Apr 2012
The Cross and Time
04/20/2012 05:53 Filed in: General
The Enemy?
More than 2000 years ago, Jesus died on the Cross. On that first Good Friday, The Son of God was put to death in his fleshly existence. His Death is victory for you and me. The victory is made clear in the Resurrection, which is a pledge of eternal life for those who believe, those who live faithfully to the end.
The victory of the Cross has always been proclaimed as the victory over Death. But the victory should also be understood as a victory over time itself. The one thing every human being that comes into existence must grapple with is time. While no one knows how much of it he or she will get, the fact is that he or she will have it for one purpose only -- as the gift of God's patience.
During Easter, we look to the Resurrection, not as a historical event but as an event that transcends time. During the Easter season our attention turns to the End -- to the resurrection of the dead. Throughout the centuries, philosophers and theologians offered reflections on time and how to understand it. However, modern science has given the impression that time can be defeated by helping people to prolong this life. The result is that time is seen as an enemy rather than a gift.
As the Church continues to celebrate Easter, every believer should take some time to reflect on time itself. Despite the improved longevity we now enjoy, our time is a precious gift in which we are asked to embrace the Cross. In the time we are given, if it is used well -- for the greater glory of God -- then through the resurrection time becomes eternal.
More than 2000 years ago, Jesus died on the Cross. On that first Good Friday, The Son of God was put to death in his fleshly existence. His Death is victory for you and me. The victory is made clear in the Resurrection, which is a pledge of eternal life for those who believe, those who live faithfully to the end.
The victory of the Cross has always been proclaimed as the victory over Death. But the victory should also be understood as a victory over time itself. The one thing every human being that comes into existence must grapple with is time. While no one knows how much of it he or she will get, the fact is that he or she will have it for one purpose only -- as the gift of God's patience.
During Easter, we look to the Resurrection, not as a historical event but as an event that transcends time. During the Easter season our attention turns to the End -- to the resurrection of the dead. Throughout the centuries, philosophers and theologians offered reflections on time and how to understand it. However, modern science has given the impression that time can be defeated by helping people to prolong this life. The result is that time is seen as an enemy rather than a gift.
As the Church continues to celebrate Easter, every believer should take some time to reflect on time itself. Despite the improved longevity we now enjoy, our time is a precious gift in which we are asked to embrace the Cross. In the time we are given, if it is used well -- for the greater glory of God -- then through the resurrection time becomes eternal.
Christ Risen!
The Truth Be Told!
Throughout Easter Week, the most solemn liturgical week of the year, the Church keeps proclaiming the Joy Christians have in the Resurrection of Christ. Each day of the week following Easter is a Solemnity in the liturgical calendar. Ironically, particularly after seeing increases in Mass attendance during Lent, the Octave of Easter tends to be a week for people to slow down and many do not come to daily Mass.
It is good to remind ourselves that this week is a week to celebrate Christ Risen! There is no better way to celebrate than through the Eucharistic Banquet. After spending the weeks of Lent, at least symbolically, in sackcloth and ashes, we are encouraged to celebrate the Joy our penance brings about. May the Octave of Easter instill the hope in Resurrection for each one of us so that our Joy may be full.
Throughout Easter Week, the most solemn liturgical week of the year, the Church keeps proclaiming the Joy Christians have in the Resurrection of Christ. Each day of the week following Easter is a Solemnity in the liturgical calendar. Ironically, particularly after seeing increases in Mass attendance during Lent, the Octave of Easter tends to be a week for people to slow down and many do not come to daily Mass.
It is good to remind ourselves that this week is a week to celebrate Christ Risen! There is no better way to celebrate than through the Eucharistic Banquet. After spending the weeks of Lent, at least symbolically, in sackcloth and ashes, we are encouraged to celebrate the Joy our penance brings about. May the Octave of Easter instill the hope in Resurrection for each one of us so that our Joy may be full.
Just Keep on Slipping
04/11/2012 15:25 Filed in: Public Moral Issue
Without Direction, Sin Worsens
I saw a news report flash across the bottom of a screen about a man who works in a fertility clinic and used his own semen in many procedures. The report stated that he has fathered over 600 children, a feat that would make even King David blush. The secular response will be an increase in regulations to prevent this practice from happening again. Yet it is apparent that more civil laws are not the solution.
If one really examine what happens at most fertility clinics he or she will find that it is a place in which sinful methods are multiplied in order to assist couples with infertility issues. As we already know, "sin creates proclivity to sin." Once on the slippery slope, it is inevitable that one would conclude that it is OK to take the sin one step further. A situation like this should not result in more civil regulations but should make modern Man question the road He is on. A return to moral living is demanded but that return will not happen through a multiplication of laws and regulations. It will require a conversion of heart! May the Church continue to call all souls to that conversion…
I saw a news report flash across the bottom of a screen about a man who works in a fertility clinic and used his own semen in many procedures. The report stated that he has fathered over 600 children, a feat that would make even King David blush. The secular response will be an increase in regulations to prevent this practice from happening again. Yet it is apparent that more civil laws are not the solution.
If one really examine what happens at most fertility clinics he or she will find that it is a place in which sinful methods are multiplied in order to assist couples with infertility issues. As we already know, "sin creates proclivity to sin." Once on the slippery slope, it is inevitable that one would conclude that it is OK to take the sin one step further. A situation like this should not result in more civil regulations but should make modern Man question the road He is on. A return to moral living is demanded but that return will not happen through a multiplication of laws and regulations. It will require a conversion of heart! May the Church continue to call all souls to that conversion…
Paying Attention
04/10/2012 11:12 Filed in: Secularism
What Surrounds Us
People today live their life in the simplest manner and tend to choose the path of least resistance. Generally speaking, most modern people do not stop and ponder the meaning of things or even attempt to understand things beyond themselves. In ages past, culture had depth and relevance in a person's life. The culture usually challenged an individual to a higher excellence through a deep introspection of the self. Yet today when we have more at our finger tips than ever before, most people do not take the time to understand what has just happened to them.
As Matthew Kelly summed up well, "Today, there is little philosophical rigor in our culture. The way we consume information leads us to think less and less about more and more. We spend much of our time fixated on secondary questions (usually related to controversial and sensational issues) and very little time exploring the primary questions about our brief stay on earth."
The secularist does not want anyone to spend time in real thought or even be able to focus on what happens in the world at any given time. The secularist only wants the facts. And after the facts, some may draw a variety of conclusions but will go no further in attempting relate the findings to the Truth.
Thus, if the Resurrection of Jesus happened today, it most likely would be a passing curiosity that would be covered with skepticism. Scientists would come and do an examination and determine that no determination can be made based on their findings. Reports would be filed by the various media with each putting its own "spin" on it. So called experts would debate the possibility of Resurrection and talk shows would survey opinions on its possibility. Comedians would make jokes about those making such claims. The information overload would leave many confused and prone to just simply ignoring it.The great moment of Salvation would get lost in the world around us because nobody really pays attention any more. Most just end up lost in their own thoughts after the information barrage… And in the end they convince everyone that they are immune to such overload and burn out.
People today live their life in the simplest manner and tend to choose the path of least resistance. Generally speaking, most modern people do not stop and ponder the meaning of things or even attempt to understand things beyond themselves. In ages past, culture had depth and relevance in a person's life. The culture usually challenged an individual to a higher excellence through a deep introspection of the self. Yet today when we have more at our finger tips than ever before, most people do not take the time to understand what has just happened to them.
As Matthew Kelly summed up well, "Today, there is little philosophical rigor in our culture. The way we consume information leads us to think less and less about more and more. We spend much of our time fixated on secondary questions (usually related to controversial and sensational issues) and very little time exploring the primary questions about our brief stay on earth."
The secularist does not want anyone to spend time in real thought or even be able to focus on what happens in the world at any given time. The secularist only wants the facts. And after the facts, some may draw a variety of conclusions but will go no further in attempting relate the findings to the Truth.
Thus, if the Resurrection of Jesus happened today, it most likely would be a passing curiosity that would be covered with skepticism. Scientists would come and do an examination and determine that no determination can be made based on their findings. Reports would be filed by the various media with each putting its own "spin" on it. So called experts would debate the possibility of Resurrection and talk shows would survey opinions on its possibility. Comedians would make jokes about those making such claims. The information overload would leave many confused and prone to just simply ignoring it.The great moment of Salvation would get lost in the world around us because nobody really pays attention any more. Most just end up lost in their own thoughts after the information barrage… And in the end they convince everyone that they are immune to such overload and burn out.
Easter Homily
04/10/2012 03:21 Filed in: General
Jesus Christ is Risen
For those interested, here is a copy of the homily I gave Easter Sunday, 2012. Easter is truly a Joyous Season and it asks us all to profess our faith with a renewed and deeper conviction. Today, more than ever, Catholics need to recover the sense of Easter Faith and recall that true Joy is rooted in the hope of Salvation and the Resurrection of the Body. Today more than ever we need the Church to proclaim the Good News: Christ is Risen!
God Bless and Happy Easter!
For those interested, here is a copy of the homily I gave Easter Sunday, 2012. Easter is truly a Joyous Season and it asks us all to profess our faith with a renewed and deeper conviction. Today, more than ever, Catholics need to recover the sense of Easter Faith and recall that true Joy is rooted in the hope of Salvation and the Resurrection of the Body. Today more than ever we need the Church to proclaim the Good News: Christ is Risen!
God Bless and Happy Easter!
Christ is Risen!
04/08/2012 16:44 Filed in: General
He is Truly Risen!
The Church proclaims with great Joy that Jesus Christ is Risen from the Dead! Happy Easter and may God fill you with Hope on this Feast of Eternal Life! As would be expected, Pope Benedict offered a very insightful homily at the Easter Vigil.
The Church proclaims with great Joy that Jesus Christ is Risen from the Dead! Happy Easter and may God fill you with Hope on this Feast of Eternal Life! As would be expected, Pope Benedict offered a very insightful homily at the Easter Vigil.