Catholicism by Fr. Barron, now at LHCM

The Saints go marching in!

Familiar Spirits.

Lutero said:

Praying to the saints is the sin of praying to  "familiar spirits" is what it is, and it is strictly forbidden by God saying thus directly to Israel;

Scripture says:

Luke 16:24
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

(Lev 20:6) And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

We don't do that. We simply love the Saints which God loves and we acknowledge that they have received the promises which God made. We also acknowledge that they are alive in Christ.

Hebrews 6:12
King James Version (KJV)
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

1 Corinthians 15:22
King James Version (KJV)
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Sincerely,

De Maria

November 1, 2012

Solemnity of All Saints

This is Oct. 31.  This evening, people throughout the US will be celebrating what is commonly called "Halloween".  Halloween comes from the Old English. 

"Hallow" means holy.

"een" is the contraction for "evening".

Put them together and its Halloween.

And so, Halloween means "Holy Evening".  That's because this is the evening when Traditionally we celebrate the Saints come marching in and the demons flee in terror.  Of course, Hollywood has turned that topsy turvy.  But the Church still celebrates the coming of the Saints.

Solemnity celebrated on the first of November. It is instituted to honour all the saints, known and unknown, and, according to Urban IV, to supply any deficiencies in the faithful's celebration of saints' feasts during the year....Read more.

Lectionary: 667

A Reading from St. John's book of Revelations

Rv 7:2-4, 9-14

I, John, saw another angel come up from the East,
holding the seal of the living God.

>>>If you remember, in the book of Revelations, St. John is having a vision of heaven.  This angel holds the seal of the living God.  This is something which is mentioned in the OT book of Ezekiel:

Ezekiel 9:4
King James Version (KJV)
⁴ And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels
who were given power to damage the land and the sea,
"Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees
until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."

>>>

Ezekiel 9:5-6
King James Version (KJV)
⁵ And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:⁶ Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal,
one hundred and forty-four thousand marked
from every tribe of the children of Israel.

>>>144,000 is a mystical number.    

After this I had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.

>>>It represents an uncountable multitude, as you can see.

They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
They cried out in a loud voice:

"Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne,
and from the Lamb."

>>>Those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb include amongst them those of us who partake of the Eucharist which is the Blood of Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:16
King James Version (KJV)
¹⁶ The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

All the angels stood around the throne
and around the elders and the four living creatures.
They prostrated themselves before the throne,
worshiped God, and exclaimed:

"Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving,
honor, power, and might
be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

>>>This vision is celebrated in the Mass when we pray the "Holy, Holy, Holy".

Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me,
"Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?"

>>>Then one of the Saints asked St. John, "who are those in the great multitude which you see?"

I said to him, "My lord, you are the one who knows."
He said to me,
"These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
they have washed their robes
and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb."

>>>St. John didn't know, so the Elder explained.  They are the ones who have endured a time of great distress and washed in the Blood of the Lamb.

The time of great distress refers to the fact that we are all tested:

1 Peter 1:7
King James Version (KJV)
⁷ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

and we must all suffer with Christ if we want to be in that number:

Romans 8:17
King James Version (KJV)
¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

Response. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

>>>We who partake of the Sacraments do so because we believe God's promises and want to be united to Him, because we long to see His face.

Second Reading from the first epistle of St. John

1 Jn 3:1-3

Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.

>>>As St. Paul also says:

Romans 8:15
King James Version (KJV)
¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.

>>>As Jesus also said:

Matthew 10:23-25
King James Version (KJV)
²³ But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.²⁴ The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.²⁵ It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.

We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.

>>>Again, St. Paul said:

1 Corinthians 13:12
King James Version (KJV)
¹² For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.

>>>And again, Jesus said:

Matthew 5:48
King James Version (KJV)
⁴⁸ Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

Mt 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

>>>Jesus went up to the mountain and His students followed Him.

He began to teach them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

>>>He said to them, "Happy are they who rely upon God and not upon their own powers.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

>>>Holy are they who suffer and grieve, God will comfort them.

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.

>>>Saints are they who are patient and kind, they will receive the land as their reward.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.

>>>Blessed are they who long for the justice of God's Kingdom upon the earth, they will receive it.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

>>>Holy are they who give mercy, they will receive it.

Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.

>>>Pure and holy are they who keep themselves pure, they will see the face of God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

>>>Holy are they who keep the peace, they are God's children.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

>>>Saints are they who suffer for the justice of God, they will receive eternal life.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

>>>Happy are you who are punished and reviled because of me.

Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven."

>>>Celebrate on that day, because your reward will be great in Heaven:

Revelation 22:12-15
King James Version (KJV)
¹² And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.¹³ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.¹⁴ Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.¹⁵ For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Alex Jones: No price too high

The New Ark of the Covenant

Rev 11:19-12:1

I have, in the past, discussed this passage with several of you. And our Reformed brothers and sisters are of the opinion that this verse does not describe the Blessed Virgin Mary. So, I'd like to visit some Scriptures of which they might not be aware, to perhaps get some understanding as to why the Blessed Virgin Mary is considered the Ark of the New Covenant. Why we consider her so important to our faith. And why we believe she is our mother, given to us by God the Father.

Revelation 11:19¹⁹And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Revelation 12:1¹And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
Perhaps you will agree with me that the Jews considered the Ark, made of wood, a very important part of their faith. In that Ark of the Old Covenant, were contained the Word of God written by the finger of God on stone tablets, the Rod of Aaron, symbol of the Aaronic High Priesthood and the Manna from heaven (i.e. Bread of heaven).

Perhaps you will also agree that those three things are symbols of Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ, who was contained in the Ark which was not made by human hands, the womb of our Blessed Mother.

Hebrews 9:4
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

Luke 1:30-32

King James Version (KJV)
³⁰And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
³²He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

__________________________________________________ _______________________________
The Israelites had a great deal of reverence for this wooden box. They even bowed before it:
Joshua 7:6
And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.

And they considered it the Glory of Israel:
1 Samuel 4:22
And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

Of course, Catholics are frequently berated by Protestants for bowing before images of Our Blessed Mother:
Luke 1:48
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

__________________________________________________ ______________________________

Power flowed from this wooden box. So much so, that the Philistines, when they stole it, were forced to return it even though the Israelites did not intervene at all (see 1 Sam Chapter 5).

Reformers berate Catholics because we believe that power now flows through the Virgin Mother.
Revelation 12:17

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁷And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.


__________________________________________________ _______________________________

There are so many parallels between Mary and the Ark of the Old Covenant, that it would take a small book to list them all. For the sake of time, I'd like to simply post a small snippet from a Catholic source:
Compare David and the ark to Luke's account of the Visitation:

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord" (Luke 1:39-45).Here are the parallels:

• Mary arose and went to the hill country of Judea. Ein Kerem (where Elizabeth lived) and Abu Ghosh (where the ark resided) are only a short walk apart. Mary and the ark were both on a journey to the same hill country of Judea.
• When David saw the ark he rejoiced and said, "How can the ark of the Lord come to me?" Elizabeth uses almost the same words: "Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Luke is telling us something — drawing our minds back to the Old Testament, showing us a parallel.
• When David approached the ark he shouted out and danced and leapt in front of the ark. He was wearing an ephod, the clothing of a priest. When Mary, the Ark of the New Covenant, approached Elizabeth, John the Baptist leapt in his mother's womb — and John was from the priestly line of Aaron. Both leapt and danced in the presence of the ark. The Ark of the Old Covenant remained in the house of Obed-edom for three months, and Mary remained in the house of Elizabeth for three months. The place that housed the ark for three months was blessed, and in the short paragraph in Luke, Elizabeth uses the word blessed three times. Her home was certainly blessed by the presence of the ark and the Lord within.....

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=6811&CFID=93351931&CFTOKEN=18933048

I'd like to ask this. Is Scripture telling us that St. Mary's role in salvation history is much more important than Protestant theology teaches? And also, for those who do not believe that she is the ark of the New Covenant, are all these verses merely coincidence?

Sincerely,

De Maria

YOUCAT, the Catechism for young folk, now available at LHCM

October 31, 2012

USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings

« October 30  |  November 1 »

Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 481

Reading 1 Eph 6:1-9

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Honor your father and mother.This is the first commandment with a promise,
that it may go well with youand that you may have a long life on earth.

Children obey your parents in obedience to the Commandment of God.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.

Parents, don't frustrate your children or cause them to do wrong but bring them up in the Word of the Lord.

Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling,
in sincerity of heart, as to Christ,

Servants, obey your human masters as you would Christ.

not only when being watched, as currying favor,
but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
willingly serving the Lord and not men,
knowing that each will be requited from the Lord

for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

And don't just do it when you are being watched but always work as unto God knowing that God will repay all your good deeds.

Masters, act in the same way towards them, and stop bullying,
knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven
and that with him there is no partiality.

Masters, be good and fair to your servants.  Don't push them around because in heaven you have a Master and there is no partiality with Him.  Both you and your servant are the same in His eyes.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14 

R. (13c) The Lord is faithful in all his words. 

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words. 

Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words. 

The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.

God is always faithful and keeps all His promises.  It is we who are fallen and have trouble doing that which we know we are supposed to do.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

 Lk 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.

Jesus taught in many towns on His way to Jerusalem.

Someone asked him,
"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"

Someone asked, "Master, will only a few gain eternal life?"

He answered them,"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,for many, I tell you, will attempt to enterbut will not be strong enough.

And He said in reply, "Do your best to come in through the tight doorway.  Because many will attempt to do so, but will not be able."

After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
'Lord, open the door for us.'
He will say to you in reply,
'I do not know where you are from.'
And you will say,
'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'
Then he will say to you,
'I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!'

After the Son of man closes the door, some will knock and ask to be admitted, but He will say, "I don't know you."  They will reply, "but we had a personal relationship with you."  And He will say, "Depart from me evildoers."

And there will be wailing and grinding of teethwhen you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacoband all the prophets in the Kingdom of Godand you yourselves cast out.

And you will be astonished and upset when you see all those who kept the Commandments in the Kingdom of God and you cast out.

And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last."

And many will come from all over the world, Gentiles and Pagans will enter the Kingdom before many of you.  For the first will be last and the last will be first.

This is a reference to the unbelieving Jews, who did not believe in Christ.  They were the ones who were originally first, but in the end will be last:

Acts 13:45-47
King James Version (KJV)
45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Honour Mary and the Saints

Lutero:

I second that. Yes we have to honour Mary, the Saints all who glorify and submit to the will of God.

When and how do you ever honor Mary and the Saints? The Catholic Church does so in prayers and feasts. When and how do you ever honor God’s elect?

But cannot elevate them to God status, because in the Body of Christ, God is not a “respecter” of persons Acts 10:34.

That is true. God is not a respecter of persons. But how do you and the Protestants get that phrase so confounded? It doesn’t mean that God does not reward the faithful (Heb 11:6; 1 Cor 3:10-15). It doesn’t mean that God doesn’t listen to Righteous People (James 5:15-20). It doesn’t mean that God does not distinguish between the Righteous and the Sinners (Matt 25:31-45).

Note how God listened to Job, but not to Job’s friends (Job 42:8).
Note how God explicitly told Aaron and Miriam that He loved Moses more than they (Numbers 12:1-9).

So what does it mean, God is no respecter of persons? It means that God does not look at appearances. God does not save a Jew because he is circumcised nor a rich man because he is rich. God saves only those who obey Him and keep His Commandments (Romans 2:1-13).

And Jesus, God, loves Mary with a love which can not be measured or understood by any man or any woman. He is her Son, conceived in Her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit. No man can honestly expect God to love him more than God loves the Mother of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

Sincerely,

De Maria

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October 30, 2012

Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 480

Reading 1 from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians
Eph 5:21-33

Brothers and sisters:
Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Brethren, obey each other out of your love for Christ.

Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.

Wives should obey their husbands as they would Christ.

For the husband is head of his wife
just as Christ is head of the Church,
he himself the savior of the Body.

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is head of the Church and saviour of the Body.

As the Church is subordinate to Christ,
so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.

The Church obeys Christ.  So should wives obey their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the Church

Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church

and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,

and gave Himself as a sacrifice for her, that she might be made holy.

cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,

Washing her sins away in Baptism.

that he might present to himself the Church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.

In order to that she might be united to Himself in perfection, without any sin.

So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the Church,
because we are members of his Body.

Therefore a man should love his wife.  For she is his body and no one should despise his own body.  But instead, he should care for it and love it as Christ does the Church because we are all members of His Body.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.

For Scripture says that a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.  And the two shall be one flesh.

This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.
In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself,
and the wife should respect her husband.

And this is a mystery, because it is speaks of Christ and the Church.  Christ left His earthly mother and heavenly Father in order that He could give His Flesh to the Church for the salvation of all.

But husbands should love their wives.

The alternative reading is a portion of the main one, so I'll just copy it below:

Or Eph 5:2a, 25-32

Brothers and sisters:
Live in love, as Christ loved us.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the church
and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the church,
because we are members of his body.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. (1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:

Psalm 111:10
King James Version (KJV)
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Sin has punishment built into it.  The mildest form of this punishment is the stress one feels who is trying to hide his evil doing from the law.  Therefore, those who live in righteousness need not worry and can live happier lives.


Gospel Lk 13:18-21

Jesus said, "What is the Kingdom of God like?
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches."

Jesus said, what is the Church like.  It is like a little seed that when it is planted grows to be a large bush and the birds came and make their nests in it.

Again he said, "To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch of dough was leavened."

Or, it is like the yeast that a woman takes and mixes with flour to make a large batch of dough.

Sincerely,

De Maria

The Communion of Saints is taught in Scripture

Someone said:

You say that praying to the Saints is supported in Scripture.  Please produce all the Scriptures from Christ and the Apostles that support this assertion.

Will some do?

Let's start with this one:

Luke 16:24
King James Version (KJV)²⁴ And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Granted, it is the prayer of a dead person to another. But it illustrates several truths which are the basis of Apostolic teaching of prayer to the Saints:

1st. Those who have died physically remain alive spiritually.

2nd. They are aware of themselves and of the things occurring on earth. In their exchange, Father Abraham and Dives (i.e. the Rich Man) show that they are cognizant of things that are happening on earth.

3rd. The authority of the Saints is recognized.
a. Dives calls Abraham “father”. And assumes that Abraham has the authority to send Lazarus here and there.
b. Abraham, on his part, does not say, “wait, let me consult with God.” He makes decisions readily. And behaves with authority.

4th. Abraham and Lazarus are pictured together. They have a personal relationship because Lazarus is resting on Abraham’s bosom.

5th. Here is the difficult part. Dives, who is not a Saint, but a resident of a place which is not remotely associated with heaven, is INTERCEDING for his brothers. ???!!! If, a person in the after life, who is not a Saint, is interceding for his brothers in this life, WHY CAN’T THE SAINTS WHO HAVE DIED IN CHRIST?

Then there's:

Matthew 10:40-42King James Version (KJV)40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.  41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.  42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

In the name of a prophet, a righteous man, or a disciple? What? Aren’t we only supposed to pray in the name of Christ? Not according to Jesus. Anyone whom He sent in His name is acceptable to Him.


And, 

Hebrews 12:22-24King James Version (KJV)22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

If we are in the Church, we are already walking with the Saints in heaven. Why can’t we turn to them, then and ask for their intercession?

There are many others, but it takes spiritual discernment to understand them.

We don't need the Saints.  

That is besides the point.  Whether we need them or not, God knows.  But we have them and they are our brethren and God commands us all, including them, intercede for each other.  And God says that the prayer of a just man is more efficacious.  Therefore, who is more just than those whose spirits have been made perfect?

 In Jesus is the fulfilment.

That is true. Did you ever know that we are the Body of Christ?

Romans 12:5
King James Version (KJV)⁵ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

The apostles were specially gifted by God to understand and reveal God's plan to include the Gentiles in His salvation. That plan has been recorded in the Scriptures.

That is true.  That's why you need the Church to explain it to you. Because the Apostles, the Foundation of the Church, wrote the New Testament.  

The Roman Church was not so gifted by God.

The Catholic Church is the Church of Scripture.  Can you find a Church today, which fits the description of the Church in Scripture better than the Catholic Church? 

I can't. Or I would be in that Church. Here's what I see in Scripture: 

First, Jesus Christ is God and He said that the Church He built would never fall (Matt 16:18). Therefore, I conclude His Church is still here today. 

Matthew 16:18
King James Version (KJV)
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Second, He appointed a Pastor as head of the entire Church: 

John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 

I see only a few Churches with such a Pastor. Further, Jesus Christ said that the Pastor over His Church would be infallible: 

Matthew 16:17-19 (King James Version) 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 

The list of Churches accept this teaching gets smaller. Certainly, all Protestant denominations can now be eliminated. 

Jesus Christ not only said that the Pastor was infallible but Scripture describes the Church as infallible: 

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 

The list remains the same, but now I can certainly eliminate all Protestant denominations.  Back to Matt 16:18, Scripture says that Jesus Christ established one Church. History shows that all the Churches sprang from the Church which is frequently described as the Mother Church. The Catholic Church. By simple logic of elimination, that leaves only the Catholic Church. Further, the Catholic Church can produce records tracing back to Apostolic times. Therefore, I conclude that it is the Catholic Church which is described in Scripture. 

Scripture says that the Church teaches the Wisdom of God: 

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 

Is God's Wisdom infallible? I say yes. 

Is there really any need to say more? I don't think so. But there is more. 

Scripture says that the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth: 

1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

God is here saying that the Church always upholds the truth. I believe God. 

Scripture says: 

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Here the Church is depicted as keeping hell in a state of seige. And further it is said that hell will never prevail against the Church. If the Church committed errors in the mission given her by God, then the gates of hell would have prevailed. 

God says that won't happen. I believe God. 

Therefore, I conclude that the Church is infallible. 

Stephen died early in the history of the church. The FIRST martyr.

Correct.

But not one apostle, not one epistle, not one Gospel, not one verse in Acts, nothing in Revelation shows anyone at anytime praying to Stephen, honoring Stephen, venerating Stephen, kissing Stephen-statue toes, making a feast day for him, attributing supernatural powers to him, or in any way attempting to communicate with him,

I wish everyone would pause right here and pay attention to this.

That is the type of church which you attend and I would love for everyone to compare the love and charity of the Catholic Church towards the Saints of God to the coldness and disdain which you show for the same:

Psalm 116:15
King James Version (KJV)¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Go on and forget about St. Stephen. We will honor him as our Father in the Faith:

Hebrews 6:12
King James Version (KJV)¹² That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

"BEGINS WITH THE IDEA" - vain imaginations, the philosophies of men, and mythologies - and the Roman Church has a long history of inserting their human prattling and fervid imaginations and making them equivalent to Scripture.

Its the other way around. God's will is our command. We do that which God wants to be done.

It's not something of which they should be proud.

We are very happy to be at the service of God.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Saved by faith and works, in a manner of speaking

Catholic doctrine says: ...we are therefore said to be justified gratuitously, because none of those things that precede justification, whether faith or works, merit the grace of justification. (Trent VI, Chapter VIII) Therefore, it is true, that we are saved by faith and works, but only in a manner of speaking. Our faith does not save, we don't save ourselves. Our works do not save, we don't save ourselves. God saves those who demonstrate their faith in works of love. God grants eternal life to those who keep His Commandments. Romans 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. What say you? Sincerely, De Maria

The Year of Faith

Grace Before Meals: Special Edition - Fr Leo in Italy: Ristorante Carlo

October 29, 2012

USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings

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Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 479

Reading 1 from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians

Eph 4:32-5:8

Brothers and sisters:
Be kind to one another, compassionate,
forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

Brethren, be merciful and loving to each other.  Forgive each other as God has forgiven you in Christ.

Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love,
as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us
as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

Be imitators of the Father as children imitate their parents and love one another as Christ loved us and gave Himself as a sacrifice to the Father in our behalf.

Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you,
as is fitting among holy ones,
no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place,
but instead, thanksgiving.

Do not sin, but live holy lives.

Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person,
that is, an idolater,
has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

Be certain of this, no impentitent sinner will enter the Kingdom of God.

Let no one deceive you with empty arguments,
for because of these things
the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient.

Do not be deceived with hollow words, all sins are against the Ten Commandments and will be punished.

So do not be associated with them.
For you were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light.

So stay away from sinners and remain in the light of our Lord Jesus Christ as obedient children of the Father.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R. (see Eph. 5:1) Behave like God as his very dear children.Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Behave like God as his very dear children.

Birds of a feather flock together.  Be imitators of God, that you may be perfect as He is perfect:

Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 

He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Behave like God as his very dear children.

A man who is righteous is trustworthy in all his works:

Luke 19:17
King James Version (KJV)
17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 

Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Behave like God as his very dear children.

The wicked will be punished in eternal punishment:

Matthew 25:46
King James Version (KJV)
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. 

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Lk 13:10-17

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath.
And a woman was there who for eighteen years
had been crippled by a spirit;
she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.

Jesus was teaching in a Jewish temple and there was a woman there who for 18 years had been afflicted by an evil spirit.  She could no longer stand up and walked always bent over.

When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said,
"Woman, you are set free of your infirmity."

Jesus called to her and said, "Woman, you are free of your affliction."

He laid his hands on her,
and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.

He touched her and immediately, she was cured.  And immediately, she glorified God.

But the leader of the synagogue,
indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath,
said to the crowd in reply,"There are six days
when work should be done. Come on those days
to be cured, not on the sabbath day."

But the leader of the temple became upset that Jesus had cured on the sabbath and said to the people, "There are six days when work should be done.  Come on those days to be cured.  Not on the sabbath."

The Lord said to him in reply, "Hypocrites!
Does not each one of you on the sabbath
untie his ox or his ass from the manger
and lead it out for watering?

And Jesus reprimanded them all, "Hypocrites!"  Which one of you would not take care of your animals on the sabbath?

This daughter of Abraham,
whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now,
ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day
from this bondage?"

And this daughter of Abraham is worth more to God than any of your animals and you would not help her on the sabbath or any other day.

When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated;
and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.

And all his opponents were humiliated by what He said.  And the crowds rejoiced at all the wonderful works He did.

Sincerely,

De Maria