Was there a good point from your Sunday sermon today?
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St. John Eudes
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“He [Satan] will set up a counter-Church which will be the ape of the Church because, he the devil, is the ape of God. It will have all the notes and characteristics of the Church, but in reverse and emptied of its divine content. It will be a mystical body of the anti-Christ that will in all externals resemble the mystical body of Christ. In desperate need for God, whom he nevertheless refuses to adore, modern man in his loneliness and frustration will hunger more and more for membership in a community that will give him enlargement of purpose, but at the cost of losing himself in some vague collectivity.”
“Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops.”
- Fulton Sheen
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"But if, in any layman who is indeed imbued with literature, ignorance of the Latin language, which we can truly call the 'catholic' language, indicates a certain sluggishness in his love toward the Church, how much more fitting it is that each and every cleric should be adequately practiced and skilled in that language!" - Pius XI
"Let us realize that this remark of Cicero (Brutus 37, 140) can be in a certain way referred to [young lay people]: 'It is not so much a matter of distinction to know Latin as it is disgraceful not to know it.'" - St. John Paul II
Grant unto thy Church, we beseech Thee, O merciful God, that She, being gathered together by the Holy Ghost, may be in no wise troubled by attack from her foes. O God, who by sin art offended and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy people making supplication unto Thee,and turn away the scourges of Thine anger which we deserve for our sins. Almighty and Everlasting God, in whose Hand are the power and the government of every realm: look down upon and help the Christian people that the heathen nations who trust in the fierceness of their own might may be crushed by the power of thine Arm. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.
If you travel internationally, this is a super useful gizmo for your mobile internet data. I use one. If you get one through my link, I get data rewards.
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The deacon spoke today of purgatory, mortal sin, temporal punishment of sins, and the need to die in a state of grace all supported with Scriptural references.
At St. Kevin’s in Dublin, the priest spoke of the beauty of the Mass and how it is a window into heaven. Very nice. Very true. Choir was fantastic. Many young people there, mostly from Poland, France and other nations. Praise God.
http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.ie/2012/11/an-example-of-lassus-scholars.html
At Blackfen we were treated to the martyrdom of Blessed Miguel Pro – I think Fr. Finigan is preparing us for the times to come…
That we must seek to conform ourselves to the Sacred Heart.
Our deacon preached on the Kingship of Christ and encouraged us not to be trapped by the spirit of the world.
Father spoke about Christ as Judge and elaborated on the purpose of the general judgment that will occur at the end of time. Always good to be reminded of our long-term goal.
The deacon preached on the kingship of Christ, and how we should prepare for the Kingdom, much as a mother prepares for the birth of her child. Beautiful. He’s very gifted with choosing metaphors that he can then unpack and really get deep with.
I chose to talk about Sacred Liturgy, using the people’s response, “It is right and just,” to talk about the necessity of worship for our being truly human.
Last Sunday after Pentecost:
We don’t know when the end of time is, so we should be always ready to meet the Lord.
Why do we face liturgical east, with the priest leading us? It’s in today’s Gospel (St. Matt. 24).
Canon did tell an amusing anecdote about someone who came to him with “a message from Our Lady”, and that after the end of the world didn’t materialize, this person came to Canon and said that his prayers had postponed the end of time.
That we should think hard about what Christ’s kingship means in our lives, and that if we profess Christ as our King, then we can’t be “cafeteria Catholics” and follow only the teachings that are convenient and easy while ignoring the ones that are difficult and require personal sacrifice.
Holy Redeemer Church, Cathedral Parish, Madison, WI, Fr John Zuhlsdorf. Prepare for Advent, which is more about the Second Coming and the end of the world than it is about the first coming of Jesus: go to confession. Do works of charity for the needy. We must do penance. Give alms. We should fast (yes!). Between now and next Sunday, open your Bible every day to the chapters in Luke (12-19? or so?) where Jesus is telling parables, and read some of that each day and reflect on your life and your own conversion.
I am not always very alert at 7am and do not remember all the rest that you said except that it was edifying. Fr Z you must consider letting David Stienen record your homilies if you are here, he is highly respected and of great service to the Church in far more ways than that, his recordings are quality and he puts them to good use.
Confession. Confession. Confession. Go to Confession.
Our interim pastor had the ushers hand out the bulletin as we entered the Church, which I’d never seen done before. The reason was he had posted a guide to and encouragement to go to Confession in the bulletin, in English and Spanish, and he went over the guide as part of his homily. He emphasized that our regular pastor (on sabbatical) and he will happily hear Confession, just make an appointment with the office and it’ll be done. He encouraged this especially for those who have not been to Confession in a while and have particular problems/sins to discuss. This is also the same priest who added an additional four hours of Confession during the week.
One point he made was that if you haven’t been to Confession in a while, perhaps you should schedule one with a priest, so as not to take up time from others. My confession a couple weeks ago took up more time than I thought it would because I wanted to get everything out and make a good, clean Confession. The length was my fault for holding out so long. I hope to start regularly so it won’t be a problem.
He also called sin a waste of time. I never thought of it that way before, but it’s true.
We are so lucky to have such good priests.
I talked abou the history of the Solemnity of Christ the King. Pius XI concerned with people abandoning Christ and His law. That was 1925, much worse now. Even those who claim to be good Catholics promoting intrinsic evils like abortion, same-sex marriage, euthanasia and more. Today, we need courage, zeal and a fire to make us like Blessed Miguel Pro and the martyrs of Mexico. Viva Cristo Rey!
Too funny, Fr. Fox — I just logged in to give you an ‘attapadre for your marvelous homily this morning. Thanks for delivering it, and for your ars celebrandi on this important feast.
In his homily, Father spoke of how (like Bl. Miguel Pro whose feast day was 2 days ago), we are all called to fight, suffer, and die for Christ. He also stated very clearly that our duties as Catholics come above and before our duties as Americans.
I forgot to mention something nice about the parish we visited — at the very end of Mass, the priest said that apparently there were some folks still waiting for Confession when he had to leave the confessional to prepare for Mass, so he’d be staying after the Mass to hear Confessions and would remain there until he’d gotten through everyone still in the church.
I thought it awesome that so many people were going to Confession that they’d overfilled the regular hours.
Our deacon gave the homily and talked about the Feast of Christ the King and when it was officially established.
The music was more than half GOOD older hymns with lots of meaning in the lyrics, and two moderns that while devoid of depth of meaning were at least not obviously heretical.
I was rather pleased over-all. Good homily and more good music than usual. Very nice!
While I’m still adjusting to our new pastor’s bluntness, which can sting if you’re not prepared for it, and be offensive at times, I was quite welcoming of his bluntness during his sermon to those who like to pass out anti-OF literature after our EF Masses.
The fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple “was the abomination of desolation, according to the Fathers of the Church, so anyone of you here who thinks that the New Mass is the abomination of desolation , [dramatic pause] YOU’RE WRONG. That’s the end of it. The Fathers of the Church have spoken clearly on that. You’re wrong.”
Today, Greek Catholics and Orthodox celebrate the feast of St. Clement of Rome. He was the fourth Bishop of Rome in the 90’s of the first century, after Peter, Linus and Anacletus. His name was mentioned in the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Phillipians, which was one of the readings today.
Clement wrote an epistle to the Corinthians while he was Pope. There had been divisions in that Church, and Clement was warning the Corinthians of the scandal caused by them. Our priest (who is an expert on the Fathers of the Church) pointed to a passage in Clement’s letter suggesting that St. Peter had been betrayed to Nero by a faction within the Church of Rome, leading to his martyrdom in the 60’s. Clement received the crown of Martyrdom in the 90’s while serving as successor to St. Peter — some 20 years after Peter’s death.
Father called us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. God does not dispense the Spirit in small spoonfuls. If we are filled with the Spirit there will be no room for sin. We should not be satisfied with simply avoiding the gross major sins, but must open ourselves completely to the Spirit.
That was the message for this Sunday, which according to our Calendar is the 29th after Pentecost and the Leavetaking of the feast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple, which was celebrated last Wednesday.
@ APX – you and I are apparently going to the same church, and I was going to post the last half of what you said – but you beat me to it.
Priest: Young fella around 40-years old, who is also some-type seminary formations director of the diocese ensuring that we are supplied with well… you’ll get the drift after the next few lines.
Entrance antiphon song thing: We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing…
Homily: Americans have no king but Christ and so let us build the kingdom of God here on earth because the Kingdom of God in Heaven is already built.
Disclaimer: Thank be to God that we have priests here in Worcester even if the only one’s we have around nearly make us envious of other parts of the country. I miss having Mons. J.P. Maroney around. They stoles him from us.
“You say I am a king.”
Do I say this? Have I given kingship of my soul to Our Lord? Will I allow Him to reign over my life? Am I willing to do whatever it takes, whatever is necessary, to be a disciple for Jesus? Father M., our pastor, painted Christ the King not as despot, but as Supreme Inviter, always beckoning me to a deeper life with Him.
Last Sunday after Pentecost.
Our priest spoke about how many Protestants and Catholics are so focused on the final destruction, often after throwing good Catholic theology out the window, or at least simply waiting around for it, when really, we instead need to focus on keeping ourselves in the state of sanctifying grace. The end times began once Christ died, and regardless of what horrible things will happen, we need not be afraid as long as we stay in the state of sanctifying grace. We shouldn’t waste our time waiting for the coming persecution before we change our hearts, or looking for the signs of the end times or the anti-Christ (he did mention a loony one Protestants are going crazy over lately). As he said, if a comet came down and hit the parish while he was speaking, we would all be judged and sentenced before our neighboring province even heard about the disaster. The “mark of the beast” is being in a state of sin; what matters is that we are in the state of grace.
Talked about sin, Purgatory and Hell. He laughed and said yes there is a Hell. “That’s how we do it int the Catholic Church. At least in this parish.”
I was visiting family out of state and went to an unfamiliar parish. I expected to hear something to make me roll my eyes, but instead I heard a homily that included references to the Latin responses (this was an English OF Mass), comments about two Popes, and comments on the recent election. I was pleasantly surprised.
The main topic of the homily was relativism, and how we can’t be Catholic for only one day a week. We can’t fall into the trap of letting everyone have their own truth. We have to make Christ our King always, not just when its convenient. Father also commented on each of the readings, weaving them into the relativism theme.
Our priest tried to picture how a modern day Pontius Pilate would wash his hands and declare his innocence in the death of “this just man”. He came up with “I am personally opposed but …”
Our pastor also spoke of Bl. Miguel Pro. He started by explaining that in 1924, the Mexicans elected a populist president who promised land and labor reform and a fairer distribution of wealth, but who soon turned to an open and violent persecution of the Church, and described Fr. Pro’s life and the events leading to his martyrdom. The lesson is that our first allegiance as Christians is to Christ the King.
Great sermon reflecting on Pope Bendedict XVI’s recent address regarding the dangers of practical atheism among Christian believers. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/practical-atheism-more-destructive-than-disbelief-pope-says/
Our Associate Pastor made an interesting comparison between earthly Kings and their desire to aggrandize their kingdoms in a quest to build a lasting legacy and Christ’s Kingship. Ended by noting that the more accurate vision of Christ as King is to picture him at the moment when he washes the feet of the Apostles. Thus we see his Kingship as one of service for love for all of his sheep.
Canon did tell an amusing anecdote about someone who came to him with “a message from Our Lady”, and that after the end of the world didn’t materialize, this person came to Canon and said that his prayers had postponed the end of time.
I wonder why they’re always assuming that the Second Coming is something we must be wanting to postpone… you know… not that I’d be particularly exhausted with living in this world (some, in fact, are, and are for good reason), nor totally eager to see my sins judged upon, but still… (and what must be must be…) … still wasn’t it the Christian thing to do to look forward to it?
Fr contrasted the Reign of Christ with the Reign of Pilate. Pilate was interested only in power and therefore to keep power had to keep appearances up, and therefore he had to deny truth (‘what is that’) and crucify a man he knew was innocent in order to keep the appearance of order and please other people. Christ, on the other hand, was only interested in truth, even if that upset other people and brought him to the cross. Do we seek appearances and pleasing other people, or do we seek the truth that Christ gave us in the the Church and her teachings?
Fr also said that Pilate was the only one who could have a man executed, however after he passed sentence on Christ he abdicated his responsibility, and symbolised that by washing his hands in the bowl. Do we take on the responsibility we have as Christians, or do we abdicate it like Pilate? Fr tied this in to the Confirmations we held last week, and the children who are preparing to make their first communion.
Holy Rosary Church, Jersey City, NJ, TLM High Mass (I was visiting my hometown for the day):
Monsignor talked about apocalyptic books in scripture, and how the bible is not just a book, but a library of different types of writings in different styles on different topics: history, poetry, prophecy, etc… …and how many have come proclaiming the end of the world will be such and sucha date or time, and have all been wrong, for even our Lord said, “only the Father knows”. Many throughout history have proclaimed that we are in the worst of times, be it the first World War, the great depression, the Second World War, the Cold War and threat of nuclear war, so many terrible things that have happened throughout history… …but we have always come through. 50 years from now people will look at today as the “good days”, but we always come through, despite difficulties, sufferings, persecutions…
in short, be prepared at any moment of any day for our death or for the end of the world, for we do not know when it will come and should not be pre-occupied. If we live the commandments, if we live as Christ taught us, then we need not fear the end of the world, for we will be ready.
It was much better than what I have just stated, but you get the idea :)
I asked, “Who sits on the throne of your heart?”
http://hancaquam.blogspot.com/2012/11/who-sits-on-throne-of-your-heart.html
Fr. Philip Neri, OP
Father talked some about the thrones of great emperors and kings, describing their majesty and touched briefly on the history of the great Feast of Christ the King. He then tied this description of thrones to the throne of Christ, saying something along the lines of: “Christ’s throne is the cross, and his crown, the crown of thorns.” He went on to challenge the college students (and some parents, faculty of the college, and others attending the Mass) that to attain heaven we must take up our crosses and make Christ King of our lives. Really great homily–so much packed in there, holding my attention– and the Mass was beautiful as well, with singing some of the Mass parts in Latin (doesn’t usually happen) and some good old hymns relating to the Feast. Oh, and Panis Angelicum. Beautiful! Thankful to God for all he gives us.
“We all must live and die for Jesus Christ.” Father Cullen was awesome as usual.
Fr. Pete McCormick, CSC, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame, spoke about the reality of Christ as King, especially his suffering. He did NOT begin with a long, meandering personal anecdote, he did NOT mention, even indirectly, the ND undefeated season. The words “I” “me” and “my” were few and far between. He spoke with passion and conviction about Jesus and the readings. Praise the Lord for these young CSC priests.
St. Gabriel Parish, Sunset District, San Francisco. 7:00 AM Low Mass
Our homily was given by a young seminarian currently residing in the Parish. Like many others who posted here, the homily was about Christ the King but not as a king who abuses his power but as one who comes as a human to share and serve. Started with a small history lesson that Kings of Israel, endowed with their position from God, were called to be different than the kings of the surrounding nations. These kings were to teach, lead, and rely upon the Law as the final word. Morphed somewhat into a comparison of Christ’s rule vs. Pilate’s and then finished with calling us to contemplate the cross – the True Throne of Christ.
Our Mass was the Last Sunday After Pentecost. The Gospel was on the destruction of the world and His second Advent. Fr. Ken Baker’s homily was on the same and superb, as usual.
Wish the church was closer, (79 miles each way).
Many good things in the homily, but a phrase stands out in my mind, “The devil doesn’t have a chance …… unless you give him one.”
Our Sunday sermon was erudite, insightful, witty, intelligent, moving, spiritually beneficent, and delivered by a dashingly handsome layman, viz. me.
I think most of the congregation stayed awake for it, and I did get some very gratifying feedback. I spoke about the Jefferson Bible and issued a challenge to go beyond the supernatural events in the miracle stories of the gospels to the truths all religious people should be able to accept. Even we atheists.
PostCatholic, Sounds convincing to your one adherent. I mean, you sound like you have really convinced yourself!
Oh c’mon, benedetta, if you want to be angry at my sense of humor, at least make it substantial anger. I was speaking to about 200 people, not to myself. I’ve already convinced myself. I just went through sermon to be sure–the word “I” appeared twice and the word “me” not at all.