The reason for our joy: Christmas is proof that God always keeps his promises

by Doug Lawrence

The first thing God did after Adam fell from grace was call a meeting. (That probably explains why meetings have always seemed like a form of punishment, to many of us.)

The Old Testament Bible Book of Genesis, Chapter 3, verse 15, duly records the promise God made to Adam at that meeting … the promise of a redeemer … who would one day come to repair the damage that had been done … something that Adam could never hope to accomplish on his own.

Genesis 3:15 I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.

Until that day, all of mankind would remain enslaved to Satan, sin, and death … except for the Virgin Mary, who was, by special privilege of God, conceived without sin, in order to make it possible for her to become the mother of our holy Savior, Jesus Christ. (That’s also why the above Bible verse has both a decidedly masculine as well as feminine “sense” to it.)

When Almighty God sets out to fulfill a promise, there’s nothing in the universe that can stop him … hence the joyous and absolutely confident proclamation of the angels, on that first Christmas:

Luke 2:10-14 And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people: For, this day is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will.

As we all know, within the space of some thirty-three short years, that mild babe in the manger went on to perfectly fulfill all the prophecies and promises that God had ever made, concerning him … destroying Satan’s evil dominion, reconciling sinful mankind, opening the gates of Heaven, and permanently establishing the Kingdom of God, on the Earth.

Thanks to Christ, the state of war that had existed between Satan dominated, sinful mankind and God, was over. From that day forward, God’s grace would trump sin and death, while Satan, the former slave master and undisputed “Prince of this World” would remain a tragic, desperate, fugitive on earth, waiting for his sentence to be ultimately carried out, much like the late Iraqi dictator Sadaam Hussein, who spent his last days cowering in an underground “spider hole”, until justice finally caught up with him.

Now (and forever) Jesus reigns
as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Merry Christmas!

 

Thought for the day: God Entrusted the Blessed Virgin Mary with Jesus, Who Is Our Salvation

I get frequent questions from Christians and others about why Catholics venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary to such a great degree, as if they think there is something wrong with doing so.

While there are numerous, simple and rational arguments for honoring the Mother of God (the first chapter of the Gospel of Saint Luke, not the least of them) it all really comes down to understanding and appreciating the true measure of God’s prudential judgment, providence and grace:

God the Father chose to make the human body of his divine son from the sin-free flesh of the Blessed Virgin Mary. With the Virgin’s informed consent, the Holy Spirit proceeded to make it so.

The impeccable, divine human, who we know as Jesus Christ, went on to triumphantly wield his unique, holy, purpose-built, body, blood, soul and divinity as the ultimate weapon against perpetual slavery to Satan, sin and death.

God chose to trust the Blessed Virgin Mary
with Jesus,
who is our salvation.

Mary never failed.

Now that her divine son has assumed Mary – body and soul – into Heaven and enthroned her at his right hand, so she might powerfully rule and reign with him, according to his own promises (which also apply to us) how and/or why would we ever expect her to fail, in even the very least of things?

Would not such a negative attitude reveal a shocking, lack of faith, in God?

Since faith is typically, required for salvation, would not such a lack of faith tend to place our own eternal salvation in jeopardy?

Our trust in Divine Providence, in the power of God’s grace and in God’s tender mercies; the God who loves us and who always keeps his promises; is the reason that Catholics, throughout all the ages, have always respectfully, placed our hopes, prayers and petitions before the throne of God with the loving assistance and care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Why?

Because God did the very same thing,
in regard to his own, divine son.

God did it first.

And it worked!

Eight PA Residents Join Missionaries of the Gospel of Life

YORK, PA — Peg Pritchard’s secret? The personal invitation.

Eight men and women made their promises as Missionaries of Evangelium Vitae (MEV) on Saturday at St. Joseph’s Church here. Last year, 13 made promises. Next year? Who knows, but people already have told Mrs. Pritchard they would like to be part of her next Life Cell.

“I guess the numbers are good,” said Mrs. Pritchard, who made her promise in 2008, along with her friend and Life Cell co-facilitator Vicki Crispo. “There is such a passion that we have, that I think people see it and know it and feel it. When people ask me about MEV, I say, ‘Maybe you should consider it. Just come and see.’ The personal invitation works very well.”

For the Missionaries of the Gospel of Life (“Evangelium Vitae”), a ministry of New York-based Priests for Life, clergy and laity devote 10 months to a year studying the 1995 encyclical written by Pope John Paul II and then commit the rest of their lives witnessing to the dignity and respect of all individuals, from conception to natural death, focusing in particular on the protection of the child in the womb.

“It’s pro-life spirituality. What we stress first and foremost is their relationship with the Lord,” Mrs. Pritchard said. “After they make their promises, He will direct them and they will discern what God is asking of them, and He will equip them for it.”

Some are moved to pray outside abortion clinics, others to work at pregnancy resource centers or to reach out to post-abortive men and women…some will begin Respect Life groups at their churches.

Read more

This Week’s Ask Alice: “Ask and you will receive.”

Send A Question To Alice

She’ll answer as many questions as possible,
right here, every Thursday.

Email responses will also be provided, as time permits.

Cathi H writes: What does Jesus mean when he says,
“Ask and you shall receive” when clearly there are a million cases when it doesn’t work out that way? And I’m not referring to selfish prayers, but for things like wisdom, peace, provision for my children’s needs, etc. Thanks!

Alice answers: Jesus wasn’t joking when he said, “Ask and you shall receive.” Our Lord does not make empty promises. He is true to His word. God answers every prayer in His own way, in His own time. When we don’t get what we want quickly, we think God has refused to give us what we ask for in faith. However, God’s prayer clock does not tick according to our time.

“There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens….He has made everything appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts, without men ever discovering, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11)

Clearly, God’s ways are not our ways. After praying for wisdom, we might become tongue-tied when attempting to counsel a troubled friend. Perhaps, we were called to be a listener, not an adviser, to our friend, and God answered our prayer after all. If we pray for peace in our family, God might ask us to be a peacemaker, who must endure the stress of settling family feuds.

One of my relatives has been angry with God since the death of her husband. she felt that God ignored her prayers for successful surgery. Recently, she was crying that God let him die. Recalling his alcoholism, smoking, emphysema, COPD, acid reflux and type-A personality, I suggested that instead of shortening her husband’s life, maybe God lengthened it, in answer to a prayer whispered long ago.

After they adopted a child, the husband had asked God to let him live to see his daughter celebrate her 21st birthday. That prayer was indeed answered, since their daughter had just turned 21, at the time of his death. My friend had never considered the date of her husband’s death as God’s gift of a longer life.

God’s unique way of answering prayers also involves my precious daughter, who is battling her third relapse of Hodgkins’ Disease. On April 1, she was scheduled to enter the hospital for her 2nd Stem Cell Transplant. Scores of people have been praying that she would need only a mini transplant, instead of a major one, that requires intense amounts of chemotherapy. Her suitcase was packed, and just last Saturday, she received the Sacrament of Anointing.

Last night, the oncologist informed her that a PET scan had revealed a small spot, necessitating the major procedure. Instead of feeling devastated, she was unusually peaceful, calmly asking if there was another way to eradicate the spot. Her oncologist mentioned a new drug that has been extremely successful, so she decided to try it, in the hope that the mini transplant will indeed be possible.

“Leave it to the Lord and wait for him.” (Psalm 37:7)

Our family is very happy with her decision, as we have been praying that she wouldn’t need the 2nd stem cell transplant, or that she would receive the mini transplant, instead. We believe God is answering our prayers for healing … in His way … and in His time.

“That is why I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

In Christ’s Love,

Alice

 

Doug Lawrence suggests this short, daily affirmation:

God hears my prayers. God will answer my prayers. God is answering my prayers. God has answered my prayers. God will continue to answer my prayers. God will never leave me or forsake me. Amen.

Click here to see all of Alice’s other columns

This Week’s Ask Alice: Is There A Link Between Faith and Prosperity and A Question About the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Send A Question To Alice

She’ll answer as many questions as possible,
right here, every Thursday.

Email responses will also be provided, as time permits.

Heather writes: Why do you say God is going to make my life better if I believe? It doesn’t say that anywhere in the bible.

Alice Answers: Accounts of God’s punishments are rampant in the Old Testament from the moment Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden to the Great Flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. And all of those chastisements occur in Genesis, the first book of the Bible.

For the Israelites, 215 years of Egyptian enslavement culminated with the ten plagues. Basically, God was punishing the sinful, disobedient people of ancient times. However, the Old Testament also contains countless examples of God’s protection. Many righteous people such as Noah (with his Ark afloat), Joseph (whose dreamy gift saved him from slavery) and Moses (the Jewish baby rescued by Pharaoh’s own daughter) were recipients of God’s Mercy.

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him may not die but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

In the New Testament we see God’s deep, abiding love manifested through His Son, Jesus. Examples of Jesus’ divine mercy and love are evident when our Lord dined with Zacchaeus, the tiny tax collector, cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene, fed thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two fishes, saved an adultress from stoning, and forgave the woman who washed His feet with her hair.

Sadly, ours is a sinful world where both good and evil people suffer. “For his sun rises on the bad and the good, he rains on the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45) God doesn’t cause all of the sickness and suffering in the world. Many societal and personal wounds are the result of people’s cruelty and indifference toward one another.

God doesn’t promise earthly pleasures and treasures, but he does promise joy, peace, comfort, love and a heavenly banquet to those who those believe in him. Both the Old and New Testaments are overflowing with God’s wonderful promises. “You believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” (1Peter 1:8)

“Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and and in petitions full of gratitude. Then God’s own peace, which surpasses all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus.” (Phillippians 4:6).

When we are going through tough times the Lord invites us to, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will refresh you.” (Matthew 11:28) “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will grant you the desires of your heart…” (Psalm 37:4)

In addition to the countless gifts bestowed upon believers, God is saving the best gift for last.

“Eye has not seen, ear has not heard… what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1Corinthians 2:9)

No husband, wife, sibling, parent, friend, lawyer, philanthropist, psychologist or physician could make and keep such perfect promises!

In Christ’s Love,

Alice

****

Nancy writes: The priest at a local church I know will hear confessions and tell the penitent to say their Act of Contrition outside of the confessional, in the church, and then he will give them absolution! Is this a valid confession?

Alice Answers: We Catholics tend to appreciate ritual, especially when it comes to important things. And what could be more important than the peace of mind that comes from having all of our sins totally and absolutely forgiven?

For that reason, it’s best for all concerned to always try to do everything “by the book” … but sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned.

I don’t know your priest or your parish, but my guess is that the time frame available for hearing confessions is limited, the number of priests available is small, and the lines are long.

Under such conditions, asking people to make their Act of Contrition in advance would not be considered an abuse, and it would also not be likely to affect the validity of the sacrament, in any way.

Here’s why:

In order to receive absolution for sins, the Sacrament of Penance typically requires three things of the penitent: 1) Genuine contrition (sorrow) for committing the sins; 2) Repentance. The existence of a firm purpose of amendment, including both a sincere intention and a real, practical possibility of turning away from sin; 3) Verbal confession of all known mortal sins, to the priest.

Assuming that everyone involved is acting in good faith, and that all three of the above mentioned things are present, the confession is considered to be good, the priest may absolve, sins are forgiven, sanctifying grace is restored to the soul, and all is well.

With these essential conditions fully satisfied, the power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is also more than sufficient to overcome most other variations in formula or follow through.

Changing the order of some things, omitting the Act of Contrition, and/or even failing to perform the assigned penance would not (typically) serve to invalidate an otherwise good confession. And of course, in times of emergency, war, or imminent peril, certain other expediences might also become necessary or prudent, in order to save souls.

Obama has broken 8 campaign promises to make health care debate public

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Obama repeatedly told voters that the health care overhaul would take place in a public forum, most notably on C-SPAN, conservative bloggers pointed out today.

In a video montage posted on Breitbart.tv, Obama is seen promising voters — on eight different occasions — that the health care debate would be transparent.

For example, during a meeting with the editorial board of The San Francisco Chronicle on Jan. 20, 2008, Obama said, “These neogtiations will be on C-SPAN, and so the public will be part of the conversation and will see the choices that are being made.”

In another clip, dated Nov. 14, 2008, Obama told voters that the process would be transparent.

“We will work on this process publicly. It’ll be on C-SPAN. It’ll be streaming on the Internet,” he said.

Read his lips

The reason for our joy: Christmas is proof that God always keeps his promises

by Doug Lawrence

The first thing God did after Adam fell from grace was call a meeting. (That probably explains why meetings have always seemed like a form of punishment, to many of us.)

The Old Testament Bible Book of Genesis, Chapter 3, verse 15, duly records the promise God made to Adam at that meeting … the promise of a redeemer … who would one day come to repair the damage that had been done … something that Adam could never hope to accomplish on his own.

Genesis 3:15 I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.

Until that day, all of mankind would remain enslaved to Satan, sin, and death … except for the Virgin Mary, who was, by special privilege of God, conceived without sin, in order to make it possible for her to become the mother of our holy Savior, Jesus Christ. (That’s also why the above Bible verse has both a decidedly masculine as well as feminine “sense” to it.)

When Almighty God sets out to fulfill a promise, there’s nothing in the universe that can stop him … hence the joyous and absolutely confident proclamation of the angels, on that first Christmas.

Luke 2:10-14 And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people: For, this day is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will.

As we all know, within the space of some thirty-three short years, that mild babe in the manger went on to perfectly fulfill all the prophecies and promises that God had ever made, concerning him … destroying Satan’s evil dominion, reconciling sinful mankind, opening the gates of Heaven, and permanently establishing the Kingdom of God, on the Earth.

Thanks to Christ, the state of war that had existed between Satan dominated sinful mankind and God was over. From that day forward, God’s grace would trump sin and death, while Satan, the former slave master and undisputed “Prince of this World” would remain a tragic, desperate fugitive on earth, (much like the late Iraqi dictator Sadaam Hussein, who spent his last days cowering in an underground “spider hole” until justice finally caught up with him.)

Now (and forever) Jesus reigns
as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Merry Christmas!

 

The Foundation of Israel in 1948 … Prophecy fulfilled?

Q: The Foundation of Israel in 1948 … Prophecy fulfilled?

A: Many would think so, and many have gone to great lengths to make it so, but the fact remains that the artificially reconstituted modern day nation of Israel has little in common with the original “Chosen People” of God … except for their continuing persecution of Christians.

Fact is, all the promises God made to Israel were kept when he conducted them into the promised land, gave them their sovereignty, and eventually their Messiah, Jesus Christ.

God “owes” them nothing more.

The Christian Church is now the “People of God” in the world, heir to all the promises of Christ … and the only “holy nation” worth being part of … for Jew and Gentile, alike.

Do you know for sure that you would go to Heaven, if you died today?

Q: Do you know for sure that you would go to Heaven, if you died today?

A: Nobody can be absolutely certain of their suitability for Heaven unless and until Jesus personally invites them in … since Jesus is the ONLY judge.

Faithful Christians maintain a blessed HOPE of salvation in Jesus Christ, based on God’s love, his promises, and his Church … but that hope is always subject to God’s judgment, alone.

Anything else would likely constitute a sin of presumption.

The historical basis, and the actual “roots” of the Roman Catholic Church.

 

 

The historical basis and the actual “roots” of the Roman Catholic Church …

Many non-Catholics have the impression that the Catholic Church somehow sprang up from nowhere during the early part of the 4th century, shortly after the Roman Emperor Constantine experienced a vision, leading him to officially legalize Christianity in the Empire, for the very first time.

Still others (some officially, according to the stated beliefs of the leaders of their particular denomination) continue to claim that the Catholic Church is the “Whore of Babylon” or “the Woman Riding the Beast” in the Book of Revelation (or as Catholics know it, The Apocalypse of St. John).

By the middle of the 19th century, some other Christian groups developed the entirely new idea that the Catholic Church had somehow been “paganized” and so could no longer be the authentic Church that Jesus personally founded, authorized, empowered, and eternally guaranteed, for the purpose of our salvation.

And while such beliefs might be convenient for those attempting to minimize or deny the uniquely divine authority of the Roman Catholic Church, the truth of the matter is quite different.

All the rhetoric aside, Jesus made certain promises to the Church that he established and paid for with his own blood, and those promises are absolute and irrevocable.

If Jesus is God, and Jesus always keeps his word, than there is absolutely no way that the only Church he ever authorized, empowered, and eternally guaranteed could EVER fail.

Mat 16:15 Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?
Mat 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 16:19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

Joh 14:14 If you shall ask me any thing in my name, that I will do.
Joh 14:15 If you love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:16 And I will ask the Father: and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever:
Joh 14:17 The spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, nor knoweth him. But you shall know him; because he shall abide with you and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you orphans: I will come to you.

History is also clear.

The Church that was born in Jerusalem on Pentecost is the very same Church that St. Peter established in Rome, about 42 AD (a pretty gutsy thing to do, considering what the Romans did to Jesus, just a few short years before).

The Roman Church overcame more than 200 years of brutal and almost continuous persecution, which culminated in the conversion of the Roman Emperor Constantine, the conversion of the Roman Empire itself, and then, the conversion of most of the known world.

This clearly shows the power of God at work in the world. It clearly shows God’s enemies being made his footstool. It clearly shows the Church … the visible Kingdom of God on the earth … reaching out to save uncounted millions of souls … and literally saving the world, in the process.

In the Book of Revelation … if either Jesus or St. John KNEW that the Church would fail, why didn’t they just say so?

And finally, St. John, the last living original apostle on earth, had many disciples.

One of the best known was St. Ignatius, who was martyred in 107 AD, who learned at the side of St. John, and who would have been as knowledgeable about the authentic meaning of the Book of Revelation as anyone.

Right up to the very moment of his death, Ignatius never failed to urge anything other than full and faithful participation in the Church that he loved, that he gave his life for, and that he referred to (in writing) by the name of … “Catholic”.

And then there is the simple fact that after some 2000 years, the Catholic Church still exists … fully formed … constituted precisely as Jesus set it up … the world’s most enduring government of ANY kind … still saving souls … still a light to the nations … still giving honor, correct praise, and acceptable worship to God alone, 24/7 and 365, every hour of every day, all around the world.

Would Jesus have lied about his Church?

Would Jesus have permitted St. Ignatius to die for a lie?

Would God have permitted every apostle, save one … along with St. Stephen and all the early martyrs … to die for a Church that would soon, SECRETLY fail and lead the whole world astray … in spite of Jesus’ express promises, and in spite of the ever present advocacy, guidance, and POWER of the Holy Spirit?

If so, I suggest that all Christians everywhere … Catholics and otherwise … have much to be concerned about … for then, salvation would be only an illusion … and the devil has already won.

My “money” remains on Jesus … and on the one, holy, apostolic, and Catholic Church that he founded, for the purpose of our salvation.

God ALWAYS keeps his promises, and his promises are clear … while the idle speculation of men has always been futile and foolish … especially when their self-serving, late day “faith” traditions make Jesus out to be a powerless liar!