Sack cloth and ashes have apparently, gone out of style!
Those Massachusetts Bishops who dispensed Catholics from the requirement of abstaining from meat, on Fridays, during Lent (except for Good Friday) might have done much better (in light of the present, dire circumstances) to encourage more stringent personal prayer, fasting and alms giving, instead.
Don’t you think?
With the seeming impossibility (short of a miracle) of getting a priest to come out, for Anointing of the Sick and Last Sacraments, I’ve put in a standing request (should I be suddenly called from this world) for the priestly ministry and intercession of Saint Padre Pio, who is “a priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedech” (Hebrews 5:8) and is known for managing to get around pretty well, during even the toughest of times.
I’ve always had a great deal of respect for Saint Pio. He actually scares the Hell out of me. But, God willing, that’s precisely what I’m looking for, when it’s my time to go!
Abp. Viganò calls on Pope Francis to ‘convert’ for Pachamama idolatry in St. Peter’s
Francis’ pachamama demon idol
“The faithlessness of the Sacred Pastors is a scandal for their confreres and for many among the faithful, not only in terms of lust of thirst for power, but also — I might say especially — when they touch the integrity of the Faith, the purity of the Church’s teachings and the holiness of morals.”
“[These clerics] have even committed acts of unprecedented gravity, such as we saw with the adoration of the pachamama idol in the Vatican itself,” he said.
“Indeed, I think Our Lord has rightly become indignant at the great multitude of scandals committed by those who ought to be setting a good example, because they are Shepherds, to the flocks to whom they have been entrusted.”
In an earlier post, I wrote about the problem of pestilence and other terrible things, but I totally missed the much “bigger picture”.
It has since become quite clear to me that due to the closing of the Churches, we are now in a very serious, spiritual famine (due to our inability to receive the Holy Eucharist) and also in a very serious spiritual drought, due to our inability to receive all the other Sacraments or celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, all of which are God’s preferred and most powerful methods of dispensing his grace – which is a share in God’s divine life – without which, our continued existence is in serious jeopardy.
Worse yet, depending on the will of God and how well we might understand the Sacred Scriptures, variations of this spiritually decrepit situation may (or may not) continue to go on, for several more years. Suggested reading: 1st Kings 17:1-24
This is a much, much bigger problem than the Corona Virus, the shortage of toilet paper, the closing of restaurants, or the reduced hours and other shortages that we might experience, at our favorite stores.
I now know precisely for that which I need to pray. I invite you to join me.
Today’s Question: I work as a nurse and since this virus over 30% of our staff has quit causing us to pick up their shifts I have been working over 65 hours a week. I work with very elderly people and it’s starting to get overwhelming I pray to God for comfort but what can I practically do to help myself?
Answer: This could be your “big moment” – the very reason for which you were born.
First, lay everything off on God.
Next, proceed to act as if God has accepted the load.
Then, continue with your personal “mission” according to the natural and supernatural gifts and talents that God has already given you.
Don’t forget to thank him.
Asked and answered today, on Yahoo! Answers.
Melchizedek, Manna, Passover, Last Supper
Today’s Question: Are Catholics right that bread and wine at Communion
becomes Jesus’ actual flesh and blood?
Answer: Certainly! Jesus is the (Passover) Lamb of God.
Jesus is also the one time, once for all, perfect and atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Faith in the power of the original Passover (protection from death) required the application of blood and that the Passover lamb be consumed, precisely as God directed.
Faith in the power of the Christian Pasch – Easter – the Resurrection of Jesus Christ – our divine “Passover” from death to life, requires the (worthy) consumption of the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, which becomes sacramentally present on the holy altar, for our good, for the good of the Church and of the whole world.
What was prefigured in the old, is beautifully and very powerfully fulfilled, in the new.
The Apostles knew that to be true, as did the entire Church of God, right up until the Protestant revolt, of the 15th century, when things took a decided “turn” for the worse.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, through the “work” of the Catholic Ministerial Priesthood, the bread and wine becomes the glorified and resurrected body and blood of Jesus Christ; because it’s obvious that’s what God had always intended and because JESUS SAID IT DOES.
As for the Mass: the first Mass (The Last Supper) anticipated Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross, so predates the Book of Revelation. But, the Book of Revelation speaks of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, which beautifully ties all of this together, in the most profound, truthful and beautiful way.
Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers. Edited for clarity and content.
2nd Chronicles 7:13-14 If I shut up heaven, and there fall no rain, or if I give orders, and command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people:
(2 out of 3 occurring, as this is written)
And my people, upon whom my name is called, being converted, shall make supplication to me, and seek out my face, and do penance for their most wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.
(While all the Catholic Churches, everywhere, are closed)
Luke 24:44-48 And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled which are written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.
And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead, the third day: And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
(Not much preaching of penance
and remission of sins, anymore)
Revelation 6:8 And behold a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was Death. And hell followed him. And power was given to him over the four parts of the earth, to kill with sword, with famine and with death and with the beasts of the earth.
(We have at least 2 out of 4 of these
going on – “big time” – as this is written)
Revelation 1:12-15 And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks: And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like to the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
And his head and his hairs were white as white wool and as snow. And his eyes were as a flame of fire: And his feet like unto fine brass, as in a burning furnace. And his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars. And from his mouth came out a sharp two-edged sword. And his face was as the sun shineth in his power.
And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last, And alive, and was dead. And behold I am living for ever and ever and have the keys of death and of hell.
(It’s good to know that Jesus is still in charge,
but he doesn’t look very pleased)
Famous Catholic Mystic, Saint Teresa of Avila
Today’s Question: What is meditation?
Answer: It’s a lot like mental masturbation … but, with God alone,
as the ultimate object of pure love and devotion.
Intimate, personal communion with God
is widely reported to be even better than sex.
A good number of Catholic mystics are known to have perfected their meditation (prayer) techniques to such an extent that they subsequently lost all interest in sex, as well as most other worldly things, with God (eventually) becoming all in all, for them; something that should be worth noting, for a number of very good reasons, during these strange times.
Three famous Catholic Mystics and their collected works
A reminder from Ann Barnhardt on the dangers of pornography
Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers. Edited for clarity and content.
How did all the “Gold Bug Dystopians” totally miss the fact that TOILET PAPER – rather than GOLD – would prove to be the universal medium of barter and exchange during these strange times?
(Satan afflicting Job)
Today’s Question: Why are some people possessed by evil spirits when they wear crosses, drink holy water, go to church and have guardian angels?
Answer: Some people have a difficult time discerning the will of God, so they continually get themselves into bad spots.
Some suffer from generational curses, or similar curses/attacks, due to engaging in ill-advised activities/lifestyle choices/addictive behaviors.
Others might be temporarily or permanently oppressed by demon spirits, who are more powerful than their assigned, guardian angel.
Some are simply, “victims of circumstance” whose spiritual afflictions are due to mysterious causes, that may never be fully understood or explained.
All the more reason for a “belt and suspenders” approach to personal holiness – a regular, personal program of prayer and study, combined with a lifetime of full, faithful participation in all the work, worship, sacraments and devotions of the Holy Catholic Church.
Recently asked and answered on Yahoo! Answers. Edited for content and clarity.
Today’s question: Why is Jesus such a controversial figure?
Answer: Jesus challenges our established concepts of self, calling us to do things that are profoundly and eternally significant; challenging our innate sense of pride, while at the same time, affirming who we are, in the best possible way, out of a sense of selfless, inestimable, divine love and care.
Our typical response to such an overture is to first, reject it, out of hand, as if the offer is too good to be true. But later, after due reflection, we begin to see the error of our ways and rather than being appropriately humiliated and grateful, we choose instead, to lash out at Jesus, blaming him for our mistakes and failures, only to further validate the reality of our prideful, needy, broken self.
“How dare he do such a thing!?! Who does he think I am?”
From there, everything just gets worse and worse, unless and until (hopefully, finally, by the grace of God) we choose to totally surrender, becoming a new creation in Jesus Christ; co-heir with him, to all the awesome promises of God.
Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers.
Today’s Question: Can you tell us of an experience in prayer?
Answer: While on the way to an important Church meeting, the head gasket on my car engine failed, all the anti-freeze blew out, the engine overheated, the car stalled and I was stranded, about an hour (rush hour travel time) away.
I invoked God’s assistance, explaining that if he wanted me to get to the meeting, I would need a little help. Then, I said a quick, Hail Mary and turned the ignition key.
The car started. Steam was shooting out of the engine and all the trouble lights on the dash were shining brightly.
I pulled out into rush hour traffic, anyway.
The steam shortly quit coming out. Then, the trouble lights also went out.
I successfully made my way to the meeting (on time) and later, all the way back home, where I added a gallon or two of fresh anti-freeze.
I drove the same car for another two years.
I never knew that the Blessed Virgin Mary could fix a bad head gasket! Perhaps an angel was also involved.
I went on to experience a number of other miracles, both big and small, while working on that particular Church project.
True story!
Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers.
The White House hosted an Ash Wednesday mass for Catholic staffers, to mark the beginning of the Lenten season.
The Mass was held in the South Auditorium of the Executive Office Building (EEOB) on Wednesday morning, according to White House sources.
Catholic White House officials attending the Mass, included Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, Director of the Domestic Policy Council Joe Grogan, and director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Dozens of White House staffers also attended and even some members of the Secret Service.
Question: How do you know what God’s answer is when you ask him a question?
Answer: You wait and watch, while you continue in prayer and thanksgiving, believing that you will receive.
Asked and answered on Yahoo! Answers.
Doug Lawrence's Catholic Site 