A Treasure To Be Shared

The light doth now return. 'Tis the season of the Incarnate Word accompanied by the promise of His Second Coming. Here is a brief commentary on three chapters from a work of the English Patrimony. The chapters offer guidance on prayer in the Logos, the Eternal Word, embracing a chosen word, and, trusting in the need for grace, giving that word complete focus and pouring into it genuine intention, to allow in one's heart and mind space for God to speak and act and transform us, guiding us according to His divine will. The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and he will not be consoled until it reaches the Lord; he will not desist until the Most High visits him, and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment. Sirach 35:17 Over the past few decades, many self-proclaimed gurus discovered the Cloud of Unknowing and have tried to reshape it into a Catholic take on Transcendental Meditation, such as Centering Prayer, or have infused it with elements of Buddhist mindfu...

Jesus at the home of Martha and Mary | Johannes Vermeer Much digital ink has been spilled about the notion of active participation in the Liturgy. That same notion should read actual participation , but due to a misleading translation of the Latin participatio actuosa , Latin Rite Catholics have been subjected to an incessant barrage of activities at Mass that constitute an unfortunate layering of events that practically force people to embrace a misstated concept in an attempt to engage us in worship. More than acting out, Christ calls us to be present to him in the Liturgy. Holy receptivity is being open-minded and willing to receive divine direction and grace. It entails fostering an open heart and mind to God's presence and teachings, which allows for spiritual growth and transformation. Core Elements of Holy Receptivity Openness and Humility. Holy receptivity involves a posture of humility, acknowledging one's dependence on God and a willingness to be taught and led.  Act...

Faith and hope are means by which we express our love: we believe God's word, because we love it; we hope after heaven, because we love it. We should not have any hope or concern about it, unless we loved it; we should not trust or confide in the God of heaven, unless we loved Him. Faith, then, and hope are but instruments or expressions of love; but as to love itself, we do not love because we believe, for the devils believe, yet do not love; nor do we love because we hope, for hypocrites hope, who do not love. But we love for no cause beyond itself: we love, because it is our nature to love; and it is our nature, because God the Holy Ghost has made it our nature. Love is the immediate fruit and the evidence of regeneration. | Excerpt from Sermon 21. Faith and Love , Saint John Henry Newman. https://www.newmanreader.org/works/parochial/volume4/sermon21.html   Faith is not just a matter of logic or intellectual assent, but is rooted in a deep, personal love for God and His teaching...

neurotic Neurotic means you're afflicted by neurosis, a word that has been in use since the 1700s to describe mental, emotional, or physical reactions that are drastic and irrational. At its root, a neurotic behavior is an automatic, unconscious effort to manage deep anxiety. A Story Larry - not his real name - gently kidded a coworker - let's call him Sam - for his accidental appropriation and use of an item belonging to another person. The following day, Sam approached Ted. "I was teased a lot as a kid, and when someone teases me I get really upset." Ted responded, "That's a long time to be holding on to such pain." "I'm seventy," replied Sam. "I won't be changing anytime soon." Was Sam saying he is too old to change? Was Sam saying he doesn't want to let go of that hurt? If the latter, what then? Ted could not have known with certainty that Sam had wounds that had festered over decades. Ted's intent was not maliciou...

Communicants this Easter must be content with remote participation. Where two or three aren't gathered... . We are stuck in the catacombs. We dare not risk a reprimand (or worse) for congregating to assist at Mass. Perhaps the experience of being confined to a crypt (apartment, condo, house, garage...) will better dispose us to the silence of the Tomb this Holy Saturday. Of course, there is that annoying retort - "Well, at least you have an apartment or house or [fill in the blank] to dwell in." Those who reduce the argument to material security are missing the point. Let's make good use of these days to review the text of the Mass, especially the propers for each day of the Sacred Triduum and Easter Day. My hope is that the first Mass I am permitted to serve at will be slow... very very slow, as in a crawl. Next to a desecration, a rushed Mass would be the worst form of negligence to inflict upon those who have suffered the agony of liturgical ...

Holy Communion at St. John Henry's (Victoria, BC): Priest accompanied by two Instituted Acolytes Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love Thee above all things and I desire Thee in my soul. Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though thou wert already there, I embrace Thee and unite myself wholly to Thee; permit not that I should ever be separated from Thee. - Saint Alphonsus Liguori And, should circumstances come to it, perhaps the following prayer might be added: A Prayer in Time of Great Sickness and Mortality O Most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our...