Monthly Archives: March 2018

Holy Saturday

A day of rest and hope: Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit. (Psalm 16:9-10)

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Confidence

Confidence: not a word one might first associate with Good Friday. But in today’s reading from Hebrews the word stood out for me, and seemed worthy of reflection: So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy … Continue reading

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Helly Week

Holy Week has become “helly” week. A few of my Catholic Right facebook friends and their contacts are in Aha! We-Told-You-So ecstasy with reports that Pope Francis has denied the existence of hell. First, I’m not sure the power of … Continue reading

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Thursday Prayer

O God, in the fullness of time you revealed your love in Jesus the Lord. On the eve of his death, as a sign of your covenant, he washed the feet of his disciples and gave himself as food and … Continue reading

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It Was On Holy Wednesday

An English Christmas Carol, “All In the Morning” gives us this verse: It was on Holy Wednesday And all in the morning, That Judas Betrayed Our dear Heavenly King And was this not a woeful thing? And sweet Jesus we’ll … Continue reading

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Aparecida 382: Kingdom of God, Social Justice, Christian Charity

The first subdivision of chapter eight, Kingdom Of God, Social Justice, and Christian Charity, we’ll cover in this and the four posts that follow. If a person might be confused or concerned about the interlocking issues of justice and charity, … Continue reading

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Olive Branches

I did notice some days ago this note on PrayTell about a shortage of palms in New Orleans. Because of the deep freeze that hit hard this January, palms that are typically plentiful in New Orleans are now in short … Continue reading

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Aparecida 380-381: Kingdom of God and Promoting Human Dignity

Chapter Eight beckons, “KINGDOM OF GOD AND PROMOTING HUMAN DIGNITY.” These sections through 430 will touch on various topics of human need, where charity and love for others intersects evangelization. The bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean explain in … Continue reading

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Trust

Not too long ago, a bill was proposed in the Tennessee legislature to place “In God We Trust” on automobile license plates. That seemed to be one of two things. First, an effort to give lip service to God, however … Continue reading

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Aparecida 378-379: National Organization and Missionaries Abroad

Some tasks for the future. First, some national organization for formation in the missionary spirit: 378. We want to urge local churches to support and organize national missionary centers and to act in close collaboration with the Pontifical Missionary Societies … Continue reading

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Aparecida 377: Openness To All Cultures and Truths

  377. We disciples, who by essence are missionaries by virtue of Baptism and confirmation, are formed with a universal heart, open to all cultures and to all truths, cultivating our capacity for human contact and dialogue. With the courage … Continue reading

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Of Mascots, Sports, Symbols, and History

A facebook friend who, I believe, is not a Holy Cross alum, commented on the decision of that university to distance itself from the Crusades via its mascots and sports identifier: We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful. I … Continue reading

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Aparecida 375-376: Missionary Disciples Without Borders

Traditionally, Catholics think of mission efforts as sending religious women and men to pagan territories. The pope emeritus would suggest a wider view:   375. His Holiness Benedict XVI has confirmed that mission ad gentes is opening to new dimensions. … Continue reading

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Aparecida 373-374: Mission To The Nations

Looking at the theme Our Commitment to Mission Ad Gentes: 373. We are conscious and grateful that the Father so loved the world that he sent his Son to save it (cf. Jn 3:17), and so we want to be … Continue reading

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Two Popes, A Book, and a Letter

This story rather confirms that maybe VNO #2 is a better choice for observing a pope’s anniversary than a controversial situation that attaches a letter to a book. Speaking as a composer, I hope I’m dead before my protégés decide … Continue reading

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