the suffering of the body but also the suffering soul within. We must therefore boldly proclaim the Divine Truth and call a sin a sin and that to the soul that repents God is infinitely merciful[24].
We each have our own crosses to bear in regards to the temptations we face[25]. I am so grateful to Almighty God that my temptations do not involve sins like these (i.e. homosexual sins). I feel that the cross I must bear in other temptations which through God’s Grace[26] and Mercy- He is able to help me to overcome is of sufficient enough weight. What I must do- what we all must do- is to help those that are weak in certain areas to come to know the Truth and Love of God through Jesus Christ[27]. I feel we must each do our part to bring each other, and ourselves, into conversion daily and through acts of Mercy bring souls to Christ Jesus. Our Lord was not spared His own temptations, though He never fell to them, in the desert and we too shall be facing our own temptations of some kind. We must keep our eyes focused upon Him and hold up as our banner for the world to see our motto- “Jesus I Trust in YOU”![28] When God deals out true Divine Punishment it will be done in a way that there can be no question by sinner or saint as to the reason or the correctness of form.
In conclusion, I do not feel that AIDS/ HIV are a form of Divine Punishment rather a self inflicted wound that all of humanity is responsible for, to varying degrees, and must bear. Humanity can only find eternal salvation in Jesus Christ[29]. Terrible sufferings of all kinds will come about as a result of the effects of sin and evil in the world. How much worse sufferings have the masses of humanity inflicted upon the Heart of God than we have received ourselves. Divine Mercy and Divine Justice demand[30] of each of us as Christians that we must proclaim the Truth of Christ to all especially to those who can benefit the most from the infinite Mercy of God[31]. We must bind the wounds of humanity and be the visible hands of Jesus Christ to those who suffer from all afflictions including AIDS/ HIV. We must be the voices of Mercy and Truth along with being the hands of Christ to all especially the sick (spiritually and temporally) of the world lest we bring forth a worst Divine Punishment upon ourselves. How we, as Christ’s faithful, deal with and treat those who are lost in the most darkness of error and sin alas determines not only their salvation but how we are judged by the Almighty and Holy One. Lest we forget the final lesson of Moses who made it to the threshold of the Promise Land[32] after leading the children of the Most High God[33] and prevented from entering because of his own unfaithfulness[34]. Let us therefore pray[35] to The Crucified and Risen One born Incarnate that we may have the grace of final perseverance[36] in proclaiming the Truth with Love[37] to all and bring all sinners[38]- heterosexuals and homosexuals back home into the promise land.
[1] Joshua 7; Joshua 22:20; 1 Chron. 2:7; Eccl. 11:9; 2 Peter 2:13; Jerm. 44: 12-14, Gen 13, 14; Gen 19:24, 27-28; Lk 17:29; et al.
[2] Lev. 18:22-23; 1 Cor. 6:9; Dt. 23:17; 1 Kg 14: 24; 1 Kg 15:12; 1 Kg 22:46; 2 Kg 23:7; Job 1; also see Gen 13, 14; et al.
[3] Gen 18:23-32
[4] “Summa Theologica”, St. Thomas Aquinas, 1st Part, Q 21, Article 4 and also supplement Q 99, Article 1, circa AD 1227; et al.
[5] Jerm. 10; “Homilies on Hebrews”, St. John Chrysostom, # 30, on Hebrews 12:11-13, circa AD 347; ibid, # 29, on Hebrews 12: 4-6; “Oration 16”, St. Gregory Nazianzen, circa AD 325; “Sermon 84”, St. Leo the Great, circa AD 461; et al.
[6] “Declaration on Procured Abortions”, Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Rome, 1974.
[7] Mt 26:52, Mt 5:39; Rom 12:19; Lk 3:14; also see “Summa Theologica”, Part 2 of 2nd Part, Q 40, Article 1; et al.
[8] “Divini Redemptoris”, Pope Pius XI, 1937, Rome; et al.
[9] “Letter 93”, St. Augustine of Hippo, AD 408
[10] “Gaudium et Spec”, “Pastoral Council of the Church in the Modern World”, Second Vatican Council, 1965, Rome; “Address to the UN General Assembly”, Pope John Paul II, October 7 1979, New York; “Dominum et Vivificantem”, Pope John Paul II, 1986, Rome, et al.
[11] “Populorum Progressio”, Pope Paul VI, 1967, Rome; “Pacem in Terris”, Pope John XXIII, 1963, Rome; et al.
[12] Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Ps 22; et al.
[13] Dan. 3, 27; Ps. 17 (18), 10; Ps. 36 (35), 7; Ps. 48 (47), 12; Ps. 51 (50), 6; Ps. 99 (98), 4; Ps. 119 (118), 75; Mal. 3, 16-21; Mt. 20, 16; Marc. 10, 31; Lk. 17, 34; Jn. 5, 30; Rom. 2, 2; “Salvific Doloris”, “On the meaning of human suffering”, Pope John Paul II, 1984, Rome; et al.
[14] Ibid; Gen 3, 19; et al.
[15] Rom 5: 12; “Summa”, 1st Part of 2nd Part, Q 85, Article 5; et al.
[16] Lev 18:22, Lev 20:13, Gen 19: 1-11; “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons”, Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1986, Rome.
[17] Gen 3; Gen 6:5; Gen 28:20; Num 16:30; Ex 6:6; Ex 12:12; Ez 25:11; Ez 28:22; Prov 11:31; Ez 14:21; Judges 12:13-15; “The Grammar of Assent”, “Apprehension and Assent in the Matter of Religion” (Chapter 5), John Cardinal Henry Newman, circa 1809-1890, London.
[18] Eph 4:17; Eph 5:8
[19] Ex 20:1-17; Dt 5:6-21; “Summa” 1:16:1; Ps 86:11; Ps 119:30; Mt 22:16; Mk 12:14; Jn 14:6; 2 Cor 4:2; “Veritas Splendor”, (“The Splendor of Truth”), Pope John Paul II, 1993, Rome.
[20] Mt 25:31-46
[21] “Jesus Christ: The Measure of True Humanism”, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI), April 19 2005, Rome.
[22] Mt 4:23; Mt 8:14; Mt 9:1; Mt 9:27; Mk 1:29; Mk 2:1; Lk 4:38; Lk 5:17; Jn 4:43; Jn 9:1.
[23] “They are JESUS [sic. the poor and sick] Each one is Jesus in His distressing disguises”, Bl. Mother Theresa of Calcutta speaking of taking care of the poor and dying in India.
[24] Is 43:14; Rom 9:16; Rom 11:31; Rom 21:1; 2 Cor 4:1; Jude 1:21; “Dives in Misericordia” (“God is rich in Mercy”), Pope John Paul II, 1980, Rome; also see “Divine Mercy in My Soul”, St. Faustina Kowalska, circa 1930, Poland; et al.
[25] James 1
[26] Titus 2:11-15; “Everything is a Grace, everything is a direct effect of Our Father’s Love-difficulties, humiliations, contradictions, all the soul’s miseries, her (his) burdens, her (his) needs- everything, because in them she (he) learns humility, realizes her (his) weakness. Everything is a Grace because- everything is God’s gift. Whatever be the character of life or it’s unexpected events-to the heart that loves- all is well”, St. Therese of Lisieux, circa 1890’s, France.
[27] 2 Thes 2:13; 2 Jn 1:3;
[28] “Divine Mercy in my Soul”; “Dives in Misericordia”; et al.
[29] 1 Thes 5:9; 2 Tim 2:10; 2 Tim 3:15;
[30] “The Mystery of the Holy Trinity”, “Parochial and Plain Sermons”, Vol. 6, Sermon 24, John Cardinal Henry Newman, circa 1809-1890, London.
[31] Is 43:14; Rom 9:16; Rom 11:31; Rom 21:1; 2 Cor 4:1; Jude 1:21; “Dives in Misericordia” (“God is rich in Mercy”), Pope John Paul II, 1980, Rome; also see “Divine Mercy in My Soul”, St. Faustina Kowalska, circa 1930, Poland; et al.
[32] Ex 33:1
[33] Gen 14:18-19,20; et al.
[34] Dt 32:48-52
[35] Jn 14:13; Jn 16:23-24, 26; Jn 16:26; Eph 5:20; Col 3:17; Heb 1;
[36] Rev 2:10
[37] “Jesus Christ: The Measure of True Humanism”, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI), April 19 2005, Rome;
[38] Acts 10:45; Acts 11:1-18; Acts 13:46-48; Acts 14:27; Acts 15:7-9; 2 Chron 33:12-13; et al.

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The near occasion..

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!
For the most part I kept to my Lenten promise to greatly limit or even eliminate television and internet that was not absolutely needed. I did fudge some but I did pretty well over all. Ya know what my friends I turned on the television today and I could not believe the defense. It is not that the shows are worse in 40 some odd days time but my sight is much clearer now.
We are inundated by so much filth we can not even see strait. This on regular networks that does not even touch the vile stuff that many of the cable networks pump out. No wonder lines to the confessionals are so short. People have completely lost any sense of what sin and evil is. We dare not write or say that certain acts are sinful and evil lest we upset the delicate flowers of the wicked. Oh yes I know it might be offensive to those morally and ethically challenged individuals who love to spread hate messages against God and the Holy Church yet can not stand to face the reality of their own lives of debauchery and evil.
Certain municipalities are guilty of interference as it seems with the Bill of Rights in the exercise of a little known thing called the Freedom of Religion. These groups with agendas promote the politically correctness which is only equitable to members of their 'chosen' clique of false morality. That is in the US in other countries politically correctness has resulted in the definite beginnings of religious persecution- why because the faint hearted are not willing to hear or be told someone else is hearing that actions have consequences.
But I am not finished yet. The rancid cult of me-ism further is developing throughout the media and all societies with it's devilish snares set to trap all who do not bow down to the god of self. This diabolical cult slides in with a cunning not seen before and promoted by the mindless chatter of countless self absorbed hours spent in front of the doctored up robots of personality. We are told that things such as morality, ethics, Eternal Truth, Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Divine Law are things which hinder the progression of freedom by many. Yet, these same freedom minded individuals and groups would rather force feed their own agendas down the throats of humanity's children. We play down to the lowest basest common denominator and deny people the dignity that they are created to be. We play down the intelligence of people by force feeding them fluff and warm and fuzzy (and many times evil) notions that sin is not important.
People wake up! Rise up to your dignity that you were created to live in! Use the intelligence and the brilliant minds that you have and reject this poisonous pill you are being offered which is wrapped in the candy coating of politically correctness and mindless slobber which is invading the world. There is an absolute good. There is an absolute Truth. There is real love. There is such a thing as eternal joy and eternal damnation. There is one word to sum up all Truth and He has a name- a Holy and righteous Name Jesus.
The hour is getting very late. Mercy and Grace is pouring out of the wounded Heart of God. It is time to reject the cult of self and accept the Truth of who you are and who HE IS. Weeks are as minutes and days are as seconds. Time is quickly clicking away. The Master knocks at the door of your heart and waits. He calls you by name. Come. You must decide the world and it's traps which are falling into destruction or the God of Mercy, Truth and Love.
Come Forward Oh Lord God and wake this world up before more souls are lost. Come Forward you mighty ones of God and shake the sleepy children out of the haze of the evil one who is trying to ensnare the souls of humanity. Come Forward you people of the Most High God and speak out against the storm of destruction which is pulling so many souls into the pit of eternal ruin.
Purify this world and our hearts Oh Lord God of the filth which burdens your children's souls and destroys the destiny that they should have been seeking. Draw souls into Your Heart filled with infinite Love and Mercy. Send forth the heavenly fire of Your Mercy and Love upon this world so that souls may shine with Your Glory. Amen.

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Alleluia!

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ! Alleluia! Alleluia! Now and Forever! Allelulia!
"On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
"They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don't know where they put him."
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead." + Gospel of St. John 20:1-9

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"Save that the sky grows darker yet"

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!
Our Lord enters the Garden and waits for you to join Him in prayer.
Remember the Divine Mercy Novena begins on Good Friday. Remember me and my intentions in your prayers.
Have a blessed and Holy Sacred Triduum.
In His Merciful Heart,
Ed


"Out of the mouth of the Mother of God
Like a little word come I;
For I go gathering Christian men
From sunken paving and ford and fen
To die in a battle, God knows when,
By God, but I know why.

And this is the word of Mary,
The word of the world's desire;
No more of comfort shall ye get,
Save that the sky grows darker yet
And the sea rises higher."
G.K. Chesterton

"I am the friend of all who fear you, of all who keep your precepts. The earth, LORD, is filled with your love; teach me your laws. You have treated your servant well, according to your word, O LORD. Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I hold to your promise. You are good and do what is good; teach me your laws. The arrogant smear me with lies, but I observe your precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are gross and fat; as for me, your teaching is my delight. It was good for me to be afflicted, in order to learn your laws. Teaching from your lips is more precious to me than heaps of silver and gold. Your hands made me and fashioned me; give me insight to learn your commands. Those who fear you rejoice to see me, because I hope in your word. I know, LORD, that your edicts are just; though you afflict me, you are faithful. May your love comfort me in accord with your promise to your servant. Show me compassion that I may live, for your teaching is my delight. Shame the proud for oppressing me unjustly, that I may study your precepts. Let those who fear you turn to me, those who acknowledge your decrees. May I be wholehearted toward your laws, that I may not be put to shame. My soul longs for your salvation; I put my hope in your word. My eyes long to see your promise. When will you comfort me? I am like a wineskin shriveled by smoke, but I have not forgotten your laws. How long can your servant survive? When will your edict doom my foes? The arrogant have dug pits for me; defying your teaching. All your commands are steadfast. Help me! I am pursued without cause. They have almost ended my life on earth, but I do not forsake your precepts. In your kindness give me life, to keep the decrees you have spoken." Psalm 119: 63-88
+
"Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life and without You I am without fervor.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light and without You I am in darkness.
Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.
Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much and alway be in Your company.
Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.
Stay with me, Lord, as poor as my soul is I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.
Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close and life passes, death, judgment and eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches, I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile!
Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You.
Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.
Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.
Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.
With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen."

Padre Pio's Prayer After Holy Communion

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Elevation, the Cross and Faith

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ!! Now and Forever!!
I was thinking about the reading from a few days ago "so as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert so must the Son of Man be lifted up" (cf. St. John 3:12-21). Our Lord was obviously speaking of the His Cross in this. We read further that He says He will draw all people unto Himself (cf. St. John 12:31-36). Countless generations have found salvation through Christ Jesus Crucified- the Son of Man lifted up. With that said I thought about the Mass and how the priest after the consecration elevates the Holy Eucharist- Our Lord Jesus Christ. Again Our Lord is lifted up and at our worthy communion He draws us into Himself and He takes up His abode within us and we within Him. The Creator of the Universe takes on the appearance of bread and wine so that our corruptible bodies may be united with the incorruptible, with the Holy Mighty One and to bring us salvation and eternal life.
I must confess that it was a struggle for me and sometimes is to understand and really believe that the Holy God who created us all and redeemed us with His own blood would come under the appearance of bread and wine. "Lord I believe, help my unbelief" (cf St. Mark 9:23-24). I think what we need is to pray for an increase of faith- for it is through the eyes of faith that the scales of perdition and worldliness are pealed back and we see. Regardless of who we are or how far on our journeys we have traveled, regardless of our levels of education or even catachisis we must all pray daily for an increase of faith.There is no such thing as too much or even enough faith. There is no such thing as too much love or hope. We all need an increase of faith, hope and love regardless of our state in life or vocation. Faith, Hope and Love are gifts from God and we must pray for an increase in all three daily. I think God likes those prayers for an increase of faith hope and love. It is through increased faith, hope and love that we know just how much He loves us and how we can best love Him, serve Him and love others that He created. He will supply us with full measure and running over if we ask (cf. St Luke 6:38; 1 Cor2:9) .
We are coming up quickly on the Holiest days of the Christian year. Look upon Christ Jesus on the crucifix lifted up and then watch what the priest does in the Mass. Pray for an increase of faith, hope and love to see, to love and to serve the Word Made Flesh who will draw you into Himself and He within you. Look to the Cross that is where our hope is. Look to Jesus and remain in His Love (cf. St. John15).
Have a blessed Holy Week!
In His Merciful Heart,
Ed



"His Passion then He sets before him not very openly, but rather darkly; but the advantage of the Passion He adds in a clearer manner, saying, "That every one that believeth in Him. should not perish, but have everlasting life." For when He had said, "must be lifted up," and alluded to death, test the hearer should be made downcast by these words, forming some mere human opinions concerning Him, and supposing that His death was a ceasing to be, observe how He sets this right, by saying, that He that was given was "The Son of God," and the cause of life, of everlasting life. He who procured life for others by death, would not Himself be continually in death; for if they who believed on the Crucified perish not, much less doth He perish who is crucified. He who taketh away the destitution of others much more is He free from it; He who giveth life to others, much more to Himself doth He well forth life. Seest thou that everywhere there is need of faith? For He calls the Cross the fountain of life; which reason cannot easily allow, as the heathens now by their mocking testify. But faith which goes beyond the weakness of reasoning, may easily receive and retain it. And whence did God "so love the world"? From no other source but on]y from his goodness.
Let us now be abashed at His love, let us be ashamed at the excess of His lovingkindness, since He for our sakes spared not His Only-begotten Son, yet we spare our wealth to our own injury; He for us gave His Own Son, but we for Him do not so much as despise money, nor even for ourselves. And how can these things deserve pardon? If we see a man submitting to sufferings and death for us, we set him before all others, count him among our chief friends, place in his hands all that is ours, and deem it rather his than ours, and even so do not think that we give him the return that he deserves. But towards Christ we do not preserve even this degree of right feeling. He laid down His life for us, and poured forth His precious Blood for our sakes, who were neither well-disposed nor good, while we do not pour out even our money for our own sakes, and neglect Him who died for us, when He is naked and a stranger; and who shall deliver us from the punishment that is to come? For suppose that it were not God that punishes, but that we punished ourselves; should we not give our vote against ourselves? should we not sentence ourselves to the very fire of hell, for allowing Him who laid down His life for us, to pine with hunger? But why speak I of money? had we ten thousand lives, ought we not to lay them all down for Him? and yet not even so could we do what His benefits deserve. For he who confers a benefit in the first instance, gives evident proof of his kindness, but he who has received one, whatever return he makes, he repays as a debt, and does not bestow as a favor; especially when he who did the first good turn was benefiting his enemies. And he who repays both bestows his gifts on a benefactor, and himself reaps their fruit besides. But not even this induces us; more foolish are we than any, putting golden necklaces about our servants and mules and horses, and neglecting our Lord who goes about naked, and passes from door to door, and ever stands at our outlets, and stretches forth His hands to us, but often regarding Him with unpitying eye; yet these very things He undergoeth for our sake. Gladly doth He hunger that thou mayest be fed; naked doth He go that He may provide for thee the materials for a garment of incorruption, yet not even so do ye give up any of your own. Some of your garments are moth-eaten, others are a load to your coffers, and a needless trouble to their possessors, while He who gave you these and all else that you possess goeth naked". + Homily excerpt of St John Chrysostom, # 27, On the Gospel of St. John.


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Behold the Cross of Christ.

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!



Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis:
nulla silva talem profert,
fronde, flore, germine.
Dulce lignum,
Dulces clavos,
dulce pondus sustinet.


Please take some extra time this Holy Week and make a few extra Holy Hours and offer extra prayers to the Crucified and Risen One. Say a few prayers for me also please. Remember that the Divine Mercy Novena begins on Good Friday- tell your family and friends please. Pray also especially for our Holy Father and his brother Bishops this week. Finally please pray for many conversions this week and before Divine Mercy Sunday- especially those lost in darkness the most and for those in dissent from the Holy Church. Let us bring them home through our prayers.
Have a blessed Holy Week.
In His Merciful Heart,
Ed


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Take up your cross and follow Christ....

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ!! Now and Forever!!


""Take up your cross," the Savior said,
"If you would my disciple be;
Forsake the past, and come this day,
And humbly follow after me."

Take up your cross; let not its weight
Pervade your soul with vain alarm;
His strength shall bear your spirit up,
Sustain your heart, and nerve your arm.

Take up your cross, nor heed the shame,
Nor let your foolish heart rebel;
For you the Lord endured the cross
To save your soul from death and hell.

Take up your cross and follow Christ,
Nor think till death to lay it down;
For only those who bear the cross
May hope to wear a glorious crown.

To You, great Lord, the One in three,
All praise for evermore ascend;
O grant us here below to see
The heav'nly life that knows no end."

Melody: Breslau or Winchester New L.M.
Music: (Breslau) As hymnodus sacer, 1625, or (Winchester New) Musikalisches Handbusch, Hamburg, 1690.
Text: Charles William Everest, 1814-1877, adapted by Anthony G. Petti
Taken from: the Divine Office, hymns for Holy Week, v.II, p. 409.

Have a blessed Passion Sunday!
In His Merciful Heart,
Ed

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The mountains quake to the depth of the sea

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!
When I was praying Vespers tonight one of the psalms used was Psalm 46 which carries in my Bible the title God, the Protector of Zion. Right off the bat in verse 3 the Psalmist tells us 'we do not fear, even though earth be shaken and the mountains quake to the depth of the sea'. I was reminded of the words of both the Prophet Isaiah and St John the Baptist. "Make strait in the desert a wasteland for our God! Every valley shall be filled in and every mountain and hill shall be made low, the rugged land shall be make a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed..." (cf. Isaiah 40:4-5)
Now on first examine I always thought of physical trials or even emotional ones which God protects us from as the subtitle of the psalm refers to. When I think though about the work that the Holy Spirit does within the soul--especially mine most recently. I think about how the ruff portions of the soul must be removed so that the glory of the Lord can be manifested more fully. We are reminded that to create us anew we will be purified in the Divine Furnace like a fine precious metal which burns away the impurity so that it may reflect the glory of the Master's Image. I have not done much construction in my life but I know that it is far easier to build a great building that will stand on ground that has been prepared and leveled over ruff ground. The Psalmist tonight reminded me that to better conform my own soul and mind into a place which the glory of the Lord will be better revealed there has to be some inner earth shaking and a few mountains have to fall. He is with us be it in interior purification which we all need to better show His Light to to the world. He is also with us all in the exterior purifications of life and the world. He is with us and sustains us with an everlasting love.
I have been praying quite a bit lately asking God to increase my love, increase my hope, increase my faith. I remember hearing about St Francis asking God to grant him the grace of loving with the same 'excessive love' He has for all of us. To love God and neighbor with that great love requires that hearts and souls are cleared free of junk which we all build up over a lifetime- in otherwords the mountains within must shake a bit and the rough country must be made a broad valley. It is not easy--no one said it was. Thanks be to God He does it with surgical precision and with a love which encompasses all and consoles the soul.
So again back to Isaiah in chapter 35 we hear those words of comfort to the soul "Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, Fear not, Here is your God, He comes with vindication..." Going through a period of purification (within or in the world) is tuff yet we have no reason to fear for He who dwells within shall give comfort and vindication to the soul that trusts in Him. He creates us anew and we shall radiate His glory in a way we never thought possible. Then like the Psalmist in Psalm 46 we can say joyfully "Come and see the works of the Lord......The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob" (v. 9,12).
Jesus I Trust in You!
In His Merciful Heart,
Ed

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Quotable Quotes to remember......

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!

"The complete absence of images is INCOMPATIBLE with FAITH in the incarnation of God. ....Images of beauty, in which the mystery of the invisible God becomes visible, are and essential part of Christian worship." "The center of the icon of Christ is the Paschal Mystery: Christ is present as the Crucified, the Risen Lord, the One who will come again and who here and now hiddenly reigns over all. ... The Image may give more prominence to the Cross, the Passion and in the Passion to the anguish of out own life today, or again it may bring Resurrection or the Second Coming to the fore." + Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now gloriously reigning as Pope Benedict XVI, "The Spirit of the Liturgy", Ignatius Press, 2000.


Lord God of Mercy help us to remain faithful to You and to Your Holy Church with Peter as Your Vicar. Grant us all an increase in faith, hope and love. Protect Your Church and our Holy Father. Amen.
In His Merciful Heart,
Ed

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Beware of dangerous prayers..........

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ!! Now and Forever!!
The prayer that I wrote a few weeks ago and posted on this blog "Conform my soul O Lord" should come with a warning label I think. Warning do not pray this prayer unless you are prepared for Our Merciful God to really begin to conform you. I am glad I did- says the man who is in the midst of purification- though it should not be taken lightly. No body I think enjoys purification -active or passive. It is vital to progress in the spiritual life but it aint fun my friends. We strive for The One who is Holy and therefore we must caste off- or have it casted off- the shell that we hold on to of self. It is hard work and it is not fun at times- worth it yes.
Don't let these pycho babble new age neophytes or liberal feel good milquetoasters tell you that the walk with Christ is a walk in the garden. Well maybe in a way it is but it is the garden that Our Lord sweated and wept blood in agony. There can be no Easter Sunday with out Good Friday. We must enter into the passion ourselves to some measure to come through it created anew in Him and for Him. He has brought me this far and I am not going to leave now just because it is a bit painful.
I think at times holiness is a process and sometimes we get caught up in the process and fail to remember the destination. So as the old Irish priest says we begin at the beginning. Each day we (I) begin anew the struggle and I thank God each day that this day He brings me through with a greater love for Him. Real authentic Catholic faith is for real men and women not for the fluff doctors of hypocrisy. Be a real man. Be a real woman. Embrace your cross and follow on this journey towards Christ Jesus. Just watch for prayers that may have warning labels attached as they may work.
In His Merciful Heart,
Ed

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The cat and the bag

+JMJPT+
Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!
I was doing homework about 30 minutes ago and heard a big crash. What ensued was 15 minutes of first trying to discern what this unholy noise was and then chasing down the cat who had become entangled in a plastic grocery sack. The cat had the handle of the sack tangled around his body and ran in a most bizarre fashion from room to room scared out of his mind as the evil plastic bag followed him everywhere. I have never heard such a racket as this poor cat who was frightened ran into doors, walls and everything else in his vain attempt to escape the bag from hell that was tormenting him. I wanted to laugh and I wanted to shout as I tried to catch him and save him from his own demise. Eventually he ran under a bed and hid. "There now that evil thing that has grabbed on to me is gone and I am safe"- I am sure he thought in his cat brain. This gave me a chance to pull him with some effort from under the bed and take the contraption off of him and calm his frayed nerves. Now life is wonderful for him again and I have gained a wee bit of wisdom- besides the obvious of not leaving a plastic bag within 10 feet of a cat.
I come up on times in my own life when little things attach themselves to me. Ideas, imperfections, sin and even situations that cause great trouble and send me running into the walls and doorposts. It is through prayer and most of that in silence before Our Lord Jesus Christ that He unravels the problems and frees me so that I can calm down and get to the business of life with Him again. In the case of sin He does this through the Sacrament of reconciliation and later through Holy Eucharist. Another way of freeing ones self from the entanglements we ensnare ourselves in is through good old fashioned mortification and penance. We have to (I have to) break the bonds that have ensnared us. What a wonderful gift we have been given in Lent to do this. We don't have to run about scared of the monster that is on us but we can free ourselves through God's Mercy and Grace and live in His Love and Peace regardless of what the world is doing. It is that interior peace that we need desperately if we hope to withstand the trials and darkness of the world around us. It is peace that can only come by rending our hearts and putting on Christ Jesus. This world is full of traps and monsters that can attach them self to us and only in Christ can we ever find freedom. It is only through prayer and the sacraments that we break free like my cat and can rest within His Heart.
Just like I had to remove the temptation for the cat to become entagled again we have to avoid at all costs the near occasion to what ever sin tends to grab ahold of us. It is amazing what a animal can teach a person but not as amazing as what God can do with the soul that trusts in Him. We (I) press forward on this Great Lent rending hearts and praying as we await the glorious Easter which comes. No one that I know of, including myself, enjoys mortification and penance and rending our hearts -it is tuff work- however we must do these things in order to rid our selves of that unwanted bag-gage that causes us to run about harming our souls. Like that cat who ran under the bed we need to go into the confessionals and those quiet rooms alone in prayer so that God can help us remove the junk and live freely in His Love.
In His Merciful Heart,
Ed

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