Are you afraid of hoping in God?

1. JJS, why the scare quotes?

   Are you afraid of hoping in God?

   Is there no accounting for spiritual intuition?

   That depends upon what you mean by spiritual intuition. If you mean that you claim some sort of spiritual intuition which can’t be confirmed, then, no, there is no accounting for it.

   But if you mean that you have submitted your intuition to the judgment of the Church, then you can see spiritual intuition recorded throughout the centuries in the writings of the Saints and the witness of the Mystics.

   I thought it was the Catholics who had that over the sterile Prots.

   The Catholic Church has everything over the Protestants. Protestants do not understand either the Scriptures nor the Tradition of Jesus Christ.

   Still, if Paul teaches eternal non-assurance then I will hang up my Christianity

   That is a straw man. The Catholic Church teaches that St. Paul teaches the assurance of hope in God.

   and go back to my secular upbringing. You know, like when he says that if there is no resurrection we are of all men most pitiable. If I cannot be assured of my final salvation then Christianity, Catholic or Protestant, is a complete and utter waste of time.

   Let me quote St. Paul:
   Hebrews 7:19
   For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

   And he also said:
   1 Corinthians 4:2-4
   King James Version (KJV)
   2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

   Wanna hear the most annoying sound in the world: the atheists have a point.

   You can follow the atheists if you want. I follow Jesus Christ by the witness of the Catholic Church.

   Finally, the Catholic Church also teaches:
   TRENT VI
   CHAPTER XII
   RASH PRESUMPTION OF PREDESTINATION IS TO BE AVOIDED

   No one, moreover, so long as he lives this mortal life, ought in regard to the sacred mystery of divine predestination, so far presume as to state with absolute certainty that he is among the number of the predestined,[74] as if it were true that the one justified either cannot sin any more, or, if he does sin, that he ought to promise himself an assured repentance.

   For except by special revelation, it cannot be known whom God has chosen to Himself.
2. 
   

   What is your “principled reason” for believing that Roman Catholicism is the infallible church?

   Scripture says:
   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.

   There’s only one Church which claims and can support that charism. The Catholic Church.

   Sincerely,

   De Maria

November 21, 2013

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
Lectionary: 500
Reading 1 1 MC 2:15-29

The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy
came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices.

 The king's officers whose responsibility it was to force the Jews they change religion came to the city of Modein.

Many of Israel joined them,
but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart.

 Many of the Jews joined them but the Maccabean family stood apart.

Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias:
“You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city,
supported by sons and kin.
Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command,
as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah
and those who are left in Jerusalem have done.

 The king's officers requested that they, a leading family in Jewish society, should be the first to obey the King.

Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends,
and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.”
But Mattathias answered in a loud voice:
“Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him,
so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers
and consents to the king’s orders,
yet I and my sons and my kin
will keep to the covenant of our fathers.
God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments.
We will not obey the words of the king
nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.”

 Yet Mattathias replied,  "although all the people of the world should obey the King the Maccabees family will obey God."

As he finished saying these words,
a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all
to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein
according to the king’s order.
When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal;
his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused;
he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.

As he was saying these things, a certain Jew came forward to sacrifice to the false idol. And Mattathias, filled with zeal for the Lord, killed him where he stood.

At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king
who was forcing them to sacrifice,
and he tore down the altar.
Thus he showed his zeal for the law,
just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.

 And then he killed the king's messenger and tore down the altar to the idol.

Then Mattathias went through the city shouting,
“Let everyone who is zealous for the law
and who stands by the covenant follow after me!”
Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons,
leaving behind in the city all their possessions.
Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom
went out into the desert to settle there.

 Then he ran through the city calling for everyone who was faithful to God to follow him. And he abandon all his possessions and ran to the desert. All were faithful to God followed him.

Responsorial Psalm PS 50:1B-2, 5-6, 14-15

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High;
Then call upon me in time of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

 Offer to God a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Then call upon his name when you need him and he will glorify you.

 Gospel LK 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

 Jesus prophesies about time when the Jews would be punished for rejecting him. 

Explain where Jesus says it is wrong to give of your material wealth for the good of the poor

Calvin:

You have just proved that the unsaved can not rightly divide scripture..

Jhn 8:43
Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word.

1Cr 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

That sword cuts both ways. But I can prove that I understand Scripture and that you don't. Now, here is what Scripture says about giving alms:

Luke 11:41

King James Version (KJV)
⁴¹ But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

Now, when we give money or some material gift to another in the name of God, the Word of God says that all is made clean for us. In other words, that we are forgiven of our sins. Our souls are cleansed.

We can see that this teaching is repeated several times:

Matthew 19:21

King James Version (KJV)
²¹ Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

IF THOU WILT BE PERFECT. In other words, if you want to be righteous in the eyes of God. Forgiven for all your sins. Give of your material treasure to the poor.

James 1:27

King James Version (KJV)
²⁷ Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

There it is again. Storing treasure in heaven is precisely the definition of indulgences.

Now, its your turn. Explain where Jesus says it is wrong to give of your material wealth for the good of the poor or afflicted. Show me from Scripture.

Sincerely,

De Maria

November 20, 2013

Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time 
Lectionary: 499
Reading 1 2 MC 7:1, 20-31

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law.

Continuing with the story of the Maccabean era,  where told about the mother with seven sons who were tortured by the Greek King to force them to disobey God.

Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,
who saw her seven sons perish in a single day,
yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.

 The mother is to be admired most of all for she courageously saw her seven sons killed in one day and yet remained faithful to God.

Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,
she exhorted each of them
in the language of their ancestors with these words:
“I do not know how you came into existence in my womb;
it was not I who gave you the breath of life,
nor was it I who set in order
the elements of which each of you is composed.

 She advised them courageously saying,  "I don't know how you came to be, how you were created in my womb, nor did I give you life, nor create material of which you are made."

Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe
who shapes each man’s beginning,
as he brings about the origin of everything,
he, in his mercy,
will give you back both breath and life,
because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.”

 But hold fast to your hope in the God who created all things. As he gave you life in my womb he can give you life eternal.

Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words,
thought he was being ridiculed.
As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him,
not with mere words, but with promises on oath,
to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs:
he would make him his Friend
and entrust him with high office.

 The king tried to tempt the youngest of her children with riches and high office.

When the youth paid no attention to him at all,
the king appealed to the mother,
urging her to advise her boy to save his life.

 But the boy would not listen to him. So the King turned and appealed to the boy's mother.

After he had urged her for a long time,
she went through the motions of persuading her son.
In derision of the cruel tyrant,
she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language:
“Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months,
nursed you for three years, brought you up,
educated and supported you to your present age.
I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth
and see all that is in them;
then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things;
and in the same way the human race came into existence.
Do not be afraid of this executioner,
but be worthy of your brothers and accept death,
so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.”

 But she only pretended  to do what King asked. And instead she continued to urge her son to be faithful to God.

She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said:
“What are you waiting for?
I will not obey the king’s command.
I obey the command of the law given to our fathers through Moses.
But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews,
will not escape the hands of God.”

 And the young man challenged the King. "What are you waiting for? I obey God through his prophets. But you would who have made the Hebrews to suffer at your hands will not escape the hands of God."

Responsorial Psalm PS 17:1BCD, 5-6, 8B AND 15

R. (15b) Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.

R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
My steps have been steadfast in your paths,
my feet have not faltered.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.

R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

 The Psalm sings in the hope of the appearance of the glory of God. And the glory of God has appeared. It is Jesus our Lord. And we, who are baptized, are blessed to be members of his body.

Gospel LK 19:11-28

While people were listening to Jesus speak,
he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem
and they thought that the Kingdom of God
would appear there immediately.

 Jesus told his followers a parable about the coming of the kingdom because his followers thought that the kingdom of God would appear very soon.

So he said,
“A nobleman went off to a distant country
to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.
He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins
and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’

 A very wealthy man was leaving for a distant country where he would be crowned King. Therefore he appointed 10 servants and gave them 10 points each with the command to multiply their returns.

His fellow citizens, however, despised him
and sent a delegation after him to announce,
‘We do not want this man to be our king.’

 The citizens of that country hated him and sent a group to proclaim their defiance.

But when he returned after obtaining the kingship,
he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money,
to learn what they had gained by trading.

 When he came back he called on the 10 servants to see what they had done with the money.

The first came forward and said,
‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’

 The first said, "see I have made 10 additional coins."

He replied, ‘Well done, good servant!
You have been faithful in this very small matter;
take charge of ten cities.’

 "Well done!" said the Master, " you have been faithful in small matters therefore I will put you in charge of 10 cities."

Then the second came and reported,
‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’
And to this servant too he said,
‘You, take charge of five cities.’

 The second  earned five points and was appointed over five cities.

Then the other servant came and said,
‘Sir, here is your gold coin;
I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,
for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;
you take up what you did not lay down
and you harvest what you did not plant.’

 The third said, "I hid your gold coin and did nothing with it. Because I know that you're a thief and a bully and take what you want when you want."

He said to him,
‘With your own words I shall condemn you,
you wicked servant.

 And the master said, "you have condemned yourself with what you said.

You knew I was a demanding man,
taking up what I did not lay down
and harvesting what I did not plant;
why did you not put my money in a bank?

 If you knew that I was so harsh more is the reason for you to put the money to work.

Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’

 Then when I returned my money would've  earned some interest.

And to those standing by he said,
‘Take the gold coin from him
and give it to the servant who has ten.’

 Then to the other servants he said, " take the gold coin from him and give it to the one who has 10."

But they said to him,
‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’
He replied, ‘I tell you,
to everyone who has, more will be given,
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.

 but they said, "Lord he already has 10." And he replied, "to the one who has much, more will be given.  And to the one who does not have even what he has will be taken away."

This is a reference to "faith".  Those who have faith and put it to work, will receive more.  Those who have little faith and do not put it to work, will lose the little faith they had.

Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,
bring them here and slay them before me.’”

 And to those who hate me and did not want me to be king bring them here and have them slain before me.

After he had said this,
he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

 And then Jesus continued to Jerusalem.

November 19, 2013

Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time 
Lectionary: 498
Reading 1 2 MC 6:18-31

 This reading continues from yesterday when the Jews of Jerusalem were being forced to disobey the laws of God.

Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes,
a man of advanced age and noble appearance,
was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork.

Eleazar,   a very influential man in Jerusalem and noble, was being forced to eat pork.

But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement,
he spat out the meat,
and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture,
as people ought to do who have the courage to reject the food
which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life.

 But he preferred to die than to disobey God.

Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately,
because of their long acquaintance with him,
and urged him to bring meat of his own providing,
such as he could legitimately eat,
and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice
prescribed by the king;

 Some of his friends suggested that he pretend to eat the pork but eat his own meat  instead.

in this way he would escape the death penalty,
and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him.

 And that way he would escape death.

But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner,
worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age,
the merited distinction of his gray hair,
and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood;
and so he declared that above all
he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God.

But Eleazar  preferred to obey God than man.

He told them to send him at once
to the abode of the dead, explaining:
“At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense;
many young people would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar
had gone over to an alien religion.

 He said, "at our age we would make a bad example for the young people who would think that we had gone over  to an alien  religion."

Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life,
they would be led astray by me,
while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age.

 Why should I dishonor my old age and lead the youth astray by my example.

Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men,
I shall never, whether alive or dead,
escape the hands of the Almighty.

 And even if I should escape man's punishment, I will never escape God's Judgment.

Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now,
I will prove myself worthy of my old age,
and I will leave to the young a noble example
of how to die willingly and generously
for the revered and holy laws.”

 Therefore I would rather die and leave an example of obedience to the laws of God.

Eleazar spoke thus,
and went immediately to the instrument of torture.
Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed,
now became hostile toward him because what he had said
seemed to them utter madness.

 And when he said this those were once his friends turned against him because it seemed to them that he spoke madness.

When he was about to die under the blows,
he groaned and said:
“The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that,
although I could have escaped death,
I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging,
but also suffering it with joy in my soul
because of my devotion to him.”
This is how he died,
leaving in his death a model of courage
and an unforgettable example of virtue
not only for the young but for the whole nation.

 And he died leaving a glorious example for the nation of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm PS 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (6b) The Lord upholds me.
O LORD, how many are my adversaries!
Many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
“There is no salvation for him in God.”

R. The Lord upholds me.
But you, O LORD, are my shield;
my glory, you lift up my head!
When I call out to the LORD,
he answers me from his holy mountain.

R. The Lord upholds me.
When I lie down in sleep,
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
I fear not the myriads of people
arrayed against me on every side.
R. The Lord upholds me.

 Although we have many troubles in this life, the Lord will hold us up.

Gospel LK 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.

 When Jesus was passing through Jericho, Zacchaeus,  the tax collector heard of him. But he could not see him over the crowd because he was short.

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.

 So he ran ahead and climbed a tree in order to see Jesus.

When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house.”

 When Jesus came to the tree he looked up at Zacchaeus and said, " come down quickly because today I stay at your house."

And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
“He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.”

 When the people heard this they were surprised and angered saying, "he's going to stay with a sinner?!"

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over.”

But Zacchaeus  said to Jesus, "I will give half of my money to the poor and if I have taken any money from anyone illegally I will repay it four times over."

And Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost.”

 And Jesus said, "today salvation has come to this house because this man also is a son of Abraham."

Why are Protestants so interested in judging others?

Lutero:

demaria,

That is what Jesus said. Have you done enough for the poor?

Why are Protestants so interested in judging others? What concern is it of yours whether I have done so? Jesus said it, your concern should be whether you have done so? 

Whether I have done enough for the poor or not is between God and I:
Romans 14:4

King James Version (KJV)
⁴ Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

I don't even judge myself, God is my judge:
1 Corinthians 4:2-4

King James Version (KJV)
² Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
⁴ For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Restitution for sins

Lutero:
None of the gospel deals with making restitution for sins.

That is precisely what it deals with. There is a biblical principle which you reject, we must expiate our sins. Whether in this life, or the next:

1 Peter 3:17-19

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁷ For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
¹⁸ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
¹⁹ By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

First he says, "you must suffer". Then he says "because Christ also suffered for sins". We suffer for our sins because Christ suffered for our sins. In another place, St. Peter says it again:

1 Peter 4:1

King James Version (KJV)
4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

Therefore, if we suffer in the flesh, we cease from sin.

Therefore also, suffering in the flesh is one way of making restitution for sin. It is a sacrifice. But there is another kind of sacrifice which we can make for our sins. Sacrificing our material goods for the Church and the good of others:

Mark 12:43

King James Version (KJV)
⁴³ And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

She put in far less money than the Pharisees. But she tossed in all she had and lo, all was clean for her because she had stored her treasure in heaven:

Matthew 19:21

King James Version (KJV)
²¹ Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.


Yeah, you folks don't like the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and you continually make up another.

Sincerely,

De Maria

November 18, 2013

Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 497
Reading 1 1 MC 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63

[From the descendants of Alexander’s officers]
there sprang a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes,
son of King Antiochus, once a hostage at Rome.
He became king in the year one hundred and thirty seven
of the kingdom of the Greeks.

In the year one hundred and thirty seven of the Greeks, Antiochus Epiphanes, a sinful man, took power.

In those days there appeared in Israel
men who were breakers of the law,
and they seduced many people, saying:
“Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us;
since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us.”

That same time in Israel wicked men appeared who advised the Jews to make an alliance with the Gentiles.

The proposal was agreeable;
some from among the people promptly went to the king,
and he authorized them to introduce the way of living
of the Gentiles.

 They went so far as to propose that the Jews should live in accordance with Gentile ways.

Thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem
according to the Gentile custom.
They covered over the mark of their circumcision
and abandoned the holy covenant;
they allied themselves with the Gentiles
and sold themselves to wrongdoing.

 And they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem. And the Jews began to live according to Gentile customs.  They abandoned the holy covenant with God and joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves into sin.

Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people,
each abandoning his particular customs.
All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king,
and many children of Israel were in favor of his religion;
they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.

 And the king decreed that all were one people Jew and Gentile and would hold one set of customs. And many of the Jews abandoned the Sabbath.

On the fifteenth day of the month Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-five,
the king erected the horrible abomination
upon the altar of burnt offerings
and in the surrounding cities of Judah they built pagan altars.

 And in the year 145 the king erected an abominable idol in the temple.

They also burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets.
Any scrolls of the law which they found they tore up and burnt.
Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant,
and whoever observed the law,
was condemned to death by royal decree.

 And whoever was observed keeping the laws of God was condemned to death.

But many in Israel were determined
and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean;
they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food
or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.
Terrible affliction was upon Israel.

 But many faithful Jews were determined to be righteous and keep the laws of God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158

R. (see 88) Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Indignation seizes me because of the wicked
who forsake your law.

R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me,
your law I have not forgotten.

R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Redeem me from the oppression of men,
that I may keep your precepts.

R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
I am attacked by malicious persecutors
who are far from your law.

R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Far from sinners is salvation,
because they seek not your statutes.

R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
I beheld the apostates with loathing,
because they kept not to your promise.

R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

 Give me life, oh Lord, and I will do your commands. This sounds as though the prophet is bargaining with God. But far from it. He recognizes that without God's grace he cannot live a life of righteousness. It is God who moves first. It is God who calls us.

Gospel LK 18:35-43

As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.

 As Jesus was walking towards Jericho followed by a huge crowd, a blind man inquired what was happening.

They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

 And they informed him, "Jesus is coming back."

He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”

 So he called out, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!"

The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”

 Jesus followers told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, "son of David save me!"

Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;

 And Jesus stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him.

and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”

 And Jesus asked him, "what would you like me to do for you?"

He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”

 And he replied, "that I may see."

Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

 And Jesus said to him, "have sight, your faith has saved you." And the crowd gave glory to God because immediately the blind man's eyes were opened.

Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn - November 17th 2013 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 17th 2013 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Listen Here!

‘Today’ is the Day
Readings:
Malachi 3:19-20
Psalm 98:5-9
2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Luke 21:5-19


It is the age between our Lord’s first coming and His last. We live in the new world begun by His life, death, Resurrection and Ascension, by the sending of His Spirit upon the Church. But we await the day when He will come again in glory.

“Lo, the day is coming,” Malachi warns in today’s First Reading. The prophets taught Israel to look for the Day of the Lord, when He would gather the nations for judgment (see Zephaniah 3:8; Isaiah 3:9; 2 Peter 3:7).

Jesus anticipates this day in today’s Gospel. He cautions us not to be deceived by those claiming “the time has come.” Such deception is the background also for today’s Epistle (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).

The signs Jesus gives His Apostles seem to already have come to pass in the New Testament. In Acts, the Epistles and Revelation, we read of famines and earthquakes, the Temple’s desolation. We read of persecutions - believers imprisoned and put to death, testifying to their faith with wisdom in the Spirit.

These “signs” then, show us the pattern for the Church’s life - both in the New Testament and today.

We too live in a world of nations and kingdoms at war. And we should take the Apostles as our “models,” as today’s Epistle counsels. Like them we must persevere in the face of unbelieving relatives and friends, and forces and authorities hostile to God.

As we do in today’s Psalm, we should sing His praises, joyfully proclaim His coming as Lord and King. The Day of the Lord is always a day that has already come and a day still yet to come. It is the “today” of our Liturgy.

The Apostles prayed marana tha - “O Lord come!” (see 1 Corinthians 16:22; Revelation 22:20). In the Eucharist He answers, coming again as the Lord of hosts and the Sun of Justice with its healing rays. It is a mighty sign - and a pledge of that Day to come.




Yours in Christ,



Scott Hahn, Ph.D.

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If they are in opposition to Catholic Doctrine, they are wrong

Augustine:Why Argue Against Non-Catholic Beliefs?

Because, if they are in opposition to Catholic Doctrine, they are wrong.

Why Not Just Argue for Catholicism?

There's nothing wrong with this method. In fact, I think it is the one most recommended in Scripture:

1 Peter 3:15
King James Version (KJV)
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

But rebuking and correcting are also advised:
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

If you prefer, think about it in terms of a standardized test: you use the process of elimination to eliminate the wrong answers. What remains is the right answer.

In my opinion, its not always that clear cut. For instance. Salvation by faith alone.

The fact is that many Catholic Church Fathers have correctly preached salvation by faith alone. HOWEVER, they have also preached, in the very same breath, salvation by faith and works.

In our zeal to defend the doctrine of faith and works from the Protestant complete rejection of works as a basis for salvation, Catholics have taken the opposite and equally false position of denying the Doctrine of salvation by faith alone.

However, the Church Fathers who used this term, faith alone, did not mean what Luther taught. They meant two things:
1. We are saved by our expression of faith in Christ, in the Sacraments.
2. We are saved by submitting to the Faith of Christ in the New Testament as opposed to the Mosaic Law of works in the New.

Does anyone hear a word coming out of my mouth? Do you understand why I say that this is not clear cut? The fact is that I frequently, 99% of the time, argue against salvation by faith alone, because I know that the person arguing in favor of it, does not realize that there is a Catholic understanding of the term. I don't think that even most Catholics realize this. But that is what St. Paul was teaching when he said:
Titus 3:5
King James Version (KJV)
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

And the Church Fathers when they said things like this:

Ambrose (339–97): Therefore let no one boast of his works, because no one can be justified by his works; but he who is just receives it as a gift, because he is justified by the washing of regeneration. It is faith, therefore, which delivers us by the blood of Christ, because blessed is he whose sins are forgiven, and to whom pardon is granted.

Jerome (347-420)

Romans 10:3: God justifies by faith alone.

He who with all his spirit has placed his faith in Christ, even if he die in sin, shall by his faith live forever.

Ambrosiaster (c. 366-384):

God has decreed that a person who believes in Christ can be saved without works. By faith alone he receives the forgiveness of sins.

Romans 3:24: They are justified freely because they have not done anything nor given anything in return, but by faith alone they have been made holy by the gift of God.

Romans 3:27: Paul tells those who live under the law that they have no reason to boast basing themselves on the law and claiming to be of the race of Abraham, seeing that no one is justified before God except by faith.

This is because Catholicism admits both/and logic. Christ is God and man. The Church is human and Divine. We are saved by faith apart from works in the Sacraments. And by faith and works in the final Judgment.

So, its not always clear cut. But I do advise, whenever possible, show them their error.
1 Corinthians 11:19
For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Sincerely,

De Maria

November 17, 2013

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 159
Reading 1 MAL 3:19-20A

Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven,
when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble,
and the day that is coming will set them on fire,
leaving them neither root nor branch,
says the LORD of hosts.

The day is coming when God will judge what every man has done in the body. And those were judged wicked will be cast into eternal fire.

But for you who fear my name, there will arise
the sun of justice with its healing rays.

 But for those who love God they will receive a plentiful reward from his Son.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:5-6, 7-8, 9

R. (cf. 9) The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.

R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth,
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

   The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice. This recalls the Exodus from Egypt where God installed the 10 Commandments and required the Israelites to submit to them or be cursed. This also recalls, the great judgment at the end of time when all men will stand before the bema seat of Jesus Christ.

Reading 2 2 THES 3:7-12

Brothers and sisters:
You know how one must imitate us.
For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,
nor did we eat food received free from anyone.
On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day
we worked, so as not to burden any of you.
Not that we do not have the right.
Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,
so that you might imitate us.
In fact, when we were with you,
we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work,
neither should that one eat.
We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a
disorderly way,
by not keeping busy but minding the business of others.
Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly
and to eat their own food.

 St. Paul advises all mean to imitate the righteous. Therefore in another Scripture he says, "remember them who have rule over you who have spoken unto you the word of God who states follow considering the end of the conversation." (Hebrews 13:7)

Gospel LK 21:5-19

While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "All that you see here--
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."

 While the people weren't minded Temple, Jesus said, "everything that you see will be cast down so that not one stone will be upon another one". This prophecy came true in the year 77ad.

Then they asked him,
"Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
He answered,
"See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
'I am he,’ and 'The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end."
Then he said to them,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

"Before all this happens, however,
they will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

 And  they wanted to know when this would happen. But he said that they should not be full because rumors would be everywhere and many would say that he was here and he is there. But this would not be the end.

In my opinion, this also was a prophecy, of the days after his resurrection. 

In a nutshell, keep the Commandments:

Lutero:

What is the Gospel?

In a nutshell, keep the Commandments:John 14:21

King James Version (KJV)
²¹ He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

But, you will deny that, I'm sure. Even though Christ Himself commands it.

2 Timothy 4:3

King James Version (KJV)
³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Sincerely,

De Maria

November 16, 2013

Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time 

Lectionary: 496

Reading 1 WIS 18:14-16; 19:6-9

When peaceful stillness compassed everything

and the night in its swift course was half spent,

Your all-powerful word, from heaven’s royal throne

bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land,

bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree.

And as he alighted, he filled every place with death;

he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth.

When everything was peaceful the word of God came to earth and filled everything with death. While standing on the Earth he reached into the heavens.

For all creation, in its several kinds, was being made over anew,

serving its natural laws,

that your children might be preserved unharmed.

 Because all that was created in all his different forms was being reborn that the children of God might be saved.

The cloud overshadowed their camp;

and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging:

Out of the Red Sea an unimpeded road,

and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood.

Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand,

after they beheld stupendous wonders.

For they ranged about like horses,

and bounded about like lambs,

praising you, O Lord! their deliverer.

 They were overshadowed by a cloud out of the water they walked upon dry land. Although the Red Sea blocked the road they emerged from the flood. The whole nation led by your hand after they had seen your wonderful works they bounded about like lambs giving you praise, oh God, our Savior.

Responsorial Psalm PS 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43

R. (5a) Remember the marvels the Lord has done!

or:

R. Alleluia.

Sing to him, sing his praise,

proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

Glory in his holy name;

rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!

R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!

or:

R. Alleluia.

Then he struck every first born throughout their land,

the first fruits of all their manhood.

And he led them forth laden with silver and gold,

with not a weakling among their tribes.

R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!

or:

R. Alleluia.

For he remembered his holy word

to his servant Abraham.

And he led forth his people with joy;

with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.

R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!

or:

R. Alleluia.

Those of you who love God and who have experienced His saving power, remember what He has done for you. Remember always what God has done for you.

Gospel LK 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable

about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. 

 Jesus told his students a story about the need to pray always.

He said, “There was a judge in a certain town

who neither feared God nor respected any human being. 

And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,

‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’

For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,

‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, 

because this widow keeps bothering me

I shall deliver a just decision for her

lest she finally come and strike me.’” 

The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. 

Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones

who call out to him day and night? 

Will he be slow to answer them? 

I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. 

 He said, "there was a judge who feared no one not even God. And the widow used to come to him and say, "you must decide in my favor"." Then he thought to himself, "I don't fear anyone but this widow might attack me if I don't do what she says."

Therefore, Jesus said, "pay attention to what this dishonest judge says. Will not God ensure that his children will receive justice who call upon him day and night? I tell you he will respond to them speedily. "

But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

 But then Jesus asked, "however ,will there be faith on earth when the Son of Man returns?"

If grace can't be merited, how does faith save you?

Lutero:

God's word isn't God's word because men say so but because God says so. There was always a church...that is an ekklesia which is the called out ones and this is not by man's doing but by the Holy Spirit. God doesn't change. Salvation has always been by grace through faith. Grace cannot be merited. For example, Abraham believed and it was credited to him as righteousness. Who credited righteousness to Abraham? A priest or God?

Now, if grace can not be merited, how does faith save you? Salvation is a grace, isn't it? Because you must first have faith in order to be saved. If you do not have faith you do not merit salvation. God doesn't give the gift of salvation to sinners. He gives the gift of faith to sinners who must then act upon that faith in order to be saved.

Hebrews 11:6

King James Version (KJV)
⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Sincerely,

De Maria

November 15, 2013

Friday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time 
Lectionary: 495
Reading 1 WIS 13:1-9

All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God,

Mean not recognize the existence of God are, by definition, fools. Him and

and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is,
and from studying the works did not discern the artisan;

 God is readily visible to those who see the beauty of the natural world.

But either fire, or wind, or the swift air,
or the circuit of the stars, or the mighty water,
or the luminaries of heaven, the governors of the world, they considered gods.

 But because they were foolish they looked upon the created things and called them gods.

Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods,
let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than these;
for the original source of beauty fashioned them.

 But if they thought those things were divine because of their beauty let them know how far both those things is the Lord.

Or if they were struck by their might and energy,
let them from these things realize how much more powerful is he who made them.

 Or if it was because of their power let them know how much more powerful is the God which made them.

For from the greatness and the beauty of created things
their original author, by analogy, is seen.

 Creation is a sign which points to the existence of a far more beautiful and far more powerful God.

But yet, for these the blame is less;
For they indeed have gone astray perhaps,
though they seek God and wish to find him.

 But at least the seek God and try to find them.

For they search busily among his works,
but are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are fair.

 But they search for him amongst the beauty of creation and become distracted.

But again, not even these are pardonable.
For if they so far succeeded in knowledge
that they could speculate about the world,
how did they not more quickly find its Lord?

 But they are still to blame, because of they could understand and see the beauty in the world, why did didn't they find the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm PS 19:2-3, 4-5AB

R. (2a) The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.

R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

The visible heavens are sign of the invisible heaven where God resides. That which we see points to that which we don't see.

Gospel LK 17:26-37

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be in the days of the Son of Man;

  Just as God destroyed the world and the time of Noah. So will it be when the Son of Man returns.

they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage up to the day
that Noah entered the ark,
and the flood came and destroyed them all.

 Everyone was eating and drinking and going about their normal business when the flood came and Noah  entered the ark.  Everyone will be going about their normal business at the end of time.

Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot:
they were eating, drinking, buying,
selling, planting, building;
on the day when Lot left Sodom,
fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all.

 Also, when God destroyed Sodom, all the people of Sodom were unaware. And then fire rained on them from the sky.

So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

 It will be the same when Jesus Christ returns in the end. 

On that day, someone who is on the housetop
and whose belongings are in the house
must not go down to get them,
and likewise one in the field
must not return to what was left behind.

 On that day, no one must turn to material things for salvation. Because nothing will save them from that which God has prepared for them.

Remember the wife of Lot.

 Remember Lot's wife. She is a warning to you. She should have kept her eyes on the Lord. But she turned around and looked back to what she used to own. And she was turned to salt.

Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it,
but whoever loses it will save it.

 Do not seek to preserve that which you have in this life because you will lose it. You will take nothing with you.

I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed;
one will be taken, the other left.
And there will be two women grinding meal together;
one will be taken, the other left.”

 This is on one to understand. Two people in one bed, one taken and one left behind? What can that mean? Two people in one bed generally refers to husband-and-wife. And two women grinding meal together, I assume refers to mother and daughter or sister's going about their chores.

So it would appear, but on this night, families will be torn apart. This will force us to turn to God rather than to other family members for support. 

They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?”
He said to them, “Where the body is,
there also the vultures will gather.”

  Vultures gather around the dead. And sinners are considered dead to the spirit. Therefore, Jesus might be saying, "where ever there are sinners."

Here is what the Gospel says we must do in order to be granted eternal life

Lutero:

There is not a single word of the gospel in the Catholic doctrine.

Sure there was. But you don't really care for the Gospel. Here is what the Gospel says we must do in order to be granted eternal life:
Matthew 19:17

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁷ And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

James 1:27

King James Version (KJV)
²⁷ Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Matthew 25:31-46

King James Version (KJV)
³¹ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
³² And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
³³ And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
³⁴ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
³⁵ For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
³⁶ Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
³⁷ Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
³⁸ When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
³⁹ Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
⁴⁰ And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
⁴¹ Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
⁴² For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
⁴³ I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
⁴⁴ Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
⁴⁵ Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
⁴⁶ And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Do you believe in clothing the naked? feeding the hungry? visiting those in prison?

Yeah, I know. You save yourself by your faith alone. No need to obey God. So you think.

Hebrews 5:9

King James Version (KJV)
⁹ And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Nothing but a shameless boasting of self.

If you mean boasting about the Church which Christ built. Yes, that is true. Scripture does so also:
1 Timothy 3:15

King James Version (KJV)
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.

Sincerely,

De Maria

November 14, 2013

Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time 
Lectionary: 494
Reading 1 WIS 7:22B–8:1

In Wisdom is a spirit
intelligent, holy, unique,
Manifold, subtle, agile,
clear, unstained, certain,

Wisdom is from God.  Therefore, it is filled with virtues of all kinds.

Not baneful, loving the good, keen,
unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
Firm, secure, tranquil,
all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.

And it is contained in all that is good.

For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion,
and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.

Wisdom is pure and contains no stain of sin.

For she is an aura of the might of God
and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty;

Because Wisdom is From God.

therefore nought that is sullied enters into her.

 Therefore, no sin enters her.

For she is the refulgence of eternal light,
the spotless mirror of the power of God,
the image of his goodness.

 Because wisdom is the spirit of God.

And she, who is one, can do all things,
and renews everything while herself perduring;
And passing into holy souls from age to age,
she produces friends of God and prophets.

 And she can do all things.

For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.

God loves only those within which the spirit of wisdom dwells.

For she is fairer than the sun
and surpasses every constellation of the stars.
Compared to light, she takes precedence;
for that, indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.

Because God made all things with wisdom. 

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175

R. (89a) Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens.

R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Through all generations your truth endures;
you have established the earth, and it stands firm.

R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.

R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.

R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Let your countenance shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.

R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.

 Wisdom dwells in the word of God. And the word of God abides forever. God's promises are forever.

Gospel LK 17:20-25

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,
Jesus said in reply,
“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”

The Pharisees asked Jesus, when the kingdom of God would arrive. Jesus replied that the kingdom of God could not be seen by the eyes of flesh. Because the kingdom of God is within each and every one of us.

 Then he said to his disciples,
“The days will come when you will long to see
one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.

Then he turned to his disciples and said that there would come a day when they would search for him and not find him.

There will be those who will say to you,
‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’
Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.
For just as lightning flashes
and lights up the sky from one side to the other,
so will the Son of Man be in his day.
But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”

 and he said, don't go running after everyone that he is there or he is here. But the Son of Man must first suffer and die on the cross. 

Dogs named for Bernard of Menthon

Lutero:
Yes, Catholics named saints after dogs .(St. Bernard)

That is a heroic breed of dog known for saving the lives of people lost in the snow and mountains.

Naming

The name "St. Bernard" originates from the Great St Bernard Hospice, a traveler's hospice on the often treacherous St. Bernard Pass in the Western Alpsbetween Switzerland and Italy. The pass, the lodge, and the dogs are named forBernard of Menthon, the 11th century monk who established the station.^[8]
"St. Bernard" wasn't in widespread use until the middle of the 19th century. The dogs were called "Saint Dogs", "Noble Steeds", "Alpenmastiff", or "Barry Dogs" before that time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Bernard_(dog)#Naming

We are very proud that there is a breed of heroic, life saving dogs named after one of our Saints. I note that there are no heroic dog breeds named after any Protestants. Is that because you have no saints? no heroic dogs? or neither?

Sincerely,
De Maria