Thursday, July 28, 2011
In case you haven't yet...
You may have noticed that I really enjoy the online webchannel known as RealCatholicTV.com. I definitely think it is worth the 5 minutes, if nothing else, to watch "Catholic News Roundup" to hear about some of the news from around the world that should be of concern to Catholics. Many of these stories the secular media wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole, or if they do, they will be skewed to a secular view. Please enjoy yesterday's epidode:
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Hooray for Courage!
There is quite a story told over at RealCatholicTV.com at the beginning of this video:
One wonders why a parishoner would stand up to shout down the priest who is instructing him in the faith? Have we seriously lost the understanding of the priest as our "pastor"? Do Catholics no longer see the need to listen intently to the challenge of the Gospel and all that the Church has taught in support of it for centuries, I should add! If we believe in Jesus, then let us remember that God can speak to us through his priests and we should be open to the possibililty, especially when they are echoing the clear teaching of the Church!
One wonders why a parishoner would stand up to shout down the priest who is instructing him in the faith? Have we seriously lost the understanding of the priest as our "pastor"? Do Catholics no longer see the need to listen intently to the challenge of the Gospel and all that the Church has taught in support of it for centuries, I should add! If we believe in Jesus, then let us remember that God can speak to us through his priests and we should be open to the possibililty, especially when they are echoing the clear teaching of the Church!
Monday, July 25, 2011
"I set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life, therefore...."
Norway has seen the unfortunate consequence of our modern world that has rejected God. As St. Paul teaches, "the wages of sin is death." Over the weekend a lone gunman, in what appears was a decided mental state, chose to bomb innocent people and open fire on teens at a camp. This truly is a horrific act. But even more disturbing is that this young man, who opened fire, was doing this because he was concerned about Islam in his country in Norway. It has been said he was a "fundamentalist Christian," but it is becoming clear that that was not the case.
My dear reader, as I said, this is the consequence of rejecting Christ in once Christian Europe. It may be however, as with so many things, a demonic influence may have influenced this young man to try to play God by taking life by means of the death and destruction he caused. His idea, it seems, was to have Europe take up arms against Muslims and Marxists.
As horrid as his actions were, there is, however, something to his concern, one must admit. If one remembers the Muslim riots in France in 2005, then one might remember that they took place there because of a perceived police brutality. But such stories of muslim influence are popping up all over Europe, even in Rome. It is true that muslims are growing in number in Europe. Consider this:
It would seem that a big battle is brewing... or is it? What you will notice in the above video is also what many in the West are continuing to do; that is, to make this a socio-political dilemma. But is it? After all, St. John Chrysostom - a contemporary of Mohammed- noted that Mohammed was a heretic. Really? Then perhaps the one thing that could save the West is the one thing that the so-called Secular Humanism (and one might argue so-called Liberalism) of the West rejects whole heartedly: namely Christian Theology. How can I boldly state this?
Consider Fr. Zakaria Botros, "Islam's (so-called) Public Enemy #1" an Egyptian Coptic priest who boldly speaks out against Islam - not as so many in the West do with political and cultural arguments, but in theological terms [For the sake of full disclosure, this Coptic priest is Orthodox and thus not in full union with Rome - though we recognize their Sacraments as valid, and the Catholic Church is seeking reunification as we speak!]. He very sincerely and wisely asks of Muslims, especially scholars, to explain certain hard questions that confront Islam:
This priest is awesome! Talk about gutsy! He just goes straight to the heart of the Islamic system of belief and asks questions. Check this out:
A little education about these things go a long way! In another article I was reading (linked to above) the author noted that this priest regularly challenges the prominent Islamic scholars of past and present. In fact, over at Jihadwatch.org one can find a few of Fr. Zakaria's explanations of a number of "interesting" facts about Mohammed and Islam. One such article, and this is NOT FOR KIDS, is entitled "The Perverse sexual habits of the Prophet." It actually has a few parts: part II, part III, part IV, and part V are found here.
These are things that most practitioners of Islam, or Mohammedans (as Catholic Tradition has referred to them) have not considered. In fact, Fr. Zakaria regularly appears on the Arab television show called "Daring Questions." For example, here when he calls into question the reliability of Mohammed's wife, who is said to have been a witness of the prophet's revelation, even though Islam does not allow women to be witnesses today! In another segment, he posed the question "Was Mohammed a prophet of God or of Satan?" And, as a sign that these things are effective in pointing to the Truth of Jesus Christ, it is said that Magdi Alam, who was publicly baptized by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI was influenced by Fr. Zakaria. In short, Our Lord Jesus Christ is the answer to the problem of so-called Muslim extremism. To find the Truth of Christ will transform our world, and help Muslims to find the Truth of God that came to us in Jesus Christ. May the Truth of Jesus Christ be made known by each of us who claim the glorious title of Catholic Christians so that all may "have life, and have it more abundantly" (Jn 10:10)!
My dear reader, as I said, this is the consequence of rejecting Christ in once Christian Europe. It may be however, as with so many things, a demonic influence may have influenced this young man to try to play God by taking life by means of the death and destruction he caused. His idea, it seems, was to have Europe take up arms against Muslims and Marxists.
As horrid as his actions were, there is, however, something to his concern, one must admit. If one remembers the Muslim riots in France in 2005, then one might remember that they took place there because of a perceived police brutality. But such stories of muslim influence are popping up all over Europe, even in Rome. It is true that muslims are growing in number in Europe. Consider this:
It would seem that a big battle is brewing... or is it? What you will notice in the above video is also what many in the West are continuing to do; that is, to make this a socio-political dilemma. But is it? After all, St. John Chrysostom - a contemporary of Mohammed- noted that Mohammed was a heretic. Really? Then perhaps the one thing that could save the West is the one thing that the so-called Secular Humanism (and one might argue so-called Liberalism) of the West rejects whole heartedly: namely Christian Theology. How can I boldly state this?
Consider Fr. Zakaria Botros, "Islam's (so-called) Public Enemy #1" an Egyptian Coptic priest who boldly speaks out against Islam - not as so many in the West do with political and cultural arguments, but in theological terms [For the sake of full disclosure, this Coptic priest is Orthodox and thus not in full union with Rome - though we recognize their Sacraments as valid, and the Catholic Church is seeking reunification as we speak!]. He very sincerely and wisely asks of Muslims, especially scholars, to explain certain hard questions that confront Islam:
This priest is awesome! Talk about gutsy! He just goes straight to the heart of the Islamic system of belief and asks questions. Check this out:
A little education about these things go a long way! In another article I was reading (linked to above) the author noted that this priest regularly challenges the prominent Islamic scholars of past and present. In fact, over at Jihadwatch.org one can find a few of Fr. Zakaria's explanations of a number of "interesting" facts about Mohammed and Islam. One such article, and this is NOT FOR KIDS, is entitled "The Perverse sexual habits of the Prophet." It actually has a few parts: part II, part III, part IV, and part V are found here.
These are things that most practitioners of Islam, or Mohammedans (as Catholic Tradition has referred to them) have not considered. In fact, Fr. Zakaria regularly appears on the Arab television show called "Daring Questions." For example, here when he calls into question the reliability of Mohammed's wife, who is said to have been a witness of the prophet's revelation, even though Islam does not allow women to be witnesses today! In another segment, he posed the question "Was Mohammed a prophet of God or of Satan?" And, as a sign that these things are effective in pointing to the Truth of Jesus Christ, it is said that Magdi Alam, who was publicly baptized by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI was influenced by Fr. Zakaria. In short, Our Lord Jesus Christ is the answer to the problem of so-called Muslim extremism. To find the Truth of Christ will transform our world, and help Muslims to find the Truth of God that came to us in Jesus Christ. May the Truth of Jesus Christ be made known by each of us who claim the glorious title of Catholic Christians so that all may "have life, and have it more abundantly" (Jn 10:10)!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Have the Knights been hijacked?
To be upfront, I am a Knight of Columbus - 3rd Degree. To be totally honest it has been some years since I have been seriously involved with a Council, though I maintain my membership. But this report from Michael Voris is fairly disturbing:
It is important, as Catholics, to constantly reassess our associations and perhaps it is time for me to reassess mine...
It is important, as Catholics, to constantly reassess our associations and perhaps it is time for me to reassess mine...
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
In these days of great financial turmoil, our country needs a good laugh. With the announcement that our beloved Archbishop is leaving, we need a laugh. With the challenge of finding work for many people, we need a laugh. Since the heat will be getting to us this week in Denver, we need a laugh. And finally, with the summer almost half over, we need to laugh.
My childhood was lived during the 80's so as we have so much in modern cinema that is trying to recapture those times, I think it is worth some satire. I accidentally stumbled upon these videos, and for those of you who already know about them, bear with me. I hope, if you are familiar with these "blockbuster" movies of recent years, that these spoofs will give you a laugh:
If you enjoy these, there are plenty more online that you can find here. I highly recommend the Lord of the Rings spoof (though there is a cartoon rear-end shown, so be aware). As well, others may not be suitable for children - I can't recommend all of them, but these were pretty funny. May we find the Joy of the Lord in the midst of our trials.
My childhood was lived during the 80's so as we have so much in modern cinema that is trying to recapture those times, I think it is worth some satire. I accidentally stumbled upon these videos, and for those of you who already know about them, bear with me. I hope, if you are familiar with these "blockbuster" movies of recent years, that these spoofs will give you a laugh:
If you enjoy these, there are plenty more online that you can find here. I highly recommend the Lord of the Rings spoof (though there is a cartoon rear-end shown, so be aware). As well, others may not be suitable for children - I can't recommend all of them, but these were pretty funny. May we find the Joy of the Lord in the midst of our trials.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Poor St. Lawrence....
Today, sixty eight years ago, we lost one of the great jewels of Rome. On July 16th, 1943 the Patriarchal Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls was destroyed by American bombers who were trying to bomb the nearby railyards. Sadly, our American bomber pilots missed with one serious bomb. There were, in fact, specific instructions for bombers to avoid any religious buildings in Rome, but one bomb strayed anyway. If you want to read more on this check this out. Here is what the devastation looked like:
Prior to that bombing, San Lorenzo was an ancient Church that was built above the tomb of St. Lawrence, one of the first seven Deacons of Rome. Originally, it was half the size it is today, because an entirely different Church was built over the original tomb. Then one was built next to it. Then, later, the two were conjoined. Even today, you can find a crick in the walls of the current Church were the two buildings were conjoined. For centuries, following a tradition propogated by St. Phillip Neri, it was one of seven Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome that people would often go to visit while in Rome. It houses a large cemetary just behind it as well, called in Italian the Campo Verano.
It was St. Lawrence who is famously shown with a grill, because it was reported that he had been put to death on a grill. He was so burned, that he exclaimed to his captors, "Turn me over, I am done on this side!"
In fact, in the basement of that Basilica you can find, even today, the marble slab that was said to have been used to carry the Saint from his death to his tomb (perhaps I will post a picture of this slab on his Feast day). Upon the white marble slab, one finds blood stains that are said to have come from his back.
In short, the Church that was standing at the time it was bombed had a long and rich history. Unfortunately, when this Basilica was hit, some people who were nearby were wounded and some died. But the great pastoral heart of Pope Pius XII was shown when he immediately went out to visit the people. It is said that his cassock was stained with the blood of the victims, presumbly because he went to visit and/or pray over them - perhaps even offer Extreme Unction (Last Rites). This visit of the Holy Father to the bombed Church also preciptated one of my most favorite pictures of any Pope I have ever seen, because it bespeaks the heart of the Pope:
While we have lost the original Church, as it once stood, the Church that stands in its place today was restored from the original plans - and thankfully not ruined with weird modern art. While my post today is entitled "Poor St. Lawrence" I am certain that he didn't "sweat" (as the kids say) losing a Basilca named after him, nor even that its where his earthly remains are kept. I have a feeling he was more concerned for the poor souls who lost their lives that day that America bombed the city of St. Peter and St. Paul. It just goes to show you, you never know when God will call you home. Perhaps it is best that we each prepare our hearts, for we never know when we too will be asked to give account for our lives before the Lord. Like St. Lawrence, may we have the grace to die well... and even provide a lil' humor for centuries of martyrs to follow.
In case you have never seen it, let me leave you with this short video, the beginning 7 minutes of which shows the Basilica of St. Lawrence (the latter half shows the Basilica of Santa Prassede - but that is a blogpost for a different day):
UPDATE*** Here is a picture of the shell of the actual bomb! They kept it at St. Lawrence and you can see it there today:
Prior to that bombing, San Lorenzo was an ancient Church that was built above the tomb of St. Lawrence, one of the first seven Deacons of Rome. Originally, it was half the size it is today, because an entirely different Church was built over the original tomb. Then one was built next to it. Then, later, the two were conjoined. Even today, you can find a crick in the walls of the current Church were the two buildings were conjoined. For centuries, following a tradition propogated by St. Phillip Neri, it was one of seven Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome that people would often go to visit while in Rome. It houses a large cemetary just behind it as well, called in Italian the Campo Verano.
It was St. Lawrence who is famously shown with a grill, because it was reported that he had been put to death on a grill. He was so burned, that he exclaimed to his captors, "Turn me over, I am done on this side!"
In fact, in the basement of that Basilica you can find, even today, the marble slab that was said to have been used to carry the Saint from his death to his tomb (perhaps I will post a picture of this slab on his Feast day). Upon the white marble slab, one finds blood stains that are said to have come from his back. In short, the Church that was standing at the time it was bombed had a long and rich history. Unfortunately, when this Basilica was hit, some people who were nearby were wounded and some died. But the great pastoral heart of Pope Pius XII was shown when he immediately went out to visit the people. It is said that his cassock was stained with the blood of the victims, presumbly because he went to visit and/or pray over them - perhaps even offer Extreme Unction (Last Rites). This visit of the Holy Father to the bombed Church also preciptated one of my most favorite pictures of any Pope I have ever seen, because it bespeaks the heart of the Pope:
While we have lost the original Church, as it once stood, the Church that stands in its place today was restored from the original plans - and thankfully not ruined with weird modern art. While my post today is entitled "Poor St. Lawrence" I am certain that he didn't "sweat" (as the kids say) losing a Basilca named after him, nor even that its where his earthly remains are kept. I have a feeling he was more concerned for the poor souls who lost their lives that day that America bombed the city of St. Peter and St. Paul. It just goes to show you, you never know when God will call you home. Perhaps it is best that we each prepare our hearts, for we never know when we too will be asked to give account for our lives before the Lord. Like St. Lawrence, may we have the grace to die well... and even provide a lil' humor for centuries of martyrs to follow.
In case you have never seen it, let me leave you with this short video, the beginning 7 minutes of which shows the Basilica of St. Lawrence (the latter half shows the Basilica of Santa Prassede - but that is a blogpost for a different day):
UPDATE*** Here is a picture of the shell of the actual bomb! They kept it at St. Lawrence and you can see it there today:
Monday, July 18, 2011
OH NO!!!!
It is being reported over at the awesome Catholic website Newadvent.org (which links the Inquirer in Philadelphia) that we are about to lose our Archbishop to Philadelphia. While this should be sad for all those who care about the Archdiocese of Denver, it is important to remember that we should also have expectant hearts for what Jesus is about to do here in Denver! Let us pray begin to pray for our next Archbishop! At the same time, let us pray for our Archbishop that he will be blessed as he moves on to his new ministry at the service of Christ in his Holy Church. Thank you for your guidance of our Archdiocese, and we will miss you, your Excellency!
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