Thursday, October 29, 2009

Standing in the rain

The year has fallen, darkened,
its spoils surrendered
to the fading pulse of the sun.

A brief harvest of gold coins,
bleeding, corroding, falling spent to earth,
their once brilliant argument lost,
their nothingness exposed by chill, relentless rain.

Days of rain, October’s parting word.
A year of trial and loss, storm and wreckage, and survival,
a year of awakening, of standing up in the rain,
deciding what matters, what to save, what to abandon.

A year to remember why the sun rises
and hurries to begin again with undiscouraged purpose.
A year like a chisel in the hand of God,
like a finger probing a wound that no longer bleeds.

Purpose from chaos,
passage through darkness,
a return home,
the door swung open wide,
and unaccountable joy.

Anglican commentator bristles at Pope's invitation

Re: Thanks Benny, but no thanks -EdmontonSun.com,

Dear Ms. Woodcock,

What You described as "the biggest bid to drag [Anglicans] back into the fold in the almost 500 years since we broke away" is colorful but rather unfair. The Pope's offer is hardly a mustache-twirling scheme to "drag", "poach", or otherwise coerce. It's simply a serious, constructive invitation supported by canon law, an option that freely can be accepted or declined.

The invitation came only after inquiries by Anglicans distressed at controversial changes within the Anglican communion, and who have expressed interest in closer union with the Bishop of Rome. The Pope has acted in good faith to respond to these inquiries in a meaningful way that respects the desires and worthy traditions of those Anglicans seeking such an accommodation, while promoting genuine unity.

Naturally not all Anglicans will be interested in swimming the Tiber. As your article suggests, those who are most put off by the Catholic Church's doctrines, disciplines, or defects, perhaps will not be dialing up Rome anytime soon. But the sincere invitation stands for any who may be interested. They are most welcome to join us Roman Catholics. We value their fellowship, their best traditions, and want to join efforts with them in trying to live the Gospel.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Becoming a priest of Jesus Christ

An apostle — that is what a Christian is, when he knows that he has been grafted onto Christ, made one with Christ, in baptism. He has been given the capacity to carry on the battle in Christ's name, through confirmation. He has been called to serve God by his activity in the world, because of the common priesthood of the faithful, which makes him share in some way in the priesthood of Christ. This priesthood — though essentially distinct from the ministerial priesthood — gives him the capacity to take part in the worship of the Church and to help other men in their journey to God, with the witness of his word and his example, through his prayer and work of atonement.
-Saint Josemaría Escrivá, Christ is Passing By, no. 120

Friday, October 23, 2009

More Anglicans coming home to Rome

Traditional Anglicans welcome Vatican announcement with joy - Catholic Culture

A very warm welcome to those Anglican brothers and sisters who will enter full communion with the Successor of Peter through this new provision! May You be greatly blessed in Your new home. And may the worthy liturgical traditions You bring with You result in blessings for the entire Church.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

How to pray in the Spirit when we don't know how

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even upon the menservants and maidservants in those days, I will pour out my spirit.
Joel 2:28-29 RSV

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27 RSV


-Saint Josemaría Escrivá, 22 October 1972.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Getting to know Christ

On the first day of the week, at dawn, the women came to the tomb. They found the stone rolled back and a messenger who said:

"Why do you search for the Living One among the dead? He is not here; he has been raised up. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee- that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again" (Lk 24:5-7).

The new Life that has burst forth in the Resurrection is the world’s only hope.

In the name of Christ, in the name of the Church, in the name of needy humanity: I encourage you to have that new Life in you! Be witnesses of that new Life to the world around you.

-Pope John Paul II, Address to World Youth Day, Denver, August 13, 1993

...Wherever young men and women allow the grace of Christ to work in them and produce new Life, the extraordinary power of divine Love is released into their lives and into the life of the community. It transforms their attitude and behavior, and inevitably attracts others to follow the same adventurous path. This power comes from God and not from us.

-Pope John Paul II, Address to World Youth Day, Denver, August 14, 1993


-Saint Josemaría Escrivá, 9 November 1972.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The fire of Christ

"Don't let your life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt. Shine forth with the torch of your faith and your love. With your apostolic life, wipe out the trail of filth and slime left by the corrupt sowers of hatred. And set aflame all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ that you bear in your heart."

-The Way, n. 1, St. Josemaría Escrivá.



Make a little time –perhaps five or ten minutes before bed- to consider these things in God’s presence. And ask Him to help You prepare Your heart for the Holy Spirit... He’ll do it.

Monday, October 05, 2009

Joy

"Let those who do not know they are sons of God be sad!"
Saint Josemaría Escrivá