Looking in the Window of the Church

If I weren't born a Catholic who learned the faith from the cradle thanks to my Catholic parents, I wonder what would have happened to me. Would I have come to the faith or would I still be wandering in the wilderness? I have many convert friends and each has a different story about what attracted them and led to their entry into the fullness of the faith. Many belonged to Christian denominations. Some left the Church and reverted later. What would my story be? If I were not born in the faith, raised in the faith, learned the faith in Catholic schools, married in the faith, raised our children in the faith...would I be a Catholic today? 

Imagining myself as an outsider looking in the window, I think what would have led to my conversion would be the sacrament of Confession. Of course, Jesus and the Eucharist are at the center, but think of the power of forgiveness. 

Sunday Meditation: St. John the Baptist, Rock not Reed!

St. John the Baptist is a major Advent voice preparing the way for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day. Today, we heard in the Gospel (TLM) the moment, when in prison, John sent his disciples to ask Christ a question. "Shall we look for another?" I have no doubt that John already knew the answer to that question. So why did he ask it? I think he wanted to wean his disciples from himself and turn them to Christ. His "voice in the wilderness" was about to go silent and he wanted his little band of brothers to follow the One whose sandal he was not fit to unloose. 

Of This and That on Monday Morning

•  I'm going to see my sister in the nursing home today. I consider it my weekly exercise to work on the virtues of patience, charity, and cheerfulness. 

• When I'm watching TV, I try to keep my hands busy. I very much liked the baby blanket pattern I used for two blankets: one for my first great grandchild and one for my youngest grandchild. So I decided to make a table runner. I finally made the pattern with no mistakes! The secret is small projects I think. Perhaps that's a lesson in life. St. Therese's "little way" is much easier to accomplish with fewer mistakes.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Baptism of Jesus by Giotto de Bondone

What a good day to thank God for my baptism, the day I was freed from the bondage of sin through the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord. Every time I turn on water today or hear the stream in the back yard or take a drink I want to remember the great goodness of God in letting me be born of Catholic parents who were serious about the faith. Up to now, the greatest day of my life was the day I was baptized because it opened the way to eternal life. It opened all the treasures of the kingdom. Only through my baptism did the Holy Eucharist and the other sacraments become my birthright. So today I will pray my rosary in thanksgiving for my parents and for the tremendous love they had for me by taking me to the church for my baptism. 

Off With His Head: Will the Garland 9 Get the St. John Treatment (Figuratively)? Verdict May Come Today!

I've been following the trial of the Garland 9 baby rescuers in D.C. Today the jury will likely reach a decision in this incredibly manipulated show trial.

Today is also the feast of the beheading of St. John the Baptist. Hopefully the Garland 9 will see truth prevail, but whatever happens God will use it for good. The day seems Providential!

Let's examine St. John's sentence. Why was he executed? For several reasons.

• First, he spoke the truth about sin which enraged sinners. Herodias especially could not bear the thought that John was condemning her immoral marriage to Herod. Herod, who wasn't quite lost to the truth, was fascinated by John and liked to talk to him. Every Catholic who has engaged in defending the truth on a controversial issue like abortion, has no doubt experienced this. I remember two explicit occasions when I was speaking during a rescue to pro-abortion individuals with others listening. On both occasions the surrounding friends said, "Don't talk to her!" At one rescue the young man I engaged with responded, "Shut up! I'll talk to whoever I want." In the other, the young lesbian dressed like man, ended our previous respectful conversation with a raised fist shouting, "This is what dyke looks like!" before she walked away with her "friends." Yes, indeed, the lie hates the truth and will do anything to shut it up as Herodias demonstrated by demanding John's death. I was only arrested and imprisoned.

To Those Who Say, "We Don't Need the SSPX Here," Yes We Do!

Want a Traditional Latin Nuptual Mass at your parish church? Sorry! No Mass for you! No diocesan parish is available for young couples who want to be married in the Latin form of the Roman rite. (Photo credit Spiering Photography)

I recently spoke to someone at St. John the Baptist in Front Royal, VA who insisted that the SSPX are not needed here. "We have four Traditional Latin Masses every Sunday; the SSPX should have gone somewhere they are needed. We don't need them here. They should leave!"

Nabi Sayeth: Gaudete Sunday is Upon Us. Will We Listen to John's Prescription for Salvation?

If we listen and heed St. John the Baptist, we truly will be able to rejoice despite
the desert our bishops have made of the Church in the United States!

Nabi Sayeth: The third Sunday of Advent in our beloved Catholic Church is known traditionally as “Gaudete Sunday”, the Sunday of rejoicing. The mood of the holy mass shifts from one of open-ended hope to a sense of joyful expectation. The prayers and readings at the holy mass invite us to become excited about the nearness of Our Savior’s birth.

St. John the Baptist and the Fortnight for Freedom

It's interesting that St. John the Baptist's feast today falls within the U.S. bishops' Fortnight for Freedom project. Perhaps that was deliberate although I think the event is more linked to the 4th of July. His is one of the few birthdays celebrated by the Church and one of the few saints with multiple feast days.(His beheading is commemorated on August 29 and his baptizing the Lord on January 13.)

St. John is certainly an appropriate saint for the Fortnight for Freedom. King Herod had him killed because he dared to speak out about the man's corruption. (No religious freedom rights for loudmouthed saints!) His preaching earned him the diabolical hatred of Herod's wife, Herodias. She bided her time until she could bring about John's murder with the aid of her seductive daughter and Herod's lust.

How many of us dare to speak truth to power, even to the emotional power of our children, relatives, and friends? We shrink from anything that makes us "uncomfortable." Somebody might think we are "judgmental." Not that we need to imitate the fire and brimstone style of a Savonarola calling for the Church to rule the state, but we are called to witness, going out "to the whole world." We would do well to reach at least the first circle of the world by speaking the truth to family and friends.

But it's not easy to do, God knows. What a blessing that we have in John the Baptist the perfect saint to intercede for us as we evangelize, one who prepared the way of the Lord by his preaching and the witness of his life. He can help prepare us as well.

St. John the Baptist, pray for us!

Advent's Hero: St. John the Baptist

Last Sunday's homily focused on St. John the Baptist, the shining light of the Advent season. John, the precursor, fasts and prays in the desert. How many of us would be content to eat locusts and wild honey and wear John's rough garments? He gives us the guidebook to follow saying,  "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'" John is not "the one;" he is merely the "voice," the megaphone, as Father described him, urging us to prepare our hearts for Him.

Is it any surprise? Remember, John is the first to recognize Jesus and honor Mary as the tabernacle of the Lord when he leaps in the womb of Elizabeth. It is he who is the first evangelist (after Mary) enlightening his mother Elizabeth and preparing her to receive the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Like Mary, John magnifies the Lord pointing him out to all who will listen. "There is the lamb of God; I am not worthy to unfasten the strap of sandal." He sends his own apostles away, redirecting them to the "Lamb of God," the one whose way he has prepared.

"He must increase; I must decrease," says John. There is no self pity in that statement, only the recognition that when the bridegroom arrives, the best man fades into the background. John takes us to the Jordan where we are washed in the waters of baptism, repenting of our sins in preparation for the coming of the Christ, the Savior of the world. So come to Jordan's banks and "hear the Baptist's cry announcing that the Lord is nigh."

St. Francis de Sales and Advent

One of my favorite spiritual writers is St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church. Among his many works are his Sermons For Advent and Christmas. Here's an excerpt from the fourth Sunday of Advent:

"Now St. John [the Baptist] was by the River Jordan, at the edge of the desert, crying out and preaching penitence. [Lk. 3:3]. People hastened from all sides to hear him and to be baptized by him. It was there that he cried out: 'Do penance! Prepare the way, make straight the paths, for the Lord is near. [Matt.3:1-3, 5-6; Mk. 1:4-5]. But because I cry out and preach in the desert, you want to know who I am. I protest to you that I am only the voice of Him who cries out. It is not I who cry out in the desert: "Do penance." It is God who says it to you through me, and I am only the voice, the trumpet He uses so that you will understand how you are to prepare to do penance and dispose yourselves for His coming. That is what I am. And you ought to hear my words, not as mine, but as those of God who speaks to you through my mouth, for I am the voice of Him who cries out in the desert.'...

"[John] was bound to cry out that the people must prepare the way and that they must level the paths and roads of the Lord. the people whom he addressed were likewise bound to listen, to receive the baptism he offered them, and to do what he told them. If the preacher has the duty to preach to you, you also have that of listening to him and of receiving with good dispositions what he announces to you on behalf of God. I come here to preach to you, but if I am bound to bring the divine word to you, you are bound to pay attention to it, and not only that but to learn it well and carry out what you are taught."

This 17th century bishop was a catechist, a true son of Mary, and a lover of the poor. he dressed simply, ate plain food, and dispensed with many of the comforts of life in his living arrangements. Oh, would that today's bishops followed the example of this great cleric who converted tens of thousands because of his goodness and clear teaching. Few among our bishops are as effective as he is because they are so much of the world. How many bishops' houses reflect their worldly status of "prince" rather than a spiritual richness? Pray for them!

I heartily recommend St. Francis' Introduction to the Devout Life which is filled with common sense advice for the soul who wants to grow in holiness. If your heart's desire is to know the Lord better, run to St. Francis, a sure guide.

He is also the patron saint of journalists and, since blogging is journaling of a sort, I claim him for my own special friend. St. Francis, pray for us.

Reading Isaiah for Advent

I'm reading the book of Isaiah for Advent. Check out chapters one and two which set up two key themes: the infidility of Israel and God's judgment and punishment to call her back. "Sons have I raised and reared, but they have disowned me!...you that rebel again and again? The whole head is sick, the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot to the head there is no sound spot....Your country is waste....Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good....Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow;...If you are willing, and obey."

Certainly, the United States is as unfaithful as Zion of old. We spurn God, the ten commandments, and turn truth on its head calling good evil and evil good. We choose evil leaders and worship our material prosperity. How many obey only their own evil desires? Isaiah proclaims the Lord's message, "Their land is full of idols; they worship the works of their hands." How many of us worship at the mall on Sundays or in front of our TV shrines? Isn't it interesting that we talk about American "idols" and treat celebrities, including our president-elect, like little gods.

What can we expect from our Father who chastises his children, not to condemn them, but to bring them back to His loving arms? "I will turn my hand against you....Get behind the rocks, hide in the dust, From the terror of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty!...Human pride will be abased, the arrogance of men brought low, And the Lord alone will be exalted." We are created, as psalm 8 says, "little less than the angels." What have we done to the divine image in which we were created?

Despite these grim images, Isaiah is full of hope if we only choose to walk in the way of the Lord. "Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways and we may walk in his paths."

What a glorious opportunity the season of Advent is. Two great figures set before us by the Church are St. John the Baptist and Mary, the Mother of God. Take to heart John's message to "reform your lives and prepare the way of the Lord" and Mary's desire to be the obedient "handmaid." If we follow in their holy footsteps we truly will have a merry and a Mary Christmas. Offer a decade of your rosary today for those who are so caught up in the things of this world that they are clueless about what really matters, the things of our God.