Catholicity

  Almost everyone is familiar with the traditional story of Pentecost in the Acts of the Apostles. It features a violent wind, tongues of fire, and speaking in foreign languages (Lk 2:1-4). However, most people are not aware that there is another Pentecostal story in the Acts of the Apostles. The familiar one is the Jewish Pentecost. But, in chapter 10, we find The Pentecost of the Gentiles. Luke, who authors both accounts, is really the first evangelist to develop an understanding of the Holy Spirit. He declares that the Holy Spirit both launches and guides the mission of Jesus' Apostles to the Jews and the Gentiles. He depicts the first Pentecost as a sort of “virtual” manifestation of God....wind, fire, foreign tongues. This occurs 50 days after Jesus's resurrection. There is far less fanfare in chapter 10's account, however, where the spirit descends upon the centurion, Cornelius, and his household all are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. There is yet another acco...

"Jesus disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, 'Lord shall we strike with the sword?' and one of them struck the high priests servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, "Stop! No more of this! Then He touched the servant's ear and healed him." -  Luke 22:49-51 Things have gotten out of hand. First one of the disciples leads a hostile group to seize Jesus and take him away under force. Then another disciple pulls a sword and cuts off someone's ear! In the previous 21 chapters of Luke's gospel, nothing like this has happened. Something has turned wrong - and it will only get worse. But just for a moment, Jesus steps into the ugly fracas and, of all things, heals a member of the enemy group. Jesus, the merciful healer, is back at it again. Much earlier in Luke's gospel, he taught love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,... he meant it, and here he is doing it. So what's the lesson for me? At first...

  "To strengthen Jesus, an Angel from heaven appeared to him . He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground." - Luke 22:43-44 Artists usually portray Luke's account of the agony in the garden, which says that Jesus is kneeling (Matthew and Mark have him prostate on the ground). But also in Luke, an angel appears. We don't know this angels name, but that is not important, because this Angel is God's answer to Jesus' prayer. And the answer is... "no." God says, "This cup cannot be taken away, but I'll be will be with you through it all." This is expressed by the Angel at Jesus side to strengthen him. It is then that Jesus is in agony. Only Luke uses the word, "agony," the word by which we have come to characterize this whole scene. 'Agony' comes from a Greek word describing the mental and physical tension athletes feel when facing a contest. They may be ...

"And how many, I ask, shall we find, in our times, so dead to the world as already to have learnt to die to the flesh, and thus to secure their salvation? I have certainly no doubt, that in the Catholic Church are to be found, not only in monasteries and amongst the clergy, but even in the world, many holy men, truly dead to the world, who have learned the Art of Dying Well. But it cannot be denied also, that many are to be found, not only NOT dead to the world, but ardently fond of it, and lovers of its pleasures, riches, and honors: these, unless they resolve to die to the world, and in reality do so, without doubt will die a bad death, and be condemned WITH the world, as the apostles saith. But in their usual way, the lovers of the world reply, "It is very difficult to die to the world, whilst we are living in it; and to despise those good things which God has created which bring us enjoyment." To these words I answer, ...

  Jesus said to the apostles... “when I sent you forth, without money bag, or a sack, or sandals, were you in need of anything?” “No, nothing,” they replied. Then he said to them, “But now, one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely: 'He was counted among the wicked' and, indeed, what is written about me is coming to fulfillment. Then they said, “Lord, look - there are two swords here. But He replied, “That is enough.” - Luke 22:35-38 Earlier, when Jesus sent out the disciples, he spoke of a money bag, sack, and sandals. Now he speaks of a money bag, sack and swords. What gives? He is speaking symbolically, referring to 3 separate, but interconnected thoughts... 1. He speaks of Himself, who has given to us, who had nothing, all the “wealth” of the Kingdom of God 2. He alludes to the idea that we who have been given this '...

  Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, behold; Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back - you must strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.” But He replied, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me - Luke 22:31- 34 Here, Jesus looks ahead to the imminent failure of the disciples. They will abandon him; Peter will do worse... after abandoning Jesus along with the rest, he'll deny him not once, but three times. So looking ahead to this, what does Jesus say to Peter? He says that he has prayed for him, that Peter may not ultimately fail as a disciple. Jesus prayed for Peter. He was on Peter's side, even though He knew what Peter would do. Imagine that. Now, imagine, if you will, Jesus praying for you, or me. Jesus on our side. There is no need to imagine it. In John's account of the ...

  On this first Sunday of Lent, Jesus shows us the importance of prayer and fasting against the temptations of the enemy, … Satan, ... the devil. Alone in the desert, Jesus fasted 40 days as the devil pestered Him, trying to make Him reject His father's will. He was at his weakest moment, hungry and very vulnerable. Angels were there to nurture him, and the animals came by his side to let him know and feel God's presence. And He retained his faith and remained faithful to his Father.  So this is why, during this season of Lent, we are also asked to pray and fast. These actions are meant to give us a connection and bring us close to God, by mastering our bodies and the advances of the devil. He wants to use our fleshly form, with our weaknesses, our fears, our addictions and compulsions - our negativity – to lure us away from God. This fasting in our time usually manifests itself as what people will, “give up,” the things they will fast from, so to speak. Often its a list of ...

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert,  and he remained in the desert for forty days,  tempted by Satan.  He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." - Mark 1:12-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?12 The very thought of our divine Lord suffering hunger, loneliness, and humiliation at the hands of his enemy—and that he did it for US — should make us ashamed at the small bits of suffering and humiliation we grudgingly suffer our own selves. He had no sin to atone for - He was atoning for OUR sins. He was the Son of God and his home was heaven..., but he left it for a while to assume human nature, so that he could be humiliated and suffer. Why? To bring us to share his eternal home with him. And what are the thanks he gets from those He so loved? Ingrati...

  The Ash Wednesday phenomenon By Phil Lawler  (  bio  -  articles  -  email  ) | Feb 14, 2024           The chapel was packed this morning. It always is, on Ash Wednesday. Every Catholic church can expect unusually large congregations today. This is the one day of the year—apart from Christmas Day—when a clever pastor might schedule a collection at a weekday Mass. American Catholics—even ordinarily inactive Catholics—flock to their churches today to receive their ashes, to display them proudly. Already today (I am writing at 9 am) a half-dozen people I don’t know have sent me selfies, showing how they look with ashes on their foreheads. When I worked in downtown Boston, I would go to Mass at the “workers’ chapel” on Arch Street, where on Ash Wednesday a steady stream of people would flow in, all day long, to receive their ashes from the friars who worked in relays to satisfy the demand. Only a few of those people would st...

  An Itinerary of Conversion Two of the most important accomplishments of modern Catholicism were embraced on February 14, 2024 or Ash Wednesday 1. The rediscovery of the baptismal character of Lent, the ancient penitential season that precedes Easter. 2. The restoration of the Paschal Triduum—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil Over the centuries, the summit of the Church’s year of grace — the celebration of Christ’s passing over from death to life, for which the Church prepares in Lent — had become encrusted with liturgical barnacles that gradually took center stage in the drama of Holy Week. And while some of them had a beauty of their own, such as the morning Tenebrae service of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, their overall effect diminished the liturgical richness of the Triduum. For example, the Easter Vigil’s (evening before) essence is one of a dramatic night-watch. At this time, the Church gathers at the Lord’s tomb to ponder the great events...

  Commentary on the Mass Readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - The  First Reading  is taken from the  Book of Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46  and concerns the regulations enforced by the priests regarding certain bodily diseases which made a person unclean and a menace to the health of his neighbors. - The  Second Reading  is from the  First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 10:31, 11:1  and speaks of our imitation of Paul as he imitates Christ for the sake of the Gospel, as well as of the unity of the Church of God. - The  Gospel  is from  St. Mark 1:40-45.  We see both the divine power and the divine compassion of Jesus in this act of healing. This Gospel account is part of a single day’s ministry of Jesus on a sabbath in and outside the synagogue of Capernaum ( Mk 1:21 – 31 ), where He combines teaching and miracles of exorcism and healing. Mention is not made of the content of the teachings, but of the effects ...

  St. Dorothy of Caesarea and St. Theophilus St. Dorothy, (i.e., the gift of God), a virgin from Caesarea in Cappadocia, is believed to have suffered a martyr's death under the Diocletian Persecutions. Her relics are honored in a church dedicated to her honor in the Trastevere section of Rome. Fun Fact: On the door of St. Dorothy's Church the names of those who had not received holy Communion during Easter time used to be posted. Her feast was introduced into the Roman calendar during the Middle Ages. A very illuminating story is related in connection with her name. As Dorothy was being led to execution because of her faith in Christ, she prayed, "I thank You, O Lover of souls, for having called me to Your paradise." A certain Theophilus, a young lawyer and an official of the Roman governor, scoffed and retorted, "Farewell, bride of Christ, send me apples or roses from your Bridegroom's garden of bliss." Dorothy answered, "I most certainly will....

  St. Paul Miki and Companions Nagasaki, Japan, is familiar to Americans as the city on which the second atomic bomb was dropped, killing hundreds of thousands. Three and a half centuries before, though, in AD 1597, twenty-six martyrs of Japan were crucified on a hill, now known as the Holy Mountain, overlooking Nagasaki. Among them were priests, brothers and laymen, Franciscans, Jesuits and members of the Secular Franciscan Order; there were catechists, doctors, simple artisans and servants, old men and innocent children—all united in a common faith and love for Jesus and his church. Brother Paul Miki, a Jesuit and a native of Japan, has become the best known among the martyrs of Japan. While hanging upon a cross, Paul Miki preached to the people gathered for the execution: "The sentence of judgment says these men came to Japan from the Philippines, but I did not come from any other country. I am a true Japanese. The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the ...

    An explanation of the history and significance of Lent to our spiritual lives. Sorry Valentines Day... get to the back of the line. ===== < ☩ > ===== Ash Wednesday is upon us. This day is very important – or it should be. Why? It is the clarion call to “Repent and believe the gospel” (Mk 1:15). It marks the start of the 40 day Lenten period leading up to Easter, when Christians unite in their belief that Jesus Christ defeated death and was Resurrected in glory. During this time, the faithful willingly submit to fasting and self-denial in imitation of Our Lord’s forty-day fast in the desert. It is in these dark and still nights, these desert-times of the soul, that the soul experiences its greatest growth. There, in the inner arena, the soul battles the world - the concupiscence of mortal flesh, and the devil - just as Our Lord battled Satan's triple temptation in the desert. His battle was external, for Jesus could not sin; our battle is interior, but with a hope sus...

  Commentary on the Mass Readings, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B: The  First Reading  is from the  Book of Job 7:1-4, 6-7. The author cries out in his misery, speaks of life and death, cites his restlessness and life's struggle and notes that he will not see happiness again. The Second Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23 . In this section of his letter St. Paul is encouraging his gentile converts at Corinth to be always ready to forgo their own rights when the edification, or spiritual welfare and blessing of a neighbor, is at stake. The  Gospel  is from  St. Mark 1:29-39. You would think that the people of Capernaum saw enough of Christ's public ministry that 1 st day to make them see that this man from Nazareth was no ordinary preacher, no ordinary rabbi, no ordinary man. He preached as one having AUTHORITY; they saw that by a simple command he cast out demons, and healed bodily ailments. Even so, t...