Sep 2 Wed - What should I do when I am defeated?

 

Sep 2 Wed

What should I do when I am defeated?

Do not settle for defeat.

We must humbly ask for God's help and make a sincere effort to use the available means.

“Don't be anxious about your past mistakes, or the possibility of future faults. Let's abandon ourselves into God's merciful hands. Let's show Him the desires of holiness and apostolate that are alive beneath the ashes of our apparent coldness. He is listening to us. You only have to talk."

Jesus went up to Jerusalem. There was a paralytic by the pool.

The Lord, who is the doctor of souls and of bodies and who has come to heal all who believed in him, fixed his gaze on one alone among all the sick people there, to cure him. It was a sign of special love, like the love Jesus showed us by calling us to live Christian life from among so many people.

When Jesus saw the sick man, and knew that he had been lying there a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" Likewise, the Lord saw us helpless in our weakness, and reading the desires latent in our heart, He uttered that sweet demand which, with his grace, we accepted.

St John Chrysostom comments: The paralytic man was not annoyed by the question, nor did he say: "Have you come to insult me, asking me if I want to be cured?" On the contrary, he replied meekly: "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going, other steps down before me." He did not know who was questioning him; much less that he would cure him. He may have thought that Christ would help him into the water. Instead, Christ showed that his word alone could do everything. Our Lord is always ready to listen to us, but He wants our personal response, shown in the effort we make to get out of any situation which prevents us from following him closely.

St. Josemaría taught us that in the interior life “there is but one fatal illness, one deadly mistake you can make: to settle for defeat, not to know how to fight with the spirit of a child of God. If this personal effort is lacking, the soul is paralyzed and languishes alone, and is incapable of bearing fruit."

“Such cowardice on man's part puts pressure on our Lord to utter those words addressed to him by the paralytic at the pool of Bethsaida, –I have no man to help me!"

“What a pity if Jesus does not find in you the man or the woman He expects."

Once more, God shows us that his goodness is beyond human calculation. Let us tell him now, simply and plainly: "Yes, Lord, I want to be healed, I want to be freed from this impediment that separates me from you, and prevents me from living to the full the divine life to which you have called me." 

Sep 1 Tue - How will I be able to judge wisely?

 

Sep 1 Tue

How will I be able to judge wisely?

A young man came up to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"
Like us, that man wanted to know clearly the principles on which to base his personal behavior.

The young man was not wise or generous. He chose to keep his riches, which he could go on enjoying for a period of years, but he lost his opportunity to have Jesus, whom he would have had forever. 

To be truly wise, it is not enough to know many things. To choose well, one needs a supernatural outlook, prudence, and a readiness to study conscientiously.

This supernatural outlook sets the fundamental principle that should guide our whole life: to keep the commandments. It is an outlook which surpasses human knowledge and experience.

We must think clearly about the things of this world, and compare them with the riches of life with Christ. Thus, we do not lose the sense of the supernatural when evaluating things, making a decision, or giving advice.

A supernatural outlook enables us to apply Christian principles, with prudence and deliberation, to everyday situations. To fulfill God's Will in everything, do not judge by appearances, but judge rightly: it is essential always to be impartial, to have a good grasp of the facts, to distinguish facts from matters of opinion, and to know how to apply the principles of Catholic teaching to the matter in hand.

Forming our critical faculties correctly is a task that requires years of study and prayer. Our presence in the world is another factor contributing to our formation. At the same time, interior life demands a constant battle against opponents from within and without, and we therefore need to be on guard.

Incorrect attitudes can slip in through gradual consent to our own mistakes or those of others. That is when we have to rectify, clarify our ideas, and be humble. It could happen that, through weakness, we occasionally make mistakes. But we must have clear ideas and a clear conscience. We cannot allow ourselves to do things that are wrong and say they are holy.

“On other occasions the atmosphere around us may infect us with its false criteria or its excessively materialistic outlook. Many individuals deliberately set out to darken men's minds and obscure their consciences. They do what the devil has always done: appear in disguise. Sometimes they appear with feigned expressions of respect and understanding and even piety, hiding the mortal poison underneath. But there is nothing new about this ploy: it is clear that the devil has run out of ideas and keeps repeating himself. "

We need purity of doctrine, and certainty and firmness in our judgments. “We have to ask God always to inspire our minds with that faith and supernatural outlook which will confer an objectively correct order of values on our ideas, affections and actions. That soundness of judgment is something we have to ask for as a gift from God."

Moderated by charity and in the presence of God, we will help others avoid being led astray by deceptive influences or those that may lack objectivity. 

Aug 31 Mon - Why is there a succession of seasons in the liturgy of the Church?

 

Aug 31 Mon

Why is there a succession of seasons in the liturgy of the Church?

Recently, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the liturgical year and emphasized the importance of Sunday Mass.

“Pope Pius XII stated that the liturgical year is not a cold and lifeless representation of past events, or a simple record of a former age. It is rather Christ Himself who is ever living in His Church. Here He continues that journey of immense mercy which He lovingly began in His mortal life with the intention of bringing men to know His mysteries and, in a way, live by them."

“The liturgical year is a constant renewal of the work of salvation which Christ accomplishes in history. The encounter with Jesus, who died and rose again for us, is the purpose that the Church always pursues, placing the celebration of the liturgy at the center."

“Moreover, the foundation and kernel of the whole liturgical year is Sunday, the original feast day. In various modern languages, its name indicates that it is the “dies Domini” (Domingo), “the Lord’s day”. Even in those languages in which Sunday refers to the “day of the sun” (Sunday, Sonntag), the link with Christ is clear: Christ is the true “Sun of righteousness” who enlightens every person!"

“Since Sunday makes present the day upon which Christ rose from the dead, it is also the day which reveals the meaning of time. … Springing from the Resurrection, it cuts through human time, the months, the years, the centuries, like a directional arrow which points them towards their target: Christ’s Second Coming. Sunday foreshadows the last day, when we shall all rise again.”

As he commented on St. John Paul’s teaching, Pope Leo said that a “virtual presence” cannot substitute for Sunday Mass in person:

“To sanctify Sunday, it is fundamental to celebrate the Eucharist. Listening to the Word and partaking of the Body of Christ entail the coming together ‘in unum’, that is, the joyful gathering of the faithful. In this assembly, the Christian community makes visible its communion with the Lord and bears witness to its belonging to Christ and its fidelity to the Church. This assembly cannot be substituted by a solely virtual presence, nor can it be reduced to a merely passive gathering."

“The liturgical year thus repeats, in sacramental form, the teaching of the history of salvation, guiding the faithful from the expectation of the Messiah to the fullness of the Paschal Mystery and the anticipation of future glory. For this reason, the liturgical year constitutes the guiding principle and the essential framework for all pastoral action."

To this, we could add some words of Cardinal Sarah: “The only way to win this great combat is union with God. Christians will never succeed in overcoming the challenges of the world by appealing to political tools, human rights, or respect for religious liberty. The only true trick for the baptized is prayer and the encounter with Jesus Christ.”

“God is still calling as many men as He did in the past; it is men who do not hear God’s voice as in the past.” 

Aug 30 Sun - Does God want me to embrace the Cross?

 

Aug 30 Sun

Does God want me to embrace the Cross?

When Jesus announced his suffering and death, Peter declared “No such thing shall ever happen to you.”

No one wants to see a friend tortured and killed. Yet Peter was wrong. Our redemption, according to God's plan, had to pass through the Passion of Christ. And our own Christian lives must pass through our own cross.

So, Our Lord lays down the basic principle for the Christian life: When suffering comes—our own cross—we must embrace it to gain eternal life.

Holiness for us is being in the right relationship with God, friendship with Him. It implies being in the state of sanctifying grace through Baptism, or regaining that condition, if lost, through Penance. Negatively, this means freedom from original sin and mortal sin.

Our Lord said, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle.

Renunciation signifies the negative: what we turn our backs on—acts of sin. Spiritual battle signifies the positive: what we advance toward—acts of goodness. Both can require a dying to self and embracing the cross.

Everyone has his own cross to bear. This cross is the sum total of all the difficulties in our lives. They can be big (like cancer) or little (a paper cut), recurring (having to get up early every day) or unique (the windshield wipers just stopped working), foreseen (the electric bill is due in ten days) and unforeseen (there’s a parking ticket under one of my broken windshield wiper blades), sought (I’m going on a diet) and unsought (Jun just vomited upstairs).

We don’t need to be told what our cross is since God can show us what it is and what to do with it. As Our Lord said, “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’”

Your cross will be different depending on whether you are a man or woman, young or old, what country you live in, your family of origin and family of marriage, the season of the year, what kind of work you do or are not able to do, your social class and educational background, and many other factors.

Our Lord wants us to embrace our cross as much as we want to embrace the many good things He sends us. God does not will evil on us, but He must have a good reason to permit us to suffer in so many ways. One way of dealing graciously with them is to start every awareness of suffering with an “I guess God wants.” I guess God wants me to have this headache. I guess God wants me to work here for now. I guess God wants me to wait at this railroad crossing till the freight train passes, and so on.

Our Lord also wants us to offer them back to him. After all, we are a priestly people. Lord, I offer this bee sting to you. Or, I offer this bee sting for grandma who is not feeling well. 

Aug 29 Sat - Am I an instrument in God’s hands?

 Aug 29 Sat

Am I an instrument in God’s hands?

Recently, Pope Leo XIV told the Peruvian youth in a video: “Do not be afraid to be God’s instruments."

“Be brave, Christ lives.”
“The certainty of the Lord’s living presence in our midst must be the inner fire driving us to be brave and to step out of the comfort of individualism — to become part of a community of brothers and sisters in faith, to forge true bonds of friendship, and thus bear witness that it is possible to live united in Christ.”

“Open your hearts wide to welcome the gifts the Lord wishes to pour out upon you.”

"And do not keep these gifts just for yourselves — do not let them remain only in photos on your phones or videos on social media; share them, reflect them in your lives, because today many people need that joyful and contagious witness that a young person in love with Christ can convey."

Me? God’s instrument?

We are the seed. The Lord is the divine Sower; He tosses the wheat to the winds, so that in dying, it becomes life; in sinking into the ground, the wheat multiplies.

This is a call for responsibility on our part, since we are not inert instruments, but intelligent and free beings who need to use our mind, heart and will.

Moreover, instruments mustn't be left to grow rusty. While we have to be eager to improve and deepen our formation, we can never forget that we are involved in a supernatural endeavor which goes forward only under God's almighty hand. This consideration should fill us with confidence, especially when we feel incapable of carrying out a task or overcoming an obstacle.

Seeing our own shortcomings is already a grace from God; it helps us grasp more clearly our need to be docile in God's hands. “And since we want to be good instruments (as Our Lady was), the smaller and the more wretched we see ourselves to be, with true humility, the more our Lord will make up for all we lack." 

We are convinced that the light and warmth that attract souls result from our continuous stewardship of the grace God gives us, despite our personal mistakes. 
There are two components in being instruments: the calling and the mission. 
The calling: Our Lord chooses us from all eternity and generously bestows his graces on us. 
Then, the mission: He sends us, requiring our correspondence; we must welcome his gifts and let him act without putting up resistance.

“To merit that God-given light, we must have the love and humility to recognize our need for salvation. And we must say with St Peter: Lord, to whom should we go? Thy words are the words of eternal life; we have learned to believe, and are assured that you are the Christ, the Son of God (John 6: 69-70).
If we truly live this way, if we allow God's calling to enter our heart, we'll be able to repeat truthfully that we do not walk amongst dark shadows. Above our miseries and personal defects shines the light of God, which is like the sun shining above the storm clouds."

Aug 28 Fri - Will I be able to follow Jesus till the end?

 

Aug 28 Fri

Will I be able to follow Jesus till the end?

Our Lord declared: “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go in search of the one that went astray?"

Perhaps that sheep was simply straggling behind. Maybe it was just idly nibbling at the grass along the way. Or possibly it was already dead, killed by some beast of prey. But no shepherd ever abandons a sheep that has gone astray. He leaves the rest of the flock in a safe place and goes off to look for the lost sheep.

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who goes in search of the lost sheep, regardless of the difficulties, and He does not give up until He finds it.
 
Thus, “if the thought should ever cross your mind, as a diabolical temptation to take your peace away (bear in mind that the devil would strip you, if he could, of all the gifts God has given you, especially faith, purity and vocation); if, as I was saying, you ever suffered the temptation of thinking you had strayed so far from God that you couldn't return, remember how, as in the parable, Christ always goes to look for the soul that has gone astray; and He for his part never denies you the grace to begin again."

We should see Jesus seeking out the sheep in every word of affection and support, in every act of clear guidance by the others, in the form of a correction, in some act of kindness, or in some helpful piece of reading.

“Then, if you are humble and acknowledge your mistakes, you will persevere. Try to raise your eyes to heaven; don't just look at things from a purely selfish point of view. Have faith and hope, and trust in the love which Jesus has for you. He is the Good Shepherd, and for your sake, He will make his way through crags and ravines, to take you in his arms, hug you to his wounded breast, and urge you to be faithful. It is only if you reject him with a flat ‘No’, or if you are foolishly determined to throw yourself over the precipice, that He will be unable to bring you back to the right path."

“Lord, knowing that you are the Good Shepherd and that we are sheep of your flock, how confident we can be, and how easy it is to persevere!"

One might expect the shepherd to be angry with the lost sheep, intending to teach it a lesson with his crook. But he doesn't think like that. As our Lord says: if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.

“If you should ever go astray, either a lot or a little, don't deprive our Lord of the joy of finding you and of being able to say: ‘Here's a sheep of mine who wants to be faithful, who wants to persevere in my flock.’" 

Aug 27 Thu - How can I turn difficulties into challenges?

 

 Aug 27 Thu

How can I turn difficulties into challenges?

Living with meaning and purpose is the attitude that transforms difficulties into challenges.

Our life is a continuous journey of learning and striving, with goals and challenges that inspire us or simply come our way. These "forge" us as individuals, nurturing that innate longing to love and feel loved that we all share.

We need a guiding star to lead us through life, a purpose to aim high and not be discouraged by setbacks and routine tasks. And also, an optimistic attitude to begin again and again, because there is always something that can be done in any situation, no matter how dire it may seem. This is how we transform difficulties into challenges that motivate us to give our best.

“With a positive attitude, you can benefit from even the most threatening situation; with a negative attitude, even a stay in Paradise can become unbearable.”

And we must accept that we may stumble and fall, but we can always rise again with renewed vigor, ask for forgiveness, and start anew, looking to that star that illuminates our path.

Sometimes, when we look back, we clearly see the meaning behind certain difficulties, past wounds that we didn’t understand at the time. But perhaps we will later. Thus, to go forward, we must not get discouraged and remember that everything can help us move forward, even if it’s difficult, even if it hurts.

Our life is like a tapestry viewed from the back... Only knots and stitches... But one day we will see it from the front, and we will marvel at its beauty: the affection we sow, the pain borne with gallantry and elegance, the attempt to bring joy to others, to create something beautiful, to illuminate paths full of darkness and shadows, and ultimately, to love others.

If we could imagine it sooner, especially when it’s most difficult, and see the significance of everyday little difficulties, we would get angry less, we would take better care of those close to us, we would show small acts of kindness, we would dedicate real time to our families… attentively, without distractions. We would live with intention and purpose, aiming for worthwhile goals, aligned with our calling, mission, and sense of purpose.

That’s why we must find “what to do with the time we’ve been given": anchoring our lives in real values and making them a part of our lives. Thus, we improve as people and become happier.

Think often: Does what I’m going to do today bring me closer to or further from where I want to go? Is it what I want to be? 

And as always, learn to apologize if we have failed, and be grateful for the many good things we receive.

Thus, life acquires meaning and purpose, even though it is sometimes difficult. When we give without expecting anything in return, that generosity and gratitude allow us to turn our life into a “work of art” that illuminates and encourages others, especially our own family.

Faced with a difficult situation, we have two opposite paths to choose from. We can simply grumble about these circumstances and become victims, or we can take control: be proactive and find out how we should respond.

Excerpts from María José Calvo

Aug 26 Wed - Why was there so much beauty in the Lord’s Transfiguration?

 

Aug 26 Wed

Why was there so much beauty in the Lord’s Transfiguration?

Reading the narrative of the Lord’s Transfiguration makes us wonder: Why did Christ ascend Mount Tabor with Peter, James, and John before His Passion? Why reveal His glory at that particular moment?

Undoubtedly, Jesus chose these three because they most needed strength for the hour of trial. Christ did not reveal His glory after the Cross as a reward for their fidelity, but before the Cross to strengthen and support them in preparation for it. Christ knew what awaited each of them, but before asking them to witness the greatest ugliness in history, He first allowed them to behold its greatest beauty.

But what is beauty’s purpose in the spiritual life? Does beauty have such a purpose?

The world tries to justify things according to their utility. From that perspective, beauty may seem unnecessary, or even indulgent, compared to more practical concerns. Even in modern Christian circles, beauty may be relegated to something secondary, its relationship to truth and goodness severed.

But the Transfiguration, where Christ’s “face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light,” is probably one of the most striking scenes of beauty in the Scriptures.

Was presenting beauty the means by which Christ Himself prepared His disciples for suffering? He could have strengthened them another way; He could have simply commanded them to persevere. He could have told them a parable or sent a message through an angel.

Instead, He gave them an encounter with His glory.

Beauty strengthens, but how? 
For one, it reminds us that the visible world can reveal something beyond the ordinary, offering us both hope and consolation.

When we encounter beauty, we may feel both fulfilled and unsatisfied, enlightened but desiring more. We recognize the existence of something we have always longed for yet cannot fully possess.

But more importantly, this experience moves us to perfect contrition, which is born not principally from fear of punishment, but from love itself. Beauty awakens that love, and having glimpsed something of God’s glory, however fleetingly, we recognize how little we wish to be separated from it.

In the Gospel, Peter’s response is, “Lord, it is well that we are here. If you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

It is easy for us to understand his stunned reaction: when we encounter authentic beauty, it awakens the desire that it should remain. We listen to symphonies not wanting them to end; we sadden at the thought of the vivid sunset sinking finally below the clouds.

But Christ will lead the Apostles back down, to where crowds are waiting, and where there is still suffering to be endured. There is a Cross to carry. There, too, is a call to embrace the difficult work to be done here on earth, and to be magnanimous in recognizing our encounters with beauty are gifts, meant to be used in service to God’s Kingdom.

Thus, Peter began his transformation from fisherman to apostle, from apostle to martyr, from man to saint—a model for us all.

Excerpts from Kristen Ziccarelli 

Aug 25 Tue - Should I sign myself with the Cross?

 

Aug 25 Tue

Should I sign myself with the Cross?

Making the Sign of the Cross should be less about habit and more about choice. If we put some mental effort into it, it can be a strategy for our whole lives.

How often I sign myself with the Cross using holy water, and within seconds (or even as I'm doing it!) have no real memory or sense of doing so!

The Bible makes no mention of making the Sign of the Cross. Instead, it offers many reminders of the importance of the Cross. The four Gospels are sometimes considered as Passion accounts preceded by long introductions. Early Christians knew well the importance of the Cross – that Jesus’ life was not about himself.

About the year 200 AD, Tertullian referred to the Sign of the Cross on the forehead as a well-established custom that was not questioned. In doing so, he showed it as a universal and deeply embedded Christian practice that likely began as a more personal devotion as early as the late first century.

Think of how a mother’s kiss supports her words, “I love you.” Similarly, Christians found a simple gesture to remind themselves of the Cross. We also know that 100 years after Tertullian, it had become a larger gesture: head–body–shoulders.

Early Greek-speaking Christians spoke of the Sign of the Cross as a sphragis, meaning seal. Roman soldiers were tattooed with a sphragis as a permanent sign of their loyalty to their general or legion.

Christians owed their allegiance to Jesus, and their seal (their sphragis) was Jesus’ Cross. Instead of a tattoo, they traced it on their foreheads and, in time, as the larger sign of head–body–shoulders, as if telling the pagans: “You used the cross to put Jesus to death and to terrorize us into submitting to your authority, but we are not afraid of you.” 

When we see Jesus on the Cross, we see him not as self-serving but as serving us. His life is not only about himself.

And when we enter a church and sign ourselves with the Cross using the holy water of our baptisms, we remind ourselves, not that we were baptized, but that we are baptized with Jesus as our present-life strategy, finding our lives to be not about ourselves.

In baptism, the priest says: “Receive the Cross on your forehead. Christ himself strengthens you with the sign of your faith.”

Our concern is not that we forget to make the Sign of the Cross, but that we might trace it and then forget who we are. May our Lord Jesus remain the pattern of our lives. As we live our lives not for ourselves, but for whomever God puts near us, may Jesus’ Cross be less of a habit and more of a virtue.

“The Cross on your breast?... Very good. But the Cross on your shoulders, the Cross in your flesh, the Cross in your mind. Only then will you live for Christ, with Christ and in Christ; only then will you be an apostle."

Some excerpts from Fr. Dave Mercer, Aleteia 

Aug 24 Mon - Since when has the cross been the symbol of Christianity?

 

Aug 24 Mon

Since when has the cross been the symbol of Christianity?

Early Christians were hesitant to use a crucifix, which they saw as degrading. For two centuries, followers of the new Christian faith avoided making a badge of honor out of the instrument of Christ’s death. Wearing a crucifix was like hanging an electric chair trinket around one’s neck.

Crucifixion was a form of execution designed to be both excruciating and humiliating.

Christ loved words and telling stories with them. “I am the Alpha and the Omega” is used multiple times in the New Testament. The Greek first letter of the alphabet and the last described God as the beginning and the end. 

To this day, the Hebrew word for God, Yahweh (abbreviated to YHWH) is seldom spoken or written in full. It is referred to as “The Name.”

The early Christians used the image of a “fish” as a reference to Christ, partly because their Savior spoke of being a “fisher of men,” and also because the Greek word for fish (ichthus) represents the initials of: Jesus (Iesus) Christ (Christos) of God (Theou) Son (Uios) Saviour (Soter).

Around the year 200, the theologian Hippolytus wrote about making the sign of the cross on the forehead “as this is a sign of His Passion.” The symbol of the cross had clearly taken hold.

A contender for the earliest physical representation of Christ’s cross is the Staurogram. Composed of the Greek letters Tau and Rho, its sound was reminiscent of the Greek word to crucify, “stauroo.” Used mostly in written texts from the 2nd century, it actually resembles a person on a cross.

More widespread in its use was the Chi Rho symbol, which combined the first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek to form an image that looked less like a cross. The Chi Rho is more reminiscent of the papal crossed-keys symbol. These symbols convey some of the imperial splendor of Constantine the Great, who first adopted the Chi Rho. For good measure, the letters Alpha and Omega are sometimes added.

As Christianity traveled westwards, it encountered cultures that not only enjoyed graven images but often had no written language.

My favorite contender as the first unequivocal representation of Our Lord’s death is an ivory casket, made in Rome around 420. It has all the attributes that we would recognize today. Mary and St. John mourn at the foot of the cross, while the Roman soldier Longinus spears Christ's side. The victim is attached with nails. As a bonus, we can see the remorseful Judas hanging from a tree. Most convincing of all is that it brings us back to the written word. Above the head of the crucified man is half of the Latin title we know so well: “King of the Jews.”

Now, “Your Crucifix. – As a Christian, you should always carry your Crucifix with you. And place it on your desk. And kiss it before going to bed and when you wake up: and when your poor body rebels against your soul, kiss it again."

Some excerpts from Lucien de Guise

Aug 23 Sun - Why is there the authority of the pope in the Church?

 

Aug 23 Sun

Why is there the authority of the pope in the Church?

Christ put Peter first among the Twelve as the rock on whom He would build His Church. “Christ, the ‘living stone’ (1 Pet 2:4), thus assures His Church, built on Peter, of victory over the powers of death.

“The ‘power of the keys’ given to him designates authority to govern the house of God, which is the Church.” “The power to ‘bind and loose’ connotes the authority to absolve sins, to pronounce doctrinal judgments, and to make disciplinary decisions in the Church.”

“Jesus entrusted this authority to the Church through the ministry of the apostles and in particular through the ministry of Peter, the only one to whom He specifically entrusted the keys of the kingdom.”

Peter receives from the Son of God a mission that extends beyond his own life, to be inherited by his successors, to serve the Church, and to span space and time in the service of redeemed humanity. Assisted especially by the Holy Spirit, Peter strengthens Christians in the faith and is the guarantor of the Church’s unity and universality.

The love for Peter is something the other apostles will come to understand over time: when, barely a year later, they see him launching into a sermon, full of zeal, before a crowd; or when they turn to him in search of guidance and strength to continue their ministry. 

The Pope stands in the place of Peter for the whole Church, and the various bishops stand in the place of the Apostles. 

Union with the Pope is a sure path to fidelity to God and to fruitfulness in our service to the Church. As St. Ambrose taught: “Where Peter is, there is the Church; where the Church is, there is no death, but eternal life.”

Our love for Christ is inseparable from our love for the Church and for the Roman Pontiff. That is why St. Josemaría encouraged us: “Love, venerate, pray for, and mortify yourself daily with ever greater devotion—for the Roman Pontiff, the cornerstone of the Church, who continues among men, throughout the centuries and until the end of time, that work of sanctification and governance that Jesus entrusted to Peter.”

Thus, we must be good followers, cooperating with the Pope and our bishop.

We can't follow either of these men if we don’t know where they want to lead us. How can we know what they want?

Hopefully, our parish priest will tell us things in the Sunday homily and at other days.

Then there is the media. We have to be good discerners of media, since so much is greatly distorted. It is necessary to find media outlets you trust.

We can also, according to our capacity, read what the Pope and our bishop write. The Pope’s encyclicals, audiences, homilies, and other addresses can be read on the Vatican website.

Finally, we should pray daily for both the Pope and our bishop, for their well-being and for what they want done to be faithfully carried out. 

Aug 22 Sat - Should I be afraid of lifelong commitments?

 Aug 22 Sat

Should I be afraid of lifelong commitments?

As Christians, we must follow Jesus and not fear lifelong commitments.

Three young people asked the Pope 
- how to remain true disciples of Christ, 
- how to say “yes” to a lifelong commitment, and 
- how to cope with crises in the Church.

How to remain true disciples of Christ? 
Pope Leo said, Being a witness to Christ is both captivating and demanding. It enlarges our minds and hearts, freeing us from the fears created by misinformation and from walls built by prejudice.

Rejecting the culture of power and building a civilization of love are choices that are not immediately understood or accepted. Yet the radicalism of the Gospel is the very opposite of fundamentalism. It does not make us blind or violent; instead, it makes us aware, attentive, and always eager to follow Jesus, and therefore humble and welcoming towards everyone. It is not an easy path, but it brings much joy.

About how to say “yes” to a lifelong commitment, Pope Leo said:

Choosing “for ever” does not imprison us within a cage; rather, it opens us to a greater active freedom. To love is to flee from slavery. It is a path to be discovered, a journey that God himself walks with us.

We must see the inseparable bond between faith, trust and faithfulness. Faith unmasks the illusion that our problems can be solved by running away, or abandoning our commitments, or taking a few steps along ever-changing roads without ever truly arriving anywhere. We may multiply our experiences, our acquaintances and our possessions, yet remain in exactly the same place. The human cost is immense, and the inner emptiness that follows is profound.

Thus, we must learn to know ourselves, to make decisions and to stake our lives on them –in other words, to respond to the Lord who calls us. We must never stop being faithful to the commitments we have made and to those still to come.

About how to cope with crises in the Church, Pope Leo said: Throughout history, and even today, many people struggle to experience the Church as Jesus desires her to be. This causes deep suffering; it leaves wounds and disappointments, and for some it even becomes an obstacle to faith.

In the Gospel, Jesus himself warns us about this danger: the scandal his disciples can cause, especially to the little ones and the poor. Yet from the very beginning, He desired to gather a united people. Around Jesus, men and women became brothers and sisters who otherwise would never have met.

Jesus’ desire for the Church is unmistakable: she is to become his Body and make his own life visible. The word of God, the Sacraments and the practice of fraternal love are the means by which the image of Christ is formed within us.

We must walk this path: not to dominate, but to serve; not to grasp, but to receive; not to withhold, but to give back. This is the very life of God, which continually renews the Church and makes her a free people, a place of refreshment and salvation.

Aug 21 Fri - Should I bless the food and thank God before meals?

 

Aug 21 Fri

Should I bless the food and thank God before meals?

Pope Leo XIV encouraged the faithful to rediscover the blessing of the table as a simple expression of faith and as a concrete way to convey the “beauty” of the Eucharist in daily life.

“As we savor the grace of the Eucharist, let us commit ourselves to bearing witness to its beauty in our daily actions, beginning with blessing meals at the table with family and friends.”

In the account of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes, Jesus’ actions reveal the profound meaning of his saving mission. “These actions manifest his special self-giving for us—that is, the salvation He brings to the world.”

“The Lord presents Himself as the One who gives meaning to our lives, freeing us from evil and sin. Christ, by restoring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf, not only performs miraculous deeds but also proclaims to all that the Kingdom of God is near.”

The Gospel shows how Jesus transforms human existence. “Jesus does not merely give the senses to those who lack them, but He also fills our senses with good things. Every encounter with Christ nourishes us: “In the desert—that is, in the midst of our needs—Christ is the bread of life.”

The Lord responds to the deepest longings of the human heart. “Christ truly satisfies humanity’s hunger—our hunger for truth and for life.” At the same time, his miracles convey a fundamental lesson about solidarity and sharing.

In the face of the logic of selfishness, instead of the risks of a culture centered on accumulation, “Jesus’ gestures teach us that nothing is lost when we share.”

“Accumulation and waste are two sides of the same evil: greed.” This is a “disease of the soul that leads to a loss of reason because it intoxicates with riches, to the point of forgetting those who weep from hunger and cry out from thirst.”

We must view the miracle of the loaves as a manifestation of divine charity. “In it, we recognize the characteristic actions of Jesus, which reach their culmination at the Last Supper, where the Son of God gives us his very life as our brother in humanity.”

Finally, Leo XIV reminded us that even vacation time can become an opportunity to live out brotherhood and care for those most in need. “Even vacations can become a time of serene brotherhood, including those who are at our side and in need.”

Here you have the traditional Blessing before Meals:

BLESSING BEFORE MEALS

V.   Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts which we are about to receive from your bounty, through Christ our Lord.
R.   Amen

(Add for midday)
V.   May the King of everlasting glory make us partakers of the heavenly table.
R.   Amen.

(Add for evening)
V.   May the King of everlasting glory lead us to the banquet of life eternal.
R.   Amen.

GRACE AFTER MEALS

V.   We give you thanks, almighty God, for all your benefits, who live and reign for ever and ever.
R.   Amen.
V.   May the Lord grant us his peace.
R.   And life everlasting.
V.   Amen. 

Aug 20 Thu - Should I allow discouragement when difficulties crop up?

 

Aug 20 Thu

Should I allow discouragement when difficulties crop up?

The Lord was transfigured before the three Apostles; his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 

God wanted to use this incident to strengthen the Apostles' faith. Our Lord openly showed his glory in the presence of his chosen ones, so that his disciples would not be scandalized when He dies on the cross. God works this wonder to hearten the Apostles and encourage them on the difficult path ahead. They still need special care, like a small child who has to be coaxed by gifts to take the medicine that will cure him.

On each Christian's path, purification is necessary to attain contemplation. We have to persevere in our efforts to love God day in and day out, even though we may not feel like it and might even think we are being hypocritical.

If we ever suffer this temptation, we should recall what St. Josemaría always taught us: “I don't mind telling you that the Lord has, on occasion, given me many graces. But as a rule, I have had to go against the grain. I follow my plan, not because I like it, but because I've a duty to do so, for Love."

'But, Father', you ask me, 'can one put on an act for God? Wouldn't that be hypocritical?'
“Don't worry: for you the moment has arrived to play out a human comedy before a divine spectator. Persevere, for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are contemplating your act; do it all for love of God, to please him, although you find it hard."

We should see difficulties as an ordinary feature of our lives. They shouldn't surprise us. If we did not come up against obstacles, we would not be creatures of flesh and blood. Besides, we know very well that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Without difficulties, without struggle, there would be no victory. An athlete does not receive the prize unless he makes a real effort.

Rather than discouraging us, the setbacks and adversities we face should serve as an added spur to our inner growth. For if –with the help of God's grace– we overcome them, we sanctify ourselves, and everything we do gains in depth and scope.

“If there were no difficulties, things would have neither human nor supernatural value. If a nail which is being hammered into a wall meets with no resistance, what can I hang on it?" We should expect to find resistance both within ourselves and from outside, if we are to accomplish ourselves and bear fruit.

We must always expect to encounter obstacles, because the goal that God has set for us is very high; it is supernatural. “It's hard! Yes, I know. But, forward! No one will be rewarded –and what a reward– except those who fight bravely." 

Aug 19 Wed - Can God's grace help us fight and overcome disorderly tendencies?

 

Aug 19 Wed

Can God's grace help us fight and overcome disorderly tendencies?

God's grace can truly help us fight and overcome disorderly tendencies, though the Church also teaches that, in this life, these tendencies are not fully eradicated.

The first effect of the Holy Spirit's grace is conversion. As Jesus announced, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:17). Moved by grace, a person turns to God, departs from sin, and places himself under God’s justice and mercy. 

The nature we have inherited from Adam has been wounded by original sin. Grace, which is infused into the soul for the first time by Baptism, heals this wounded nature. It does not completely remove the effects of original sin, however, because an inclination to sin still remains (fomes peccati), which God, through his mercy, permits. 

He does so both to forestall our falling into presumption and because it is his will that we reach heaven after winning in the ascetical struggle. 

Grace addresses the disorder within us. Sin wounds human nature and makes moral balance difficult, but Christ's salvation offers the grace necessary to persevere in pursuing virtue. Thus, we should always ask for the grace of light and strength, frequent the sacraments, cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and follow his calls to love what is good and shun evil.

Tendencies may remain, but sin need not “reign.”
So, the goal is not “never feel disorder,” but not to be ruled by it—to be healed, strengthened, and to choose the good in real, concrete ways. 

Temptations can be overcome, and keeping God’s law is never impossible. God does not command the impossible—rather, He tells you to do what you can and pray for what you cannot. 

Grace therefore supports a real spiritual battle: it gives strength to persevere, not just advice or encouragement. 

The Church also links grace to cooperation: you struggle “with grace from on high” to obtain what God promises, and with grace you prevail over the seductions of pleasure and power.

And St. Augustine emphasizes the same point: Do not place confidence in yourself alone, but in God—grace causes sin not to reign.  

In short: disorderly tendencies can be fought because grace is truly effective, and obedience to God remains genuinely achievable.

We can always avoid sin with God’s grace. For example, all expression of same-sex sexual desire is sinful, like consenting to a thought or desire. It therefore follows that we should not identify the person itself with its same-sex attractions, for to do so would be to say that we cannot resist them. 

Such attractions are something that people ‘have,’ never something that they ‘are.’

Grace does not only act on the will at the moment of temptation; it also heals the appetite from which the disordered desire arises: healing grace (gratia sanans) acts upon nature, correcting it.

We must not try to change the Church doctrine to call ‘holy’ any disorderly inclinations. Rather, we should help people overcome any objectively sinful inclinations with charity and without being judgmental. 

There are organizations (like Courage) that offer this specialized help. This is the Christian understanding of man and grace. 

Aug 18 Tue - What does Spider-Man’s line mean: “It's our decisions that make us become who we are”?

 

Aug 18 Tue

What does Spider-Man’s line mean: “It's our decisions that make us become who we are”?

One of Spider-Man's most famous lines has transcended the big screen: “It's our decisions that make us become who we are. And we can always choose to do the right thing.”

Spider-Man reminds us that our identity is not dictated by fate, impulses, or past mistakes, but by our actual choices, our moral actions, and free will.

At the same time, his statement affirms that each person has the power to choose their own path and that we can become good or bad people based on our daily actions.

Furthermore, Spider-Man recognizes that recovery and redemption are possible and that it’s never too late to change course and do good, as he learned from his friend Harry Osborn. Even so, one must always choose to do the right thing, even if that requires making sacrifices and seldom brings recognition or applause; we must do it right, simply out of moral duty.

We must be aware that we are primarily responsible for our own actions and the outcomes in our lives. That is, we must perceive that our own decisions, behaviors, and efforts directly influence our life events and outcomes, rather than blaming external forces such as luck, fate, or other people. 

Some people blame fate for what happens to them in life—such as some of Peter Parker’s enemies (the Green Goblin blames a serum, and the Sandman blames bad luck)—but what sets Spider-Man apart is that, no matter the circumstances, he chooses to do the right thing and not become a monster.

The phrase also speaks to the maturity Peter Parker acquired during his adolescence and adulthood. At first, he acted out of indirect guilt for having caused his Uncle Ben’s death, but over time, he stopped acting out of fear of remorse and came to act out of a deep conviction about the weight of his decisions.

Choice profoundly determines a person. In choosing, one both accomplishes and limits oneself. Self-determined choices make him become the kind of person he is. Through the actions a person freely chooses to do, he gives himself an identity, for weal or for woe. This is how we shape our lives.

Morality is indeed in the heart; it resides in the goodness or badness of our choices, which are acts of inner self-determination. By choosing, we place ourselves closer to certain human goods.

As a result of one’s choice, one has a greater proximity to the good that one has chosen than to other goods that are not chosen. When we make certain large choices (fundamental options such as marriage or other commitments), we must follow them up with further choices to implement them. 

Thus, if a person chooses to use deception to take another’s money, he makes himself a swindler. And his choice lasts. He will remain what—or who—he has made himself by an act of self-determination (a swindler) until he determines himself otherwise by another, radically contrary choice. Even if he repents, he will remain a swindler, but now a repentant swindler.

By choosing, I make myself.

Aug 17 Mon - Should we water down the Faith and soften its “requirements” to make Christianity more “attractive”?

 Aug 17 Mon

Should we water down the Faith and soften its “requirements” to make Christianity more “attractive”?

“A life of faith is a life of sacrifice. Our Christian vocation does not take us away from our place in the world, but it requires us to cast aside anything that would get in the way of God's Will." 
If we love God's Will, we shall come to understand that the value of our faith lies not only in how clearly we can express it, but also in our determination to live it with our deeds.

Pope Leo XIV also warned against the temptation to water down “the content” or lower “the requirements” inherent in Christian life and membership in the Catholic Church to make it more “attractive.”

“It is not by watering down the content or softening the demands that Christianity can be made attractive, but by humbly and courageously bearing witness to the path, truth, and life that has converted and sanctified so many people.”

The current crisis of faith has given rise to “widespread religious indifference. For many, faith no longer seems relevant to their lives.”

Thus, evangelization must address the “changing conditions and dynamics” in the transmission of the faith across generations.

The cultural climate of “hyper-media and consumerist” societies diminishes the ability to learn with patience and to embark, through effort, on a personal journey to seek the truth, with perseverance and a critical mindset. “Every message runs the risk of being perceived as just one opinion among many.”

“We need people whose understanding is illuminated by the light of God and whose hearts are open to God, so that their intellect may speak to the intellect of others and their hearts may open the hearts of others. Only through people touched by God can God return to people.”

God needs people who, “through an informed and lived faith, can make God credible in this world.”

The world has, “more than ever, thirst for hope.” “It desires to live in peace and with the certainty that the commitment to building a city worthy of God’s children is not only possible but real, because it is imbued with a hope that offers true, not illusory, goals.”

For this reason, the evangelization must continue to be the “fundamental motivation” for all the Church’s actions, both at the universal level and in local communities. “The proclamation of the Gospel, which instills hope, is not a utopian proposal: it is a testimony that draws people in because it manifests the call to love and truth.”

In this regard, “no one” can replace the Church in this mission, “which is as urgent as it is necessary to ensure a solid foundation for the future of humanity, so that it may be a future of peace, justice, freedom, and fraternity.”

Finally, the Pope addressed the importance of catechesis, which, he stated, “has a decisive impact on the life of the Church in her commitment to formation and the transmission of the faith.”

“Similar care must be given to young people who receive the sacrament of Confirmation. I encourage the many initiatives that accompany them as they continue on their journey of faith for their human and Christian growth.”

Pic: Our Lady, Mother of the Priests

Aug 16 Sun - How can we reconcile the silence of God with the faith of the Canaanite woman?

 

Aug 16 Sun

How can we reconcile the silence of God with the faith of the Canaanite woman?

In today's Gospel, we encounter the Lord's initial resistance and the unflinching insistence of the Canaanite woman: "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is cruelly tormented by the devil." It is the anguished cry of so many mothers who witness evil take hold of their children.

There are evils of the body, but there are also evils of the spirit—people who do not believe in God. And evils of the will—people who refuse to believe because it demands commitment.

The silence of God!
This mother does not protest or accuse, but prostrates herself before Jesus and says, "Lord, help me."

"Ask, and it will be given to you..." Yes, but so many have abandoned the life of prayer, withdrawing their trust in God when their petitions go unanswered. "What is the use of praying?" people scornfully ask when their problems remain unsolved. When God does not grant what we ask for, it does not mean He has not heard us.

To expect God to fulfill our desires would not be asking but commanding Him. And what do we ask for, most of the time? The removal of pain, easy success, a quick solution to a problem. Yet, our Father God, who knows better than we do what is best for us, lets events unfold because they will bring about a greater good. Ignorant or impulsive, we ask for stones instead of bread.

This Canaanite woman symbolizes the Church that cries out to God, day and night, year after year, throughout the centuries, for all to be delivered from evil.

There are stages in her history when it seems that God is silent. But this is not so. The Church believes in the salvation offered by God, even if evil seems to triumph, just as this woman believed. "Because of what you have said, go; the demon has gone out of your daughter," Jesus said. "And when she returned to her house, she found the child in bed, and the demon gone away." Faith makes it possible to foresee the outcome.

Christ encourages us to petition God with filial boldness.

With PRAYER OF PETITION, we inform God what we want so He can grant it to us. Of course, we cannot ask for something inherently evil for us and expect to be heard.

Likewise, we can make PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING with filial boldness, thanking Him for anything that is not sinful.

PRAYER OF ATONEMENT should also be made, expressing sorrow to God for all our sins and the evils we see around us.

Finally, we can PRAY AND ADORE GOD. Also, some make the sign of the cross when passing a church, or pray a Hail Mary when passing an accident scene, or genuflect unhurriedly before the Blessed Sacrament. 

Aug 15 Sat - What is the Assumption of Our Lady?

 Aug 15 Sat

What is the Assumption of Our Lady?

The Blessed Virgin Mary, beautiful and pure, was preserved from Original Sin and filled with graces by God’s design. Inside her womb, Jesus Christ dwelt. We honor her with the highest honor a creature can receive.

Christ is the first to rise from the dead, and the rest of us will arise in “proper order,” at his second coming.

In Mary’s case, the proper order for her was her Assumption into heaven, body and soul, since she never sinned, and so it was not fitting for her body to undergo corruption.

What is the doctrine of the Assumption we celebrate today?

“The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death” (CCC 966).

“The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians” (CCC 966).

We properly show this special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary by participating in this liturgical feast, and through the Marian prayers, especially the Rosary.

Why not say the Rosary daily? It can be recited in the family, while walking alone, while driving, before or after daily Mass.

In honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary, we receive from her far more than we give. The reason is that she mediates for us with her Son. The King of Heaven listens to the petitions of his Queen Mother.

To travel faithfully the "sure path" that our Lady has prepared for each of us, we go to her with childlike confidence. We ask, “Set our poor hearts on fire, so that we will love God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit with our whole being;" so that, by God's grace, we will deepen in our loving contemplation of the intimate life of the Most Holy Trinity. Mother, obtain for us the strength we need to follow with docility the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, the sanctifier of our souls.

“Inspire us with a great Love for the Church and the Pope, and make us live in full obedience to all their teachings. And since your prayer is all-powerful in the presence of God, allow us to choose you as special protectress, so that, after having lived a holy life on earth, we may have the joy of praising the Most Blessed Trinity with you forever in heaven. Amen."

Only by offending God do we lose that joy, because sin is the fruit of selfishness, and selfishness is the root of sadness. But neither God nor his Mother can ever forget us. If we repent, if an act of sorrow springs from our heart, if we purify ourselves in the holy sacrament of penance, God comes out to meet us and forgive us. Then there can be no sadness whatsoever.

Aug 14 Fri - Does God talk to me in prayer? (II)

 

Aug 14 Fri

Does God talk to me in prayer? (II)

Christ had outlined the main conditions for prayer and for a genuine relationship with God. What are those conditions?

The first condition is the RECTITUDE OF INTENTION: it means turning to God for God’s sake, not for other reasons; certainly not simply to be seen by others, nor to pretend a goodness we lack (cf. Mt 6:5). We turn to God because He is a personal being who must not be used as a means to an end. He has given us everything we possess; we exist because of his love; He has made us his children; He tenderly cares for us; and He has given his own life to save us.

Why do all people (Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, pagans) pray? Why do they pray? Why do even those who believe that they are not praying pray? The answer is very simple. “I pray because God exists. I know that God exists. That is why I pray."

The second condition is TRUST: we address Him as Father, Abba. God is not a distant being, much less an enemy of humankind, whom we must keep happy by constantly appeasing His wrath or meeting His demands. He is the Father who cares for His children, who knows what they need, and who gives them what is best for them (cf. Mt 6:8).

The third of the conditions for prayer, which introduces the revelation of the Lord’s Prayer: Simplicity, DO NOT USE TOO MANY WORDS (cf. Mt 6:7).

Too many words can overwhelm us and distract us. Thus, instead of turning our gaze to God and resting in his love, we run the risk of becoming prisoners of our urgent needs, our anxieties, or our plans. In other words, we may end up closed off, without prayer truly opening us to God and his transforming love.

“In the evening, you will be tested on love; learn to love as God wishes to be loved, and transform your condition.” To love means to attune oneself to the other, to discover their preferences and take joy in fulfilling them, and to learn—sometimes through some suffering—that our good intentions alone are not enough; rather, we must learn to get it right.

And how will we learn to love God? How will we know what He likes?
Above all, it is openness to a God who has revealed His true face to us and opened the intimacy of His heart to us. Only by knowing what dwells in God’s heart can we truly pray; only then can we love Him as He wishes to be loved. And, in light of that knowledge, we can change and align our prayer and learn to pray in the best way possible.

Using inspired words from the Sacred Scripture, we will find in them “solid food” (cf. Heb 5:14) for our prayer. Also, using the psalms and prayers of the Mass.

All of it, done under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes new horizons open up before our eyes, without us really being able to explain. Why? It is the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts. And we must listen. 

Aug 13 Thu - Does God talk to me in prayer? (I)

 

Aug 13 Thu

Does God talk to me in prayer? (I)

Prayer is an impulse, an invocation that goes beyond ourselves: something that arises from the depths of our being and reaches out because it longs for an encounter. That longing, which is more than a need: it is a path. Prayer is the voice of an “I” that gropes its way forward, feeling its way, in search of a “you.” The encounter between the “I” and the “you” cannot be calculated: it is a human encounter, and we often grope our way forward to find the “you” that my “I” is seeking.

Thus, prayer is a journey to walk alongside Jesus to come to contemplate God in our everyday lives. Its goal is to facilitate that encounter with the One who has loved us from eternity, so that He may transform our lives and enable us to bear fruit that, though beyond our reach, is tailored to our hearts. 

Prayer is a gift that God wants to give to all of us. It is up to each of us to remove the obstacles that prevent us from welcoming Him with open arms. The means used, such as inspirational books or listening to a preacher, should help us to long for, ask for, and nurture that relationship that will transform our lives into what God wanted them to be.

Jesus’ first disciples were often fascinated and amazed by their Master: He taught with authority, demons submitted to Him, He claimed the power to forgive sins, He performed miracles so they would not doubt… A man so remarkable must have held some mystery. One of those days, at dawn, just as they were about to begin another exhausting day, the disciples could not find Jesus. They left the house worried and searched the small town of Capernaum. Jesus was nowhere to be found. Finally, on a hillside overlooking the lake, they found him… praying! (cf. Mk 1:35).

The evangelist leads us to believe that they did not understand it at first, but they soon realized that the episode in Capernaum was not an isolated incident. Prayer was as much a part of the Master’s life as preaching, attending to people’s needs, or resting. 

But while all those activities were understandable and even admirable to them, the moments of silence fascinated them, even though they did not fully understand them. Only after spending some time with the Master did they dare to ask him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1).

We know Jesus’ response to that request: the Lord’s Prayer. And some might think that the disciples must have been disappointed: just those few words? Is that what the Master did for hours on end? Did he always repeat the same thing? 

St. Luke places the teaching of the Lord’s Prayer in the context of the Sermon on the Mount: there, Christ had outlined the main conditions for prayer and for a genuine relationship with God. What are those conditions?

Come here tomorrow to continue our dialogue. 

Aug 12 Wed - As in politics, are there different categories of Catholics?

 

Aug 12 Wed

As in politics, are there different categories of Catholics?

We must reject some ideological categories that some often use to divide by classifying the faithful within the Church. Yet one is either Catholic or one is not. There is no third option.

Certain terms such as “conservative” and “progressive” have become established in everyday language. So, apparently, there are all kinds of Catholics: left-wing Catholics; right-wing Catholics; reformist Catholics; progressives; reactionaries; traditionalists; progressivists, and so on. A particularly clever neologism is “different Catholics.”

It is the Magisterium that correctly interprets the faith, not a group of people who proclaim: “We are the Church!” The Church’s faith is the criterion and defining characteristic of a Catholic. We call heresies all deviations from it.  Instead of “a different kind of Catholic,” it would be more accurate to speak of “no longer Catholic!” The views of these people, skilled in sophistry, should be identified for what they are: heretical.

Just because something is labeled “Catholic” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “Catholic” on the inside. When it comes to yogurt, when we say it has a “sting,” we mean that it has already gone bad. Similarly, additional attributes attached to “Catholic” reveal that the corresponding interpretation of the faith or practice of the faith is in fact corrupt, erroneous, or false.  What “Catholic” means in the full sense of the word requires no further clarification. 
The Church stands for frankness here. “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Anything beyond that comes from the evil one.” (Mt 5:37)

As far as the Church’s faith is concerned, there is no “diversity.” There is diversity in the rites and expressions through which this shared faith is expressed. But the Church’s faith in Germany is no different from that in Africa. In its essence, Faith is definite and indivisible, Catholic and apostolic. It is deepened over time, interpreted in a way that is appropriate for each era (as determined by the Magisterium), and handed down (apostolic tradition).

Thus, we speak of the depositum fidei, the deposit of faith, which does not change over time but is faithfully handed down from generation to generation by the Church’s Magisterium. 

Peter is the rock, not the shifting sand dune that shifts with every (false) opinion. In this respect, all attributes intended to define what is “Catholic” remain suspect. Those who use them are, in reality, “dissidents.” They are “diverse,” to use a buzzword of our time, whose application in our context is just as wrong as in the one from which it originates. 

Some want to belong, to be regarded as Catholic, but to redefine the Church’s faith from within according to their own preferences and to live it differently (“diverse”), e.g., as a homosexual couple. They do not openly admit that they do not share the Church’s faith; they want to change it, to live it in a “contemporary” way. And the world loves them. It loves only what belongs to it.

We must no longer go along with this and speak as Catholics who are simply Catholic. Either you are, or you aren’t! That’s what it’s all about! 

Aug 11 Tue - Do I need the "gift of tongues" to talk about God?

 

Aug 11 Tue

Do I need the "gift of tongues" to talk about God?

Even when Jesus talked about really deep stuff, He kept it simple; He could connect with anyone. "Jesus respects people's mentality and background. Fishermen hear about nets and fish, farmers about seeds and vines, housewives about lost coins, and the Samaritan woman about the very water she came to Jacob's well to get."

No one left feeling lost; everyone got the message in a way that made sense to them. Jesus' message, the Good News, was for everyone, and people slowly started to get it. As it became late, they even had to be sent home because He was so easy to listen to.

Christ gave us those words of eternal life. We know that God's worst enemy on earth is ignorance; and as one of the Popes has written, it is the cause and root of all the evils poisoning peoples and distressing souls. That is why we ardently desire to lead all souls to the truth of Christ himself. How can people love him if they don't know him? You don't love what you don't know. This means we have to adjust to different mindsets and backgrounds, rather than assuming everyone thinks the same way.

So, we need the gift of tongues, which means knowing how to share what you know about God – something super important for anyone who wants to be an apostle."

Teaching something means making it easy for people to understand. When you're sharing, be clear. We can't let people shrug and say, 'whatever': the truth is one. The gift of tongues means you adapt to who's listening and what they already know. It comes from you preparing your material and the love and faith you put into this apostolic work."

This knack for matching what one teaches with how people think is so crucial in the apostolate that St. Josemaría asked God to give his daughters and sons the gift of tongues, so that what we all say is clear to everyone.

Talking to people "in their own language" is a good start, but in the doctrinal apostolate, we also need to say the same things over and over. First, because people might not get it all the first time, and second, because they might forget it.

"This means being ready to explain ideas fifty different ways if you have to. Eventually, they'll get it. At first, only three people understand, then ten, and finally thirty."
 
Patience is key, so we don't get discouraged by our own mistakes or when others are slow to catch on. “In this way we will topple the idols of misunderstanding, of injustice, of ignorance, and of those who claim to be self-sufficient and arrogantly turn their backs on God."

We have to say the same things, but in different ways. What we believe about faith and morals stays the same, obviously, but our style should be fresh and varied. The same ideas, in a hundred different ways, pleasantly, so that what we say is always kind, seasoned with salt, so we know how to answer everyone.

But most of all, what you say must be aligned with the testimony of your life. 

Aug 10 Mon - Is the Church necessary for salvation?

 

Aug 10 Mon

Is the Church necessary for salvation?

The Church has declared: “It must be firmly believed …that salvation… is offered and accomplished once for all in the mystery of the incarnation, death, and resurrection of the Son of God."

This unique mediation of the Redeemer does not exclude our participation. Just as Christ is the one and only mediator between God and humans, so also is the Church the one and universal means—sacrament—of salvation.

The Church, as a society in the present world, subsists in the Catholic Church. No man can be saved without belonging to her, either completely (as a full member) or at least in spirit (by his heartfelt attitude, that is, by a desire).

Our Lord had already said in Holy Scripture that, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” In sending the apostles around Galilee, He said to them: “And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.”

The Church is not merely a way of salvation; she is the only way. This is not a human opinion, but the express will of Christ. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

“Outside the Catholic Church,” St. Augustine says, “you can find everything except salvation. You can have honor and sacraments; you can sing alleluia and respond amen. You can uphold the Gospel, have faith in the Father, in the Son, and in the Holy Spirit, and preach that faith. But never, except in the Catholic Church, can you find salvation.”

Those not saved inside the Church can also attain salvation if they fulfill the natural law and obey God, but this is always by means of the Church. 

But the Council was also very clear about this: “Whosoever, therefore, knowing that the Catholic Church was made necessary by Christ, would refuse to enter or to remain in it, could not be saved.”

In the light of the documents already examined, the Church’s tradition can be summed up as follows:

- It is a dogma of faith that “the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation.”

- “They could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter her, or to remain in her.”

Yet the circumstances and capabilities of each individual should be borne in mind.

- One must have a desire or aspiration, not necessarily explicit, but it must be motivated by perfect charity, which implies an act of supernatural faith.

The texts of the Magisterium are insistent on two points:

- “There must be an effort to fulfill God’s will in deeds, by living an upright life.”

- But this cannot be achieved and have a saving effect except under the influence of grace. 

Aug 9 Sun - How should I pray?

 

Aug 9 Sun

How should I pray?

Jesus went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Jesus’ prayer to the Father is the perfect model of prayer. Often done in solitude and in secret, as we see in today’s Gospel, the prayer of Jesus involves a loving adherence to the will of the Father even to the Cross and an absolute confidence in being heard.

In his teaching, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray with a purified heart, with lively and persevering faith, with filial boldness. He calls them to vigilance and invites them to present their petitions to God in his name. Jesus Christ himself answers prayers addressed to him.

While the Mass is the perfect prayer, we also need to have a private life of prayer, a daily and intimate conversation with God. Heaven is communion with God, and one way to begin this communion now is by the conversation of mental prayer.

As was the case with Christ and his mother, the heart of prayer is offering oneself in loving adherence to the will of the Father, regardless of the cost. 
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

“And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” In imitation of Christ our Master, we also must have the sureness that God will answer our prayers. So, we pray with faith. 

We cannot expect our life of prayer to mean anything without an ongoing conversion of heart. If we don’t work with God to purify our lives of sin, we can’t expect a life of prayer. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.

We must pray with “filial boldness” or the audacity of a loved child. We can ask for what we want, so long as it is not evil. “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

We pray to the Father through Christ and directly to Christ. Christ invites his disciples to present their petitions to God in his name. Jesus Christ himself answers prayers addressed to him.

To be vigilant means to be on watch. We are vigilant if we say to Our Lord, I will pray at this time every day, and I will pray in these ways every day, and then actually do it.

We can find the solitude Elijah and Christ sought and that Christ recommends for us anytime we want by entering into our own interiority—even if things are busy and noisy around us. However, the best place for prayer is before the Blessed Sacrament in a quiet Church. 

Aug 8 Sat - How can I overcome difficulties?

 

Aug 8 Sat 

How can I overcome difficulties?

Keys to Mental Strength and Resilience Through the Example of Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is one of the world’s most renowned athletes who has found in psychological strength a tool to give his best in every match. Maintaining alertness, knowing how to control his thoughts, emotions, and actions to focus on the present are some of the practices Nadal has honed to reach such heights. 

Mental resilience differs from physical resilience in that the latter refers to the healthy state of the body that allows it to resist and overcome illnesses or accidents, with greater recovery power. However, mental stability is knowing how to remain strong and healthy after something negative, difficult, or challenging happens to us.

It can also be described as the ability to manage and withstand difficult situations without succumbing to frustration. Developing this skill is key to interpreting and responding to everything that happens to us and surrounds us, both personally and professionally. The greater a person’s mental strength, the better their ability to manage stress and insecurities.

For this reason, cultivating it is one of the secrets of elite athletes. In addition to mastering their sport, it’s also important for these professionals to have the ability to manage their actions and emotions to avoid frustration, especially during play.

Fortitude is one of those virtues that helps us be better parents, children, professionals, or businesspeople. In particular, it helps us have the firmness, patience, and perseverance to make the necessary decisions to achieve the good we seek, even in the midst of difficulties. A strong person perseveres in fulfilling what they believe they must do, according to their conscience; one who does not measure the value of a task solely by the benefits received, but by the service rendered to others. The strong person sometimes suffers, but endures; they may weep, but they swallow their tears. When adversity intensifies, they do not yield.

Cultivating this habit helps us improve personally and professionally, because it allows us to overcome challenging professional situations more quickly and achieve our goals. Growing in this virtue is not easy; it’s a never-ending process, and one can never truly claim or boast about possessing it. The important thing is to strive to develop it without comparing oneself to others.

“No man, whether he be a Christian or not, has an easy life. To be sure, at certain times it seems as though everything goes as we had planned. But this generally lasts for only a short time. Life is a matter of facing up to difficulties and of experiencing in our hearts both joy and sorrow. It is in this forge that man can acquire fortitude, patience, magnanimity and composure."

And remember, “If God gives you the burden, God will give you the strength."

“Let those very obstacles give you strength. God's grace will not fail you: You shall pass through the mountains!"

And even, “Does it matter that you have to curtail your activity, for the moment, if afterwards, like a spring which has been compressed, you will reach incomparably farther than you ever dreamed?"