Ijournal entry 091117 #36. September, Month of Our Lady of Sorrows. The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes by St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Article: "Cremation and the Resurrection", by Fr. Tim Finigan. Book: "Ninety-nine homilies of St. Thomas Aquinas upon the Epistles and Gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year.” Audio presentation: "Refurbishing the Soul", Episode 5, by Babsie Bleasdell.
St. Alphonsus de Liguori in his classic work "The Glories of Mary": Our Lord promised four graces to those devoted to the Sorrows of his Blessed Mother:
😥 1. That those who before death invoke the divine Mother in the name of Her Sorrows will obtain true repentance of all their sins;
😥2. That He will protect all who have this devotion in their tribulations, and will protect them especially at the hour of death;
😥3. That He will impress on their minds the remembrance of His Passion;
😥4. That He will place such devout servants in Mother Mary’s hands to do with them as She wishes and to obtain for them all the graces She desires.
😥 1. That those who before death invoke the divine Mother in the name of Her Sorrows will obtain true repentance of all their sins;
😥2. That He will protect all who have this devotion in their tribulations, and will protect them especially at the hour of death;
😥3. That He will impress on their minds the remembrance of His Passion;
😥4. That He will place such devout servants in Mother Mary’s hands to do with them as She wishes and to obtain for them all the graces She desires.
The Rule of St. Benedict
"So, brethren, we have asked the Lord about the dwellers in his tabernacle and have heard what is the duty of him who would dwell therein; it remains for us to fulfil this duty. Therefore our hearts and bodies must be made ready to fight under the holy obedience of his commands; and let us ask God that he be pleased, where our nature is powerless, to give us the help of his grace. And if we would escape the pains of hell and reach eternal life, then must we, while there is still time, while we are in this body and can fulfil all these things by the light of this life, hasten to do now what may profit us for eternity"
MC= Yes, let us beg for Divine mercy day and night, for ourselves and others. So many deaths for various reasons swirling around, be it from an illness, accidents, or natural disasters, it comes upon us and render time for us no more. If we are not doing what is profitable for us for all eternity, consider your labors in vain, availing not one good thing on the last day. Tears are being shed left and right, but how many for our sins? Having cried tears that can fill a pond thus far in life, but have never cried over my sins. For sure there is sorrow in my heart, but no tears. Strange how everything thing else causes tears to flow, Lord may my heart be pierced with true deep sorrow for my multitude of sins
"So, brethren, we have asked the Lord about the dwellers in his tabernacle and have heard what is the duty of him who would dwell therein; it remains for us to fulfil this duty. Therefore our hearts and bodies must be made ready to fight under the holy obedience of his commands; and let us ask God that he be pleased, where our nature is powerless, to give us the help of his grace. And if we would escape the pains of hell and reach eternal life, then must we, while there is still time, while we are in this body and can fulfil all these things by the light of this life, hasten to do now what may profit us for eternity"
MC= Yes, let us beg for Divine mercy day and night, for ourselves and others. So many deaths for various reasons swirling around, be it from an illness, accidents, or natural disasters, it comes upon us and render time for us no more. If we are not doing what is profitable for us for all eternity, consider your labors in vain, availing not one good thing on the last day. Tears are being shed left and right, but how many for our sins? Having cried tears that can fill a pond thus far in life, but have never cried over my sins. For sure there is sorrow in my heart, but no tears. Strange how everything thing else causes tears to flow, Lord may my heart be pierced with true deep sorrow for my multitude of sins
🍊"Silence after mass is a time of spiritual grace". By St. Alphonsus Liguori
🔵When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice." By St. Gregory the Great
⚫️"Just as it is greater to illuminate something than merely to shine, so it is greater to pass on to others what we have contemplated than just to contemplate". By St. Thomas Aquinas
🔵When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice." By St. Gregory the Great
⚫️"Just as it is greater to illuminate something than merely to shine, so it is greater to pass on to others what we have contemplated than just to contemplate". By St. Thomas Aquinas
One day Claudia sent me a text during my visit to my home town: "A visitor was going to the chapel this week at 1:45 am, and she was robbed. A gun was pointed to her face in her car, as she was told to leave her purse and keys and get out. She was parked on the side street that is very dark. I am praying for the safety of all the chapel visitors and against the spirit of fear coming to discourage people from coming to the chapel. Some adorers are quitting. We have to stand in the gap so that people will not to be afraid, and that they remember WHO it is that they are visiting and that He, Jesus Christ the Lord, is Greater than all fears."
Upon receiving the text, it was shared with Cathy after Mass, while expressing to her how we just have to pray, and pray hard to be filled with faith. A little drop of dab don't due for living life in these modern times. We discussed how we are so lacking in real, genuine, and true faith. Just the day before we had the an example of what a difference it makes when one is truly living the faith, and not just talking about having faith, or assuming to have faith. She said that her husband, Ricky, recently exemplified "living the faith", and that she was a clear example of someone not "living the faith".
The crisis at hand was a problem they were experiencing regarding their pets, two cats who are definitely like family. Someone had set up traps to catch cats that would enter their yard. The person was concerned about holes being dug in the yard. Her husband was sure it was not the cats that were digging holes, but another type of animal. Cathy was so worried about their cats being poisoned or hurt in a trap. Once before a cat was poisoned. She was so upset one night, that she could hardly sleep. Thoughts were bouncing around like as if they were on a trampoline in her mind. A solution came to her mind: if she could keep food around and ask her other kind neighbors to be on the lookout and also feed the cats, maybe they would not be attracted by the food baits placed inside the cages set as a trap by a neighbor. She was impressed by her husband saying so trustingly: "I don't know why you all are so worried? The cats are smarter than that older couple" Well, Ricky was living his faith, but trusting in God to do what he couldn't do, be a 24/7 guard for the cats. He wasn't living in fear and being overcome by stress and worry, but was joyfully trusting in the Lord, because God is trustworthy and helps those in needs. You do know that there is a difference between being happy and being joyous in the Lord, right? It's the joy of the Lord that which provides us strength to live strong the faith and believe God will provide and see us through no matter what.
Upon receiving the text, it was shared with Cathy after Mass, while expressing to her how we just have to pray, and pray hard to be filled with faith. A little drop of dab don't due for living life in these modern times. We discussed how we are so lacking in real, genuine, and true faith. Just the day before we had the an example of what a difference it makes when one is truly living the faith, and not just talking about having faith, or assuming to have faith. She said that her husband, Ricky, recently exemplified "living the faith", and that she was a clear example of someone not "living the faith".
The crisis at hand was a problem they were experiencing regarding their pets, two cats who are definitely like family. Someone had set up traps to catch cats that would enter their yard. The person was concerned about holes being dug in the yard. Her husband was sure it was not the cats that were digging holes, but another type of animal. Cathy was so worried about their cats being poisoned or hurt in a trap. Once before a cat was poisoned. She was so upset one night, that she could hardly sleep. Thoughts were bouncing around like as if they were on a trampoline in her mind. A solution came to her mind: if she could keep food around and ask her other kind neighbors to be on the lookout and also feed the cats, maybe they would not be attracted by the food baits placed inside the cages set as a trap by a neighbor. She was impressed by her husband saying so trustingly: "I don't know why you all are so worried? The cats are smarter than that older couple" Well, Ricky was living his faith, but trusting in God to do what he couldn't do, be a 24/7 guard for the cats. He wasn't living in fear and being overcome by stress and worry, but was joyfully trusting in the Lord, because God is trustworthy and helps those in needs. You do know that there is a difference between being happy and being joyous in the Lord, right? It's the joy of the Lord that which provides us strength to live strong the faith and believe God will provide and see us through no matter what.
It so happened that one day, one of the cats did venture on the forbidden property, attracted by the bait, but managed to get out with a bruised leg, by the grace of God for sure. Cathy, as a mother, compassionate, concerned and sympathetic, was a little upset and angry. Her husband, who probably loves the cats just as much or more, exhibited tough love. His response to that situation might mirror the way Jesus would sometimes have to handle us, for our own good. Ricky said: "Well maybe the cat will learn a lesson and stay away from there since she was slightly injured in the incident.
As Cathy was telling me all of this, it became very clear how we are called to live our faith and how so, so, many times we are not doing so. For me it is falling short time and time again. We had to joke about how the last will be first and the first last, referring to her husband arriving at the finish line before we get there. We call ourselves "leading him", but the last laugh is on us, as he is all about action. He is jogging right along, and we are sprinters, starting and stopping. Lord, please help us all to have faith that is tried and true, a faith that we can live strong day after day, consistently in circumstance after circumstance.
If we are not serious about our relationship with the Lord, not praying from the heart, but just repeating prayers mindlessly and parroting words at Mass, receiving the sacraments without giving a second thought to what we are doing and who it is that we are receiving, then we will most certainly be weak and not sufficiently growing in faith as we should be doing. Weak in virtue, not because of a lack of grace, but because we aren't receptive and responding accordingly. As times toughen, the tests we encounter will definitely show who is in, and who is out. Let us make sure we can be counted in that number. Those who worship in spirit and truth will be able to stand firm in faith, tested, tried, and not found wanting.
As Cathy was telling me all of this, it became very clear how we are called to live our faith and how so, so, many times we are not doing so. For me it is falling short time and time again. We had to joke about how the last will be first and the first last, referring to her husband arriving at the finish line before we get there. We call ourselves "leading him", but the last laugh is on us, as he is all about action. He is jogging right along, and we are sprinters, starting and stopping. Lord, please help us all to have faith that is tried and true, a faith that we can live strong day after day, consistently in circumstance after circumstance.
If we are not serious about our relationship with the Lord, not praying from the heart, but just repeating prayers mindlessly and parroting words at Mass, receiving the sacraments without giving a second thought to what we are doing and who it is that we are receiving, then we will most certainly be weak and not sufficiently growing in faith as we should be doing. Weak in virtue, not because of a lack of grace, but because we aren't receptive and responding accordingly. As times toughen, the tests we encounter will definitely show who is in, and who is out. Let us make sure we can be counted in that number. Those who worship in spirit and truth will be able to stand firm in faith, tested, tried, and not found wanting.
Matthew 25:31-34 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations* will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" |
Matthew 13:29-30 "He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest;* then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn" |
If we truly believe and trust in God, and deeply love Him above "self", wanting and accepting the Father's will, then we will be not succumb to worry, fear, anxiety, or anger. Cowering will not occur to every little wind blowing, and for sure great storms that come our way, we'll be able to strongly resist by the grace of God. A must is that we live in spirit and truth, that we live our life of faith rooted in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit will teach us prudence, and filled with the gifts and fruit of the spiritual we will be victorious.
Cremation and the Resurrection, by Fr. Tim Finigan
Info from this site: http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2017/07/cd-288-cremation-and-resurrection.html
"I am now well into my nineties and have been considering my death for some years. I see that the Church now allows cremation, but since we believe in the resurrection of the body, what worries me is that afterwards, there is no body, only ashes.
The 19th century cremation movement, promoted initially by Italian freemasons involved an explicit denial of the resurrection of the body as well as (largely spurious) hygienic and public health concerns. In response, the Church insisted on the ancient custom of burial until 1966, by which time cremation had become more common and was less likely to be promoted for reasons contrary to the faith. The Code of Canon Law puts the present law simply: “The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed; nevertheless, the Church does not prohibit cremation unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.” (Canon 1176.3)
In ancient Rome, the bodies of Christians were often recovered at great risk for a dignified burial. Some pagans thought that by burning the bodies, they would make their resurrection impossible. The early Christian writer Minucius Felix replied that Christians did not fear loss or harm from cremation “even though we adopt the ancient and better custom of burial.”
In encouraging Christian burial, the Church draws attention to the body which is washed in baptism, anointed at confirmation, and fed with the Holy Eucharist. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and is treated with respect after death. The traditional custom of burial also acts as a symbol of the person sleeping in Christ until the resurrection. Likewise the ashes should be treated with respect after cremation at all times, and reverently buried, not scattered.
May I gently urge you to make a Will which includes your desire for a Requiem Mass (as well as the disposal of your mortal remains and any material assets.) This will be an act of kindness and will greatly help your surviving relatives when God calls you to Himself. And God bless you for giving us an example of lifelong active and enquiring faith."
Info from this site: http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2017/07/cd-288-cremation-and-resurrection.html
"I am now well into my nineties and have been considering my death for some years. I see that the Church now allows cremation, but since we believe in the resurrection of the body, what worries me is that afterwards, there is no body, only ashes.
The 19th century cremation movement, promoted initially by Italian freemasons involved an explicit denial of the resurrection of the body as well as (largely spurious) hygienic and public health concerns. In response, the Church insisted on the ancient custom of burial until 1966, by which time cremation had become more common and was less likely to be promoted for reasons contrary to the faith. The Code of Canon Law puts the present law simply: “The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed; nevertheless, the Church does not prohibit cremation unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.” (Canon 1176.3)
In ancient Rome, the bodies of Christians were often recovered at great risk for a dignified burial. Some pagans thought that by burning the bodies, they would make their resurrection impossible. The early Christian writer Minucius Felix replied that Christians did not fear loss or harm from cremation “even though we adopt the ancient and better custom of burial.”
In encouraging Christian burial, the Church draws attention to the body which is washed in baptism, anointed at confirmation, and fed with the Holy Eucharist. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and is treated with respect after death. The traditional custom of burial also acts as a symbol of the person sleeping in Christ until the resurrection. Likewise the ashes should be treated with respect after cremation at all times, and reverently buried, not scattered.
May I gently urge you to make a Will which includes your desire for a Requiem Mass (as well as the disposal of your mortal remains and any material assets.) This will be an act of kindness and will greatly help your surviving relatives when God calls you to Himself. And God bless you for giving us an example of lifelong active and enquiring faith."
Book: “Ninety-nine homilies of St. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels foforty-nine Sundays of the christian year.” by St. Thomas Aquinas
Excerpts: “THE CRY TO GOD"
Excerpts: “THE CRY TO GOD"
“In the former Gospel it was seen how Christ manifoldly praised John; in the present Gospel it is noted how John humbled himself. Morally, this world is understood by the text:
The scorpion represents luxury, and the drought is avarice. In this desert the creature proclaims Christ, the Just One and the Preacher. The creature cries three things:
—firstly, that we should know God;
—secondly, that we should love Him ;
—thirdly, that we should give Him the praise that is due to Him.
Of the first, St. Augustine said,
—"All things cry, God made me."
—Of the second, he says again, " Heaven and earth, and all things which are in them on all sides, tell me that I ought to love Thee; neither do they cease to say this to all things, that they may be inexcusable if they love Thee not."
—Of the third, he says, "It is wonderful that man rests from the praise of God when all creation invites us to praise Him."
In like manner Christ cries threefoldly
—firstly, in doing miracles;
—secondly, by preaching things useful and profitable;
—thirdly, in dying for us.
Of the first,
—firstly, that we should know God;
—secondly, that we should love Him ;
—thirdly, that we should give Him the praise that is due to Him.
Of the first, St. Augustine said,
—"All things cry, God made me."
—Of the second, he says again, " Heaven and earth, and all things which are in them on all sides, tell me that I ought to love Thee; neither do they cease to say this to all things, that they may be inexcusable if they love Thee not."
—Of the third, he says, "It is wonderful that man rests from the praise of God when all creation invites us to praise Him."
In like manner Christ cries threefoldly
—firstly, in doing miracles;
—secondly, by preaching things useful and profitable;
—thirdly, in dying for us.
Of the first,
Of the second
Of the third
In the first cry His power appeared in the second, His wisdom ; in the third, His ineffable goodness and love. These three cries were necessary for our redemption—that He might be able to redeem ;
that He might know how to redeem; and that He might be willing to redeem us. Of these three reasons,
that He might know how to redeem; and that He might be willing to redeem us. Of these three reasons,
also verse 24
Christ is the anointed One, and therefore He is good; He is Power, and therefore He is powerful; He is Wisdom, and therefore He is wise. In like manner the just cry manifoldly:
—firstly, in praying;
—secondly, in confessing ;
—thirdly, in praising.
Of the first way,
—firstly, in praying;
—secondly, in confessing ;
—thirdly, in praising.
Of the first way,
Of the second way,
Of the third way:
for we ought to give Him thanks for His mercy. The Preacher likewise ought to cry three things:
—firstly, the wickedness of men ;
—secondly, the misery of human weakness…humility; " Gather out the stones," by the removing of the other sins, which preparation is the office of purity.
—Of the third,
—firstly, the wickedness of men ;
—secondly, the misery of human weakness…humility; " Gather out the stones," by the removing of the other sins, which preparation is the office of purity.
—Of the third,
and by purity make the rough ways plain. Humility orders us in relation to God ; Justice regulates us in regard to our neighbors; and Purity with regard to ourselves. May we so govern ourselves that we may be worthy to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen."
Audio presentation: "Refurbishing the Soul", Episode 5, by Babsie Bleasdell.
Link to audio presentation:
listen.ewtn.com/~IJ/~IJ000008.mp3
Link to audio presentation:
listen.ewtn.com/~IJ/~IJ000008.mp3