"Parts of the Mass" - III

The following is part 3 (of 3) of the "parts of the Mass". Please see the introduction to the other parts for more information.
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C. THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
72. At the Last Supper Christ instituted the Paschal Sacrifice and banquet by which the Sacrifice of the Cross is continuously made present in the Church whenever the priest, representing Christ the Lord, carries out what the Lord himself did and handed over to his disciples to be done in his memory. For Christ took the bread and the chalice and gave thanks; he broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take, eat, and drink: this is my Body; this is the cup of my Blood. Do this in memory of me." Accordingly, the Church has arranged the entire celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in parts corresponding to precisely these words and actions of Christ:

At the Preparation of the Gifts, the bread and the wine with water are brought to the altar, the same elements that Christ took into his hands.

In the Eucharistic Prayer, thanks is given to God for the whole work of salvation, and the offerings become the Body and Blood of Christ.

Through the fraction and through Communion, the faithful, though they are many, receive from the one bread the Lord's Body and from the one chalice the Lord's Blood in the same way the Apostles received them from Christ's own hands.

The Preparation of the Gifts
73. At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist the gifts, which will become Christ's Body and Blood, are brought to the altar. The offerings are then brought forward. It is praiseworthy for the bread and wine to be presented by the faithful.

76. The priest then washes his hands at the side of the altar, a rite that is an expression of his desire for interior purification.

The Prayer over the Offerings
77. Once the offerings have been placed on the altar and the accompanying rites completed, the invitation to pray with the priest and the prayer over the offerings conclude the preparation of the gifts and prepare for the Eucharistic Prayer. The people, uniting themselves to this entreaty, make the prayer their own with the acclamation, Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer
78. Now the center and summit of the entire celebration begins: namely, the Eucharistic Prayer, that is, the prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. The priest invites the people to lift up their hearts to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving; he unites the congregation with himself in the prayer that he addresses in the name of the entire community to God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the meaning of the Prayer is that the entire congregation of the faithful should join itself with Christ in confessing the great deeds of God and in the offering of Sacrifice. The Eucharistic Prayer demands that all listen to it with reverence and in silence.

79. The chief elements making up the Eucharistic Prayer may be distinguished in this way:

Thanksgiving (expressed especially in the Preface): In which the priest, in the name of the entire holy people, glorifies God the Father and gives thanks for the whole work of salvation
Acclamation: In which the whole congregation, joining with the heavenly powers, sings the Sanctus.
Epiclesis: In which, by means of particular invocations, the Church implores the power of the Holy Spirit that the gifts offered by human hands be consecrated, that is, become Christ's Body and Blood, and that the spotless Victim to be received in Communion be for the salvation of those who will partake of it.
Institution narrative and consecration: In which, by means of words and actions of Christ, the Sacrifice is carried out which Christ himself instituted at the Last Supper, when he offered his Body and Blood under the species of bread and wine, gave them to his Apostles to eat and drink, and left them the command to perpetuate this same mystery.
Anamnesis: In which the Church, fulfilling the command that she received from Christ the Lord through the Apostles, keeps the memorial of Christ, recalling especially his blessed Passion, glorious Resurrection, and Ascension into heaven.
Offering: By which, in this very memorial, the Church—and in particular the Church here and now gathered—offers in the Holy Spirit the spotless Victim to the Father.
Intercessions: By which expression is given to the fact that the Eucharist is celebrated in communion with the entire Church, of heaven as well as of earth, and that the offering is made for her and for all her members, living and dead, who have been called to participate in the redemption and the salvation purchased by Christ's Body and Blood.
Final doxology: By which the glorification of God is expressed and is confirmed and concluded by the people's acclamation, Amen.

The Communion Rite
80. Since the Eucharistic Celebration is the Paschal Banquet, it is desirable that in keeping with the Lord's command, his Body and Blood should be received by the faithful who are properly disposed as spiritual food. This is the sense of the fraction and the other preparatory rites by which the faithful are led directly to Communion.

The Lord's Prayer
81. In the Lord's Prayer a petition is made for daily food, which for Christians means preeminently the eucharistic bread, and also for purification from sin, so that what is holy may, in fact, be given to those who are holy.

The Rite of Peace
82. The Rite of Peace follows, by which the Church asks for peace and unity for herself and for the whole human family, and the faithful express to each other their ecclesial communion and mutual charity before communicating in the Sacrament.

The Fraction
83. The priest breaks the Bread and puts a piece of the host into the chalice to signify the unity of the Body and Blood of the Lord in the work of salvation, namely, of the living and glorious Body of Jesus Christ. Communion

84. The priest prepares himself by a prayer, said quietly, that he may fruitfully receive Christ's Body and Blood. The faithful do the same, praying silently.The priest next shows the faithful the Eucharistic Bread, holding it above the paten or above the chalice, and invites them to the banquet of Christ. Along with the faithful, he then makes an act of humility using the prescribed words taken from the Gospels.

85. It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord's Body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass and that, in the instances when it is permitted, they partake of the chalice (cf. below, no. 283), so that even by means of the signs Communion will stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated.

88. When the distribution of Communion is finished, as circumstances suggest, the priest and faithful spend some time praying privately. If desired, a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may also be sung by the entire congregation.

89. To bring to completion the prayer of the People of God, and also to conclude the entire Communion Rite, the priest says the Prayer after Communion, in which he prays for the fruits of the mystery just celebrated.

D. THE CONCLUDING RITES
90. The concluding rites consist of
Brief announcements, if they are necessary;
The priest's greeting and blessing, which on certain days and occasions is enriched and expressed in the prayer over the People or another more solemn formula;
The dismissal of the people by the deacon or the priest, so that each may go out to do good works, praising and blessing God;
The kissing of the altar by the priest and the deacon, followed by a profound bow to the altar by the priest, the deacon, and the other ministers.

"Parts of the Mass" - II

The following is part 2 (of 3) of the "parts of the Mass". Please see the intro notes from last week's post.
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B. THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
55. The main part of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of the readings from Sacred Scripture together with the chants occurring between them. The homily, Profession of Faith, and Prayer of the Faithful, however, develop and conclude this part of the Mass. For in the readings, as explained by the homily, God speaks to his people, opening up to them the mystery of redemption and salvation and offering them spiritual nourishment; and Christ himself is present in the midst of the faithful through his word.

Silence
56. During the Liturgy of the Word, it is also appropriate to include brief periods of silence, accommodated to the gathered assembly, in which, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the word of God may be grasped by the heart and a response through prayer may be prepared. It may be appropriate to observe such periods of silence, for example, before the Liturgy of the Word itself begins, after the first and second reading, and lastly at the conclusion of the homily.

The Biblical Readings
57. In the readings, the table of God's word is prepared for the faithful, and the riches of the Bible are opened to them. Hence, it is preferable to maintain the arrangement of the biblical readings, by which light is shed on the unity of both Testaments and of salvation history. Moreover, it is unlawful to substitute other, non-biblical texts for the readings and responsorial Psalm, which contain the word of God.

58. In the celebration of the Mass with a congregation, the readings are always proclaimed from the ambo.

59. By tradition, the function of proclaiming the readings is ministerial, not presidential. The readings, therefore, should be proclaimed by a lector, and the Gospel by a deacon or, in his absence, a priest other than the celebrant. If, however, a deacon or another priest is not present, the priest celebrant himself should read the Gospel. Further, if another suitable lector is also not present, then the priest celebrant should also proclaim the other readings.

60. The reading of the Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy itself teaches that great reverence is to be shown to it by setting it off from the other readings with special marks of honor: whether the minister appointed to proclaim it prepares himself by a blessing or prayer; or the faithful, standing as they listen to it being read, through their acclamations acknowledge and confess Christ present and speaking to them; or the very marks of reverence are given to the Book of the Gospels.

The Responsorial Psalm
61. After the first reading comes the responsorial Psalm, which is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance, because it fosters meditation on the word of God.The responsorial Psalm should correspond to each reading and should, as a rule, be taken from the Lectionary.

62. After the reading that immediately precedes the Gospel, the Alleluia or another chant indicated by the rubrics is sung, as required by the liturgical season. An acclamation of this kind constitutes a rite or act in itself, by which the assembly of the faithful welcomes and greets the Lord who is about to speak to them in the Gospel and professes their faith by means of the chant. It is sung by all while standing and is led by the choir or a cantor, being repeated if this is appropriate.

The Homily
65. The homily is part of the Liturgy and is strongly recommended, for it is necessary for the nurturing of the Christian life. It should be an exposition of some aspect of the readings from Sacred Scripture or of another text from the Ordinary or from the Proper of the Mass of the day and should take into account both the mystery being celebrated and the particular needs of the listeners.

66. The Homily should ordinarily be given by the priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to the deacon, but never to a lay person. In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate. After the homily a brief period of silence is appropriately observed.

The Profession of Faith
67. The purpose of the Symbolum or Profession of Faith, or Creed, is that the whole gathered people may respond to the word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the homily and that they may also call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith by reciting the rule of faith in a formula approved for liturgical use, before these mysteries are celebrated in the Eucharist.

The Prayer of the Faithful
69. In the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is fitting that such a prayer be included, as a rule, in Masses celebrated with a congregation, so that petitions will be offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world.

70. As a rule, the series of intentions is to be
For the needs of the Church;
For public authorities and the salvation of the whole world;
For those burdened by any kind of difficulty;
For the local community.

Nevertheless, in a particular celebration, such as Confirmation, Marriage, or a Funeral, the series of intentions may reflect more closely the particular occasion.

"Parts of the Mass" - I

The following is part 1 (of 3) of “the parts of the Mass”, as explained in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (the official rules and details of the Latin Rite Mass), and abbreviated for purposes of this site. Please click on the title of this post for the full text.

I. The General Structure of the Mass
27. At Mass—that is, the Lord's Supper—the People of God is called together, with a priest presiding and acting in the person of Christ, to celebrate the memorial of the Lord, the Eucharistic Sacrifice. For this reason Christ's promise applies in an outstanding way to such a local gathering of the holy Church: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst" (Mt 18:20). For in the celebration of Mass, in which the Sacrifice of the Cross is perpetuated, Christ is really present in the very liturgical assembly gathered in his name, in the person of the minister, in his word, and indeed substantially and continuously under the eucharistic species.

28. The Mass is made up, as it were, of two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. These, however, are so closely interconnected that they form but one single act of worship. For in the Mass the table both of God's word and of Christ's Body is prepared, from which the faithful may be instructed and refreshed. There are also certain rites that open and conclude the celebration.

III. The Individual Parts of the Mass

The Entrance
47. After the people have gathered, the Entrance chant begins as the priest enters with the deacon and ministers. The purpose of this chant is to open the celebration, foster the unity of those who have been gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical season or festivity, and accompany the procession of the priest and ministers.

Greeting of the Altar and of the People Gathered Together
49. When they reach the sanctuary, the priest, the deacon, and the ministers reverence the altar with a profound bow. As an expression of veneration, moreover, the priest and deacon then kiss the altar itself; as the occasion suggests, the priest also incenses the cross and the altar.

50. When the Entrance chant is concluded, the priest stands at the chair and, together with the whole gathering, makes the Sign of the Cross. Then he signifies the presence of the Lord to the community gathered there by means of the Greeting. By this Greeting and the people's response, the mystery of the Church gathered together is made manifest.

The Act of Penitence
51. Then the priest invites those present to take part in the Act of Penitence, which, after a brief pause for silence, the entire community carries out through a formula of general confession. The rite concludes with the priest's absolution, which, however, lacks the efficacy of the Sacrament of Penance.

The Kyrie Eleison
52. After the Act of Penitence, the Kyrie is always begun, unless it has already been included as part of the Act of Penitence. Since it is a chant by which the faithful acclaim the Lord and implore his mercy, it is ordinarily done by all, that is, by the people and with the choir or cantor having a part in it.

The Gloria
53. The Gloria is a very ancient and venerable hymn in which the Church, gathered together in the Holy Spirit, glorifies and entreats God the Father and the Lamb. The text of this hymn may not be replaced by any other text. The Gloria is intoned by the priest or, if appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir; but it is sung either by everyone together, or by the people alternately with the choir, or by the choir alone. If not sung, it is to be recited either by all together or by two parts of the congregation responding one to the other. It is sung or said on Sundays outside the Seasons of Advent and Lent, on solemnities and feasts, and at special celebrations of a more solemn character.

The Collect
54. Next the priest invites the people to pray. All, together with the priest, observe a brief silence so that they may be conscious of the fact that they are in God's presence and may formulate their petitions mentally. Then the priest says the prayer which is customarily known as the Collect and through which the character of the celebration is expressed. In accordance with the ancient tradition of the Church, the collect prayer is usually addressed to God the Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit, and is concluded with a trinitarian, that is to say the longer ending, in the following manner:

If the prayer is directed to the Father: Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum;

If it is directed to the Father, but the Son is mentioned at the end: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum;

If it is directed to the Son: Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. The people, uniting themselves to this entreaty, make the prayer their own with the acclamation Amen. There is always only one collect used in a Mass.

Post-Father's Day post

For several, hot nights on a Jersey beach during our family vacation in July, '88, we tossed the baseball after dinner. Dad was trying to teach me how to throw a curveball, with hopes of using it as a pitcher during my upcoming senior year of high school. Night after painful night, he laboriously tried to show me how to make the ball change direction with topspin. But, for four straight nights until it got dark, none of my throws did anything but go straight.

Then, on the last night, with the sun down and darkness setting in, my frustrated father received quite a pleasant surprise. I delivered a pitch that started out like all the other (hundred or so) ones, but then took a sharp turn downward into the sand. The "curveball" I had finally hurled bounced off the sand and directly into Dad's shin! Immediately, blood began to squirt out from his tired, sandy leg. We both rushed down to the ocean to wash it off, and danced in the knee-deep water, celebrating this monumental feat.

Two weeks later, my father, George W. Shaffer, Jr., died of a sudden and severe heart attack. For our family, who had never had to deal with any kind of tragedy to that point, it was a crushing blow. In time, however, I would come to appreciate the seventeen years that I had had with my father, rather than dwell on all that I would miss without him. I still miss him but feel enormously blessed to have had such a great man as my mentor, role model, educator, cheerleader, friend, and father. He formed me in so many ways, but mainly to be a good man who loves God and neighbor. His love for me as my earthly father has helped me so much to know the infinite love of my heavenly Father. For that, Dad, I am eternally grateful to you.

In the summer of '01, I took the mound in a (DC men's league) baseball game for the first time since sophomore year of high school; I didn't pitch my senior year because of the emotional strain it would have caused. In the first inning, the catcher gave me the sign to throw a curveball. Taking a deep breath with immediate thoughts of my Dad on the Jersey beach, I reared back and tossed an impressive pitch that curved about a foot just as it approached the batter. Strike three, inning over. Thanks, Dad! Over the course of the next seven innings, I threw a constant supply of fastballs and curveballs that fooled the opposing hitters and brought our team a victory. One of my teammates said later, "I have a message from your Dad: 'Good job, son. I was with you all the way'".

Imitating Christ in suffering

Five years ago, I had the great privilege of spending a few weeks in Calcutta, India, with the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s sisters). I was there with a few other seminarians working and praying each day with the sisters. One night, the nun who succeeded Mother Teresa as head of the order said something to me that I will never forget. She said, “ Greg, those who are closest to Jesus on earth are those who suffer the most.”

Obviously, we saw widespread suffering on the streets of Calcutta. Thousands of people everywhere, even little kids, suffering tremendously from hunger and disease. There was so much filth and heat; such oppressive conditions which I had never fathomed much less seen. That experience has helped me to better understand suffering. For example, reading the words of the prophet Jeremiah when he saw the vast pains of the people of Judah due to war, famine, and drought: “ my eyes stream with tears… over the great destruction which overwhelms…my people…look! those slain by the sword….look! those consumed by hunger” (Jer 14: 17-18). He’s essentially saying to God, “Lord, do you see this?” His cries are similar to the question we like to ask, ‘why does God allow suffering?’

Jeremiah arrives at an answer a few lines down in this passage. “We recognize, O Lord, our wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you” (20). Suffering is a natural result of sin. The Israelites had sinned against God. They had broken the covenant. They worshipped false gods, didn’t keep the commandments, and didn’t love their neighbor as they should.

God’s feelings about those who suffer are most likely the same as Jeremiah’s. God’s “eyes stream with tears” seeing his children in pain. Ultimately, his answer to the question of suffering is that he sends his son to suffer for our sake. He has not only remembered his covenant with us, he has created a new covenant. This new covenant is centered on the suffering, death, and resurrection of his son. If anyone wishes to live the new covenant with the Lord, he or she must center their lives on the cross of Jesus Christ, on which he suffered tremendously. Jesus himself says, “if anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Lk 9:23).

The reward for those who suffer is not found in this life. Jesus says, “ my kingdom does not belong to this world” (Jn 18:36). All those in Calcutta, those here in America, the sick and the dying, those in our family, our friends, ourselves, anyone who endures suffering in any form for the sake of love is a great friend of Jesus Christ. Jesus promises eternal rewards for his close friends. For all those who have imitated him so well and united their suffering to his, Jesus proclaims: “ the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Mt 13:43).

The Eucharist: C.o.o.l. (Part 3)

C.o.o.l.

Think of or even make a list of 10 people, places, or things that are most important to you. Family members, boyfriend/girlfriend, friends, the beach, sentimental items, other valuable possessions, money, clothes, DVDs, and car might top your list. Now, take a few minutes (or longer), and rank these items 1-10 in importance to you (1 is most important).

Why are these things most important to you? What do you find or receive in each one? Most likely, you come in contact with them regularly, maybe even daily. If it is a person, what is it about her that you find attractive? What are you looking for from her? How often do you talk with or see him? What do you experience in his presence? If it is a thing, why do you use it? What does it give you? How often do you use it? If it is a place, why is it so special? The people or things that are most important to us say a lot about who we are.

Ultimately, there is one thing we are all looking for: happiness. We want to be truly happy each day and have chosen these people or things to get us there. Some of them help us to find happiness, and some of them don’t. There are some things in our lives that are not good for us, but we still go to them regularly. For example, an alcoholic might have listed bourbon as one of his 10 things because it takes him away from his problems. While it may bring him temporary pleasure, it doesn’t bring him true happiness.

Now, if he didn’t make your top ten list, please add God as a late entry. Specifically, write “the Eucharist”. Take a moment and compare Jesus Christ to all of the items on your list. Jesus died for you. The Eucharist is a living memorial of what Jesus did for you 2000 years ago on the Cross, and what he does for you every day. He gives you his life. He gives you love. He gives you true happiness.

No other person, place, or thing can give you what the Eucharist gives you. The Eucharist is c.o.o.l. (center of our lives). It is truly the flesh and blood of him who created us and saved us. He is as alive in the Eucharist as you and I are alive. He wants to be number one on your list. He is always there for you. He made you. He knows everything about you. Everything you’re going through. Every pain, struggle, joy, stress, disappointment, fear, success, hope, and love you’re experiencing. He wants to experience them with you. He wants you to experience them with him. He wants to be a very real part of your life. He is waiting for you in the Eucharist.

The Eucharist: C.o.o.l. (Part 2)

Awesome

A woman at a Catholic parish in Maryland volunteered to be an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist. She went to a training session with five other people on a Saturday morning in her parish. Part of the training included unlocking and locking the door of the tabernacle (the dwelling place of the Eucharist). With her eyes on the tabernacle that was about three feet away, she froze. She couldn’t move in front of the throne of Jesus. She began to shake uncontrollably and weep. No one in the group knew what to do.

Many seconds passed before she was able to step towards the tabernacle and practice opening and closing the door. When the training session ended, she went into the sacristy, sobbing profusely. Someone consoled her for a few minutes. She said, “before today, I thought that the Eucharist was just a symbol. But, when I was up there in front of the tabernacle, I definitely felt a presence.”

God on earth. Awesome! This is the amazing reality of the Eucharist. For the Jews 2000 years ago or the woman at the tabernacle, God is very close and personal. In the Eucharist, we are in the presence of the Almighty, at whose name “every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Phil 2:10). The eternal Son of our heavenly Father is present to us on earth in a very real way so that we may “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34).

The Eucharist is the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. Through the eyes of faith, we see Jesus under the signs of bread and wine. It might look like bread and taste like bread, but it isn’t bread. Jesus says at the Last Supper, “this is my body” (Mt 26:26). He commands the apostles to “take this, all of you, and eat it” (Mt 26:26). He not only gives his body and blood to his first priests for them to eat and drink, he commands them to “do this in memory of me” (Mt 26:26). Today, Catholic priests continue to live out this command every time they celebrate the Eucharist (Mass).

The saints are mysterious to us. We often feel that we can’t relate to them because their lives are so extraordinary. What is their secret? The Eucharist. For example, Mother Teresa explained that receiving the Eucharist every day was the only way she could serve some of the poorest and most ill people in the world in such awful conditions each day. As different as all the saints are, the one thing they have in common is a great love for the Eucharist. They are nourished with Christ; he propels them to do heroic works. “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit” (Jn 15:5).

If you could meet anyone on earth, who would it be? Let’s say you are given an hour alone with this person. What would you want to ask them or talk about? What would you like to say to them? How would you get ready for such a meeting? How would you dress? Would you tell all of your friends about it?

In the Eucharist, you are given the awesome opportunity to meet Jesus Christ. If a person walks into a Catholic Church, he or she sees that Jesus is present in the tabernacle (the lit candle shows us that he is there). You can be with Christ alone. For as long as you want. Maybe he won’t answer all of your questions in one meeting, but over time he sheds much light into your life. He holds the meaning of your life. He has created you and given you all of your gifts. He has a plan for you. If you regularly spend time praying in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, He will reveal his plan to you.

The Jews were right about two things with regards to the Eucharist (Bread of life discourse, John 6). They were right to take Jesus literally and that this is a hard teaching.
It takes faith to believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist even though it seems like foolishness. For those who believe, it is like finding a great treasure (see Mt 13:44). The sweet taste of this treasure is the taste of heaven on earth: “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (Jn 6:54).

The Eucharist: C.o.o.l. (Part 1)

I was out of town for a few weeks (R&R in the Great Northwest), and unable to post. I hope that everyone finished up the semester well. Congrats to all the new graduates!! I will be posting off and on this Summer, so please keep checking in. I hope everyone has a blessed and fun Summer.

The following is the first part (of three) of an article I've written on the Eucharist. I will post the other two parts in the next week or so. Please feel free, as always, to post your comments and questions.
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Radical

You’ve seen the crowds grow larger by the day, following one man. You’ve seen him heal the blind, the deaf, and the mute. You’ve seen him cure the sick. You’ve heard his great teachings. You’ve seen him walk on water. All of the signs are there: Jesus of Nazareth is the one to follow. You’ve been sure for weeks now. Your heart is pumping. You’re talking about him with everyone. You have been reading the Scriptures more frequently, reviewing what Isaiah and the other prophets wrote about the Messiah.

You haven’t talked with Jesus yet, but you feel a connection there. The words he uses, the way he speaks, the manner in which he conducts himself… he has such a powerful way about him. But, you haven’t been able to put your finger on it just yet. You just know you want to be near him, and learn from him. He is different, a man set apart from the rest. This man has stirred your heart and mind like no other person has ever done.

And, now, he is introducing a brand new teaching. “The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51). He is telling everyone that the bread to which he is referring is his flesh. While you begin to process this, those around you quarrel. People are outraged, but are mainly confused. So, Jesus gets more specific and emphatic. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life… My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (53, 55). Whoa! Jesus of Nazareth wants to give his flesh and blood as food and drink.

This realization spreads through the crowd. It is such a large gathering, and it takes a while for everyone to hear what’s been said. Slowly, people start to leave. “This is a hard teaching…who can accept it?” (60) is what you hear some of them say as they turn away from Jesus. And, you agree, this is a hard teaching. But, you haven’t moved, and aren’t planning on leaving just yet.

You look over at Jesus’ closest disciples. You notice a very perplexed Peter. Jesus asks them if they are leaving, too. Peter says, with probably a very dazed and confused look, “Lord, where are we going to go? You have the words of eternal life” (68). When you hear these words come from Peter’s lips, your heart skips a beat. You are thinking, ‘Has Jesus just been speaking the words of eternal life? Is this, in fact, a message from heaven? Could this be true? Is he really going to give us his flesh to eat? And, will it get us to heaven? Is this the newest, most radical teaching from God? Do I believe what I am hearing?’

To Jesus through Mary

1. Party time! Tonight (cinqo de Mayo), 5:30 pm, Parish Hall. Come celebrate the end-of-the year / last day of classes! Burritos, beverages, etc.

2. Thank you all for a great year! Tonight is my last event at St Stephen's unless I return this Fall. I will be in a parish for a year before priesthood ordination next May, God willing. Please pray for me!
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May is the month of Mary, the Blessed Mother. She plays a special role in the life of the Church and for each one of us. She is the Mother of Jesus and she is our heavenly mother. She said 'yes' to God her whole life, most significantly with her 'fiat' (it will be done) at age 14 in which she agreed to conceive the Savior of the world.

Many people, including Catholics, do not understand or know the Blessed Virgin Mary. First, she is not God; we do not worship her. She is the Mother of God who gave birth to and nurtured the Son of God on Earth. We honor her as a perfect vessel through whom Salvation entered the world in Christ Jesus.

Second, when we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), we celebrate Mary's conception, not Jesus'. Mary was conceived without original sin in her mother, Ann's, womb. God preserved Mary from sin so that she could be the perfect vessel for His Son to become man.

Third, we do not pray 'to Mary' as if she is God. Rather, we ask her to pray for us to God. It's kind of like when we got in trouble with our Dad when we were young and asked our Mom to soften him up for us. Mary is a powerful intercessor, indeed: the common adage is that 'Jesus never refuses his Mother anything'.

Mary has appeared several times on Earth since she was assumed into Heaven 2000 years ago. Through incredibly thorough and intense investigations, the Church has approved several Marian apparitions in places like a) Guadalupe, Mexico (1500s), b) Lourdes, France (1858), and c) Fatima, Portugal (1907). In these apparitions, Mary often has appeared to simple folks with very serious messages from Heaven.

For example, at Fatima, Mary told three little children to pray the rosary every day (mainly, for the salvation of sinners). The rosary is a beautiful, Scripturally-based devotion that helps us to meditate on the lives of Jesus and Mary. Everything about the life of Mary points to Jesus. Just as Jesus came to us through Mary, so we go to Jesus through Mary.

Finally, my other favorite Marian prayer is the Memorare, which is much shorter than the (15-20 minute) rosary. It is especially powerful when we take a specific intention to our Mother in Heaven:

Remember, O most gracious virgin Mary,
that never was it known,
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee, O virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come,
before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petition,
but in thy mercy,
hear and answer me. Amen.

Guided by the Holy Spirit

Please come to our end-of-the-year party next Thursday, May 5, starting at 5:30 pm, Parish Hall (1011 25th St.) Chipotle burritos and cold beverages to be served. You won't want to miss this!
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In our 8:30 discussion Sunday night "On the dignity of women", we had a spirited conversation that was intense but civil. All in all, it was very good for many of us to engage in honest dialogue about important issues.

However, I have noticed (before and on Sunday) that there is a widespread lack of faith in the Church by some Catholics. They will say that they believe in Jesus but not in the Church.

Here's the question: do you believe that the Church has been guided by the Holy Spirit for 2000 years? If so, in what ways? If your answer is 'no', then of course you're not going to follow the Pope (or bishops) when he teaches about issues such as women priests, contraception, married priests, abortion, etc. Why would you? If that were the case, then it would be just an opinion from some old guy in Rome which you could reject.

Is Pope Benedict XVI filled with the Holy Spirit in his teachings? Was John Paul II? And all the popes going back to St. Peter? If so, then it is the Holy Spirit who is teaching infallibly an all-male priesthood, life begins at conception, etc. through the particular Pope (and college of bishops).

Yes, it is God who is truly teaching these things. That is the guarantee of our faith. All of Christ's teachings about God (faith) and how to live in Him (morals) have been preserved in the Catholic Church. In their fullness. Through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth (John 14:17), "whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I said to you" (26).

The Church began in 33 A.D. when the Father sent the Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost. Acts 2:4 says that the Apostles were "all filled with the Holy Spirit". The Holy Spirit is active throughout the Acts of the Apostles (He speaks in 13:2, e.g.). Was it just for that generation that the Holy Spirit was active in the Church? No, of course not. He has been the primary acting agent in the Church for over 2000 years.

The visible Catholic Church is a divine institution led by human beings under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. "Christ is the Head, the Church is the Body" (Ephesians 1:23). Christ teaches today through the Pope and bishops (the successors of the Apostles): "whoever hears you hears me" (Luke 10:16). The Holy Spirit guarantees that when they teach about faith and morals, they teach without error what Christ taught.

Outside of these matters, they are fallible like you and me. Their sins are well documented by the world. But, Jesus entrusted the care of his Church to weak and sinful men. He gave supreme teaching authority to Peter (Matthew 19) who He knew would deny Him. How did Jesus treat Peter after he denied Him three times? Jesus told him 3 times to "feed my sheep" (John 21).

Even though he knew that Peter and the other Apostles were fallible and sinful men, He still gave them the "keys to the Kingdom" (Matt 19) which is the authority to teach as He taught about the Kingdom. He couldn't be wrong; they and their successors can't be wrong when they teach in this way under the guidance of the Spirit.

It's all about faith. Faith in God and faith in the Church. We profess our faith in the Trinity and in the Church ("we believe in one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church") every Sunday. We believe that the Church and Christ are one (Ephesians 5). We believe that faith in the Church is faith in Christ because the Church is the Body of Christ. What we say about the Church, we say about Christ.

Do you believe?

"When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8)

Habemus Papam!!

Sunday night (4/24): "On the dignity of women" discussion, 6:30 & 8:30 pm, Parish Hall.
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We have a Pope!! I hope you all followed the election process of the new Pope. What hit me yesterday was that we have been witnesses to the work of the Holy Spirit. Ratzinger may not be the youngest or most popular candidate, but he is who the Spirit has chosen. Praise God and thank you, Holy Spirit!

An American interviewed by NBC in Rome yesterday apparently said, "I wish the Holy Spirit was more creative (in whom He selected as Pope)". First, it is good that he acknowledged that this election was run by the Spirit through the cardinals. Second, my goodness, what an arrogant thing to say, on national television nonetheless. If "fear of the Lord is the first stage of wisdom" (Proverbs 1:7), then doubting God is the first stage of foolishness.

And yet, many people in the US and abroad are doubting the Holy Spirit's choice of Benedict XVI. Why? Because he is not THEIR choice. They see him as someone who is too "conservative" and who won't change certain Church doctrines or disciplines. What he is is traditional; he will preserve the 2000-year-old teachings and practices of the Catholic Church, which originated and are based in Jesus Christ, and will apply them directly to our lives.

If you choose to be Catholic, you follow the Church's teachings. If you're Jewish, you follow the Jewish teachings, and so forth for each faith. Why, then, should the leader of a Church stray from his Church's teachings?

In Benedict XVI, we have a Pope who will not stray and will not lead others astray. He is a man of great humility, intelligence, and courage. He will continue much of JP II's vision, and may even improve it in some areas.


Here is an excerpt from his bold homily on Monday before he was elected (please click on the link for the full text):

How many winds of doctrine we have known in recent decades, how many ideological currents, how many ways of thinking… The small boat of thought of many Christians has often been tossed about by these waves – thrown from one extreme to the other: from Marxism to liberalism, even to libertinism; from collectivism to radical individualism; from atheism to a vague religious mysticism; from agnosticism to syncretism, and so forth.

Every day new sects are created and what Saint Paul says about human trickery comes true, with cunning which tries to draw those into error (cf Eph 4, 14). Having a clear faith, based on the Creed of the Church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism. Whereas, relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and “swept along by every wind of teaching”, looks like the only attitude (acceptable) to today’s standards. We are moving towards a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one’s own ego and one’s own desires.

However, we have a different goal: the Son of God, true man. He is the measure of true humanism. Being an “Adult” means having a faith which does not follow the waves of today’s fashions or the latest novelties. A faith which is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ is adult and mature. It is this friendship which opens us up to all that is good and gives us the knowledge to judge true from false, and deceit from truth. We must become mature in this adult faith; we must guide the flock of Christ to this faith. And it is this faith – only faith – which creates unity and takes form in love.

The gift of celibacy

1. FREE Dinner: Tomorrow (4/14), 5:30 pm, SSM Parish Hall. Also, raffle for gift certificates.

2. "Angels and demons": Sunday (4/17) night discussion, 6:30 & 8:30 pm, Parish Hall.
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As positively as the secular media has been covering the life of Pope John Paul II, it has also negatively criticized some of his teachings. He is depicted as "out of touch" or "too conservative" on issues such as female priests, married priests, homosexual unions, abortion, contraception, and embryonic stem-cell research. So, it routinely asks, 'will the next Pope change the Church's teachings on these issues?'

Almost all of these teachings are based on doctrines of the Church. Doctrines can't be changed because they are "truths contained in divine Revelation or ...truths having a necessary connection with these" (CCC, #88). In other words, they are based on what God himself has taught. The teachings of an all-male priesthood, marriage, and the sanctity of life all fall into the category of doctrine.

'What about celibacy for priests? Can that change?', you ask. Yes, because it is a discipline, not doctrine. In fact, the Church didn't institute the discipline of celibacy for priests until about the 11th century AD. Will it change back? Maybe, but I wouldn't bet on it during our lifetimes. The Church has acknowledged that celibacy is a supernatural gift for some people.

Celibacy is a different kind of love. It allows one to love all people in the same way; in this sense, it is loving as God loves. Christ himself was a celibate man. He gave himself fully to all. He allows those to whom He is giving the gift of celibacy to share in this sacrificial kind of love.

Jesus refers to celibacy in Matthew 19:12 when he says that there are some who forsake marriage "for the sake of the kingdom". As someone who is looking to promise celibacy this December, I see this as a precious gift from Christ himself. It is a great sacrifice, but not overly burdensome or unfair. What a great honor to be able to give my life for the sake of His kingdom!

In a special way, however, priests do get married. They marry the Church when they promise celibacy, as Christ is married to the Church (see Ephesians 5). I have experienced a form of this type of marriage this year at St Stephen's (kinda like an engagement). I have fallen in love with the parishioners and GW students, and given myself to serve them and the Lord as best I can. It has been extremely satisfying, freeing, enjoyable, and rewarding. In a word: awesome!!
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Your comments are welcome.

John Paul the Great

"4CHRISTsake" - new young adult service group at St. Stephen's. Kick-off night is this Sunday, after the 5:30 pm Mass, Parish Hall.

The group will serve Christ in His Church and in His poor. Please come out Sunday night and learn how you can serve the least of Christ's brethren (Matthew 25).
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I am watching the television coverage in real shock these days. I never thought I'd see the day when so many aspects of the Catholic Church are being reported in such great detail, and for such duration. Tonight, I thought to myself briefly as I flipped through several channels, 'so, this is what it would be like if the whole world was Catholic.' Hopefully, the positive coverage will continue!

Two things, however, have not been said in any great length (in the coverage that I've seen) about our late and great Holy Father. The first thing is that John Paul II was great friends with Jesus Christ. He prayed 4 hours every day before he got really sick, conversing with our Lord. 4 hours!! People are amazed at who he was and at all that he did; but, everything about JP II flowed out of his deep realtionship with Christ. Remember Jesus' words: "whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit".

The second thing, which stems from the first, is that John Paul presented Christ to the world throughout his life, and especially as Pope. He presented Christ in his actions (particularly his love for the poor), his many writings, and his firm and true teachings. Everything that John Paul II taught officially is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Many people loved him and what he taught; so, they love Christ and what He taught. But, some hated JP and what he taught. So, they hate Christ and what He taught.

Along with Mother Teresa, John Paul II is one of the greatest Christian witnesses in the modern era.

Holy Father, thank you for your undying committment to Christ and His Gospel. You will be missed immensely. We pray for you; please pray for us, the Church.

John Paul II, we love you!!!!!!
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Please leave any comments or questions about the Pope, the coverage, the Church, etc.

Terri Schiavo's right to life

Happy Easter!!

Christ is Risen!!

He is risen indeed!!
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As almost every knowledgable American knows by now, a woman named Terri Schiavo is dying because her feeding tube has been removed in a Florida hospice care. It is a complex case which is being hotly debated for many reasons.

I want to address the ethical issue of removing the feeding tube, and welcome all of your comments and questions. Terri has as much of a right to life as you and I have. She is a human being who has inherent dignity just like you and me. Those who are pro-euthanasia seem to neglect that point.

Is removing the feeding tube euthanasia? Yes, euthanasia by omission. As an excerpt from what the Pope wrote last year about a situation such as hers explains below, removing nutrition and hydration (food and water) will result in the death of the person. This, if done knowingly and willingly, is morally unacceptable because it is the killing of an innocent human person.

When a person is in a physical condition where she is only kept alive by extraordinary means (special medication or machines, e.g.), then there is not a moral obligation to continue using these extraordinary means. But, when the person is being kept alive by ordinary means (food and water, e.g.), then there is a moral obligation to continue using these ordinary means. For Terri Schiavo, her feeding tube represents ordinary means for living because it provides her normal nourishment of food and water.

The Church argues for nutrition and hydration to be provided for someone like Terri because it is necessary to sustain and promote human life. Removing her tube only promotes her death. Those who see her as a human being will fight for keeping her tube; those who see her as less than human (a 'vegetable', i.e.) will argue for removing it.

What are your thoughts??
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"I should like particularly to underline how the administration of water and food, even when provided by artificial means, always represents a natural means of preserving life, not a medical act...

Death by starvation or dehydration is, in fact, the only possible outcome as a result of their (nutrition and hydration) withdrawal. In this sense it ends up becoming, if done knowingly and willingly, true and proper euthanasia by omission.

In this regard, I recall what I wrote in the Encyclical Evangelium Vitae, making it clear that 'by euthanasia in the true and proper sense must be understood an action or omission which by its very nature and intention brings about death, with the purpose of eliminating all pain'; such an act is always 'a serious violation of the law of God, since it is the deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human person' (n. 65)".

-Pope John Paul II, address to participants in the International Congress, March, 2004

The Seven Last Words of Christ

"There was never a preacher like the dying Christ. There was never a congregation like that which gathered about the pulpit of the Cross. There was never a sermon like the Seven Last Words."
- Arch. Fulton Sheen, The Seven Last Words (the following is taken from Sheen's book)

Please leave any comments or questions.

The Seven Last Words of Christ
1. "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do"

His executioners expected Him to cry and curse like all those who had been crucified before Him. Instead, He cried out for the Father to forgive those who were executing and mocking Him (soldiers, Pilate, Herod, etc.).

Do I forgive 'those who trespass against' me?

2. "This day you shall be with me in Paradise"

"No one before (the thief on the right of Christ) was ever the object of such a promise, not even Moses, nor John, not even Magdelen nor Mary!"

Like the thief, do I give my sins to Christ who will then promise me Paradise?

3. "Woman, behold thy son"

'Thy son' is John, who represents us (the Church). "Woman!" is the 2nd Annunciation; "behold thy son" is the 2nd Nativity. We are born of Mary in the 2nd Nativity of the spirit; Christ is born in the 1st Nativity of the flesh.

It has been said that Jesus never denies His Mother anything. Do I ask my Mother to intercede to her Son for me, my friends and family?

4. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"

While He is still in union with the Father, Christ brings atonement to all those who have abandoned God, doubt God's presence in their lives, or are indifferent towards God.

Christ knows what I'm experiencing whenever I've been abandoned, rejected, lonely, hurt or isolated.

5. "I thirst"

Not said to anyone there at Calvary, or even to God. He says to all mankind, "I thirst...for love!"

Christ thirsts for my love; do I thirst for His?

6. "It is finished"

Christ triumphantly says this, like an artist who puts the finishing touches on a masterpiece. His work of Redemption is finished, but not complete (see Col 1:24). As the Mystical Body of Christ, we complete Christ's work of Redemption (by taking up our own Cross).

Do I accept crosses in my life with faith?

7. "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"

Like the Prodigal Son who returns to his father's house, Christ is on the road back to His Father's House after spending His divine riches of power and wisdom on all humanity for 33 years.

Do I entrust my life to my Father in Heaven?

Purgatory

Please join us for the following upcoming events at St. Stephen's:

1. Bible Study - Sunday, 3/20, 2 pm, parlor of rectory

2. Discussion, "The last seven words of Christ" - Sunday, 3/20, 6:30 & 8:30 pm, Parish Hall.

3. "Passion of the Christ" - Wednesday, 8 pm, Parish Hall; Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church immediately after the movie

4. "Christ in the Garden" - 12-2 am, Good Friday morning, Parish Hall. Jesus asks the apostles, "could you not spend an hour with me?" in the garden the night before He died. We'll have an image of Christ, quiet meditation, maybe some background Gregorian chant.
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Please leave any comments or questions, and be generous in sharing this with others. I've run into many people who don't know much about Purgatory, and were extremely grateful to learn the following:


Purgatory
-the term is not used in Scripture; comes from the Latin word, “purgatorium” (place of purging fire or purification)

a. Does it exist?

Scripture
Jesus – refers to situations where a punishment / purification must occur:

Mt 18: 34-35 – the unforgiving debtor
“the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all this debt, and that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.”

Lk 12:59 – being in prison
“I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny”

Jn 16:20 – “you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy”

Mt 12:32 – “Let anyone speak against the Holy Spirit and he will not be forgiven either in this world or in the next” (implies that some sins can be forgiven in the next life)

OT
2 Macc 12:46 - the valiant Judas “had this expiatory sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sins”
- shows that the Jewish custom was to pray for the dead; must be for souls in a state other than Heaven or Hell - don't need to pray for the souls in Heaven, and it does no good to pray for the souls in Hell
- custom continues whenever someone prays for all the souls in Purgatory

NT
1 Cor 3:14-15 (salvation through a purifying fire)
“The Day which dawns in fire will make it clear and the fire itself will test the quality of each person’s work. The one whose work stands up to it will be given his wages; the one whose work is burnt down will suffer the loss of it, though he himself will be saved; he will be saved as someone expects to be saved from a fire”

1 Peter 1:7 - “your faith, more valuable than gold and which is perishable even if it has been tested by fire, may be proved”


Church
Magisterium: “a cleansing fire, a purifying fire” (pain suffered is comparable to the pain of fire on earth)


b. What is it like?

Scripture (see above)

Church
St Augustine: “this fire of Purgatory will be more severe than any pain that can be felt, seen or conceived in this world”

St Thomas Aquinas: “In Purgatory there will be a twofold loss, namely the delay of the divine vision, and the pain of sense, namely the punishment by bodily fire. With regard to both, the least pain of Purgatory surpasses the greatest pain in this life”

St Francis de Sales: “The greater part of those who dread Purgatory so much think more of their own interests than of the interests of God’s glory; this proceeds from the fact that they think only of the sufferings without considering the peace and happiness which are enjoyed by the holy souls”

*Rev. T.G. Morrow: “there will be tremendous suffering accompanied by a tremendous sense of peace and joy knowing that the soul will be united with God”


- after death, the soul sees that it is not yet spotless, and “would cast itself into a thousand hells rather than find itself in the presence of the Divine Majesty with that stain on it” (St Catherine of Genoa)

“she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, holy and faultless” (Eph 5:27)


c. How long does it last?

Scripture
see Mt 25:34-41 : general judgement will only have 2 states, Heaven and Hell, so Purgatory will not continue after the general judgement

Church
Council of Trent (1551): Purgatory is a state of purification which frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin (Hell is eternal punishment)

- so, we understand Purgatory to be temporal, “in time”; while it may not be in 24-hour days as on Earth, we do associate a soul’s stay in Purgatory with a number of days

- the amount of “time” a soul stays in Purgatory is based on the amount of purification needed

- we stay in Purgatory until we “love as God loves” (Msgr. Hill, SSM pastor)

- we can do works (of mercy, penance, prayer, almsgiving, gain indulgences, etc.) on Earth to remove days from our temporal punishment in Purgatory for ourselves or for others; but, once in Purgatory we can’t lessen our own punishment


d. Who goes there?

Scripture (see above)

Church
Catechism (CCC) - “all who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified; (they) are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of Heaven” (# 1030).

Council of Florence (1439): “souls who die with true repentance and in God’s love before having rendered satisfaction for their sins of omission and commission by the worthy fruits of penance”

- what about the person who dies just after having gone to Confession and completed the penance? He / she would go to Purgatory to satisfy the temporal punishment due to his / her sins (kind of like a criminal who still has to serve his prison sentence, for the sake of justice, even if he is truly sorry for the crime he has committed)

- serious reparation is needed for serious sins, especially

- can repair those sins in this life through a penitential life (like the saints), acts of faith, hope, and love, corporal and spiritual works of mercy, etc.


- Mt 19:21 – “If you wish to be perfect, go and sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; then, come follow me”

- Mt 5:48 - “ Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”

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* A special note of thanks to Rev T.G. Morrow, who contributed greatly to my presentation with his booklet: Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory (Catholic Faith Alive!), as well as St Joseph Communications which donated their video, “What Every Catholic Should Know About Hell”

Hell: who goes there?

Following are my notes from the talk, "Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory", a few weeks ago. Just like the outline for Heaven, this is only a fraction of the evidence from Scripture and the Church about Hell. Some theologians say that Christ talked about Hell more than Heaven "in order to get our attention".

We should have a holy fear of Hell so that we will choose Heaven. If we remain in the state of Christ's Grace until we die, we will ultimately go to Heaven. Please post any comments or questions, and pass this "wake-up call" on to all those close to you!
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Hell

a. Does it exist?

Scripture
Jesus
- refers to Hell 28 times and eternal punishment about 90 times in the Gospels
- uses the terms Hades, Gehenna, Eternal Fire, Field of blood
- Mk 9:43-48, e.g.
- Mt 10:28-“fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell”
- Mt 25:46- those who don’t care for the least of Christ’s brothers and sisters “will go away to eternal punishment”

-“wailing and grinding of teeth”
- the good-for-nothing servant (Mt 25:30)
- children of the kingdom (of darkness) – Mt 8:12
- the man not dresses for the wedding feast – Mt 22:13

Paul-(2 Thess 1:9) for those who “refuse to accept the gospel of our Lord Jesus…their punishment is to be lost eternally, excluded from the presence of the Lord”

Peter- (2 Pet 2:4) “when angels sinned, God did not spare them: he sent them down into the underworld and consigned them to the dark abyss to be held there until the Judgement”

Rev (14:10): “all those who worship the (devil) …will be tortured…forever”


Church
– early Church Fathers described Hell as “eternal punishment” ; affirmed by early Church councils and Pope Benedict XII (1336)

- St Teresa of Avila: "I was at prayer one day when suddenly, without knowing how, I found myself...plunged into Hell...I felt a fire within my soul the nature of which I am incapable of describing. My bodily sufferings were so intolerable...and these are nothing by comparison with the agony of my soul, an oppression, a suffocation and an affliction so deeply felt"

- Fatima* – vision of Hell by children: sea of fire; demons and souls with burning embers, black and transparent; terrifying looking animals; children cried out for all to hear


b. What is it like? (we only know what’s been revealed to us)

Scripture (described above)

Church
- “hell is a state to which the wicked are condemned and in which they are deprived of the sight of God and are in dreadful torments for all eternity” (Baltimore Catechism)

- pain of loss
- being separated by God, rejected by Christ (“I know you not”-Mt 25:12)
- shame, regret, despair

- pain of sense (torments)
-“fire” (of Gehenna) – “the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out” (Mt 3:12)
- principal means of torments that will be different than earthly fire because it will affect both body and soul

- the pain of the sense will be as nothing compared to the pain of loss


- “We must not ask where hell is, but how we are to avoid it” (St. John Chrysostom)

- Hell is eternal separation from God (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

- “hell is not a punishment imposed by God…it is the natural consequence of an unrepentant sinner’s choice against God” (Pope John Paul II)

- basically, when the person dies, he sees the face of God and he realizes at that moment that he is not worthy to be with God for all eternity; he realizes that he chose hell during his life (GWS)


c. How long does it last?
- “eternal fire, eternal punishment, eternal separation”

- Lk 16:19-31 The rich man and Lazarus
- “a great gulf has been fixed, to prevent those who want to cross from our side to yours or from your side to ours”


d. Who goes there? (we know there are souls in Hell, but can’t know specifically whom)

Scripture
- Jesus : see above +
-“all evil doers” (Mt 13:41)
- “many take the road that leads to destruction” (Mt 7:13)
- “the elect are few” (Mt 22:14)
- “it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 19:24) - referring to someone whose god is money

- is Judas in Hell? can't say for sure, but Jesus says it is “better for that man (by whom the Son of Man is betrayed) if he had never been born!” (Mt 26:24)

-“anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a branch-and withers; these branches are collected and thrown on the fire and burnt” (Jn 15:6)


Paul: Gal 5: 18-21 (cf. 1 Cor 6:10)
-"those who behave in these ways (sexual vice, impurity and sensuality, the worship of false gods and sorcery, antagonisms and rivalry, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels, disagreements, factions and malice, drunkenness, orgies and such things) will not inherit the kingdom of God"

John: “sin that leads to death” (1 Jn 5:16)
-i.e., mortal sin


Church
- “those who die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God’s merciful love” (CCC, # 1033)

- mortal sin:
1. grave offense (it's wrong) -mainly, direct offenses against the Ten Commandments
2. full knowledge (I know it's wrong)
3. full consent (I freely choose to do it)

- CCC: #1861
- "mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself. It results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace.
- "if it is not redeemed by repentance and God's forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ's kingdom and the eternal death of hell, for our freedom has the power to make choices for ever, with no turning back.
- "However, although we can judge that an act is in itself a grave offense, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God" (in other words, we can judge an action as a grave offense, but only God can judge what's in a person's heart; that's why we can never say that "so and so" is in Hell; also, we don't know if at the moment of death that he/she showed some sign of repentance-'Lord, have mercy' - that God would take into account in his infinite Mercy)


- 4 distinctions of Hell:
a) damned - eternal punishment
b) limbo (Abraham’s bosom) - holy souls (from OT) there until Christ freed them
c) limbo (infants) - "Holy Innocents"
d) purgatory - temporal punishment


-“God predestines no one to go to Hell" (CCC, #1037)


- Hell is the result of free will, and ultimately, God's Love
- God loves us so much that He has given us free will in order that we will choose to be with Him in Heaven
- He respects our free will so much that He allows us to choose to reject Him; He helps us so much in our lives (with His grace) to choose Him, but won't ever force us to love Him
- our free will is REAL (the "power to make choices for ever, with no turning back")
- God wills each of us to choose Heaven, but allows us to choose Hell
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*Fatima prayer: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy."

What is Heaven like?

There was a church that had problems with outsiders parking in its parking lots, so they put up a sign:
"CHURCH CAR PARK - FOR MEMBERS ONLY,"
" Trespassers will be baptized!"
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Here is the outline from my talk last weekend on Heaven (Hell & Purgatory notes to follow in the coming weeks). I ask 4 of the most popular questions, and use (a fraction of) Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the writings of the saints to begin to answer them. Please post any comments or questions! Pass this on to someone you know !

Heaven

1. Does Heaven exist?

Scripture
Gen 1:1 "In the beginning, God created heaven and earth" (Heaven is as real as earth)
Exodus 16: manna – "bread from heaven"
Mt 3: 16-17: – "And suddenly there was a voice from heaven…this is my beloved son"
Jn 1:33 – "I saw the spirit come down on him like a dove from heaven and rest on him"

Jesus refers to Heaven about 170 times in the Gospels
(Heaven, Kingdom of Heaven, Kingdom of God, Life, and Eternal Life)
-"how blessed are the poor in spirit: the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs" (Mt 5:3)
-"there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner repenting than over ninety-nine upright people who have no need of repentance" (Lk 15:7)

Throughout the NT:
St. Paul: "God…gave us a place with him in heaven, in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:6)
Acts: "This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way as you have seen him go to heaven" (1:11)
Revelation: "Then, in my vision, I saw a door open in heaven" (4:1)
" Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth" (21:1)

Early Church
St Cyprian (3rd cent.) "to delight in the joy of immortality in the kingdom of heaven with the righteous and God’s friends

Magisterium of the Church
Pope Benedict XII (1336): "According to the general disposition of God, the souls of all the saints…have been, are, and will be in heaven, in the heavenly kingdom and celestial paradise with Christ" (Benedictus Deus)


2. What is Heaven like?

Scripture
Jesus: kingdom of heaven is like:
- " a buried treasure"
- "a great pearl" (Mt 13:44-46)
- "a wedding feast" (Mt 22:1; Mt 25:1); "wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:7)
- "the upright will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father" (Mt 13:43)
- whatever we sacrifice for Christ in this life, we will receive " a hundred times as much…now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life" (Mk 10:30-31)

Paul : "what no eye has seen and no ear has heard, what the mind of man cannot visualize; all that God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Cor 2:9)
St. John: "see him as he really is" (1 Jn 3:2)
Revelation: 21: 1-4

Saints / doctors of the Church
St Catherine of Siena:"The indescribable sweetness of this perfect union cannot be told by tongue, which is but a finite thing"

St John of the Cross: " Were (the soul) to have but a foreglimpse of the height and beauty of God, she would not only desire death in order to see him now forever, as she here desires, but she would very gladly undergo a thousand singularly bitter deaths to see Him only for a moment"

Magisterium of the Church
- "perfect life with the most Holy Trinity – this consummation of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1024)
- "Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness" (CCC, # 1024)


3. How long does Heaven last?

Scripture
Jesus speaks of heaven many times as "everlasting life…eternal life…living forever"
Paul (1 Cor 9:25) + St Peter (1 Pet 5:4): "imperishable crown"

Church: "the enjoyment (of those in heaven) has continued and will continue without any interruption and without end until the last Judgement and from then on forever" (Pope Benedict XII, 1336)


4. Who goes to Heaven?

Scripture
- Jn 3:16- "everyone who believes in (God’s only Son) may not perish but may have eternal life"

Jesus
- Jn 6:54, 58 – "whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life…and will live forever"
- Mk 16:16- "whoever believes and is baptized will be saved"
- Mt 25: 35-36-whoever feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, etc.
- Lk 10: 25-28 (the lawyer) / Mt 19: 16-22 (the rich young man)- whoever keeps the Commandments

Paul- "it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God" (Eph 2:8)
St. James- "if good deeds do not go with (faith), (faith) is quite dead" (2:17)
John: "whoever does the will of God remains for ever" (Jn 2:17)
Revelation: "the people who have been through the great trial" (7:14)

Magisterium
-"those who die in God’s grace and friendship and are perfectly purified live for ever with Christ" (CCC, #1023)

-baptized by water (#1228), by desire (#1260), or by blood (#1258)

-in union with the bride of Christ, the Church (Eph 5:25-27): Heaven is the wedding feast of Christ and his bride, the Church (Rev 19:7-8, 21:9-14, previewed in Isa 61:10-11)

"Do not be afraid"

Upcoming events
1. Thurs, Feb. 24- FREE Dinner by McFadden's, 5:30 pm, Parish Hall, and raffle for gift certificates.
2. Sat, Feb. 26 - Men's prayer group, 11 am, Parish Hall.
3. Sun, Feb. 27 - Bible Study, 2 pm, rectory basement
4. Sun, Feb. 27 - Discussions on "Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory", 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm, Parish Hall.
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During my talk this past weekend about my vocation story, I told some stories involving my good buddy, Msgr. Thomas Wells. Fr. Wells has played a huge part in my vocation. He was one of the funniest people I've met, and he was a true believer. Great priest! Tragically, Fr. Wells was murdered in his rectory in 2000.

In our excellent Bible Study discussion on Sunday, we talked quite a bit about fear because of the line from that day's Gospel, "Do not be afraid" (Mt 17:7). Fr. Wells wrote many articles; the following is one of his articles on fear:
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November 22, 1998*

I do not know why the Lord puts me in these situations, but He surely does and I might just as well stop asking why. I was at a wedding last Saturday of a nephew. It was a particularly wonderful time for me because it was out of town and I did not have to worry about having to get back for any parish obligations. Anyway, I was making my way through the reception and came across two couples, the men of whom had been friends of my nephew's from grade and high school days, and whom I had sort of known as he was growing up.

Of course they are not married; of course they were taking a few extra days in Florida to see the sights, and of course their living arrangements on the trip were totally contrary to God's law. I did not find this out by prying, but simply by listening to the usual travelers' stories of motels, reservations and so forth. Now I know I should have kept my mouth shut, but...oh well, I'll try again next time.

Actually, the conversation was valuable for me because I think I saw in them what happens when faith is abandoned. They call themselves Catholic, of course, and take great pride in their Catholic education and heritage, but moral decisions that count are not made on the basis of what Christ, Church, or Scripture teach. But what has replaced faith, I believe, is fear. There is a fear of committment; fear of divorce; fear of not having enough money; fear of bringing children up in a messed up world and on and on and on and it all makes perfect sense! I respect their fear.

If God is not an active Father whose Spirit is with me, I must control life and destiny myself, then fear makes all the sense in the world. It is a funny thing, but the one fear they seem not to have is the fear of mortal sin and dying and going to hell. But, of course, a good and loving God would never send anyone to hell, blah, blah, blah...

The example of people living together is common, of course, but the fear that motivates it is a danger in every believer's life. What will neighbors think? Do I dare stand up for the person who is being mocked in the work place? Will I open my mouth when "everyone" assumes that abortion is fine? Of course, we all fall short; but as I flew home on Sunday, I was both sad for these increasingly not so young people whose potential is little by little being drained away because of fear; but I was also a little bit happy because I felt like I had learned just a bit about what life is without faith.
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* This is one of many article that Fr Wells wrote for the Sunday bulletin while pastor at my home parish from 1994-99. After his death, my parish collected his articles, and published them in a book, "From the Pastor's Desk".

Christ can heal you

Here's what on tap at St Stephen's:
1. Men's prayer group - Our first meeting is this Saturday, Feb. 19, 11 am, Parish Hall. Meeting will go for about an hour, and is open to all GW and young adult men. (Women's group - meets Thursdays, 6:30 pm, Newman Center)

2. Bible study - Sundays, basement of rectory, 2-3 pm. We will discuss the readings for that Sunday, and how they apply to GW students and young adults.

3. "One wild ride: my vocation story". I will give a talk after the 5:30 and 7:30 Masses in the Parish Hall this Sunday night about conversion and service. Stories from my college, seminary, and service experiences that are pretty wild!

4. Free dinner - Thursday, Feb. 24, 5:30 pm, Parish Hall. McFadden's restaurant is providing dinner for the first 60 people who show up. Also, we will raffle off more gift certificates!
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This past Sunday night, we had discussions on the healing power of Christ. We looked at 3 scenes from the Gospel when Jesus heals others, and compared them to how He can heal us. Here are some things we looked at.

Firstly, the blind man at Jericho (Mk 10:46-52). "What do you want me to do for you" is what Christ asks the man. Why? Jesus knows he wants to see. Like us, he wants the man to state his specific request to show that he believes Jesus can heal him of it. Jesus says the same thing to you and me: 'What do you want me to do for you?'

Secondly, the paralytic man (Mk 2:1-12). The absolute urgency of this man's friends to bring him to Jesus- they remove the roof and lower him down to the Lord! Do we have the same urgency to be healed by Christ? Or, have we resigned ourselves to being paralyzed by certain sins? We might think 'even the Lord can't heal this wound, or get rid of this sin'.

Thirdly, the woman with the hemorrhage (Lk 8:43-48). This woman had suffered for 12 years from hemorrhaging, and "no one had been able to cure her". Then, she simply touches Christ's garment and she is healed "at that moment". The absolute primacy of the healing power of Jesus Christ! He alone can heal us in ways that no one or thing can.

So, what are our wounds? Do they go back 12 years (or more)? Sins, habits, vices? Problems with family or friends? Hatred? Anger? Rejection? Loneliness? Fear? Tragedy? Illness? Ultimately, all wounds are the result of sin, either our own sins or those of others.

How have we tried to heal them? Through other sins? Alcohol or drugs? Through psychology (which can be healing if rooted in Christ)? As more than one psychologist has admitted, 'we don't have the tools that priests do'.

How can Christ heal our wounds? Primarily through His priests in the sacraments (especially Confession, Anointing, and the Eucharist), spiritual direction, and healing ministries; through worship, His Word, prayer, community, friends, family, service, and humor (don't forget: He gave us all our senses of humor).

Christ's healings from the Gospel (and in our lives) are signs of the coming of the Kingdom. Through them, He announces a more radical healing: victory over sin and death through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. And, just as in the sacraments, He brings about extraordinary grace through ordinary matter (spittle, e.g.).

As we said the other night, when He heals someone internally (forgives sins, e.g.), it is a greater miracle than walking on water or feeding the 5,000. In other words, He can perform a miracle in you or me by healing our internal wounds that would be greater than any external miracle He performed 2000 years ago.
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Questions /comments
1. From those who were at the discussions: feedback from the other night, thoughts, comments, questions?
2. From all others: thoughts, comments, questions?

Feast on Truth this Lent*

Contest for gift certificates:
1. $50 - 600 Restaurant at the Watergate (600 New Hampshire Ave, NW). Your name will be entered into the contest for each answer (and example) you give to the questions below. Winning name to be drawn after the 5:30 Mass, 2/13.

2. $50 - Luigino Ristorante (1100 New York Ave.). Your name will be entered into the contest for each answer (and example) you give to the questions below. Winning name to be drawn after the 7:30 Mass, 2/13.
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Well, the fun of Lent begins tomorrow (D'oh)! Amid all of your fasting, here's something to feast on for the next 40 days (and beyond): a reflection on Truth. Enjoy!

Truth is fascinating to me. I never thought about Truth growing up, but have fallen in love with It over the past 13 years. It is a concept that is not only downplayed in our society, it is actually attacked.

Pontius Pilate asked Jesus: "What is truth?" (Jn 18:38). Truth is what exists, what is real. Here's an example of a truth in math that is unquestionable: 2+2=4. Duh, obvious, you say.

But, what if someone came along and said that "2+2=3 or 5, or whatever you want it to be"? And, what if they really believed it, and even dedicated their lives to arguing against 2+2=4? Would their beliefs and arguments change the truth that 2+2=4?

If that's a foolish example, then let's use some examples of other truths. God exists; God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Jesus Christ is true God and true man; the fullness of Jesus Christ is found in the Catholic Church; all of the Church's teachings on faith and morals are true and necessary for salvation; sex is reserved for marriage; every human life is sacred and begins at conception. Just like 2+2=4, these are all examples of objective truth.

Yet, there are many people who really believe and argue that God doesn't exist; God is whomever you want Him (or Her) to be; Jesus was a good man but not God; it doesn't matter what church you belong to; the Church is outdated and narrow-minded; if it feels good, do it; babies in the womb are not persons. Just like 2+2=3 or 2+2=5, these are examples of the worldly view called "subjective truth". They are not real, and don't change objective truth.

The world is opposed to Christ and all of His followers (see Jn 17:14). The world hates Christ, who is Truth (see Jn 14:6), and all those who follow Truth: "If the world hates you, you must realize that it hated me before it hated you" (Jn 15:18). The world crucified Christ, killed all of the Apostles (except John), and has either physically or personally persectued many Christians for 2000 years; all because they spoke and lived the Truth.

Truth is from God (see 2 Sam 7:28); lies are from the Evil One (see Mt 5:37, 1 Jn 4:1-6). Truth makes us free (see Jn 8:32); lies make us slaves to sin (see Romans 6:16-17). "I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth hear my voice." (Jn 18:38).

Whose side are you on?

*To learn more about Truth, click on the link below.
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Questions:
1. Why is it necessary to believe in the Catholic Church's teachings on faith and morals?
2. Give an example of an objective truth.
3. Give an example of a subjective truth.

Reactions to my talk at Mass

For those who were at either the 5:30 or 7:30 pm Mass last night at St Stephen's, please leave any comments or questions about the brief talk that I gave (after Communion) on the Eucharist here this week. Your HONEST feedback will be very helpful to this future homilist!

Reactions to "Miracles" video

We had a great turnout for the video, "Miracles of the Eucharist", last night at St Stephen's. And, great discussion! Some stayed until almost 11 pm for an impromptu, "spirited", dialogue. Thanks to all who came out! Thanks again, too, to all who helped me!!

Please post any thoughts, reflections, or questions about the video/discussion here this week.

One of the questions that arose was about the context of the Eucharist. In other words, what is the big picture about the Eucharist (the Body and Blood of Jesus)? Well, there's too much to say about it here, but check out a section (# 1365) from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

"In the Eucharist Christ gives us the very body which he gave up for us on the cross, the very blood which he 'poured out for the forgiveness of sins'(Matthew 26:28)".

Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross and his Resurrection, then, are our means to salvation (how we get to Heaven). "For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and humanity, himself a human being, Christ Jesus, who offered himself as a ransom for all." (1 Tim 2:5). Christ's Body and Blood on the Cross is re-presented in the Eucharist: "the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world" (Jn 6:51).

So, as one person asked, what is the big deal about the Eucharist? The big deal is that the Eucharist is our ticket to Heaven: "anyone eats this bread will live for ever" (Jn 6:58).

As I said last night, the only places in the world where a person can truly eat this bread, "the bread which comes down from heaven" (Jn 6:50), is in a Catholic or Orthodox Church. That's a loaded statement which I will explain further if anyone wants...

Your questions

Free Chipotle dinner for GW students and young adults: Thursday, Jan. 27, 5:30, Parish Hall (1011 25th St., NW). 100 burritos provided by Chipotle! Also, a raffle for gift certficates to local businesses that range from $25 - $60. Proceeds go to Young Adult Ministry at St Stephen's. Please join us, and spread the word.

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Contest for gift certificates (see Jan. 17 post for contest rules):
1. $ 100 - Comfort One Shoes, Georgetown Park. Answer one or both of the questions from the Dec. 7 post, "Awesome", and have your name entered into the contest. Winning name to be announced after the 5:30 Mass, 1/30/05, Parish Hall.

2. $ 100 - Blackie's restaurant, 22nd & M St. Answer one or both of the questions from the Dec. 7 post, "Awesome", and have your name entered into the contest. Winning name to be announced after the 7:30 Mass, 1/30/05, Parish Hall.

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GW and young adult bloggers,

If this blog site is a bit overwhelming or confusing to you, please let me simplify and clarify a few things:

- the main reason for this site is to help you in your faith in Jesus Christ and in His Church

- I know that you all have tons of questions, and want you to feel free to ask them ('what is Heaven like?', e.g.); it would be great if you posted questions, and we can all try to answer them
- if you want to post a question or comment, go to the bottom of any of my posts or others', and click on comments. Then, you "post a comment" by either opening a free account (enter username and password) or 'post anonymously'. The ones who have opened an account and posted on here have said it's not too much of a problem. Whatever's easier for you!
OR
- you can bypass posting on here, and e-mail me directly with your questions or comments. Go to the top right of the main page, click on "view my complete profile" for my address.

- If you can participate in the contests, great. If it seems too hard to follow, then just participate in any way you can.

- Don't be afraid to post! One of your questions or comments could really help someone else.


In any way that I can help you, please let me know here, or via e-mail. Thanks for letting me be a part of the most important relationship in your life.


In Christ,
Greg

The tsunami - why?

Contest for gift certificates (see Jan. 17 post for contest rules):
1. $50 gc - Primi Piatti restaurant, 2013 I St, NW. Answer the question (or make a new question) from the Dec. 14th post, "Christ dwells in me", and enter your name into the contest. Winning name to be drawn after the 5:30 Mass, 1/30/05, Parish Hall.

2. $50 gc - Third Edition restaurant, Georgetown. Answer the questions (or make a new question) from the Dec. 7th post, "Awesome", and enter your name into the contest. Winning name to be drawn after the 7:30 Mass, 1/30/05, Parish Hall.
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One question that can come out of a terrible tragedy like the tsunami in Southeast Asia is "why would God allow this to happen?" I have read what many of the Hindus whose lives have been devastated have said: 'God did this to us because of our lack of faith'. While I could never fathom the suffering of these peoples, I think it is good to see how the Christian approach to this difficult question is somewhat different from theirs.

Catholic teaching tells us that suffering and death are the natural results of sin. The cause of the tsunami (and any other natural disaster) is something that occurred many, many years ago and has afflicted the entire human family: original sin.

"death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned" (Romans 5:12).

Before the Fall, Adam and Eve lived in paradise. God's masterpiece of creation was in perfect order ("Thus heaven and earth were completed with all their array" -Gen 2:1). But, when they said the first 'no' to God, thus committing the first sin, they upset the order of creation that God willed. God never willed sin, suffering, or death.

"For God did not make Death, he takes no pleasure in destroying the living." (Wisdom 1:13)

Not only did human nature fall from its original state of grace, but nature itself was set into chaos that we still see the effects of today. Paradise was lost.

How does God feel about all of the human suffering that results from sin and evil, especially to innocent victims? How does He feel about the innocent victims of the tsunami?

"May my eyes shed tears night and day, unceasingly, since the daughter of my people has sustained a fearsome wound, a crippling injury" (Jer 14:17).

Ultimately, God's answer to the question of suffering comes in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ. The Father loves the Son more than we can ever imagine, and yet he allowed even Christ to suffer tremendously on the Cross. 'But, why, Jesus never sinned?'

"For our sake, he made the sinless one a victim for sin" (2 Cor 5:21)

"his purpose in dying for all humanity was that those who live should live not any more for themselves but for him who died and was raised to life" (2 Cor 5:15)

In other words, Christ has redeemed us through his suffering, death, and resurrection. Anyone who imitates him and suffers for the sake of love, especially as an innocent victim in Southeast Asia, joins in the work of saving the world*.
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* Read Col 1:24. Are you familiar with this verse? What do you think about it? Is St Paul saying that there is something lacking in Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross?

Contest rules for gift certificates

We will be having many contests at St Stephen's this semester for GW students and young adults to win some cool gift certificates to local restaurants and shops.

Here are the rules for the contests:

1. How to enter:
a. Participate in this blog site

With new posts/contests each week on this blog site, you'll be asked to participate in this Q & A in specific ways. For every relevant and appropriate answer (or even a new question) that you give, your name will be entered in that week's contest.

b. Come to the drawings

The names of the contest winners will be drawn at the start of the Sunday night discussion groups in St Stephen's Parish Hall. Each person who shows up for the drawing will have his/her name entered once.

c. Purchase chances

Any person at the Sunday night drawings can purchase additional chances. Proceeds will go to Young Adult Ministry at St Stephen's. {Note: in addition to the contests, other gift certificates will be raffled off at each monthly dinner at St Stephen's - e.g., Jan. 27, dinner by Chipotle in Parish Hall. Dinners will be announced on this web site}

2. Answers or questions can be posted anonymously, but your name must appear somewhere in your comment. The deadline for answers to be included in each contest is 12:00 am on the day of the contest drawing.

3. Winners must be present at contest drawings to win.

4. Contests are only for GW students and DC young adults.

5. The contests will end if any gift certificate winner or guest of a winner significantly misrepresents himself, St Stephen's, the Newman Center, or GWU during his visit to the respective place of business that has been so generous to donate the certificate. Then, the remaining gift certificates will be given to other parish groups.

Jesus in the Confessional

I will try to answer the questions from the "your sins are forgiven" post and I encourage anyone to do so (GW students can still answer and be entered in the free lunch contest). Too bad I can't win the free lunch!
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1. I think many of us Catholics find it difficult going to Confession because it's not easy to admit when we've sinned, especially in a serious way. The keys for me have always been that a) it is Jesus in the Confessional, b) He knows all of my sins already, and c) confessing them to Him is the sign that I am truly sorry for them and don't want to commit them any more.

2. We need to go to a priest in the Sacrament of Penance for mortal sins, mainly. That's why our Lord instituted this sacrament (John 20:20-23). Our venial sins can be forgiven outside the sacrament (the Eucharist, a sincere Act of Contrition, etc.), but forgiveness of mortal sins is reserved for Penance for the following main reasons:
- we receive God's sanctifying Grace in Penance (can't get that on our own)
- our sins are taken to the Cross of Christ and forgiven in Penance in a way that we can't do on our own
- we know we are forgiven (we hear that our sins have been absolved by Christ)
- Christ's Grace in Penance heals us and gives us the strength to overcome the sins in the future

- the priest can give us advice on how to avoid the sins in the future

Another way of understanding the need for Confession is to look at when we sin against each other. When we seriously sin against our neighbor, it is necessary for us to go directly to him/her to be forgiven. For example, if I lied to a buddy of mine about a serious matter and then have a change of heart and want to be forgiven, I can either choose to tell him about it and ask for forgiveness or simply assume that he will forgive me. If I choose to tell him directly what I did, it is more difficult but I hear from him that I've been forgiven. If all things have been fully restored, our friendship is whole again and actually even stronger.

If I just assume that he will forgive me, I choose the easier (and cowardly) route but I don't know that he has forgiven me. Actually, if I don't confess to him, he can't forgive me. How can he forgive me if he hasn't heard my sin and that I'm sorry about it? Our friendship is still broken and wounded, and not as strong as it would appear. Many years may go by with the wound still there; like any wound, it begins to grow over time unless it is

properly treated.

In Confession, the priest acts in persona Christi - we tell our sins directly to Christ.

3. Jesus gives the power to the Apostles to forgive sins at Pentecost in St. John's Gospel (20:20-23).
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What is the difference between a mortal sin and a venial sin?

What are some examples of mortal sins? Venial?

Lunch for two?

GW bloggers: Want a free lunch for 2 at a very nice French bistro in Georgetown? Just answer any or all of the 3 questions from last week's post ("your sins are forgiven") and your name will be entered in the contest. Winner will be announced at the "8:30 Club" on Sunday night, January 23, 2005.

- Answers are to be entered as comments to last week's post. Comments should be posted as "anonymous", but student's name needs to appear with the answers.
- Winner must be present on 1/23/05 to win.
- Contest for GW Catholic students only.
- Your name will be entered for each question you answer (max. of 3).
- Appropriate and relevant answers only.
- The only catch is that the lunch must be used before January 31, 2005.