10 Last Things
The Four Last Things refer to death, judgment, heaven and hell. The 10 Last Things as a phrase does not exist, but all are found in Scripture and Tradition. Remember, Advent (starting tonight) is the time to prepare not only for Christ's first coming, but also His second coming. So, when is Jesus coming back to earth? The answer: At the end of the world. When is the end of the world? Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”—Mt 25:13. A theologian of Scripture here in the USA said he believes one reason why so many men have left the Catholic faith for Protestantism is because the Catholic pulpit is silent on the apocalypse. It’s sad, especially since we have the clearest and richest tradition. Although we’ll be discussing no specific dates, the Sacred Scriptures and the Catechism [...]
Reparation Appeal
This Spanish "artist," named Abel Azcona, stole 242 consecrated Eucharistic hosts from various Masses, and has put the body and blood of Jesus in a blasphemous art display in Pamplona. The full story is here, but I would ask anyone who reads about this to offer your meatless-Friday or a Holy Hour before the Tabernacle in reparation for such unspeakable crimes against Jesus. The bishop in Spain denounced it, but once again we see that Holy Communion in the Hand (and/or without kneeling) leads to yet more and more blasphemies and sacrileges in the Mass. Of course, the Traditional Latin Mass has no such option, but bishops and pastors in the Novus Ordo (Mass in English or Spanish) also have a clear-cut path: A 2004 document from the Vatican makes every pastor and bishop prohibit the reception of Holy Communion by hand in such times as [...]
Thanksgiving Homily
This is a 10 minute Thanksgiving Homily from today. It ties Jewish sacrificial meals to the Holy Mass. It also ties a little of the history of Israel to a bit of modern history in the United States, and how we thank God in the darkness.
St. John of the Cross and The Buddha
The above picture is a remake of the spiritual life as drawn and described by the greatest ascetical theologian of the past millennium, St. John of the Cross. St. John of the Cross was a 16th century Carmelite whose feast day we celebrate today in the TLM (a couple weeks out in the new calendar.) If you look at that picture (which is hard to see but phenomenal if you can expand it) you will see that the man or woman who sets out to seek God is called to a narrow path that not only despises any earthly attachments that prevent union with God, but also despises any self-centered heavenly attachments that keep one from God. If one succeeds, one arrives “upon this mountain where dwells only the glory and honor of God.” Not to sound emotional, but I [...]
Did Mary Grow in Holiness?
Homily from today's Mass: the Presentation of Mary in the Temple.
Christianity vs. Islam
Today's feast honors St. Felix of Valois, a 13th century saint who gave himself to be the ransom (replacement) of Christians taken hostage by Muslims. At Mass tonight, I preached my sermon on St. Felix and the theology of both Christianity and Islam.
St. Joseph’s Education
St. Joseph, late one night is talking to Mary, amazed at something that Jesus, their five year old, now asleep, said during the day. Over candlelight at table, Joseph shares his bewilderment. “Who is this child?” he asks… “a soon to be prophet?” Mary's eyes well up at what she's known for some time now. “Yes, and greater,” she gently replies. “Greater? You mean like the Messiah, God's chosen one?” Joseph trembles. Mary smiles with tears coming down her face. “Yes.” She replies quietly but strongly. “And more.” “Greater still?” asks Joseph. “Who could be except Adonai, the Almighty One Himself?” Mary lets out a half-cry, half-laugh lasting only a half-second. She looks at Joseph, smiling, with tears now pouring down her face. “God Himself?” whispers Joseph. Mary lovingly gazes into her most chaste husband's eyes.
Dominus Vobiscum
This is my homily from today, the 15th of November 2015. In the TLM calendar, it is the 6th resumed Sunday after Epiphany.
Paris Attacks
I'm about to go offer Mass for the 150+ victims of the Paris terror attack that has been claimed by ISIS. The last time France has seen this much violence (besides abortion) was the French Revolution. How unbelievably insensitive, then, of President Obama to quote the three key words of the French Revolution as the common source of resistance against terrorism: "We are reminded in this time of tragedy that the bonds of liberté, egalité, fraternité are not just the values French people share, but we share."—President Obama, 13 November 2015 So, if it's true that the last time France saw this many murders was the French Revolution, then why has Obama quoted the three suspiciously-delightful red herrings of 18th century terrorism, namely, liberté, egalité, and fraternité? Any cursory look at history reveals that the French Revolution's main goal was to kill as many practicing [...]
Should We Sell Vatican Art for the Poor?
This actually isn't a debate coming out of Rome these days (thankfully) but I write about it because most of you have heard this question from some family member or a person on a plane at one point. Should we sell Vatican Art for the Poor? Of course, my answer is "No," but I want to give you some new answers for your friends. 1) The first great commandment comes before the second great commandment. Jesus said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."—Matthew 22:37-39. For the Christian and Jew, any debate must be framed within the universal call of worshipping God before helping people. Both are [...]