Have you ever read something that just smacked you sideways? I have been slowly absorbing the little book, "Uniformity with God's Will" by St. Alphonsus Ligouri. I say, "slowly absorbing" due to its strength. You simply can't just read it cover to cover in one sitting...it is too much. Well, I think this following quote is one of those that slaps you sideways:
"Sickness is the acid test of spirituality because it discloses whether our virtue is real or sham. If the soul is not agitated, does not break out in lamentations, is not fevershly restless in seeking a cure, but instead is submissive to the doctors and to superiors, is serene and tranquil, completely resigned to God's will, it is a sign that that soul is well-grounded in virtue."
Where do you fall in this "test" of St. Alphonsus? Are you real or sham...is your spirituality real or sham? I think of the Buddist that is trying to avoid and flee from all suffering...sham. I think of the pentecostal that is always praying for a "miracle" and trying to "believe God" will perform...I think of the person that blames God for everything going wrong, "Why...Why God, why did this have to happen...why does this always happen to me?!" I think of myself when I am frustrated during a long day of work or suffering from a migraine...I can't wait to pop some medication to alleviate my pain.
If we are honest with ourselves, most of us "fail" this test. We all try to avoid sickness at all costs, our health care system and economy show this to be true. It seems so counter-intuitive to simply accept the illness, should we not fight it at all costs? According to this great saint, that had more than his "fair" share of suffering, we should remain serene and tranquil, resigned to God's will.
I recently heard a homily in which the priest mentioned his time working with terminally ill children. He said most of his work was spent comforting the parents, not the children. The children seemed "serene and tranquil" and yet the parents were agitated and "fevershly restless in seeking a cure". What parent would not be? However, if we place ourselves at the foot of the Cross for a brief moment, we see the models of both enduring physical suffering as well as psychological. Christ suffering physical torment on the Cross, while His Mother, endured the most excruciating psychological suffering, and yet both had to say "yes" for our redemption to take place.
When we have these difficult moments of suffering and sickness, we should always remember Our Lord and Our Lady and the example they give us. It is not only possible to endure the suffering, but also to be "completely resigned to God's will." That is why a Crucifix always hung over the sickbed in a Catholic hospital, the model of redemptive suffering...and yet healing and
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Live the Good Life - Live God's Will 10/09/2010
Over the years I have definitely had my fair share of struggles. I have had health issues, unemployment, siblings pass away in their youth, friends arrested, and the list goes on. Some could say that "life" has not been fair to me, or some might even say that "God's hand" has been harsh in my life. All of this, of course, is missing the point.
The point is this: God sees things differently! When the rain comes, or the sun beats down, God, in His wisdom has His reason. If we are sick, or we are well, simply put, this is all God's will. The earlier we learn this and really take it to heart, the quicker we will learn what true, lasting peace is.
One method to practice accepting God's will is to thank Him for everything throughout the day, especially those things we find most annoying. Maybe it is a difficult co-worker, a headache, having to work later, a dirty diaper, a mess on the floor, whatever it may be, we say, "Thank you Jesus!" and accept it as it is. We can also do this in the bigger things of life: weekends vs. workweek - think of it from God's perspective, do you think God just can't wait for it to be Saturday!? Of course not, in His eyes, everyday is the same, every day is a day of grace and trial and a chance for us to grow closer to Him.
I mention this weekend thing because I know many people, including myself, that live for the weekend or for vacation. While these times are great for relaxation and re-creation, they should never become idols in themselves. "I just can't wait for the weekend" means we hate the workweek...we hate our responsibilities, etc, and we are refusing to accept the work days for what they are - a chance for us to grow closer to God. Without this acceptance as everyday as a gift from on High, we will never obtain a lasting peace.
Say Yes to Jesus everyday, every moment, and then lasting peace will come. Live the Good Life, Live Devout!
The point is this: God sees things differently! When the rain comes, or the sun beats down, God, in His wisdom has His reason. If we are sick, or we are well, simply put, this is all God's will. The earlier we learn this and really take it to heart, the quicker we will learn what true, lasting peace is.
One method to practice accepting God's will is to thank Him for everything throughout the day, especially those things we find most annoying. Maybe it is a difficult co-worker, a headache, having to work later, a dirty diaper, a mess on the floor, whatever it may be, we say, "Thank you Jesus!" and accept it as it is. We can also do this in the bigger things of life: weekends vs. workweek - think of it from God's perspective, do you think God just can't wait for it to be Saturday!? Of course not, in His eyes, everyday is the same, every day is a day of grace and trial and a chance for us to grow closer to Him.
I mention this weekend thing because I know many people, including myself, that live for the weekend or for vacation. While these times are great for relaxation and re-creation, they should never become idols in themselves. "I just can't wait for the weekend" means we hate the workweek...we hate our responsibilities, etc, and we are refusing to accept the work days for what they are - a chance for us to grow closer to God. Without this acceptance as everyday as a gift from on High, we will never obtain a lasting peace.
Say Yes to Jesus everyday, every moment, and then lasting peace will come. Live the Good Life, Live Devout!
Ember Days - Venial Sin 09/24/2010
You will find then, my child, that besides the mortal sins and their affections from which your soul has already been purged, you are beset by sundry inclinations and tendencies to venial sin; mind, I do not say you will find venial sins, but the inclination and tendency to them. Now, one is quite different from the other. We can never be altogether free from venial sin,--at least not until after a very long persistence in this purity; but we can be without any affection for venial sin. It is altogether one thing to have said something unimportant not strictly true, out of carelessness or liveliness, and quite a different matter to take pleasure in lying, and in the habitual practice thereof. But I tell you that you must purify your soul from all inclination to venial sin;--that is to say, you must not voluntarily retain any deliberate intention of permitting yourself to commit any venial sin whatever. It would be most unworthy consciously to admit anything so displeasing to God, as the will to offend Him in anywise. Venial sin, however small, is displeasing to God, although it be not so displeasing as the greater sins which involve eternal condemnation; and if venial sin is displeasing to Him, any clinging which we tolerate to mortal sin is nothing less than a resolution to offend His Divine Majesty. Is it really possible that a rightly disposed soul can not only offend God, but take pleasure therein?
These inclinations, my child, are in direct opposition to devotion, as inclinations to mortal sin are to love:--they weaken the mental power, hinder Divine consolations, and open the door to temptations;--and although they may not destroy the soul, at least they bring on very serious disease." St Francis De Sales, Intro to the Devout Life
These inclinations, my child, are in direct opposition to devotion, as inclinations to mortal sin are to love:--they weaken the mental power, hinder Divine consolations, and open the door to temptations;--and although they may not destroy the soul, at least they bring on very serious disease." St Francis De Sales, Intro to the Devout Life
Ember Days 09/22/2010
On this Ember Wednesday, I offer a little wise meditation from St. Francis De Sales. Here I quote from Part 1, Chapter 11:
1. Consider the material gifts God has given you--your body, and the means for its preservation; your health, and all that maintains it; your friends and many helps. Consider too how many persons more deserving than you are without these gifts; some suffering in health or limb, others exposed to injury, contempt and trouble, or sunk in poverty, while God has willed you to be better off.
2. Consider the mental gifts He has given you. Why are you not stupid, idiotic, insane like many you wot of? Again, God has favoured you with a decent and suitable education, while many have grown up in utter ignorance.
3. Further, consider His spiritual gifts. You are a child of His Church, God has taught you to know Himself from your youth. How often has He given you His Sacraments? what inspirations and interior light, what reproofs, He has given to lead you aright; how often He has forgiven you, how often delivered you from occasions of falling; what opportunities He has granted for your soul's progress! Dwell somewhat on the detail, see how Loving and Gracious God has been to you.
1. Consider the material gifts God has given you--your body, and the means for its preservation; your health, and all that maintains it; your friends and many helps. Consider too how many persons more deserving than you are without these gifts; some suffering in health or limb, others exposed to injury, contempt and trouble, or sunk in poverty, while God has willed you to be better off.
2. Consider the mental gifts He has given you. Why are you not stupid, idiotic, insane like many you wot of? Again, God has favoured you with a decent and suitable education, while many have grown up in utter ignorance.
3. Further, consider His spiritual gifts. You are a child of His Church, God has taught you to know Himself from your youth. How often has He given you His Sacraments? what inspirations and interior light, what reproofs, He has given to lead you aright; how often He has forgiven you, how often delivered you from occasions of falling; what opportunities He has granted for your soul's progress! Dwell somewhat on the detail, see how Loving and Gracious God has been to you.
Fasting and Renewing the Vision 09/09/2010
So you have thought and prayed about the vision for you and your family...
You have decided that some things need to change...
You are ready to start adjusting, tweeking, and remaking your life to more closely reflect your Catholic Faith...
Now just a minute. Before such changes...or maybe while you are making the changes, have you thought about a fast? Just before our Blessed Lord chose his first Apostles, he went off and prayed and fasted. Maybe we should do the same. Here are a couple of ideas I recently discussed with some fellow visionary men:
-Fasting from one meal a day
-Fasting from supper, thus you eat lunch and then don't eat until the next morning
-Fasting from meat, soda, or some other particular food (this should be done over a long period - maybe 6 months or so)
-An extended fast of just one meal each day while staying hydrated on lemonade or juice.
Once you make this decision stick with it. When you start to say, "well, maybe I can have meat today...after all I am at a business lunch with my boss...just this time", just say NO, stay committed! In this you will say YES, to Jesus! This will help to renew your vision and help you practice the magnanimity needed to live out the fullness.
You have decided that some things need to change...
You are ready to start adjusting, tweeking, and remaking your life to more closely reflect your Catholic Faith...
Now just a minute. Before such changes...or maybe while you are making the changes, have you thought about a fast? Just before our Blessed Lord chose his first Apostles, he went off and prayed and fasted. Maybe we should do the same. Here are a couple of ideas I recently discussed with some fellow visionary men:
-Fasting from one meal a day
-Fasting from supper, thus you eat lunch and then don't eat until the next morning
-Fasting from meat, soda, or some other particular food (this should be done over a long period - maybe 6 months or so)
-An extended fast of just one meal each day while staying hydrated on lemonade or juice.
Once you make this decision stick with it. When you start to say, "well, maybe I can have meat today...after all I am at a business lunch with my boss...just this time", just say NO, stay committed! In this you will say YES, to Jesus! This will help to renew your vision and help you practice the magnanimity needed to live out the fullness.
Three Marks of Manhood 06/19/2010
"These days it seems that our culture has become obsessed with the idea that everyone and everything should be equal. This ideology has taken root in the Church, leaving many Catholics ignorant (or disdainful) of the hierarchies found in our Tradition—particularly the patriarchal structure of the Christian family.
Now a new title from Saint Benedict Press, The Three Marks of Manhood, reveals that the time has come for men to re-discover Church teaching about patriarchy and take up their God-ordained role as priest, prophet, and king of their families.
“The establishment of a new Christian patriarchy is the most urgent need of our times,” states Three Marks author G. C. Dilsaver. “The Church, and . . . the family are under attack as never before.”
The Three Marks of Manhood challenges the modern world’s preconceptions of marriage and the family. “We must adopt a new and untainted kind of patriarchy in which the husband’s authority is unequivocal, yet formed by humility and self-sacrificial love,” Dilsaver explains. “Only then can men lead their families to become what God intended.”
This not-to-be-missed title offers sound counsel for both men and women to build strong marriages and families.
About the Author
Dr. Gregory C. Dilsaver, Psy.D, MTS is a psychologist and the director of Imago Dei Clinics (www.idpsy.com). He is the developer of Imago Dei Psychotherapy, the first fully integrated Catholic clinical psychology, and author of the groundbreaking book of the same name. Dr. Dilsaver received an advanced theological degree from the Pontifical Institute on Marriage and Family where he was a McGivney Scholar and did his undergraduate at the original St. Ignatius Institute of the University of San Francisco where he majored in philosophy and the Great Books."
from the official press release from Saint Benedict Press/Tan Books
"The Modern Mind" - Hilaire Belloc 05/14/2010
In Belloc's work, "Survivals and New Arrivals: The Old and New Enemies of the Catholic Church", he identifies a number of enemies of the Church, including what he hesitates to call, "The Modern Mind". He identifies this problem in the following:
"Upon dissecting it we discover the "Modern Mind" to contain three main ingredients and to combine them through the force of one principle. Its three ingredients are pride, ignorance, and intellectual sloth; their unifying principle is a blind acceptance of authority not based on reason.
Pride causes those who suffer from this disease to regard whatever they think they have learned, whatever they have absorbed, through no matter how absurd a channel, as absolute and sufficient.
Ignorance forbids them to know with any thoroughness what men have discovered about these things in the past, and how certainly.
Intellectual sloth forbids them to examine an argument, or even to appreciate the implications of their own assertions."
What is sad about this issue is how prevalent it is. Speak to any person of any background and you may quickly identify how much they have been infected by these three identifiers. For instance, open a conversation on politics and it quickly turns partisan usually based on sound bites. A great example of this occurred during the last presidential election. If one were to state they were voting for, say, Ron Paul, the immediate response was, "that is a vote for Obama!" Could they explain the rationale of this without quoting talking heads and pundits? No.
Another instance can be called to mind when discussing traditional Catholicism. Who hasn't spoken of the beauty and grandeur of the Tridentine Liturgy to a modern catholic, only to have them state that their parish is "nice" or their pastor a "good preacher, friendly"? Push a little more and you get the following, "Oh, that is nice for you, but it's not for me." This is a great example of intellectual sloth, in that the person is stating they cannot engage in a reasonable discussion based on facts...they will have it their way, you can have it your way...both are ok.
I think all of us modern people are infected with this virus to some extent. Who among us doesn't at times act as if we have absorbed all the deposit of Faith? Which one of us can honestly say we are open to learning where we might have learned something wrong or simply not learned the truth about some aspect of the faith? As a graduate of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, I thought I had learned all the most important truths of the faith and how to live them out. I had embraced a theological pride and ignorance based on what I thought to be a stellar Catholic education paired with a strong spiritual formation. Recently, I have been challenged on a number of things I took for granted, and my first response was to reject engaging in the argument.
As a person truly trying to grasp the traditional faith, I had to face where I might have been deceived. The question is, am I willing to put down my pride, push aside my ignorance, and embrace the rigor of intellectually grasping with the faith so as to become more and more Catholic and ultimately holy? Or will I just sit and fritter away my time on the internet?
"Upon dissecting it we discover the "Modern Mind" to contain three main ingredients and to combine them through the force of one principle. Its three ingredients are pride, ignorance, and intellectual sloth; their unifying principle is a blind acceptance of authority not based on reason.
Pride causes those who suffer from this disease to regard whatever they think they have learned, whatever they have absorbed, through no matter how absurd a channel, as absolute and sufficient.
Ignorance forbids them to know with any thoroughness what men have discovered about these things in the past, and how certainly.
Intellectual sloth forbids them to examine an argument, or even to appreciate the implications of their own assertions."
What is sad about this issue is how prevalent it is. Speak to any person of any background and you may quickly identify how much they have been infected by these three identifiers. For instance, open a conversation on politics and it quickly turns partisan usually based on sound bites. A great example of this occurred during the last presidential election. If one were to state they were voting for, say, Ron Paul, the immediate response was, "that is a vote for Obama!" Could they explain the rationale of this without quoting talking heads and pundits? No.
Another instance can be called to mind when discussing traditional Catholicism. Who hasn't spoken of the beauty and grandeur of the Tridentine Liturgy to a modern catholic, only to have them state that their parish is "nice" or their pastor a "good preacher, friendly"? Push a little more and you get the following, "Oh, that is nice for you, but it's not for me." This is a great example of intellectual sloth, in that the person is stating they cannot engage in a reasonable discussion based on facts...they will have it their way, you can have it your way...both are ok.
I think all of us modern people are infected with this virus to some extent. Who among us doesn't at times act as if we have absorbed all the deposit of Faith? Which one of us can honestly say we are open to learning where we might have learned something wrong or simply not learned the truth about some aspect of the faith? As a graduate of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, I thought I had learned all the most important truths of the faith and how to live them out. I had embraced a theological pride and ignorance based on what I thought to be a stellar Catholic education paired with a strong spiritual formation. Recently, I have been challenged on a number of things I took for granted, and my first response was to reject engaging in the argument.
As a person truly trying to grasp the traditional faith, I had to face where I might have been deceived. The question is, am I willing to put down my pride, push aside my ignorance, and embrace the rigor of intellectually grasping with the faith so as to become more and more Catholic and ultimately holy? Or will I just sit and fritter away my time on the internet?
New Calendar Update 05/08/2010
Just a note...yes, I have finally found the time to work on the Liturgical Calendar. I have completed it up through July and hope to finish the rest of the year soon. I have added the Sunday Scriptural texts when you click on the Epistle or Gospel of that day. I have also added some brief bios of the saints on their feast days. I am trying to figure out how to include the entire Sunday Propers on the calendar, but have not figured on a good way to do that yet.
I hope this is a help to you, I know it has helped us, as it is hard to find a Traditional Calendar following the 1962 Roman Missal in a simple, easy format like Google Calendars. Thanks for all
Lent in Mystery 02/18/2010
"Um...you have a little smudge on your forehead..."
"Oh, my, I forgot it was Ash Wednesday!"
"Hey, you got your ashes, God bless you!"
"Do you have any Fastnachts?"
These are just a few of the comments I recall from my day yesterday in your typical retail environment. I was able to squeek away from work for Holy Mass at noon and receive my ashes. After returning to the store I spent the next eight hours, only sometimes conscious of the black mark on my head. When someone would make a comment I would recall this little mark traced on my person by the priest.
It gave me pause today while sitting here thinking and praying. This little mark is so odd...ashes on the forehead. It made me thinking of the incensing of the altar during the High Mass. The priest swings the thurible back and forth over and around the altar. What is he doing? Is the incense making the altar smell better? Is it coating the altar in "holy smoke"? Don't take me as speaking sarcastically here, but rather, pondering the mystery before us.
These liturgical actions are part of the Sacred Mystery, as opposed to the pragmatism of modernism. The smoke and fire, ashes and water, of course represent things, they are symbols...sacramentals. On another level, they lift the spirit to God through the mystery itself. While I watch the priest incense the altar, something is happening deep in my soul that is drawing me to God...in a way, my soul's altar is being incensed and prepared to receive our Blessed Lord. This is the heart of contemplation, where the soul is receptive to the minute movements of grace.
When it comes to the cross traced on my forehead by the priest, again, this represents a great moment of contemplation. We are not tracing the cross ourselves, but rather only kneel there, receptively. We receive from the priest, "in persona Christi", the cross...as well as Christ Himself. We are like St. John, leaning on the chest of our Blessed Jesus...receiving what He gives...and accepting all.
God bless you this Lent as you wait upon the Lord.
"Oh, my, I forgot it was Ash Wednesday!"
"Hey, you got your ashes, God bless you!"
"Do you have any Fastnachts?"
These are just a few of the comments I recall from my day yesterday in your typical retail environment. I was able to squeek away from work for Holy Mass at noon and receive my ashes. After returning to the store I spent the next eight hours, only sometimes conscious of the black mark on my head. When someone would make a comment I would recall this little mark traced on my person by the priest.
It gave me pause today while sitting here thinking and praying. This little mark is so odd...ashes on the forehead. It made me thinking of the incensing of the altar during the High Mass. The priest swings the thurible back and forth over and around the altar. What is he doing? Is the incense making the altar smell better? Is it coating the altar in "holy smoke"? Don't take me as speaking sarcastically here, but rather, pondering the mystery before us.
These liturgical actions are part of the Sacred Mystery, as opposed to the pragmatism of modernism. The smoke and fire, ashes and water, of course represent things, they are symbols...sacramentals. On another level, they lift the spirit to God through the mystery itself. While I watch the priest incense the altar, something is happening deep in my soul that is drawing me to God...in a way, my soul's altar is being incensed and prepared to receive our Blessed Lord. This is the heart of contemplation, where the soul is receptive to the minute movements of grace.
When it comes to the cross traced on my forehead by the priest, again, this represents a great moment of contemplation. We are not tracing the cross ourselves, but rather only kneel there, receptively. We receive from the priest, "in persona Christi", the cross...as well as Christ Himself. We are like St. John, leaning on the chest of our Blessed Jesus...receiving what He gives...and accepting all.
God bless you this Lent as you wait upon the Lord.
Liturgical Blah 01/04/2010
I have usually tried to stay away from any type of complaining or blogging about problems in the Church. I have found that many "traditionally minded" sites tend to do enough of this sort of thing and it does not need repeating. I have tried to focus my energies on developing something focused on spiritual growth through accessing the wealth found in traditional Catholicism. So I will make my rant brief and try not to repeat it.
As our liturgical life is so important to our development as saintly human beings, it has irked me that modern Catholicism has embraced such a painfully lousy form of worship. From warehouse-like architecture, to teenagers singing showtune-like songs, the modern Catholic is stuck in a liturgical winter "blah".
Two weeks ago I had the unfortunate experience to have to attend a modern Mass at a local church (known for its orthodoxy). The church was filled to overflowing, which amazed me for a Sunday evening Mass. The architecture, typical for a church built in the 70's was some sort of geometrical hodgepodge with the Tabernacle hidden away in a side chapel. There were attendees from all walks of life (mostly middle class families and baby boomers), and the girl altars servers were almost reverent (with the ever so slight nod to the altar). The priest began Mass with congratulating the local Catholic high school football team on their victory the previous night despite a snowstorm.
My point is not to focus on all the things wrong with this liturgy, but rather the people's response. As I endured contemporary protestant music, fluffy preaching, and a general irreverence for Our Lord, I looked around and tried to take stock of those around me. No one appeared excited...no one appeared intrigued...um,...no one appeared even the slight bit interested in this liturgy for the "modern man". Most individuals looked more like teenagers enduring a lecture from a zealous parent...they just endure. This is the fruit of a man-made liturgical "reform" that has stripped the Divine Mass of its beauty, reverence, prayerfulness, devotion, and other worldliness. I just wonder why the modern priest does not see this devastation in the pews? Does the priest not see the looks on the faces of those in the pews as they endure another root-canal like rendition of "City of God"!? Sometimes I wonder if the modern priest wants his parish to be lukewarm...is this possible, or is it the old saying that "misery loves company"?
As traditional Catholics we are so blessed to assist at the Mass of the Ages, the same Mass that St.Therese, and St. Francis prayed. This wonderful liturgy draws one's attention away from oneself (after facing our sinfulness during the Confiteor) and gently lifts us to worship and adoration of the "little King" born in Bethelehem and present through the words of Consecration. This divine worship with its latin chants from solid male voices brings each person to a participation in Divine Life itself, unlike the sham of participation in the modern liturgy. How else can I put it, except, I love the traditional Mass! Can any modern attendee say the same...I wonder?
As our liturgical life is so important to our development as saintly human beings, it has irked me that modern Catholicism has embraced such a painfully lousy form of worship. From warehouse-like architecture, to teenagers singing showtune-like songs, the modern Catholic is stuck in a liturgical winter "blah".
Two weeks ago I had the unfortunate experience to have to attend a modern Mass at a local church (known for its orthodoxy). The church was filled to overflowing, which amazed me for a Sunday evening Mass. The architecture, typical for a church built in the 70's was some sort of geometrical hodgepodge with the Tabernacle hidden away in a side chapel. There were attendees from all walks of life (mostly middle class families and baby boomers), and the girl altars servers were almost reverent (with the ever so slight nod to the altar). The priest began Mass with congratulating the local Catholic high school football team on their victory the previous night despite a snowstorm.
My point is not to focus on all the things wrong with this liturgy, but rather the people's response. As I endured contemporary protestant music, fluffy preaching, and a general irreverence for Our Lord, I looked around and tried to take stock of those around me. No one appeared excited...no one appeared intrigued...um,...no one appeared even the slight bit interested in this liturgy for the "modern man". Most individuals looked more like teenagers enduring a lecture from a zealous parent...they just endure. This is the fruit of a man-made liturgical "reform" that has stripped the Divine Mass of its beauty, reverence, prayerfulness, devotion, and other worldliness. I just wonder why the modern priest does not see this devastation in the pews? Does the priest not see the looks on the faces of those in the pews as they endure another root-canal like rendition of "City of God"!? Sometimes I wonder if the modern priest wants his parish to be lukewarm...is this possible, or is it the old saying that "misery loves company"?
As traditional Catholics we are so blessed to assist at the Mass of the Ages, the same Mass that St.Therese, and St. Francis prayed. This wonderful liturgy draws one's attention away from oneself (after facing our sinfulness during the Confiteor) and gently lifts us to worship and adoration of the "little King" born in Bethelehem and present through the words of Consecration. This divine worship with its latin chants from solid male voices brings each person to a participation in Divine Life itself, unlike the sham of participation in the modern liturgy. How else can I put it, except, I love the traditional Mass! Can any modern attendee say the same...I wonder?
