I heard of something called the Octave of Christmas. What does that mean? Pierre

Pierre,

     Simply put, the Octave of Christmas is a way of continuing the celebration of Christmas so that we can better understand the Incarnation of Jesus. 
     Unpacking what that means will take a little more time.  Here's how I understand it:  Sometimes an event is so significant that it is impossible to take that event in all at one time.  An example might be visiting the Grand Canyon, or the Basilica of St. Peter - or even reading the Bible.  There is so much to take in, that it is virtually impossible to comprehend it all in one viewing, or in one visit.   So, we return to it - again and again in order to soak in all that it has to offer.   That's the way it is with the mystery of the Incarnation (God becoming Man).  It's so huge that we need more time to ponder the mysterious ways of God in all that this entails.
     At one time there were as many as 15 'octaves' on the Catholic Liturgical Calendar.   However, in 1969, all were removed except for Christmas and Easter.  The Octave of Christmas starts on Christmas Day and extends for seven more days through January 1st.  That makes eight days - and the word octave means eight.  Each one of the days reflects back on the Nativity and the impact of that Birth.The liturgies on those days honor someone who loved Jesus without question.  
Dec 25th is the Nativity itself.
Dec 26th remembers St. Stephen who was the first martyr who died because he believed that Christ, whom we celebrate on the Nativity, was truly God.
Dec 27th is St. John the Evangelist who was the only Apostle at the Crucifixion.
Dec 28th is dedicated to the Holy Innocents.  Those are the baby boys under the age of two who were killed by King Herod because he was afraid that the new 'King' whom the Jews were awaiting, and was sought by the Magi, was among them.   
This year (2014) the feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on the 28th the because this Feast is to fall on the first Sunday after Christmas and it pre-empts all the other feasts celebrated during the octave - except the solemnity of the Blessed Mother.  When Her Solemnity falls on that 1st Sunday after Christmas, then the feast of the Holy Family is moved to the 30th of December.
Dec 29th is St. Thomas Becket.  He was Martyred because he defended the Church from being taken over and run by King Henry II.
Dec 30th Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  We are to emulate their love and faith in God.  Because we celebrate this day on the 28th this year, the 30th will just be called the 6th day in the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord.
Dec 31st the life of Saint Pope Sylvester I.  He supported the Council of Nicea in 325AD where the Church proclaimed Jesus and both human and divine, and as consubstantial (of the same substance) with God the Father. 
Jan 1st ends the Octave with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.  The Gospel reading of the day focuses on her obedience to the law and the circumcision and naming of Jesus on the 8th day after His birth.  It is a Holy Day of Obligation on which we honor Mary's role in salvation history. 

Hope this helps!
(from Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) December 28, 2014  "The Christmas octave:  Continuing the celebration."  D.D. Emmons.  P6 & 7)

A resolution-ary thought for 2015!!

Last year the Pittsburgh Catholic ran an excellent article about resolutions for the New Year.  I didn’t read it until a week or so after it ran, and I felt that it was too late then to share.  However, it was so good that I clipped it out and kept it to share for this year.  Its words must be something someone who is reading this is supposed to hear because I actually found the article!  I didn’t lose it; I remembered that I wanted to share it with you; and the week that I remembered it is the week for our New Year’s bulletin ie:  the timing is PERFECT!

Isn’t that just how God works?!!

Here it is: 

     "A new year always brings the opportunity for a fresh start.  Resolutions can be a tricky thing because they force us to consider altering long-held behavior patterns, and then make an affirmative choice for the change in behavior when the situation presents itself.  Take TV watching.  It could be ripe for a change in behavior because Americans have the TV on so much every day.  That allows for many chances to make those affirmative choices, instead of surrendering to the status quo.
     "Here are a few suggestions on making more affirmative choices in your television diet.  First, watch less TV.  When NBS coined the phrase ‘must –see TV’ to describe its powerhouse Thursday prime-time lineup of a generation ago, it didn’t meant that all of us must see TV regardless of what’s on!  Instead, think of the term ‘appointment television.’  Just as you would with meals, put some advance thought about what it is you want to watch before you turn on the TV.  Don’t be content with just watching the next show that comes on, and the show after that, and so on.
         "(Second)If you watch TV, then resolve to watch TV.  Avoid multitasking with the tube on.  If you’re going to presumably view the collective effort of hundreds of people working on both sides of the camera, you don’t really want to be playing solitaire on your smartphone, do you?  That lessens he experience for you, and shortchanges the people on the creative end.
       "(Third)  If you have children in your home, don’t let them watch TV unattended.  Watch with them.  Make TV watching a reward, rather than a diversion that allows t you to do ‘more important things.’  In truth, time spent helping form children’s attitudes and consciences is the best time spent of all.
       "Finally, be a critique of TV.  That’s different from being a criticizer.  While there is much about television to criticize, you have to develop the abilitiy to think critically about what you’ve viewed, and judge whether you as a viewer are being manipulated in ways you like or don’t like, ranging from the latest e[isode of a hit series to the local news.  With as many channels as there are today, you can certainly shop the television-programming marketplace to find shows that better appeal to your values and sensibilities, if you take the time to seek them out."
(‘Resolve to be a better television watcher’ by Mark Pattison, Catholic News Service.  Pittsburgh Catholic, Friday, January 10, 2014, p 7)

I couldn't have expressed it better myself!  Happy 2015!!

Don't forget to look back at the earlier blogs!

There's info early on about the
Ark of the Covenant,
forgiveness,
the Scapular,
the Culture of Waste,
Jesus' last name,
abstinence from meat on Fridays,
and more!                              
Just like some people I know, they may be older, but they're still good!!

¡¡ Happy New (Liturgical) Year !!

It's almost time for our new liturgical year to begin! 

What's "Liturgical Year"?  It's our name for the Church's Cycle of Readings.  The 'Church Year' is arranged in seasons - Advent, Christmas, Ordinary time, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary time again.  Within each season, the Church celebrates by pondering on Jesus' birth, life, death, Resurrection, and Ascension. 

The decorations on the Altar help us celebrate.  And, the priest also helps by wearing the color of the season on his chasuble.  For example... Violent is the color used to symbolize penance and preparation. We see it in Advent and Lent.  White represents innocence and joy.  It is worn at Christmas and Easter (as well as on some other special feast days.)   Green is used in ordinary time and symbolizes hope.  Take a look at a couple of different versions of a liturgical calendar: 

                       
http://picsjpg.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/catholic_liturgical_calendar_2014_canada.jpg          http://www.freewebs.com/asctech/wheel.gif


                                                
                                                       http://cart.pflaum.com/image.php?type=P&id=39

Note that all are shown as cyclical.  That's because we never end in our Worship of God!  Note that all have the colors mentioned on them.  You can see that the Gospel reading for the Sundays are listed on two of them.  Holy Days of Obligation and other special celebration days can also be seen. The Church's Liturgical Year begins on the first Sunday of Advent.  The last week is the Feast of Christ the King. 

In the first picture, you'll note that even the weekday readings are listed - which is why the wheel is so thick - The Sunday is on the outside of the wheel and the weekdays are listed towards the middle of the ring. 

On the last picture, you can see that the Cycle Year is listed.   2015 is Cycle B in the Church Calendar.  What does that mean?  Well, if you went to Mass every single day for three years, you'd hear the entire Bible read at the Masses.  Every time we celebrate Mass, we hear a reading from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospels.  Each year the Gospel readings come primarily from one Gospel... Year B Gospel readings will be mostly from Mark.   Wait! there are 4 Gospels, you say?  How right you are!  Every year, the Gospel of John is visited at different times too. 

Why so many green weeks of ordinary time?  Well, I like to have my students think about it like this:  What happens in the ordinary time of the year ie:  when the weather is not too rainy, when it's not too cold, not too dry, not too hot etc?  The green grass just grows.  That's what we are supposed to do during ordinary time.  We are to be nurturing our faith life so that we can blossom during the special times. 

We delve intensely into preparing for Jesus'  birth at Advent, and into his passion, death, and resurrection during Lent.  Christmas and Easter are the mountaintop moments which shine brightly in our year.  

You will notice some numbering differences on the calendar also.  They aren't listed from 1 - 52 like a yearly calendar.  We count the weeks of each period separately. We have 34 weeks of Ordinary time with the other seasons falling into place among those weeks.  Check it out and see what you discover!

I just heard about some new way to pray. I think it's called lexio divinity. What is that? - Mike

Mike,
The prayer form you are talking about is called Lectio Divina.  And it's actually quite an old form of meditation.  It means "divine reading."  It is a way of turning inward and inviting God to talk with us.  Saint Cyprian said it like this, "When you pray, you speak with God' when you read, God speaks with you." 
Basically,  the way it works is this: 
1.  Read the passage aloud so you can carefully 'hear' a word or phrase that captures your attention.
2.  Meditate on that word or phrase by silently repeating it over and over.  Think about what God might be saying to you through that word or phrase.
3.  Read the passage aloud again considering what God is saying to you through this reading.

Then, you're not over ... Reflect on how you will put God's Word into action!  and do it!!  Your action may be a change in your thinking, an actual work, or even more prayer time with God. 

I was recently at my youth group and a discussion was brought up about Jesus on the cross. We were discussing what Jesus meant when he said, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" I have always thought that he was quoting scripture. Which scripture is he quoting? If any? Regards, Missy

Yes, you are right it was a quote from Bible.  Jesus quoted a lot of scripture in his ministry!

At this time it was Psalm 22:2. The title of the Psalm is "The Prayer of an Innocent Person"  and although it begins with such intense distress, it progresses to inviting people to praise God and ends in a universal chorus of praise. 

Now I ask you something, Missy ... Jesus quoted scripture throughout his life and especially at his final moments.  What was he teaching us?  What should we learn from him through that?  What do I need to do if I want to be more like Jesus in my life?

"Did Jesus really multiply the loaves and the fish?" I have friends who say that the real miracle that took place was that the people shared their food with each other.

Yes, Jesus really multiplied the loaves and the fish.  People who say that everyone shared their food then are doing something "theologians call 'reductionism,' ie:  trying to explain a supernatural event in purely natural, worldly terms.

In John:6 the focus is on what JESUS did, not what the people did.  Jesus showed his compassion for the people who had been with him all day.  He recognized that they were hungry and so asked the apostles about buying food for them.  The apostles informed Jesus of two things.  1. There was no place nearby where there would be enough food for that many people, and 2. Even if there was someplace they could purchase enough food, they would need more than 200 days' wages to be able to get enough to feed them all.  Two hundred days is over 6 months worth of days!  They would have had to work over 1/2 a year to have enough money to feed all those people!

Jesus already know that.  John tells us, "he said this to test [Philip], because he himself knew what he was going to do."  John 6:6. 

Peter's brother Andrew then came forth and said that he had found a little boy who was selling food, but he only had 5 barley loaves and two fish - certainly not enough for 5000+ people!   Jesus told the crowd to sit and get ready to eat.  He didn't stand up and ask if anyone else had more food.  He didn't give them a lecture about sharing what they had.  No, he blessed the food and fed them all.  When the leftovers were collected, there were 12 wicker baskets of bread fragments left. 

In this miracle Jesus revealed that "He is the One who provides nourishment - both physically and spiritually - for his people. ... He is the living bread come down from heaven which gives life to the world.  (John 6:51, 35)"  This miracle foreshadows the Eucharist.  And what a miracle that is!
(Did Jesus have a last name & 199 other questions from Catholic teenagers.  by Matthew Pinto & Jason Evert   Ascension Press  (c) 2005 p 45)

An explanation of Andrei Rublev's Icon of the Old Testament Trinity

                                                             zlandrum.blogspot.com

 

    This picture is the depiction of the three mysterious visitors to Abraham and Sarah which is told in Genesis 18.  The three visitors are depicted as angels, signifying that they belong to heaven rather than earth.  You will note that their faces are essentially identical.  This represents the equality of the three persons of the Holy Trinity.  They are also shown as basically genderless.  Some sources identify them as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

     The one on the left - Father - wears a cloak of an indefinite color with pink, brown, and blue-green highlights.  That is symbolic of the impossibility of portraying God in visible form. It's hand could be pointing to the meat in the dish, or to the second figure (Jesus), or simply holding out one finger signifying that it is the first person of the Trinity.  Above this angel is a building, symbolizing the Church and worship of God.

     The angel in the middle - Son - is wearing a dark reddish purple tunic and a dark blue cloak.  Those are the customary garments found on Christ in many icons.  The reddish purple color symbolizes Christ's human blood which He shed for humanity and also indicates His royalty.  The blue signifies the mystery of His divine nature.  Above this angel is the Oak of Mamre mentioned in the Genesis account depicted.  The tree also symbolizes Christ's crucifixion.  Most icons of Jesus show a cross inscribed in his halo.  This one does not because the angel is only symbolic of Him, not an actual representation of Him.

     The angel on the right - Holy Spirit - is dressed in a green cloak, traditionally the color of life and renewal.  It wears a blue tunic indicating divine mystery.  Above it is a mountain.  Mountains symbolize the spiritual journey or the climb towards salvation. 

     Look at the basic form of this picture.  It is circular.  This unites the three figures in a flowing pattern.  A deliberate distortion of the natural visual perspective in which similar objects that are closer to the viewer are drawn smaller than ones which are further away is used here to pull the viewer into that circle.  (That technique is called 'inverse perspective.')

     On the table is a dish of meat which Abraham prepared for the guests.  It is the focus of the circular arrangement and symbolizes the Holy Eucharist.  On the front of the table is a small, rectangular hole.  That symbolizes the 'narrow door' to salvation mentioned in Luke 13:24

 

 

 

 

Why is the Blessed Mother often in pictures with flowers?

In icons and often in religious paintings, all the items tell something about the thing being depicted.  For example, the number of items can indicate something; the color of an item can indicate something; and even the flowers can indicate something.  There are special flowers especially associated with the Blessed Mother.  For example:  the violet is also known in some places as "Our Lady's Modesty."  It is associated with her humility.  The lily of the valley is known as "Mary's Tears."  It reminds us of her sorrow as the death of her Son.  The hawthorn is known as "Mary's flower of May."  Lilies represent purity.  The Rose is often depicted with her because the word Rosary means 'rose garden' and of course she gave us a garden full of prayers when she taught us the rosary.   

Faith News: Update on the Satanic Mass in Oklahoma City

Exciting news for Catholics in America.  When Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City discovered the plans for a "black mass" in his diocese, he went to work first to get the Consecrated Host back from the Satanists.  Once that done, he didn't stop.  He organized a prayer service to take place at the same time as the black mass was to occur.  He also asked for Catholics throughout America to pray.  We in the Diocese of Pittsburgh had a Eucharistic Prayers service which included the Rite of Solemn Exposition and Benediction at the Seminary in Crafton.  Several hundred people came to pray.  
In Oklahoma City the prayer service led by Archbishop Coakley took place at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Oklahoma City.  Some 1,200 people crowded in while others filled a nearby gymnasium, a cafeteria, and areas outside the church. 
The Satanic Mass?  It brought in less than 50 people. 
That's surely the power of prayer at work!  We need to continue to pray for the 50 souls who were in attendance, that they will be transformed and find their way to Jesus, in love.

Faith News: October 5-19, 2014 Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family

The third Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in the history of the Church is meeting at the Vatican this October!  An "extraordinary" synod takes place when a Pope calls for a group of Bishops to work on a matter of urgent concern.  Typically, the number is no more than 200 and the work is more streamlined than that of an ordinary Synod of Bishops. 
In this case, 114 presidents of national Bishop's Conferences around the world (including the President of the United States' Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB]), 13 heads of Eastern Catholic Churches, 38 observers, and 16 experts will be in attendance.   Along with the USCCB president Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, the Byzantine Archbishop William C. Skurla of Pittsburgh, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of NY, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, and Cardinal Raymond Burke of the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature will be representing the United States.  Also attending will be a Wisconsin couple who will have the duty of being lay auditors and share their insights in small groups with other couples, and they will also address the synod's general assembly regarding how they live out the faith as a married couple. 
This Synod will deal with the family in the modern world and the challenges which it faces.  Some of the issues which are under attack to families throughout the world include:  In the West:  the "contraceptive culture, abortion, redefinition of marriage, rampant consumerism, domestic violence.  In the East, challenges include:  the struggle to find food, drinkable water and decent work, a lack of adequate places to worship, fleeing from war or terrorists, the fight against disease, political and religious instability. ... [while] challenges [found] worldwide include:  the fight against poverty, young people lacking the optimism to start a family, families broken up by divorce, infidelity, pornography and other forms of addiction."  (Our Sunday Visitor, September 28, 2014  Challenges,  p. 10)
What an exciting time for the families of the world!

What's an "anchoress"?

Anchoress is a title given to special holy women who lived life away from the world, while still in the midst of it.  It's different than a hermit because the "away" is really not in a remote place.
In times of old some holy people retreated from the outside world.  Since -ess indicates a female, we'll talk about how a woman did this:  In a ceremony, she was ushered into life as a nun, received the last rites, had ashes sprinkled over her, and then recited some special prayers before stepping into a room in which she would live the rest of her life, forbidden to leave it except when she died.  The room was called a cell, the same as what they call the rooms of many of the nuns and monks. It was not a prison, so to speak, it was a self-imposed life of prayer chosen be the extremely devout. 
The inside of the anchorhold had three small windows to the outside world:  one to look upon the Mass and so be able to see the Eucharist, one opening to the servants' quarters so as to receive food and speak with the person assigned to take dare of the daily needs, and a third window to offer spiritual counsel to those who came seeking for that person's counsel.  ... The three small openings off the side of the cell somewhat resembled an anchor - hence the name anchorhold, and anchoress etc. ...
Julian of Norwich was such an anchoress.  She lived during the Crusades of the 14th century and during the bubonic plague.  She had 16 visions of the suffering Christ and shared them in her writings.  Her story is one definitely worth visiting!

If the law says something is right, but the Bible says it's wrong, who's right? - Emily

Emily -
What a timely question!  I am sure many others have it too. First of all, let's remember what the Bible is.  It's the Word of God.  It's God's text message to us!  Also remember that   God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  He is perfectly unchanging.  We can never know the fullness of who He is on this side of heaven.  God created everything and everyone.  He also created the rules for the workings of it all.  He "is the ultimate authority to what is right or wrong.  His standards are right for all people, at all times, and in all places."

Look at Acts 5:29:  Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than human authority."  They said this when they were told by the Jewish religious authorities to stop speaking of Jesus Christ.

 The Bible also tells us to obey the government.  But as you see in the case of Peter and the apostles, when a directive from the government goes against what God has instructed us to do (in this case, spread the Word) then "we should obey God instead of the government.  God is in charge of the government and not the other way around. For example, if the government passed a law making it illegal to pray, we should break the law and pray anyway.   The same would be true about worshiping God, reading the Bible, and telling others about Christ.  And if the government were to make it OK to lie and steal, we still shouldn't do those things because they go against God's law. ... No one can have higher authority than God, so we must always obey Him first."  (801 Questions Kids ask about God with answers from the Bible  by Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Ill  (C) 2000, question # 408 p 200.)

Read Acts 5:12-41 for the rest of the story!

Satanic 'black mass' to be held on Sept 21st! - Pray, pray, pray!

The Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma has been rented by a Satanic group so that they can worship the devil.  The more horrible thing is that the organizers originally planned to desecrate the Eucharist!  They had stolen it (they claim they bought it through the mail from a priest in Turkey) so that they could desecrate it during their 'service.'  They also planned to toss communion wafers to the floor and have their people tromp them.  

The Bishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City sued the group to have Jesus returned.   Since the satanists wanted to continue with their worship and not be tied up in legalities, they returned the Blessed Sacrament to the Bishop, promised that they didn't have any more consecrated hosts, and that they would not use any in their ritual.  

The Archbishop dropped the lawsuit, but he has asked us to pray daily for divine protection through the intercession of Holy Michael the Archangel.  Even though tickets are being sold for the event, this is not just some form of dark entertainment.  "This Satanic ritual is deadly serious.  It is a blasphemous and obscene inversion of the Catholic Mass,"  the Bishop told his people.  At one point in the service a satanic 'nun' is supposed to urinate in a chamber pot in front of the 'worshipers.'

This mass is scheduled to happen on September 21st, 2014.  We Christians are being asked to "pray to avert this sacrilege and publicly manifest our faith in the Lord and our loving gratitude for the gift of the holy Eucharist, the source and summit of our lives."  

Oklahoma City officials say their hands are tied as this event is protected by the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. (Pittsburgh Catholic Newspaper, Friday, August 29, 2014  pp 1 & 2)

Bishop Zubik, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh is inviting all people of good will in the Pittsburgh Diocese and surrounding areas to join him in a special time of Eucharistic adoration on that day from 6-9 pm in the John Bernard McDowell Auditorium on the campus of St. Paul Seminary (2900 Noblestown Road, Crafton).  He will conclude the time of adoration with Benediction at 8:45pm.

In the meantime, we are asked to support our brothers and sisters in Oklahoma, and to add support to this battle, through prayer.  Specifically we are asked to prayer the prayer to Holy Michael the Archangel our protector against the devil.

Holy Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the 
heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.   Amen.

What does it mean when people refer to someone coming into "full communion" with the Church?

It's part of what the RCIA program.  (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)  Coming into full communion with the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for people who are baptized Christians but not as Roman Catholics. To become a Roman Catholic, these people, called "candidates," usually participate in a formation program where they learn about what it means to be Catholic.  They are given information to help them understand and experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church.  Should they determine that they want to become a Catholic, they make a profession of faith.  They are not baptized again. (The Catholic Church recognizes all mainstream Christian Baptisms.)  This celebrations and coming into "full communion" usually happens at the Easter Vigil ceremony.  

I have a question on Matt 10:34 "My mission is to spread, not peace, but division." -Matthew 10:34 We call Jesus the "Prince of Peace" (Is 9:5), so how can He say he won't bring peace?

It is a confusing statement, isn't it? 

Here's the way the Catholic Bishops have explained this:  Jesus, "divides and separates us from all that keeps us from a close, intimate, personal relationship with Him. He wants full communion with us and nothing less. He has come to divide us - to tear us from relationships with people and things that are keeping us from being closer to Him."  So, how can we be in full relationship with the 'Prince of Peace?  First we must examine our relationships. and ask ourselves some questions such as: "Am I spending time with any people who are pulling me away from Christ? Am I  spending too much time in front of the TV or wasting too much time with electronic devices or other inanimate objects that keep me from prayer time?" Are any of my relationships more important to me than my relationship with Jesus?  If the answer to any of those questions are, "Yes," then I need to "cut them out" of my life.

Jesus wants to mean everything to us.   We can let Him into our lives today in a bigger, more profound way:  We just have to "make the cut."

One Bread, One Body   Monday, July 14, 2014   http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071414.cfm

If we went high enough into the sky, would we run into heaven? - Tina

Tina -
We don't know EXACTLY where heaven is, but we know it's not here in the realm in which we are living right now.  When Jesus ascended into heaven He went up - away from the disciples - on a cloud.  So, we point into the sky - which is away from where we are.  But that doesn't mean it is actually up.  We could never get in a rocket and fly to heaven.  It is a different realm; a different state of being.  We have to change to get there.  But we know it does exist because Jesus told us it does.  

I am confused. I was named after David in the Bible and was always proud of it. But now I discover that David was a murderer and an adulterer. I am thinking about going with my middle name no so that I won't be associated with that reputation. What do you think? - D

Dave,

You are right.  David from the Bible was a murderer and an adulterer.  But that's not all he was.  Let's look at the whole picture.  David was also chosen by God to lead His people.  He loved God and "the LORD" was "with him,"  (1 Sam 16:18).  David was a man who followed God. 

However, there came a time in his life when David became complacent.   It was during this time that he saw a woman and became lustful for her.  Instead of turning his head and heart from her, he took her, she became pregnant, and so he ended up having her husband murdered.  He then took her as his wife.  God knew of this and He had Samuel confront David about it.  David, being king could have had Samuel killed for confronting him, but David took the rebuke for what it was and he repented.  Still, he paid dearly for his actions.  The consequences of his sin rippled through the rest of his reigning years.  You can read about his sin in 2 Samuel 11 & 12. 

Even though David fell, should we condemn him?  Obviously the answer is a resounding, "NO!"  God didn't condemn him.  He forgave him when he repented.   God also forgives us when we repent.  But God doesn't take away the natural consequences of our sin.

That said, we need to remember that we humans don't see as God sees.  God looks at the heart.  David's heart was turned to God.  He strayed.  He returned.  We are the same.  We love God.  But we stray.  Hopefully we return. 

God's re-acceptance of David should reassure us - like the story of the prodigal son and the forgiving father in the New Testament.  We should be comforted that no matter how great our sin, we are embraced by God when we repent.  Most of us won't commit the sin of murder.  We won't commit adultery.  Those are some of the worst of the sins we could commit. They fall on the top ten list of BAD THINGS not to do.  But God sees all sin as repugnant.  We aren't to compare ourselves to others.  We are to use our perfect God as our measuring rod and understand that we never measure even close to His perfection. 

We can know through David's story that if God would accept someone who has committed the most heinous of actions back into His embrace, He will accept us, who also sin, back too.  Instead of looking at David as a let down, look at him as one who is like us, a sinner who loves God but strays.  Be encouraged because even though David failed miserably to the flesh, God used him to do great things.  Be happy that he found his way back to God and thus was deemed worthy to be listed as an ancestor of Jesus! 

As far as your name goes, try to emulate the good in this namesake of your and hope that you can love God so much that it can be said that 'the LORD is with you!'  Grasp the fact that David did great things for God and open yourself to Him, asking Him to use you to do great things too. 

Faith News: Pope Francis speaks about doubting one's faith.

In June of 2013 Pope Francis was visiting some Jesuit-run schools in Italy and Albania when one of the boys asked him about how he could overcome doubts he had regarding his faith.
Pope Francis responded by speaking about walking:  He said, "Walking is an art; if we are always in a hurry we tire and cannot reach our destination ... Yet if we stop and do not move, we also fail to reach [it] ...Walking is ... thinking about where I want to go, and also coping with the weariness that comes from walking.  ...The way is often hard-going; it is not easy. ... there are days of darkness, days of failure, and some days of falling ... In the art of walking it is not falling that matters, but not 'staying fallen.'  Get up quickly, immediately, and continue to go on.  And this is beautiful:  it is working every day, it is walking humanly.  But also:  it is terrible to walk alone, terrible and tedious.  Walking in community, with friends, with those who love us:  this helps us, it helps us to arrive precisely at the destination where we must arrive."  (Our Sunday Visitor, July 6, 2014 - p 11  "Pope Francis on Doubt.)

Looking at his reply to this young boy, the next question is:  How is our faith like walking? 
* We must not tire in our faith.
* We must not stop trying to believe.
* We must remember to think about our destination (heaven/relationship with Jesus/eternity  with God).
* We must remember that we will have days of darkness, doubts, failure, and falling.
* We must get up after we fall.
* We must get up quickly.
* We must get up immediately.
* We must work at it every day.
* We must join a community which helps us with our faith journey.

In these ways we can overcome our doubts and build our faith.

How should I respond to something someone else does that makes me look bad? For example, my boss is a lousy manager. When I ask her for help with something her answers make no sense. I'm sure that if I had a better boss I would perform better. Should I speak to the next manager up and complain? What would Jesus say about this? - Jeremy

Jeremy -

You're probably not going to like this response.  However, you need to remember that our real work in this world is to be an ambassador for Christ so that we can win souls for Him.  

That being said, all people should behave  remembering that Christ is the ultimate judge.  Because of his obedience on the cross, He has the "full right to pass definitive judgment on the works and hearts of men."  (CCC679)  All people must remember that they do their work not for a human boss, but ultimately for God.  

I know that sounds like I didn't answer your question. So, let me pick it apart some more:   All people must take responsibility for their part in what happens in their lives. The easiest way to shirk responsibility is to blame another, then they don't have to do anything about the problem.  

This wanting to get out of trouble by blaming someone else can be seen from the very beginning of humanity. Remember in Genesis 3 after Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil; Adam blamed Eve for eating it.  Eve blamed the serpent.  The serpent was Satan who should not have been in the garden in the first place as Adam's job was to guard/care for the garden.  (Gen 2:15)   Four thousand plus years later we humans still play that blame game.  It is the bane of our fallen-ness.  

St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Colossians (Col 3:17) that whatever we "do, in word or in deed," we are to "do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Col 3:17a)  That is a great reminder that our real job in this life - ie: our real responsibility - is to make God be seen in all that we do.   If we have a lousy boss, we need to continue to do our work the best we can in spite of that lousiness.  

Getting specific then, how can you find a solution to your work problems when the boss's answer doesn't seem like it's helpful?  Perhaps you need to be creative.  Is there someone else at the job who knows the answer?  Why not ask that person?  You might have to swallow some pride, and you might have to ask someone you don't particularly like for help, but others will see you overcoming the "incompetence" of the boss and you will be seen as a part of the solution to what's not right in the workplace rather as a hindrance to getting the job done.  

Remember, attitudes can be caught. Make yours one that others will benefit from catching.  You may well be the impetus which creates a whole new way of being in your workplace.  It is not your boss's responsibility to make you look good. What is your responsibility as an employee where you work?  Is it to snitch on your boss?  If you look realistically at the answer you will probably admit that it is to do your job to the best of your abilities.  The way you overcome your boss's imperfections will demonstrate the strength of your character.  ...

... And, your attitude towards your boss and your attitude towards becoming a better employee is one way you can live out the duty of all Christians: that of drawing others to Christ.   In the meantime, suffering any wrongs you feel have been committed against you can be offered up as prayer and sacrifice towards your Christian calling in the fundamental work of saving souls.  

Hope this helped.

How did a few atheists and secular humanists stop prayer in the public schools despite the fact that the great majority of Americans wanted prayer in the schools? How did a few anti-life people get control of the Supreme Court, mass media, Congress, presidency, and business community when twenty-five years ago they were a very small minority? How can a few homosexual activists change our government's definition of the family and make sodomy a civil right despite the fact that a little over a decade ago these things were unthinkable for a vast majority of Americans?

"A large force is defeated by a few people when the 'moral majority' is not very moral, when many of them have abandoned the Lord (see 2 Chr 24:24; see also Josh 7:3ff). When we transgress the Lord's commands, we cannot prosper (2 Chr 24:20).  Because we "have abandoned the Lord, He has abandoned" us (2 Chr 24:20). Only when we are under the Lord's authority are we in authority over Satan and the forces of evil. Only the totally committed win. Only the obedient conquer (see 2 Cor 10:6)."  email@presentationministries.com,  Saturday, June 21, 2014, Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062114.cfm WHEN THE MAJORITY DOESN'T, OneBreadOneBody-AMER@presentationministries.com, Jun 21, 2014

So what should we do about the state of affairs? We must return to God.  We must repent.  It can all begin with us!

Was Jesus’ last name Christ? - Josh

Josh,

It does seem logical to us in 2014 that Christ should be Jesus’ last name, however, it was not!  In the days of Jesus, the Jewish custom was to call a man the son of his father.  Like the apostles James and John were called the sons of Zebedee.  And, Sometimes people were identified by the name of the town from which they came.  For example; the man who helped Jesus carry the cross was named Simon of Cyrene.  He was from that area in northern Africa.    

‘Christ’ is actually a Greek translation of the Hebrew word meaning  ‘anointed.’  The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains how those meanings are actually an excellent description of who Jesus is:  Christ “became the name proper to Jesus only because he accomplished perfectly the divine mission that ‘Christ’ signifies.  … In Israel those consecrated to God for a mission” given to them by God “were anointed in His name.  This was the case for kings, for priests and, in rare instances, for prophets.  This had to be the case all the more so for the Messiah whom God would send to inaugurate His kingdom  … It was necessary that the Messiah be anointed by the Spirit of the Lord at once as king and priest, and also as prophet.  Jesus fulfilled the messianic hope of Israel in his threefold office of priest, prophet, and king.”  (CCC436)

I’ve heard that Jesus is the New Adam. I’ve also heard that Mary is the New Eve. What does that mean? Mary is Jesus’ mother, not his wife. - Mel

I just love what good questions come to this blog!  Thanks for asking it. :)

Let’s start at the beginning:  God created perfect man and a perfect woman.  Their names were Adam and Eve.  They lived in perfect union with God until they came to a moment in a garden by a tree with a snake – who was Satan.  They had a choice:  They could continue to follow God’s commands or they could choose not to.  By choosing to say, “No,” to God and to eat of the tree, they were banished from the Garden and we – humanity- became in need of salvation.

However, God in His perfect knowledge of who we are knew that this was going to happen, so He had a plan already in place to send Himself – in the form of His Son – who is the 2^nd person of the Trinity – to Redeem us.

To bring this about, God sent the 3^rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit – to a young girl named Mary – whom he blessed by allowing her to be formed in a perfect state (The Immaculate Conception).  When she was a young teen, God sent a messenger to present her with a choice.  She said, “Yes,” and through this, that Daughter of God became the Spouse of the Holy Spirit and the Mother of the Son.

This Son – Jesus – was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit into the womb of Mary.  He was without Sin because He is God the Son. … Now, fast-forward 33 years from that conception:   We have this perfectly formed woman, this perfectly formed man, and Satan (this time in the people who taunted Jesus and told him to call upon his angels to get him down from the cross etc.) gathered at a tree… This time, the Man and the Woman said, “Yes” to God an followed His will for them.   Jesus in dying, Mary at watching her beautiful and perfect grown child be tortured and killed.   It caused great sorrow for both of them.

See the parallel to the Garden:  the perfectly formed man and woman, the tree, Satan, the temptation to turn away from God’s plan?  … So, this story from Adam and Eve is played out again in Jesus and Mary.  Where the 1^st Adam and Eve failed and lost their intimacy with God and hence made a need for a Savior, the 2^nd Adam and Eve did not fail and they gave us back the ability to be in intimacy with God.  Hence, they are called the New Adam and the New Eve.

Hope this helps clear that up for you!

Faith News: How one woman is coping with adult bullying!

Sadly, the problem of bullying doesn’t stop when we leave grade school – or even when we graduate from high school.  There are some adults in their middle ages, and even some in the over-the-hill-ages, who get their way by being aggressive and mean.  They went from being little kids who bullied others to being little kids in grownup bodies who still bully others.   And that stinks because being bullied hurts no matter what age we (or the bully) are.  A recent article In the Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) made me stop and ponder this issue a little more:  

The June 15th edition of the OSV told the story of an engaging woman who has figured out a way to combat the bullying she still experiences as an adult.  Lizzy Velasquez of Austin, Texas suffers from an unidentified syndrome that only two other people in the world are known to have.  She can’t gain weight. - I know, it sounds like a dream to us who have tried every way we can think of to lose some body fat.  However, she has never weighed over 62 pounds in her life. And she’s 25!  

When she was 17 she discovered that someone had made an eight-second video about her that went viral.  Over 4,000,000 people viewed it and thousands of them made mean and hateful comments.   They said things like she was the “ugliest woman in the world.”  She was a “monster.”  She “should do the world a favor and kill” herself.  It broke her heart and her spirit.  

However, this wasn’t new to her.  It's been happening since she was a little kid. She tells of her experience on the first day of kindergarten:  She smiled at another little girl and that little girl was terrified.  She reacted in a way that totally confounded Lizzie.  Throughout her entire life tons of kids have bullied her and many strangers have stared at her. 

How did all that make her feel?  She wanted to fight back.  She wanted to make those people hurt like she did.  But, she realized that she had a choice to make.  She says,  “I started realizing that my life was in my hands, … I could either choose to make this really good, or I could choose to make this really bad.   I could be grateful and open my eyes and realize the good things that I do have and make that what defines me.”  (OSV June 15, 2014 p 15)

  

Lizzie found support through her strong Catholic roots which include her parents and extended family.  And she realized that she could use 

use the pain she felt from the bullying to triumph over it.  She decided she would do something big for herself.  She made it her goal to graduate from college and write books.  

And guess what?  At the age of 25 she's already surpassed those dreams. Her third book is to be released late this summer!  Her topics?  Her inspirational journey, finding the beauty within, and choosing to be happy.  She has been such an encouragement to others that she has been invited to speak out against bullying and share her story by many groups.  She’s also been interviewed for the news, talk shows, and print media.  She has her own website (aboutlizzie.com), and is in the process of making a documentary about her life. 

At the apex of her message is faith.  Lizzie realizes that God is with her through all her pain and through all her successes.  She says, “God knew what He was doing when He made every one of us very different and unique.  … If we were all the same it wouldn’t be exciting.  We have something to look forward to in bringing our different personalities to the table.”

Lizzie's current goals, and perhaps her life's purpose, is to use her experiences to let people know how hurtful bullying is and to make social media a safer place to be.  She doesn’t want to lower herself to the mindset of all those people who have bullied and hurt her; she chooses to take the higher road of being kind.  She lives what she preaches by acting in ways that show others how to make a difference by being a positive and Christ-like example to the world.  (Our Sunday Visitor, Volume 103, No 7,  June 15, 201,   “Incredible strength at only 58 pounds”  by Maryann Gogniat Eidemiller, p 14-15)

How can I know what God's mission in life is for me? - Jack

That's one of the million dollar questions!  We all know that we have been made with a special task.  But how do we figure out what that task is?  First of all, we have to be relating with God.  Praying.  Meditating (listening at Mass, reading the Bible which is God's Word to us, etc).  Then we must be utilizing the strengths, the special gifts and talents which God has given us through our personalities.  

We can then determine which path we are to take by knowing what God desires, not just of us, but of everyone. He tells us in the Bible what that is.  And basically, God's desire for everyone is the same.  That's right, His goal for me, for you, and for all of us is is exactly the same! However, how each of us goes about reaching that goal is going to be different.

God tells us through Timothy in his first letter (1 Tim 2:4) that He "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."  That's a pretty clear task!  
Logically progressing, we can first know that our purpose is to fulfill God's desire that we be saved.  Salvation is offered to everyone, but not all people will be saved.  Why?  Because we have a choice.  We can accept God's gift of salvation or we can deny it.  God wants us to accept it.  But He doesn't force us to accept it.  Once we say we accept, then we are invited to come to KNOW the TRUTH.   Know it - as in to be totally intimate with it.  Like a musician knows his instrument; he knows how to take it apart, how to clean it, how to put it away so it doesn't get scratched or damaged, how to tighten the screws, how to wet the reed, how to rosin the bow, etc.  Or to KNOW like I know that (God willing) my husband will be out hunting the Monday after Thanksgiving this year - because I am familiar with his likes and dislikes and his habits, passions, and desires.  I KNOW him.  God doesn't mean KNOW the TRUTH as in know what it/He is, not to just be familiar with it, to be able to talk about it.  He wants us to be intimately knowledgeable with it.  

What is the truth God means?   He told us through His son Jesus.  Jesus (the 2nd person of the Trinity) said, "I am the way and the TRUTH and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  (John 14:6)  And, you know what?  Truth never changes.  God is immutable - unchanging.  And, Truth is God's standard.  

Truth is not what people in these postmodern times tout, 'what's right for me might not be right for you' - because they don't want to seem intolerant.  The Truth was set in stone, literally, over 4000 years ago.  God set the standard. He gave us the TRUTH.  

And, Jack, as uncomfortable as that might make you feel, if you really want to know how God wants you to use your talents and gifts, you have know God.  To know God is to know the Truth.   

Oh, another thought:  (Didn't you know this wasn't going to be a simple, short answer!)  Jesus told his disciples just before He ascended into heaven, "Go ... and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matt 28:19-20) That was part of the last statement he said to them!  That means it was a pretty important message.   

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that we as Church - that is the PEOPLE - must be obedient to the command of its founder. (CCC 849) We are to bring others into communion with God the Trinity and in that bringing, teach those people to bring others.  We are to reach out to everyone.   

Frank Duff - a holy Irishman who died and is being investigated for sainthood - wrote this:  "The Church is a society in which Jesus Christ lives, and which exists for the purpose of bringing Him to all men.  ... Action is paramount. ... Simple effort must come first. ... Nothing is expected of anybody except what he has got." (Maria Legionis Magazine:  'Each Soul' by the Servant of God, Frank Duff  pp 3-6  May - July 2014 issue)  

Those points make it fairly clear that our purpose is to find God, know God, invite others to find and know God, and to encourage those others to invite others to do the same. How we do that is by using our uniqueness, by taking our gifts and talents which God has bestowed upon us, and being a Christian voice through them.   Can I fulfill that mission as a teacher?  Yes.  Can I fulfill it as a parent?  Yes. What about as a professional skate boarder?  You betcha. What about as a lawyer or a politician?  Yes, even through those.  

Jack, whatever position you are called to be in is the best place you can fulfill your mission - and where you are called to fulfill it!  My gifts will only allow me to come into contact with people who have my interests.  Your gifts will allow you to come into contact with a whole different group of people.  Another person will come into contact with another group etc.   Together, all of us who make up the Church can reach everyone in the world.   

And that's pretty cool, isn't it?

Why didn't the bush burn up in Ex 3:2-4? Lucy

Dear Lucy;

You are talking about the bush that was totally in flames which Moses saw during his time in the land of Midian. Because it wasn't burning up, Moses had to go over and check it out. That bush didn't burn to ashes because God was making a miracle happen.  God wanted to get Moses' attention.  He wanted Moses to go back to Egypt, speak to Pharaoh and, with God on Moses' side, rescue the people of Israel from slavery.  By showing Moses that He could set a bush on fire without it being consumed by the fire, God was showing Moses that He had the power to do what He said He would do. 

Faith News: Christian Olympian's confounds the media!

Did you see the article about the freeskiier David Wise who just won a gold medal at the Olympics?    He is 23 years old, married, has a 2-year-old daughter and said that someday he thinks he might like to become a pastor.  He met his wife at church camp and the two of them lead a youth ministry.  
     This is not the normal reputation of freeskiiers and because of this reporters and freeskiing promoters don't know how to handle this wholesome man.  NBCs answer was to say that Wise "leads an 'alternative lifestyle.' "  !!  I guess if you look at the norm in the freeskiing world, he does.  
     Wise - named appropriately - realizes that he's different, but his rebuttal is "Why do [I] want something that has been done before?  It's the people who are different who end up shaping the culture.' " He says, "I think being a good husband and a father is more important than being a great skier, We're just flipping and skiing in the halfpipe.  It's not an eternally lasting thing."
   Way to go, David Wise!  Let's all take his lead and make a difference and be a culture-shaper!  (from Citizen Magazine, May 2014   Whee!  The People section, "An Olympian's 'alternative Lifestyle'  p 8)

Why do Catholics confess their sins to the priest? - Joe Non-Catholic

Dear Joe:

What an important question!  Let's begin with an understanding of what happens when a person sins:  Every sin damages our relationship with God.  However, every sin also damages to some degree, our relationship with the people of God ie: the Church.  When we sin we violate that which the people of God (The Church) hold as Truth.  And, "to some degree, ... our communion with our brothers and sisters in Christ is weakened, -or even broken."
     And, our sin also "damages our relationship with humanity.  Sinning hurts our fellow human beings" and even ourselves.  
     "If we're to apologize and attempt to change our behavior, who deserves to receive that apology?  We owe an apology to God, everyone in the Church, and every human being.  These are the relationships that need to be healed. Yet this would be next to impossible."  How could we apologize to every person in the Church and every person in the world?  
     "This is where the priest comes in.  A priest is unique.  He's a mediator between God and people.  By his ordination, he is God's representative or ambassador on earth.  The Church gives him the power to speak on its behalf, and he represents humanity before God.   In a special way, a priest has the faculty to speak on behalf of all the parties who deserve an apology.  So the priest receives our confession on behalf of God, the Church, and all of humanity.
     "But the priest goes beyond accepting the apology.  He helps us fulfill the requirement of contrition.   Contrition exceeds and apology.  It's a desire not to repeat the offense. This may be difficult, so we always ask for God's grace to avoid sin.  But even hearts that [don't] want to sin need help knowing how to avoid it."
    When we go to the priest and say we are sorry, we are acknowledging that we must apologize to God and to all our brothers and sisters in Christ whom we have let down by our sin.  Because of his ordination, he is the person who can speak for Christ and forgive us and he is the representative of all the people of the Church and he can accept the apology.   - We get a two-fer!  It's the same idea we have in our government.  We have Representatives who made decisions for the people of the United States because we elect that person to speak for us.  The priest is the one who can speak for Christ during the Sacraments.  And, as a priest, he is the Representative of us, the people of the Church.  
     So, we say we are sorry and then the priest gives us something to think about and tells us what we should do to make things right - or to reconcile ourselves with God and the Church and humanity.  He gives us a penance.  "Penance is like medicine for the soul.   If we understand the purpose of the penance, we begin a practice that can help us avoid a particular sin.  ... the idea is that we've at least started on the right path to avoid sin, and now we may freely choose to continue on that path."  Through the priest who acts as the person of Christ for us, our sins are forgiven. In other words, "Jesus forgives our sins through the priest and doesn't hold us guilty."
     "Jesus' forgiveness allows established relationships to be restored and new relationships to begin - even though the effects of the sinful action may still exist in the real world."  
("Medicine for the Soul"  by Fr. Donald Willard, CSsR , Liguorian Magazine, April 2014   p 5.) 

What does James mean when he says "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?" - Penny

Penny:  

My response when someone asks about a specific verse always is to look at its context.  The verse you mention is James 2:14.  Its context?  James has been talking about how to persevere in faith.  Earlier he gives the receivers of his letter a rule for living life as a Christian:  He says they should be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to get angry (1:19). Then he takes what he has told further and says they must do rather than just hear the word of God (1:22).

James, in following the teaching of Jesus basically says that just formally observing the rituals of faith does not get to the essence of loving God.  

So, arriving at your verse (2:14) James then clarifies the difference in faith and works.  What he says is that when people truly have faith in God those people show their faith by the works of love they perform to their fellow-men.  He says that having faith alone - without works -is like having a body without a soul.  It's dead.  

He is NOT saying is that people can "work" their way to heaven.  

He is saying that it is impossible to show your faith if you are not performing works which demonstrate that faith. Our works demonstrate our faith to others.    ie:  He is saying: You can say you have faith, but you can't prove it to anyone unless you have works.  

Try to prove the reality of your faith without works.  Can't be done.  People who say they are Christian but don't DO anything aren't viewed as being different than people who aren't Christian.       - Actually, they give Christians who are living out their Christianity a bad name!  

When we say we are Christian, we mean that we are FOLLOWERS of Christ.  Christ performed many wonderful works.   When we say we have faith in God we are talking more than just believing in God.  We are speaking of a belief in, a devotion to, an allegiance or loyalty to God, often without 'logical' proof.  When we say we have faith, that faith is something we Christians are called to LIVE. - as in live the faith! 

James reminds us that even demons believe in God (2:19) Having faith is more than believing.  It requires a demonstration of what we mean by it.

So, what does James mean when he says, "what good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?"  
* He's saying, 'don't just talk the talk.  Walk the walk of too!' 
* He's saying, 'Put your money where your mouth is.'  
* He's saying, 'Show me by what you do that you mean what you say.'  
* He's saying what Jesus said, "... a tree is known by its fruit."  (Matt 12:33)

What kind of fruit are you producing?