Today is the Feast day of St. Paul and this is my tribute to him. As many of you know, Paul was first called Saul and he persecuted Christians. He sought to bring all of the followers of Christ from Damascus in chains to Jerusalem where they would be put to death (Acts of the Apostles 9:2).
"On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' He said, 'Who are you, sir?' The reply came, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do' " (Acts 9:3-6). When Saul got up he discovered that he was blind and then Ananias cured him after three days (Acts 9:8, 17-18). Saul converted and later became known as Paul (Acts 9:18, 13:9).
The man who once sought to kill Christians became one of the greatest missionaries of Christ. Despite what he had done God forgave him and called him to spread the faith (Acts 13:2). No matter what we've done in the past we still must not give up. We must trust in the infinite mercy of Jesus. Even if we were the most evil human being that ever lived we can still be forgiven.
Remember Judas who betrayed Our Lord? It turns out that he regretted what he did and gave the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests (Matthew 27:3). He was in so much despair that he hung himself (Matthew 27:3). Judas didn't believe that he would be forgiven. He committed a grave sin. This is a great tragedy because The Lord would have forgiven him. He died for Judas too. St. Peter denied that he even knew Jesus three times and only one of the disciples came to His crucifixion, yet He forgave them. In fact they became great saints, spreading the Gospel and those same men who had once feared being killed by the Romans suffered and most died for Jesus. If only Judas had trusted in The Lord's mercy! What a great example he would have been for us! Unlike Judas, Paul did not despair. By the power of Christ he was transformed and became a new creation. What a valuable lesson for us all!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
In Honor of the Feastday of St. Peter
I know that the feastday of Sts. Peter and Paul isn't until tomorrow, but I decided that since that day is for two saints that I would write about one of them today and the other for tomorrow. Today I will write about St. Peter.
In honor of his feastday I'll recommend a movie about him entitled "The Power of The Resurrection." The story begins with him as an older man in prison waiting to die for his faith. An adolecent boy admits his fear of the horrible execution. The saint comforts him saying that he knows how he feels yet the boy can't believe that he was ever afraid like him. Peter confesses that it wasn't always that way.
The film then flashes back to just after Christ rises Lazerus from the dead. Most of the story takes place during Holy Week and then moves on to all that happened afterwards. The film shows Peter's fear, confusion, his refusal to believe that he will deny Christ three times, and his denial of Jesus. Throughout the story we sympathize Peter and identify with his struggles and weaknesses. Viewers see the human side of this saint but he still has his positive moments later on in the story. The main message in this movie is that without Christ we can do nothing, so we must humble ourselves and ask for His help. Peter is transformed into a saint. He gives an inspiring speech to encourage the other disciples while they're awaiting the Holy Spirit and preaches at Pentecost, despite his fear of death.
By the end of the movie the boy has learned a great deal from the story and is no longer afraid. Then St. Peter is escorted out of the prison by a Roman soldier to be martyred.
If you can't find "The Power of the Resurrection by itself then look for it on the dvd "POPE John Paul II A Documentary of the Life of Pope John Paul II." It should be listed on the bonus features.
In honor of his feastday I'll recommend a movie about him entitled "The Power of The Resurrection." The story begins with him as an older man in prison waiting to die for his faith. An adolecent boy admits his fear of the horrible execution. The saint comforts him saying that he knows how he feels yet the boy can't believe that he was ever afraid like him. Peter confesses that it wasn't always that way.
The film then flashes back to just after Christ rises Lazerus from the dead. Most of the story takes place during Holy Week and then moves on to all that happened afterwards. The film shows Peter's fear, confusion, his refusal to believe that he will deny Christ three times, and his denial of Jesus. Throughout the story we sympathize Peter and identify with his struggles and weaknesses. Viewers see the human side of this saint but he still has his positive moments later on in the story. The main message in this movie is that without Christ we can do nothing, so we must humble ourselves and ask for His help. Peter is transformed into a saint. He gives an inspiring speech to encourage the other disciples while they're awaiting the Holy Spirit and preaches at Pentecost, despite his fear of death.
By the end of the movie the boy has learned a great deal from the story and is no longer afraid. Then St. Peter is escorted out of the prison by a Roman soldier to be martyred.
If you can't find "The Power of the Resurrection by itself then look for it on the dvd "POPE John Paul II A Documentary of the Life of Pope John Paul II." It should be listed on the bonus features.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Wedding Season
Since the month of June is the most popular month for weddings, I decided to post some helpful quotes to encourage those who are married, engaged, or are discerning a vocation to marriage.
"Purity is the fruit of prayer" Blessed Mother Teresa.
"Purity prepares the soul for love, and love confirms the soul in purity" Cardinal John Henry Newman.
"The person who does not decide to love forever will find it very difficult to really love for even one day" Pope John Paul II.
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends" Christ in John 15:13.
"Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine not because of lust, but for a noble purpose. Call down your mercy on me and on her, and allow us to live together to a happy old age" prayer said by Tobiah with Sarah at his side on their wedding night in Tobit 8:7.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails" St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
"Intense love does not measure... it just gives" Blessed Mother Teresa.
"There is no place for selfishness- and no place for fear! Do not be afraid, then, when love makes demands. Do not be afraid when love requires sacrifice" Pope John Paul II.
"If the one falls, the other will lift up his companion... So also, if two sleep together, they keep each other warm. How can one keep warm? Where a lone man may be overcome, two together can resist" Ecclesiates 4:10-12.
"The LORD God said: 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.' ...
So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said:
'This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called 'woman,' for out of 'her man' this one has been taken." That is why a man leaves, his father and mother and clings to his wife and the two of them became one body" Genesis 2:18, 21-25.
"Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body" Ephesians 5:21-30.
"Love to be real, it must cost- it must hurt- it must empty of self" Blessed Mother Teresa.
"Purity is the fruit of prayer" Blessed Mother Teresa.
"Purity prepares the soul for love, and love confirms the soul in purity" Cardinal John Henry Newman.
"The person who does not decide to love forever will find it very difficult to really love for even one day" Pope John Paul II.
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends" Christ in John 15:13.
"Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine not because of lust, but for a noble purpose. Call down your mercy on me and on her, and allow us to live together to a happy old age" prayer said by Tobiah with Sarah at his side on their wedding night in Tobit 8:7.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails" St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
"Intense love does not measure... it just gives" Blessed Mother Teresa.
"There is no place for selfishness- and no place for fear! Do not be afraid, then, when love makes demands. Do not be afraid when love requires sacrifice" Pope John Paul II.
"If the one falls, the other will lift up his companion... So also, if two sleep together, they keep each other warm. How can one keep warm? Where a lone man may be overcome, two together can resist" Ecclesiates 4:10-12.
"The LORD God said: 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.' ...
So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said:
'This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called 'woman,' for out of 'her man' this one has been taken." That is why a man leaves, his father and mother and clings to his wife and the two of them became one body" Genesis 2:18, 21-25.
"Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body" Ephesians 5:21-30.
"Love to be real, it must cost- it must hurt- it must empty of self" Blessed Mother Teresa.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Our Lady of the Smile
Since Our Lady of the Smile is a co-patron saint of this blog, I thought that I should dedicate this post to her. At the childhood home of St. Therese the other patron saint, there was a statue that her mother was particularly fond of. At about the age of ten Therese was ill with a mysterious illness. The doctor predicted that she would never recover, for he had never seen a case like hers last so long before. Her family tended to her and prayed very hard for her recovery. Therese, gazing at the precious statue begged for a cure.
"Suddenly the Blessed Virgin glowed with a beauty beyond anything I had ever seen. Her face was alive with kindness and an infinite tenderness, but it was her enchanting smile which really moved me to the depths. My pain vanished and two tears crept down my cheeks- tears of pure joy (p. 34 The Story of a Soul by St. Therese).
Whenever I see a statue or picture of Our Lady of the Smile I feel at peace. "There she is...my gentle and compassionate Mother. I can feel the love that she has for me. I feel peace and hope." With the help of her St. Therese was led out of darkness. Just as she cured little Therese Our Gracious Mother can cure of us and help us carry our crosses."
"Suddenly the Blessed Virgin glowed with a beauty beyond anything I had ever seen. Her face was alive with kindness and an infinite tenderness, but it was her enchanting smile which really moved me to the depths. My pain vanished and two tears crept down my cheeks- tears of pure joy (p. 34 The Story of a Soul by St. Therese).
Whenever I see a statue or picture of Our Lady of the Smile I feel at peace. "There she is...my gentle and compassionate Mother. I can feel the love that she has for me. I feel peace and hope." With the help of her St. Therese was led out of darkness. Just as she cured little Therese Our Gracious Mother can cure of us and help us carry our crosses."
Saturday, June 23, 2007
The Fifth Joyful Mystery
The fifth joyful mystery of the rosary is the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. I cannot help but notice a parallel to this story and the Passion and Resurrection. First, both stories take place during the Passover Feast. Second, both stories take place in the holy city of Jerusalem. Third, Christ is gone for three days, and His loved ones are full of sorrow because of it. Fourth, Christ's loved ones do not understand why such a sad thing happened. Fifth, in the two incidents the Lord returns to those who loved Him. Sixth, Jesus leaves in both instances because He is obedient to the will of the Father.
One can tell that the story of finding Jesus in the Temple is a foreshadowing of what is to come. Even at the young age of twelve He knows what is in His future. Jesus knows what His mission is on earth. Though He shudders at the thought of the cross, Christ accepts it but also knows that His death will not be the end. Not only must we carry our own cross but like Our Lord but we must remember that after suffering and dying there will be rising.
One can tell that the story of finding Jesus in the Temple is a foreshadowing of what is to come. Even at the young age of twelve He knows what is in His future. Jesus knows what His mission is on earth. Though He shudders at the thought of the cross, Christ accepts it but also knows that His death will not be the end. Not only must we carry our own cross but like Our Lord but we must remember that after suffering and dying there will be rising.
Friday, June 22, 2007
The Answer to a Common Problem
A common problem is that the Church is having difficulty getting the youth interested in the faith. In response, I'd like to tell a true story to show my own insight on the subject.
Long ago, when I was a freshman in high school, we all gathered into the gymn to listen to a public speaker. The last topic that he discussed with us was the Miraculous Medal of Our Lady. He told us the story behind it and talked about the grace that one receives by wearing it and even by kissing it. When he was done he offered us all a free Miraculous Medal. So many students were moved by the speaker's words and most if not everyone rushed down to get one! I had never seen anything like it before.
Sometime afterwords I realized why these young people reacted the way that they did: they were told the truth. They didn't have an adult try to "relate to them" by being "cool." There were no gimicks, no bells and whistles, no goofy catch frases to grab their attention. These ridiculous methods don't bring about conversion. The only thing that they will bring is laughter. Teenagers won't take you seriously if you use these techniques. They'll think that our religion is a big joke. How come people resort to redecorating our already breathtakingly- beautiful faith? This makeover is making the Church look ugly! The Catholic Church has been around for thousands of years and over these two-thousand or so years it has received numerous converts by proclaiming nothing but the truth. It's as simple as that. So don't water down this enormous bonfire! The youth are searching for the truth and nothing less!
Long ago, when I was a freshman in high school, we all gathered into the gymn to listen to a public speaker. The last topic that he discussed with us was the Miraculous Medal of Our Lady. He told us the story behind it and talked about the grace that one receives by wearing it and even by kissing it. When he was done he offered us all a free Miraculous Medal. So many students were moved by the speaker's words and most if not everyone rushed down to get one! I had never seen anything like it before.
Sometime afterwords I realized why these young people reacted the way that they did: they were told the truth. They didn't have an adult try to "relate to them" by being "cool." There were no gimicks, no bells and whistles, no goofy catch frases to grab their attention. These ridiculous methods don't bring about conversion. The only thing that they will bring is laughter. Teenagers won't take you seriously if you use these techniques. They'll think that our religion is a big joke. How come people resort to redecorating our already breathtakingly- beautiful faith? This makeover is making the Church look ugly! The Catholic Church has been around for thousands of years and over these two-thousand or so years it has received numerous converts by proclaiming nothing but the truth. It's as simple as that. So don't water down this enormous bonfire! The youth are searching for the truth and nothing less!
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