CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

REPENT AND COME TO ME

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him

might not perish but might have eternal life.” JOHN 3:16

 

 JESUS CHRIST SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

 The Sacrament of Penance is sometimes referred to by various names such as, Sacrament of Confession (we acknowledge our sins); Sacrament of Forgiveness (our sins are forgiven and removed); and Sacrament of Reconciliation (we are reconciled to God and His Church).

After Original Sin, man was separated both from God’s presence and God’s divine life of grace.  At the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, God lets it be known that one day a Savior will come and restore man’s relationship with God.

“I will put enmity between you and the woman (Mary the New Eve), and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” Genesis 3:15 

 The Prophets of the Old Testament promise in their oracles a Savior one day who will offer himself up for the many that we might be restored and reconciled with the Father.

 “See the days are coming when I will make a New Covenant….it is Yahweh who speaks…since I will forgive their iniquities and never call their sins to mind.” Jeremiah 31

During his public ministry, Jesus called the people to conversion just the same as the Church does today.  Prior to receiving the Sacrament of Penance, we must turn back to God and reject sin.

Jesus is at dinner, with tax collectors and other sinners, some Pharisees object, “why is he eating with tax collectors and sinners?”  Jesus replies, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick; I did not come to call the virtuous but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17

In Luke 7:36, Jesus is administered to by a woman, a known public sinner.  The Pharisee who invited Jesus is distraught by the attention this sinful woman was paying and Jesus allowing her to do so. 

Jesus says, “…this woman though with many sins has shown great faith and love.  The one who is pardoned more will love more.”  Jesus absolves the woman of her many sins, “Your sins are forgiven.”

What great peace and joy the woman must have felt to hear these words of absolution.  Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.” 

How similar these words are to the words of absolution we hear from the priest who absolves us in the name of Jesus today in Sacrament of Penance.

The Sacrament of Penance was instituted by Jesus Christ on the evening of his resurrection. “In the evening of the same day… As the Father sent me…so I am sending you…After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven.  For those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'” John 20:19-35

REPENT AND BE SAVED

 Like all the Sacraments, Penance is a liturgical action.  The elements of celebration are ordinarily these: a greeting and blessing from the priest, reading the word of God to illuminate the conscience and elicit contrition, exhortation to repentance, the acknowledging of sins to the priest, the imposition and acceptance of a penance, the priest’s absolution, a prayer of thanksgiving and praise and dismissal with a blessing from the priest. (CCC 1480). 

“Catholics should go to Confession because everyone needs forgiveness for their sins.”  “Whoever says he is without sin is a liar or blind!”  Confession is meant to be a sincere moment of conversion, trusting in God’s willingness to forgive His children and help them back on the path of following Jesus, Pope Francis

The sacramental sign of the Sacrament of Penance are the words of absolution through which forgiveness of our sins and distinctive graces of sanctification are conferred.

The Priest receives the penitent with a greeting, a sign of the cross and invitation to trust in God’s mercy

 When the priest receives the penitent, he is fulfilling the ministry of the Good Shepherd who seek the lost sheep, of the Good Samaritan who binds up the wounds, and the merciful Father of the Prodigal Son who welcomes the son back to his family.  The priest is the sign and instrument of God’s mercy.

Reading of God’s word

 The reading of God’s word is a sign that it is God calling the penitent to conversion.  It is this call which draws us to God’s mercy and forgiveness.  It is the call which invites us back into right relationship with God and His Church.

 Confession of sins

 Through the admission of our sins, we look squarely at our relationship with God and our neighbor and open ourselves again to be reconciled with God and full communion with His Church.  We accept our Penance as satisfaction for the offense to God and the harm to His Church.

 Our act of contrition

 Our act of contrition expresses our sorrow for offending God and our detestation of sin.  Our words of contrition (sign) express an inward condition and meaning to love God and avoid sin in the future.

Prayer of absolution

 The words of absolution by the priest, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit” and the reply by the penitent, “Amen” restores the penitent to God’s grace, reconciles him with the Church, with himself, with his brothers and sisters whom he has somehow offended, and all Creation. 

 Proclamation of praise of God and Dismissal

 “Give thanks to God for he is good.  His mercy endures forever.”  This proclamation of praise by the priest and penitent expresses all glory to God the Father and commitment to the First Great Commandment, to love God with our whole mind, our whole heart, our whole soul and with all our strength.

LORD JESUS CHRIST HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER

 

 

 

 

PREPARING FOR THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT

CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

FATHER FORGIVE THEM.

THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO

Let us join the prophet Isaiah in proclaiming that Jesus, our Savior and Lord, “was pierced for our offences, crushed for our sins; and upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole. By his stripes we were healed” Isaiah 53:5

WE ARE FORGIVEN!

We need a Savior and what a great one we have, God himself. God emptied himself even to death, death on the cross, that we might have life, life everlasting!

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:23

REPENT AND BE SAVED
As Lent approaches, (February 14) we may examine our consciences for areas that we need to repent. Conversion, is an essential part of the Lenten rite.

We need to be forgiven and to forgive others, maybe ourselves.

Seeking forgiveness and forgiving others is impossible without God’s grace. “With man it is impossible but with God all things are possible!” Matthew 19:26

Today, the Church, Jesus founded, is the custodian of conversion, forgiveness of sins, absolution, and reconciliation. It is God’s will that none be lost. I Timothy 2:4

The evening of His Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his Apostles, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” JOHN 20:21-23

Today, God the Father of mercy awaits our return home. Let us return in the words of the Prodigal Son. I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son… Luke 15:18-19

I WAS LOST AND NOW I AM FOUND
LUKE 15:31

Our Lord Jesus taught us to pray “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Literally, I am asking God to forgive me like I forgive others? Let me ponder that for a while….

Do I forgive injuries, real or perceived??? Have I forgiven those who have hurt or offended me? Or do I hold on to old hatreds and grudges?

Forgiveness is not the same as “forgetting! There are some things that we cannot forget, but we can choose to surrender that hurt, that painful memory, over to Our Lord Jesus, to ask Him to help us to let go of that hurt, to not to let it have power over me anymore.

But what if we continue to have negative feelings toward the person who hurt us? It doesn’t matter! Feelings are just that…feelings and nothing more! Negative feelings are not sinful, unless we deliberately foster them and choose to feed them.

When our negative feelings emerge, pray for the person who hurt us, then our feelings will eventually begin to change and to heal.

Clinging to our hurt and anger, understandable though it may be, only harms us. Anger, hurt, and nursing grudges all sap us of strength. In calling us to forgive, God is offering us the gift of freedom from a costly emotional state that robs us of our joy and strength

Some may think forgiveness requires that you stay or resume a poisonous dysfunctional relationship. It does not! Sometimes relationships are poisonous for both parties involved and to be avoided.

Forgiveness is a work of God within us, whereby He acts to free us from the poisonous effects of bitterness and grief that often accompany the harm that was inflicted upon us.

Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners
Matthew 9:12-13

CHECK YOUR FAITH HERE!

CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way,take up your cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24

 INTRODUCTION

CCC 143-144 By faith, man completely submits his intellect and his will to God Sacred… Scripture calls this human response to God, the author of revelation, “the obedience of faith”.

To obey (from the Latin ob-audire, to “hear or listen to”) in faith is to submit freely to the word that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself….

Some say they believe in Jesus but do they believe Jesus and do as He says?

Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Luke 7:2i

There are many hard teachings and sayings from Jesus in Scripture such as; if anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:26

Is Jesus telling us to hate our parents? Of course not.  Jesus would not break one of the Ten Commandments, Honor your Mother and Father. No, Jesus is reminding those who wish to follow him must not put anything or anybody before him.

Jesus is bold, outspoken, when teaching about morality. He expands on the Ten commandments in His Sermon on the Mount. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment Matthew 5:21

“You have heard that it was said,r ‘You shall not commit adultery, ’But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27

Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[b] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15:18

 They came to Capernaum, and on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.

The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. Mark 1:21-22 Jesus’ authority came from the Father.

“Who sees me, sees the Father.” John 14:8-9

Jesus was counter-cultural and so is His Church founded on Peter the Rock Catholicism remains the staunchest opponent to the culture of the times.

Our doctrines handed down from the Rock of Peter are stubborn things. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Matthew 16:17

Satan is a liar a deceiver, the Father of lies, Satan spreads his lies to the world in the guise of modernity. We must not have any of it. The Truth will set us free.

We must attract people to the Catholic Faith with its authenticity to the Gospel, its sacraments, and its liturgy, the Mass.

Watering down the Catholic Church is watering down Jesus!

 CATHOLIC CHURCH MUST TEACH AS JESUS TEACHES         

The Bishops of the Church must give bold leadership in rejecting themes of this world that are destructive to individuals as well as families.

God says to the Church of Laodicia, “I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” Revelations 3:14

If you believe in Gospels only what you like

but don’t believe what you don’t like then

you don’t believe in the gospel

but believe in yourself.

St. Augustine

REFLECTION

 What does it mean to me that Jesus taught with authority?

What does it mean to me to be a disciple of Jesus?

Jesus founded a counter-cultural Church on Peter, the Rock and promised the Holy Spirit to guide it on earth from error.   Catholic Church teaching condemns abortion, contraception, divorce and remarriage, same sex marriage and gender identity theory.

These are hard teachings for some. How am I doing with them.?

We must radiate holiness to be holy in all conduct the church is a sign of Jesus’ work and presence in the world. We must be that living sign.

If we are disciples we are on mission. How am I rebuilding the Church of Christ in the world today?

 JESUS NOW TEACHES FROM THE BARQUE OF THE CHURCH

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANCESTRY…JESUS

1 Comment / CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

INTRODUCTION

There is so much talk today about seeking your ancestors and this made me think of Jesus’ genealogy and what it says to me. Some of Jesus’ ancestors were prostitutes, cheats, murderers and adulterers

JESUS’ GENEOLOGY

For example, there was Jacob who cheated his brother Esau out of his inheritance, Rahab, a prostitute in the city of Jericho who helped the Israelite spies. And David, adulterer and murderer who lusted after his neighbor’s wife. Bathsheba, and had her husband, Uriah, killed.  JACOB GENESIS 25:23; RAHAB JOSHUA 6:23; DAVID 2 SAMUEL 11:1

Let’ stake a closer look at ISRAELITE SPIES SAVED BY RAHAB THE CAANANITE

Then Joshua, son of Nun, secretly sent out two spies saying, “Go, reconnoiter the land and Jericho.” When the two reached Jericho, they went into the house of a prostitute named Rahab, where they lodged.

But a report was brought to the king of Jericho: “Some men came here last night, Israelites, to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent Rahab the order, “Bring out the men who have come to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the entire land.”

Now, she had led the spies to the roof, and hidden them among her stalks of flax spread out* there….Rahab went up to them on the roof….

 Rahab said to the spies:* “I know that the LORD has given you this land…, We have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, …and all the inhabitants of the land tremble with fear because of you.

 Now then, swear to me by the LORD that, since I am showing kindness to you, you in turn will show kindness to my family. that you will allow my father and mother, brothers and sisters, and my whole family to live, and that you will deliver us from death.”

 “We pledge our lives for yours,” they answered her. “If you do not betray our mission, we will be faithful in showing kindness to you when the LORD gives us the land.”…

 REFLECTION

God never gives up on us no matter what we have done or what our ancestors have done.

God can bring repentance and conversion out of our sins..  Never give up!

I myself have walked away from God but in His mercy He never gave up, sought me, and called me back into His embrace.

Can you think of a time that sins got your attention and brought you to repentance/ conversion?

God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others.    God wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.

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REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL

MARK 1:15

 

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CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

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BLESSINGS FIDUCIA SUPPLICANS

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

FIDUCIA SUPPLICANS (“Supplicating Trust”) is a 2023 Declaration on Catholic Doctrine that allows Catholic priests to bless couples who are not considered to be married according to church teaching, including same-sex couples.

INTRODUCTION

Let the games begin! Once again the Francis Papacy is jarred by controversy.  The Church on the left believe Francis approves same sex marriages. The church on the right wants Francis charged with heresy and removed from office for blessing same sex couples.

Division is the main tool of the adversary, the Evil one. There is nothing Satan, wants more than division in God’s family the Church.

Satan is not going to bother those who have already drunk his Kool-Aid.  Satan’s attacks are on those struggling to go home to Abba, Father.  Satan, so envious, wants no one to have what he can never have, union with the Father.

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world… into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10

 COMMENTARY

Fiducia Supplicans

DECLARATION

                     On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings

                      Ex Audientia Die  18 December 2023
Francis

 VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Catholic priest can bless a gay or other unmarried couple as long as it is not a formal liturgical blessing and does not give the impression that the Catholic Church is blessing the union as if it were a marriage,

Key points of Fiducia Supplicans

 1. It reaffirms the traditional Catholic doctrine on marriage. It makes clear that the Church the Church does not have the power to impart blessings on unionsof persons of the same sex”

 2.It clarifies the role of the Church in offering blessing.a distinction between blessing a same-sex couple and blessing their union.

3. It emphasizes Pope Francis’s focus on pastoral charity and inclusivity. Fiducia Supplicans encourages the Church to avoid being overly judgmental or exclusive in its ministry where people seek blessings in faith and sincerity, regardless of their life circumstances.

 4. It makes a clear distinction between liturgical rites and blessings. The Church may not create liturgical rites for blessings of unions outside the traditional marriage definition. But the Church can still offer blessings in a pastoral context, to those who ask for a blessing that all that is true, good, and humanly valid in their lives and their relationships be enriched and healed by the presence of the Holy Spirit” FS 29

 Fiducia supplicans remains firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage, but it also explores the “pastoral meaning of blessings” in a way that opens “the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage.”

The Church responds to the requests of people who are in objectively sinful and disordered situations (either same-sex relationships or other irregular situations, like those who are divorced and invalidly “remarried”) with a prayer that God may help them to overcome sin, to live holier lives, and even discern how they may be restored to full communion..

When we ask for blessing to help us along the way, we receive Actual grace, a divine assistance given to help one do the right thing, distinct from sanctifying grace which is habitual.

Sanctifying grace is the gratuitous gift of His life that God makes to us; it is infused by the Holy Spirit into the soul to heal it of sin and to sanctify it. Sanctifying grace makes us “pleasing to God Sanctifying grace is the habitual experience of God’s love.

Actual grace is God’s love at work in specific moments. An example of actual grace might be a revelatory moment of prayer. It could be a timely phone call or answer to a prayer.

REFLECTION

 What blessings have I asked God for myself?

 For others?

Are there times when I bless myself with sign of cross? Bless others with sign of cross?

The sign of the cross must be a prayer not a good luck charm or superstition.

The last image of Jesus on earth is that of his hands being raised in the act of blessing the Eleven, “And lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven” Luke. 2450-51

 

 

THANKSGIVING DAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD,

HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER

PSALM 107

COMMENTARY

Every day is a day to give thanks to God.  We didn’t need the Government to set aside a special day but it is nice to take a break from work and reflect on our blessings with our family and friends despite living at a moment of extraordinary division, discouragement, uncertainty, and fear in our country.

As we are in another contentious political time, I am reminded of another time in our history where divisions were so severe that military warfare broke out between our states and a President who in the midst of division and bloodshed called for a day of Thanksgiving and repentance to Almighty God.

1863 was the bloodiest year of the Civil War.  By some estimates, more than 200,000 American soldiers died that year.  Our nation was wounded, deeply divided, and angry.  Political leaders were distrusted and reviled, immigrants and minorities were marginalized, and religious practice was waning in many places.

Writing to his divided and discouraged country, President Lincoln issued a proclamation re-calling the many blessings that Almighty God had given our nation.  Lincoln recognized that the United States had been showered with “the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”

 ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

 OCTOBER 3, 1863

“The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed we are prone to forget the source from which they come…the watchful providence of Almighty God.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that the whole American People should solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged with one heart and one voice our gratitude. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States…., to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens…

 THANKSGIVING PRAYER 2023

 Father in Heaven, Creator of all, Thank you for all the graces and blessings you have bestowed upon us, both spiritual and temporal. Thank you for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness.

Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. For this beautiful earth you gave us as home.  We pray that we do not diminish it by our actions.

Grateful for the country we live in, what a blessing to have opportunities to exercise our right to worship, may it never be diminished by an oppressive government.

Most Gracious God, Thank you for the blessings of the food we eat, especially for this feast today.  Please send help to those who are hungry, alone, sick and suffering war and violence.

We give thanks for our family, in good times and bad times.  For our Mothers and Fathers, brothers, and sisters, living and dead, that helped in giving direction and guidance in our formative years.

And For the privilege of being baptized Catholic and given all the resources of Catholic Church teaching and sacramental life to support us on our way home.

And For our health in good times and bad times. We willingly accept the burden of poor health to develop more trust and dependency on you, God our Father.

THANKS BE TO GOD!

 

 

 

DOES GOD EXIST TODAY?

1 Comment / CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

Of course God exists! God is eternal, no beginning no end! I don’t know when it became so trendy or popular to dismiss God but so it seems in this atheistic leaning world.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth— and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters Genesis 1:1-2

 In the New Testament, when travelling through Athens, St. Paul remarked that the people were very much into worshipping many gods (temples to Apollo, Poseidon, and Aphrodite) and even had placed an altar to an Unknown god who Paul announced to them is the Christian God.

“Men of Athens I perceive that you are in every way religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you” The unknown God of the Greeks is he in whom “we live and move and have our being, the God who made the world and everything in it.” Acts 17:22-32

Throughout history, dependent mankind, noting their limits, attempted to create gods to meet their needs, like a harvest god for crops and fertility god for children.

Mankind makes something out of something that already exists. For example, a chair, the carpenter, uses tools and material to fashion a chair, the cook is dependent on the grocery store or on the ingredients from her garden… Unlike us, God needs nothing. God creates out of nothing.

Man pretends he is god by clinging to the addictions of money, pleasure, and power. These are futile and will fail us always. “our hearts are restless until they rest in God.” St. Augustine

Some people argue against the existence of God because of all the evil in this world.  They argue, if a God exists He would never allow such evil to happen. God never wills sin but He also respects our free will…our choice, not His!

Sin spreads; Sin has consequences.. Some will say I am not hurting anybody when I commit this sin or another.  How so?  You are at least hurting yourself and those closest to you.

When you sin it makes it easier to choose sin the next time…That wasn’t so bad and who did I hurt. You hurt yourself by feeding your selfishness… by choosing your will over God’s will.

Sometimes, the evil, God allows brings a greater good, like conversion, reconciliation and forgiveness.  What some perceived as the humiliating, shameful death of Jesus became our lifeline to eternity….the greatest good ever!

Who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.  Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,  of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6.

As we prepare for Advent, a season of waiting on the Lord, we reflect on our need for God more than ever in this world.  In that first Christmas the Christ child was placed in a manger because there was no room in the Inn.

Is there room in our hearts for the Christ child today?

HE WHO SEES ME SEES THE FATHER

CONCLUSION

Some say faith is less reliable than science.  I say what about the daily leaps of faith each day such as when you flush the toilet it won’t overflow..  that you won’t fall and break your leg on the way to your car…there is a road to take you to your destination…that your destination exists…that the bridge you cross will not collapse under you…that your family will still be there when you return…and so forth

How is faith in God any less reasonable than the daily leaps of faith we make?.   When people dismiss or ignore God’s existence they ignore His graces and dismiss His support for times of stress, grief, despair…they reject the inspiration to pray for others in need, especially loved ones who may have taken a wrong turn on their journey “home.”

   CLOSING PRAYER FROM PSALM 145 

I will extol you, my God and king;

I will bless your name forever and ever.

Great is the LORD and worthy of much praise,

whose grandeur is beyond understanding.

The LORD is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and abounding in mercy.

The LORD is trustworthy in all his words,

and loving in all his works.

LORD is just in all his ways,

merciful in all his works.

My mouth will speak the praises

of the LORD

and will bless his holy name

forever and ever!

NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

National Eucharistic Revival is a three year program sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The first year of the Revival June 19, 2022–June 11, 2023 invited bishops, priests, and diocesan staff to respond to the Lord’s personal invitation. The second year June 11, 2023 – July 17, 2024 is about fostering Eucharistic devotion at the parish level.

Our world is hurting. We are beset with scandal, division, disease, doubt. In the midst of these roaring waves, Jesus is present, reminding us that he is more powerful than the storm. Jesus Christ desires to heal, renew, and unify the Church and the world through the celebration of the Eucharist.

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1324 The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.”…For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself”

1364 When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ’s Passover… the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present. “As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which ‘Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed’ is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out.”

1367 The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: “The victim is one and the same…the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and offered in an un-bloody manner . . .

PLEASE NOTE THE ACCIDENTS REMAIN…those things that appeal to our senses, touch, sight, taste, etc remain. The “substance” of the Eucharist is changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus and remains in “real presence” as long as the “accidents” remain.

THE HOLY EUCHARIST IN SCRIPTURE

JESUS TOOK BREAD AND BLESSED IT

 “And as they were eating He took bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them and said, ‘Take, this is my body.’ And He took a cup and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them and they drank all of it and He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for many.  Mark 14:22-26

St. Paul writes to the Corinthians,”….the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this,,,,For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. I Corinthians 11:23-27

DEVOTION TO THE HOLY EUCHARIST

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine,
All praise and all thanksgiving
be every moment Thine
Amen

HOLY HOUR of Eucharistic Adoration

Christ is present in the Most Blessed Sacrament to manifest his great love for us. Christ, the God-Man, is truly present in his divinity as well as his humanity, body and soul before me.

In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist “the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.” “This presence is called ‘real’ CCC 1374

A Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament may be broken down into 15 minute segments with different types of prayers, Adoration, Thanksgiving, Petition, and Contrition.

Copied below are examples of prayers that may be said for each 15 minute segment.

PRAYER OF ADORATION

Lord, thank you for this hour of Eucharistic devotion. I adore you as the infinite and Holy One of God. You and the Father are one and you promised that one day we will be one in You. May Your Holy Spirit be with me. Send Him constantly… I thank you for this precious gift of faith. Amen.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Thank you, Father, for having created me. Thank you for my family. Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May I live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to me. Everything I receive is pure gift. Help me to be a grateful giver to others.
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PRAYER OF PETITION

O my God, give yourself to me. Behold I love you…if my love is too weak a thing, grant me to love you more strongly. I cannot measure my love, but let my soul hasten to your embrace… This I know that it is not good for me when you are not with me. Everything in this world that is not you is mere rubbish. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONTRITION

O Lord, forgive me my sins; the sins of my youth, the sins of my age, the sins of my soul, the sins of my body… the sins that I know, the sins I have concealed so long and which are now hidden from my memory. I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial. I know my sins have wounded Thy tender Heart; O my Savior, let me be freed from the bonds of evil… O my Jesus, forget and forgive what I have been. Amen.

REFLECTION

It takes time to kindle a living, loving relationship and a relationship with Jesus Christ is no exception. That’s why the National Eucharistic Revival allows three years for discernment, encounter, and grassroots response on the diocesan, parish, and individual levels.

Just as we need to nourish our physical bodies in order to have strength; to work; and to live well, so too we need to eat in the House of the Lord to have spiritual strength.

What are we doing to increase and enhance our relationship with the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus in the Eucharist?

Where the Eucharist is so is God. The Eucharist is God’s gift of love to us. Our worthy reception is our gift of love and sacrifice to God. Are we worthily returning God’s gift of love…giving God my all…what am I holding back that keeps God at arm’s length?

TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD
PSALM 34:8

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SAVED?

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

JESUS SEEKS US

God wills the salvation of all. We are created for life not death, Jesus is our Savior, nobody else has the power.  It is through the Mercy of God and his only begotten Son that we are saved! But God respects our free will given as gift by God.  We can reject salvation!  Is it all on Jesus or do I have to do something too?  

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?  So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  For, just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” James 2:14-26

 If you watch any of the Sunday Services on television you are likely to hear a lot of testimonials to being saved. “I am saved, Praise Jesus!”  Yes, Jesus is our Savior.  He laid down his life for us that we might have life.  What does it mean to say Jesus saved me?  Is it any more than fire insurance from Hell and I can do anything I want? I think not!

Many Non Catholic Christians believe that they are saved by making one single act of faith at a single point in time in their lives. Nowhere does Scripture say such a thing. As Catholics, we believe that salvation is a life-long process which begins with our Baptism.

MATTHEW 19:22

A rich young man once asked Jesus what he must do to be saved.  Jesus did not say, “I am your Savior, love me and go on your way. No, he told the young man to keep all the commandments given in the Torah (first five books of the bible) and to detach himself from his possessions and come follow Him…Be like me…share my space…live like me…

God’s love for us is a “covenantal love.”  He gives himself to us, God so loved the world as to give us His only begotten Son. John 3:16 The Law and Old Testament covenants are fulfilled in Christ. At the Last Supper, Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” John 13:34

The difference between covenant and contract is profound. It’s so profound that we could almost say that it’s the difference between prostitution (contract) and marriage (covenant). Or between owning a slave (contract) and having a son (covenant.)

When people enter into a covenant, they say: “I am yours and you are mine.” In a contract, you exchange something you have – a skill, a piece of property, money. In a covenant you exchange your very being, you give your very self to another person.

Ques.  how do we show our love for God and Jesus? Ans. By loving our neighbor!  “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me.” Matthew 25:40

No one saves himself.  Only by the mercy of God are we saved.  We read an example of this in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 7:18.  Paul laments that he does what he doesn’t want to do and isn’t able to do what he knows he should do.  While Paul holds the law of God in his mind the law of sin in his flesh overwhelms him. .

Grace is a gift from God to us, a sinner, earned for us by our Savior, Jesus Christ. “What is impossible for human beings is possible for God.” Luke 18:27   Grace is a share in divine life right now, here on earth and promise of eternal life.  “Where sin increased, grace abounds all the more.” Romans 5:20  

 The more humanity retreats from God the more God comes after them. The intent of grace is to aid us to conform more to Jesus.  Let me cite the example of Zacchaeus the tax collector who climbed a tree to better see Jesus. Luke 19:1-10

ZACHAEUS COME DOWN

I MUST STAY IN YOUR HOUSE TODAY LUKE 19:1-10

Jesus dines with tax collector and public sinner, Zacchaeus. to change him. Jesus succeeds in his mission. The tax collector pledges to make amends for his wrong doing. Jesus’s announcement of salvation follows Zacchaeus’s pledge to set right the things he has done wrong. “

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.” Salvation is not simply about confession, it also involves transformation and restitution.

LET ME SEE JESUS!

LET ME HEAR JESUS!

LET ME KNOW JESUS!

Without God’s help we could never be saved.  We are saved by “amazing grace,” before, during and afterwards. No one can come to Jesus, follow Jesus, conform to Jesus unless, “the Father draws him to me.” John 6:44

Sharing in the life of the Triune God occurs even in this life. Jesus explains that the Father and the Son will dwell with the believer even in this life: “. . . “We will come to him and make our home with him” John 14:23

 CONCLUDING PRAYER

Prayer of St. Benedict

Gracious and holy Father,
grant us the intellect to understand you,
reason to discern you, diligence to seek you,
wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you,
a heart to meditate upon you.

May our ears hear you, may our eyes behold you,
and may our tongues proclaim you.
Give us grace that our way of life may be pleasing to you,
that we may have the patience to wait for you
and the perseverance to look for you.

Grant us a perfect end–your holy presence,
a blessed resurrection and life everlasting.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.