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)
Submitted by Francis V.
There are many reasons why Pope John Paul II was so loved by the modern world. The core reason, in my opinion, is because of a central aspect of his New Evangelization — a new approach that cut him loose from the one hard truth that made all pre-Vatican II popes unpopular. Unburdened by this fundamental truth, he could easily mix with men of all religions, and of no religion, with little fear of invoking their displeasure.
The New Approach
On the day of Pope John Paul II’s death, I received a phone call from a young lady in New Zealand, a friend of the family. She presently works in a situation where she interacts with Muslims and Hindus. When she tells these non-Catholics, with gentleness and charity, they must convert to the one true Catholic Church to save their souls, the Muslims and Hindus laugh at her. “Your Pope doesn’t believe that”, they cackle, referring to John Paul II, “Your Pope doesn’t teach that. Your Pope’s interfaith actions don’t convey that. Your Pope prays with the Dalai Lama and with Hindus. Your Pope visits mosques and kisses the Koran. You are out-of-step with your own Pope. Why should we listen to you?”
Two Catholic young men of my acquaintance, debating with a Protestant Minister, were likewise laughed to scorn when they in-formed the Protestant he must become Catholic to be saved. “What?”, said the Protestant, “You obviously don’t read the writings of your own Pope. He prays with Protestants. He praises Martin Luther as a man of ‘deep religiousness’. He calls Protestants ‘disciples of Christ’. He never says it is necessary to become Catholic for salvation.”
The Sources of Catholic Dogma, Henry Denzinger, (13th Edition) 2004.
(XIVa) The souls of those who die in the state of grace, but with venial faults or temporal penalties not yet satisfied are detained in Purgatory, concerning the existence of which it is certain from scripture; which does not consist in only the fears of one about to die; but in satisfactory penalties which the souls suffer while they are tormented by fire, secure nevertheless, concerning their state of salvation, but are outside the state of merit, they do not sin by seeking rest or by abhorring the penalties; they are helped by the prayers, satisfactory acts, and almsgiving of the living, by indulgences, especially by the sacrifice of the Mass.
References – Denzinger numbers:
(456) Council of Lyons I, 1245, (Reaffirmed the name Purgatory, the nature of the punishment, and that suffrage by the living may be beneficially applied to the souls there.)
(570s) Re: Purgatory – “Tortured by fire for a time” Pope Clement VI, Letter, Sept. 20, 1351.
Re: Purgatorial fire
At the Council of Florence, Bessarion argued against the existence of real purgatorial fire, and the Greeks were assured that the Roman Church had never issued any dogmatic decree on this subject. In the West the belief in the existence of real fire is common. Augustine (Enarration on Psalm 37, no. 3) speaks of the pain which purgatorial fire causes as more severe than anything a man can suffer in this life, “gravior erit ignis
quam quidquid potest homo pati in hac vita” (P.L., col. 397). Gregory the Great speaks of those who after this life “will expiate their faults by purgatorial flames,” and he adds “that the pain be more intolerable than any one can suffer in this life” (Ps. 3 poenit., n. 1). Following in the footsteps of Gregory, St. Thomas teaches (IV, dist. xxi, q. i, a.1) that besides the separation of the soul from the sight of God, there is the other punishment
from fire. “Una poena damni, in quantum scilicet retardantur a divina visione; alia sensus secundum quod ab igne punientur”, and St. Bonaventure not only agrees with St. Thomas but adds (IV, dist. xx, p.1, a.1, q. ii) that this punishment by fire is more severe than any punishment which comes to men in this life; “Gravior est omni temporali poena. quam modo sustinet anima carni conjuncta”. How this fire affects the souls of the departed the Doctors do not know, and in such matters it is well to heed the warning of the Council of Trent when it commands the bishops “to exclude from their preaching difficult and subtle questions which tend not to edification’, and from the discussion of which there is no increase either in piety or devotion” (Sess. XXV, “De Purgatorio”).
(693) Council of Florence, 1438, (The truly penitent who have departed in the love of God, before they have made satisfaction are cleansed after death in purgatorial punishment, etc., etc.)
(778) Lateran Council V, 1512 – Refuting the errors of Martin Luther: Souls in Purgatory are indeed assured of salvation, and are indeed beyond the state of meriting and/or increasing in charity. Here is no sin in their abhorring punishment or seeking rest.
Adendum Re: Merit
In the Bull “Exurge Domine” Leo X condemns the proposition (n. 38) “Nec probatum est ullis aut rationibus aut scripturis ipsas esse extra statum merendi aut augendae caritatis” (There is no proof from reason or Scripture that they [the souls in purgatory] cannot merit or increase in charity). For them “the night has come in which no man can labour”, and Christian tradition has always considered that only in this life can man work unto the profit of his own soul. The Doctors of the Middle Ages while agreeing that this life is the time for merit and increase of grace, still some with St. Thomas seemed to question whether or not there might be some non-essential reward which the souls in purgatory might merit (IV, dist. xxi, q. i, a. 3). Bellarmine believes that in this matter St. Thomas changed his opinion and refers to a statement of St. Thomas (“De Malo”, q. vii, a. 11). Whatever may be the mind of the Angelic Doctor, theologians agree that no merit is possible in purgatory, and if objection be urged that the souls there merit by their prayers, Bellarmine says that such prayers avail with God because of merit already acquired “Solum impetrant ex meritis praeteritis quomodo nunc sancti orando) pro nobis impetrant licet non merendo” (They avail only in virtue of past merits as those who are now saints intercede for us not by merit but by prayer). (loc. cit. II, cap. iii).
(840) Council of Trent, 1545, Canon 30 (Temporal punishment for sin may remain, even after justification by grace.) See also the Decree Concerning Purgatory, Session XXV, December 3, and 4, 1563.
(983) Decree Concerning Purgatory
Since the Catholic Church, instructed by the Holy Ghost, has, following the sacred writings and the ancient tradition of the Fathers, taught in sacred councils and very recently in this ecumenical council that there is a purgatory,[1] and that the souls there detained are aided by the suffrages of the faithful and chiefly by the acceptable sacrifice of the altar, the holy council commands the bishops that they strive diligently to the end that the sound doctrine of purgatory, transmitted by the Fathers and sacred councils,[2] be believed and maintained by the faithful of Christ, and be everywhere taught and preached. The more difficult and subtle questions, however, and those that do not make for edification and from which there is for the most part no increase in piety, are to be excluded from popular instructions to uneducated people.[3] Likewise, things that are uncertain or that have the appearance of falsehood they shall not permit to be made known publicly and discussed.
But those things that tend to a certain kind of curiosity or superstition, or that savor of filthy lucre, they shall prohibit as scandals and stumbling-blocks to the faithful. The bishops shall see to it that the suffrages of the living, that is, the sacrifice of the mass,[4] prayers, alms and other works of piety which they have been accustomed to perform for the faithful departed, be piously and devoutly discharged in accordance with the laws of the Church, and that whatever is due on their behalf from testamentary bequests or other ways, be discharged by the priests and ministers of the Church and others who are bound to render this service not in a perfunctory manner, but diligently and accurately.
(998) Council of Trent – Reaffirms the existence of Purgatory and that souls detained there are aided by the prayers of the faithful. The use of indulgences is affirmed and especially salutary.
(2147a) Pope Pius X, Letter: “Ex Quo” December 26, 1910 – No doubt that the sacred dogmas on Purgatory and the Blessed Virgin Mary were acknowledged by the holy men of earlier years.
See also, Denzinger 427, 464, 530, 535, 723a, 729, 780, 998, 1542
Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, Ludwig Ott, 4th Edition, May 1960
Supporting texts: 314, 321, 443, 482-85
From the Roman Catechism, published following the Council of Trent
… the fire of purgatory, in which the souls of just men are cleansed by a temporary punishment, in order to be admitted into their eternal country, into which nothing defiled entereth (cf. Rev. 21:27). The truth of this doctrine, founded, as holy Councils declare, on Scripture, and confirmed by Apostolic tradition, demands exposition from the pastor, all the more diligent and frequent, because we live in times when men endure not sound doctrine. Prayers for the dead, that they may be liberated from the fire of purgatory, are derived from Apostolic teaching. We also beg of God … that we be not sentenced to endure the fire of purgatory, from which we piously and devoutly implore that others may be liberated.
Catechism of Council of Trent, The Lord’s Prayer, Seventh Petition
“We also beg of God that we be not cut off by a sudden death; that we provoke not His anger against us; that we be not condemned to suffer the punishments reserved for the wicked; that we be not sentenced to endure the fire of purgatory, from which we piously and devoutly implore that others may be liberated.”
Encyclical of Pope Benedict XIV in Preparation for the Holy Year, 1749
“The faithful must be fully aware that sin and its eternal punishment are remitted by the Sacrament of Penance if one makes proper use of it; however the entire temporal punishment is very seldom taken away. This must be removed either by satisfactory works in this life or by the fire of Purgatory after death.”
Encyclical On Proclaiming a Universal Jubilee by Pope Leo XII, 1824
“You must also discuss carefully how much efficacy there is in indulgences; how great is the fruit of remission, not only of the canonical but also of the temporal punishment due for sins; and finally, how much aid from the treasure of merits from Christ and the saints may be applied to those who died truly penitent before they had made adequate satisfaction for their sins. Their souls must be purified in the fires of purgatory so that entry into the eternal fatherland may open to them.”
Baltimore Catechism No. 3
LESSON 37 – ON THE LAST JUDGMENT & RESURRECTION, HELL
PURGATORY & HEAVEN
Q. 1381. What is Purgatory?
A. Purgatory is the state in which those suffer for a time who die guilty of venial sins, or without having satisfied for the punishment due to their sins.
Q. 1382. Why is this state called Purgatory?
A. This state is called Purgatory because in it the souls are purged or purified from all their stains; and it is not, therefore, a permanent or lasting state for the soul.
Q. 1383. Are the souls in Purgatory sure of their salvation?
A. The souls in Purgatory are sure of their salvation, and they will enter heaven as soon as they are completely purified and made worthy to enjoy that presence of God which is called the Beatific Vision.
Q. 1384. Do we know what souls are in Purgatory, and how long they have to remain there?
A. We do not know what souls are in Purgatory nor how long they have to remain there; hence we continue to pray for all persons who have died apparently in the true faith and free from mortal sin. They are called the faithful departed.
Q. 1385. Can the faithful on earth help the souls in Purgatory?
A. The faithful on earth can help the souls in Purgatory by their prayers, fasts, alms, deeds; by indulgences, and by having Masses said for them.
Q. 1386. Since God loves the souls in Purgatory, why does He punish them?
A. Though God loves the souls in Purgatory, He punishes them because His holiness requires that nothing defiled may enter heaven and His justice requires that everyone be punished or rewarded according to what he deserves.
Most recently, the Second Vatican Council in its Constitution on the Church renewed the teaching of previous councils on eschatology, including the doctrine of purgatory. “This sacred Council,” it declared, “accepts with great devotion this venerable faith of our ancestors regarding this vital fellowship with our brethren who are in heavenly glory or who, having died, are still being purified….At the same time, in conformity with our own pastoral interests, we urge all concerned, if any abuses, excesses or defects have crept in here or there, to do what is in their power to remove or correct them, and to restore all things to a fuller praise of Christ and of God” (Chapter VII, No. 51).
Pope Paul VI – From the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Paul VI INDULGENTIARUM DOCTRINA whereby the revision of Sacred Indulgences is promulgated. January 1, 1967:
“It is a divinely revealed truth that sins bring punishments inflicted by God’s sanctity and justice. These must be expiated either on this earth through the sorrows, miseries and calamities of this life and above all through death, or else in the life beyond through fire and torments or “purifying” punishments.
Therefore it has always been the conviction of the faithful that the paths of evil are fraught with many stumbling blocks and bring adversities, bitterness and harm to those who follow them.”
Current Edition: The Catechism of the Catholic Church
III. THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY
1030 All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:607
As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.608
1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: “Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.”609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:
Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.611
1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.[83]
1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the “old man” and to put on the “new man.”[84]
1475 In the communion of saints, “a perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth. between them there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things.”[86] In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others, well beyond the harm that the sin of one could cause others. Thus recourse to the communion of saints lets the contrite sinner be more promptly and efficaciously purified of the punishments for sin.
Editor’s note: It will be interesting to see what Pope Francis has to say about all this.
“My own sake” = Jesus Christ
Thus says the LORD:
Remember not the events of the past,
the things of long ago consider not;
see, I am doing something new!
Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
In the desert I make a way,
in the wasteland, rivers.
The people I formed for myself,
that they might announce my praise.
Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob,
for you grew weary of me, O Israel.
You burdened me with your sins,
and wearied me with your crimes.
It is I, I, who wipe out,
for my own sake, your offenses;
your sins I remember no more.
Glory to God in the highest:
and on earth peace to men of good will.
(Luke 2:14)
by Doug Lawrence
Days after the annual Christmas celebration, people continue to ask, “What’s the point?”
Aside from the modern emphasis on mass consumerism, the main point of Christmas is fairly simple, if you happen to like mysteries:
Jesus Christ, who is God, took on flesh and became man in order to save us from our sins, which under the old Mosaic Law, or the more recent Muslim variation known as Sharia, still carry with them the penalty of death and hell.
Since no naturally born human being is without sin, all are uniformly and irrevocably cursed to the same, decrepit fate. In fact, things are actually much worse than anyone could possibly imagine.
Satan was the supernatural entity in charge of enforcing the death penalty … ruling ruthlessly over an evil earthly dominion that we brought down on ourselves, through Adam’s fall from grace.
The incarnate Jesus, the divine Son of God, who is also the Son of Adam (man) was infinitely good, just and holy … and he was also more than powerful enough to destroy Satan’s evil dominion … making possible the reconciliation of sinful mankind, with God.
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross at Calvary satisfactorily atoned for Adam’s (mankind’s) sins. Christ’s glorious resurrection three days hence, furnished absolute proof of Christ’s (and through him, man’s) victory over the powers of death and hell.
According to the grace and power of Jesus Christ … King of Kings … Lord of Lords … the new and perfect head of all mankind … eternal salvation would now be freely offered to every generation … through the Catholic Church that Jesus personally founded.
Thanks to Christ and his Church, baptized Christians are no longer under the curse of the law … no longer under Satan’s evil dominion … but are instead, living temples of the Holy Spirit, adopted children of God and citizens of heaven … subject only to the gracious and merciful judgment of Jesus Christ.
But what of the Ten Commandments? Aren’t Christians still “bound” by these?
Under the terms of the Old Covenant, there was no remedy for the “curse of the law”. Any sin, no matter how minor, would suffice to permanently and irrevocably condemn. But when we fail today, Christians have Jesus and the grace-giving sacraments of the New Covenant (Catholic) Church on which to rely … so condemnation under the law (breaking a commandment) no longer need be permanent or irrevocable. Hence, Jesus Christ is now the final recourse for every Christian. Not any law.
Does that mean Christians (and particularly Catholics) get some sort of a free pass?
No. If anything, we’ll be judged to an even higher standard than our Jewish, Muslim, and Pagan friends.
(See Luke 12:47-48)
When Jesus came, he did all that was necessary to free mankind from eternal slavery to Satan, sin and death. The last thing he did, just before he ascended to Heaven, was to appoint and empower the leadership of his universal (Catholic) Church, which from the Day of Pentecost forward, according to the power of the Holy Spirit, would continue to be the universal sacrament of salvation for the world, until Jesus comes again, at the end of time.
It is through the sacraments and good offices of the Catholic Church, paid for by Christ’s own blood, that we might be permitted to freely receive absolute forgiveness for even the most heinous violations of God’s law, and hope to experience a total restoration of the sanctifying grace that was lost through our illicit and sinful acts.
The Catholic Church, and particularly the Catholic Ministerial Priesthood, acts in Christ’s stead until he comes again … exercising God’s awesome authority, according to his inestimable love and abiding favor (grace) … for the benefit of the “People of God” (members of the Church).
Non-Catholic Christians (and others) should note that for all of this, there is no known substitute.
The only sure way for anyone to hope to escape the curse of the law and render his/her soul pleasing and acceptable to God, is through full, faithful, and constant participation in all of the work, worship, sacraments and devotions of the Catholic Church, of which Jesus Christ remains the “head”.
In short … if Jesus didn’t come, we would all still be hopelessly caught up in our sins and destined for an eternity in hell. Now, thanks to Jesus, it’s possible for anyone to receive forgiveness of sins and hope to spend eternity in heaven with God, simply by becoming a faithful and active member of his one, holy, apostolic and universal church … the Catholic Church.
That, my friends, is the whole point of Christmas … and it also pretty much explains “the meaning of life” as well.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will preside at the Monday, Dec. 12, service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sixth Street and Lawrence Avenue. Services will be held simultaneously at six other churches in Edwardsville, Mount Zion, Teutopolis, Jacksonville, Hillsboro and Quincy.
It’s the first time a public event like this has been conducted by the diocese, according to Patricia Kornfeld, the diocese’s victims assistance coordinator.
The impetus was the desire of the diocese “to express repentance and forgiveness for the sins of the past,” Kornfeld said.
Never go see a doctor for a body ailment, and don’t tell him where it hurts; Just pray to Jesus to heal you, because Jesus can heal much better than any man, and he’s free!
Dad, I’m sorry. I’m afraid I made a mess of things.
I didn’t plan ahead.
I didn’t read the manual.
I used the wrong tools.
I was in a hurry.
I cut corners.
I let my emotions get the best of me.
I though I knew what I was doing.
I bit off more than I could chew.
I did it my way.
I realize now that I can’t fix the mess I made, and I need you.
“God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son
has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
She’ll answer as many questions as possible,
right here, every Thursday.
Email responses will also be provided, as time permits.
Joan Writes: Where are references to praying for the dead in the Bible? And how can I refute my son when he says prayers for the dead are ridiculous because they are already dead and you can’t help them after they are dead.
Alice Answers: Aren’t children experts at challenging our patience and faith? With three kids of my own and 28 years of catechizing other people’s children, your son’s question is a common one.
The earliest Bible reference that states the doctrine of praying for the dead is found in the Old Testament. When the Israelite leader, Judas Maccabeus, and his army gathered up bodies of the slain for burial they found amulets to the idol, Jamnia, under the tunics of the deceased. Since Jews were forbidden, by law, from wearing pagan charms, Judas and his men prayed for the dead that their sinful deed might be forgiven.
“He then took up a collection among his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this hea acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if her were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been foolish and useless to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward which awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.” (2 Maccabees 12:43-46)
I hope this helps you explain to your son, the ministry of praying for the dead.
In Christ’s Love,
Alice
Here’s a couple of pages of related scripture references
A recent article on Purgatory and praying for the dead
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Mike Asks: Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest? The shortest, sweetest answer possible is preferred.
Alice Answers: We must confess our sins to a priest because Jesus Himself instituted the Sacrament of Penance when He gave His apostles the power to forgive sins. “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20: 22-23)
The sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvation since it provides forgiveness from all the sins we have commited since Baptism. It sometimes is called “laborious baptism.” The sacrament of Penance reconciles us with God and the Church, which by our sins, we have wounded.
Baptism and Penance are sacraments of exorcism. Penance is more powerful than the rite of exorcism. Penitents obtain pardon for their sins. The rite of exorcism is a sacramental, calling on the name of God to restrain the activity of the devil.
May God bless you abundantly for bringing Christ’s love to our incarcerated brothers and sisters!
In Christ’s Love,
Alice
Some “deep” background and additional scripture references
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Daria Asks: Do you know what is involved in something being made a “shrine”?
Alice Answers: A shrine is a sacred place where pilgrims come to pray and worship. As Catholics, we are invited to become part of the great pilgrimage that Christ and His Church have made and continue to make throughout history. A shrine is the goal of that pilgrimage, the goal of the pilgrim’s journey.
A precedent for shrine building can be found in Genesis (35:1) “God said to Jacob, ‘Go up now to Bethel. Settle there and build an altar there to the God who appeared to you while you were fleeing from your brother Esau.’ ”
A Catholic church becomes a shrine under the guidance of the local ordinary (bishop). A national shrine must receive approval from the whole episcopal conference. An international shrine must be designated by Papal (Holy See) approval. Catholic shrines include historical sites associated with Jesus, the Virgin Mary, a particular saint, or a sacred charism, such as the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. A shrine can contain relics related to Christ or a saint and be the site of visions, miracles, or miraculous statues.
A shrine is not a parish. It must be a self-sustaining, free-standing church. The rector is the administrator of a shrine. It is open to the public. The ministry of a shrine is to inspie both locals and travelers to become pilgrims for a day or even an hour. Mass, reconciliation, and special devotions are held at a shrine.
In Christ’s Love,
Alice
by Doug Lawrence
The “Big Picture”
For thousands of years, it was widely accepted and understood that only the inimitable, unknowable, immutable God could forgive sins. Likewise, in spite of man’s knowledge of certain beneficial and even therapeutic natural compounds, the authentic healing arts also remained essentially in the hands of God, alone.
Yet today, thanks to Jesus Christ, the sacraments of his Catholic Church, and the Catholic ministerial priesthood, it is indeed possible to obtain total absolution from sin, and thanks to modern advances in medical care and the sciences (which were also fostered by the Church’s many contributions to Western civilization) it is also possible (in many cases) to obtain genuine physical healing, as well.
And while physical healing has never been the primary role of the church, the link between healing and the forgiveness of sins is one of the oldest and most essential of all, since that link was forged by none other than Jesus Christ, in one of the first public miracles of his earthly ministry.
Luke 5:17-26 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he sat teaching, that there were also Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, that were come out of every town of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was to heal them.
And behold, men brought in a bed a man who had the palsy: and they sought means to bring him in and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in, because of the multitude, they went up upon the roof and let him down through the tiles with his bed into the midst before Jesus. Whose faith when he saw, he said: Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And the scribes and Pharisees began to think, saying: Who is this who speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? And when Jesus knew their thoughts, answering he said to them: What is it you think in your hearts?
Which is easier to say: Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say: Arise and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man hath the power on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy), I say to thee to: Arise, take up thy bed and go into thy house.
And immediately rising up before them, he took up the bed on which he lay: and he went away to his own house, glorifying God. And all were astonished: and they glorified God. And they were filled with fear, saying: We have seen wonderful things today.
For those suffering from chronic or incurable illnesses, who are looking to God for supernatural healing, there is much to be learned from the above passages. Let’s take it “by the numbers”:
“And it came to pass on a certain day, as he sat teaching, that there were also Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, that were come out of every town of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was to heal them. “
The Book of Genesis makes it clear that death, along with all human infirmities, are the collective result of Adam’s sin. The prophetic OT books inform us that the promised Messiah would have power over death, hell, and all human infirmities, while none of those things would have even the slightest power over him.
In that same vein, there was absolutely nothing in the Law of Moses, or in the Ten Commandments, which had the power to obtain forgiveness of sins, or to redeem mankind from eternal slavery to Satan, sin, and death. That type of relief is a function of grace … grace could only be obtained by and through Jesus Christ.
The assembled Pharisees and the Doctors of the Law, who were in the habit of “lording” the requirements of the law over the people, primarily for their own aggrandizement, were quite probably loathed to admit this.
“And behold, men brought in a bed a man who had the palsy: and they sought means to bring him in and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in, because of the multitude, they went up upon the roof and let him down through the tiles with his bed into the midst before Jesus. Whose faith when he saw, he said: Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.”
Sometimes, it will be necessary to rely on the kindness of friends, family, and even strangers, in order to obtain what we need from God. God most certainly provides, but we must be open to that divine provision, whatever it’s form, and cooperate with it, in every way possible.
Since faith remains absolutely essential in these matters, our most reliable helpers and intercessors will typically be faithful Catholics, who know and love God, and who understand how he customarily operates. Foremost in this regard are the saints in Heaven, followed by the saints on earth … fellow members of the Body of Christ … good people who we personally know, or to whom we are related … by blood, by baptism/grace and by nature. (Not necessarily in that order.)
The men who brought the paralytic to Jesus literally stopped at nothing in order to accomplish their mission. While we know little about their personal traits or proclivities, the fact that they acted definitively and with extreme perseverance in order to bring their friend/relative/loved one to Christ, says it all.
In that regard, it is also quite possible that the afflicted one was unconscious, or that he had little or no real faith of his own, and that the entire episode was the result of one or more unknown, faithful person’s free response to the grace of God, which promptly acted upon, resulted in a genuine (and very famous) miracle.
How many of us would resort to carrying someone up to the roof, chopping a hole, and then lowering a friend down through that hole, in order to bring him to God? It sounds crazy! Do such things even happen any more? No wonder miraculous healings seem to be so rare, in today’s world! Yet under the circumstances, these men did nothing more than what was required. And it certainly appears to “put the lie” to the heretical concept of “faith alone”.
Then, there’s the matter of Jesus choosing to first, forgive the man’s sins, rather than simply heal his physical infirmities … and the fact that Jesus chose to refer to the paralytic as “man” … rather than by his given name.
The name “Adam” literally means “The Man”.
Jesus, the Messiah, came to make “The Man” whole again, by making the forgiveness of sins possible. Only then could the corruption and death that sin inevitably brings, be rightly remedied.
The forgiveness of sins must logically precede everything else.
(And in God’s system of things, it always does.)
Jesus Christ, faith, church, and grace, as well as personal initiative, would henceforth, always remain as integral parts of our continuing process of reconciliation with God, and our daily struggle against the corrupting forces of evil.
A Plan for Supernatural Healing
1) Go to Confession. Go to Mass.
Receive Holy Communion. Get Anointed.
The Mass and the Sacraments are the most powerful, abundant
and effective channels of God’s grace,
and grace is the means by which ALL supernatural healing occurs.
If you’re too sick to go to church,
ask a priest to come to your hospital or home.
2) Pray.
Go to daily and Sunday Mass.
Make your case with God, in prayer.
Pray the Rosary. “Mom” will take care of you.
Pray for Saintly intercession.
Then … do it all some more … as best you can.
2) Ask friends, relatives and church members
to pray for you.
Ask them to go to Mass, to Confession,
and to receive Holy Communion too,
since the efficacy of their prayers on your behalf is (typically)
dependent on the amount of “respect” God has for them,
and that too, is essentially, a function of grace.
Click here to learn more about “Merit”
3) Cultivate the Cardinal Virtues
of FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY, in your own soul.
Cling to Jesus Christ …
for without him, there can be no real hope.
At the same time, do everything possible to fully cooperate
with your priest, your doctors and your other care-givers.
That way … you’re “good to go” … no matter what!
Believe that God heals … and that the Mass,
the sacraments, and the prayers of the faithful
are truly effective indeed,
according to the order of God’s abundant grace.
Believe that God will answer your prayers
in the best possible way, at the best possible time.
Never fear!
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us, who is against us?
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins,
my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me. – Amen.
Look for the love …
Matthew 25:36 Naked, and you covered me:
sick, and you visited me:
I was in prison, and you came to me.
Matthew 25:40 And the king answering shall say to them:
Amen I say to you,
as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren,
you did it to me.
At the very least,
the illness or infirmity of a friend or relative
provides ordinary people
with an opportunity to actually live the Gospel.
At the very least,
illness or infirmity
provides the afflicted with the time and opportunity
to turn to God for supernatural solace and support …
and that is often a very precious commodity
in today’s fast-paced world.
Try to make sense of the suffering.
Suffering remains a great mystery,
yet we know that suffering was an integral part
of Christ’s earthly life,
and particularly of his atoning sacrifice
for the sins of the world,
on the cross at Calvary.
In his letter to the Colossians,
St. Paul explains that our own sufferings might,
when offered up and combined with those of Jesus Christ,
somehow help to save souls,
or serve to alleviate the suffering of others.
Offering up our sufferings to God, to be applied as he sees fit,
is in itself a beautiful act of faith, hope and charity.
On a more practical note,
such devotions help make our sufferings
more endurable …
or might even alleviate them, entirely.
Many believe that earthly suffering
may actually serve to reduce or eliminate
the need for a “stay” in Purgatory, when we die.
Some Catholics who have endured and overcome
extreme suffering have described their ordeal
as “a true gift from God”.
In the order of God’s supernatural grace,
as the Blessed Virgin Mary has already
personally demonstrated,
Nothing is Broken.
Nothing is Missing.
God’s grace is truly sufficient.
Get some right away!
(And remember … God heals all types of afflictions …
not just medical issues.)
Q: Are all sins equal?
It doesn’t seem possible or fair. Am I missing something?
A: Only in the Old Testament, under the old law, were all sins essentially equal, because when you broke any part of the law … even the smallest part … you broke it all … and you were condemned as a result, with no hope of recovery … except for Jesus, the Messiah.
Under the new covenant, we operate under the grace of God, not by law.
Jesus is our judge, and he is capable of determining the seriousness of our infractions, without fail … and in a perfect way that the old law was completely incapable of doing.
So no, you’re not missing a thing. It’s the guys that fail to understand the importance of grace, and who read their Bibles lacking true discernment, who are missing something.
Q: How to absolve my sins?
OK.. so Ive been a bit of a sinner lately.. not that I want to make a public confession or nothing… but I was thinking that I ought to be able to swing a chicken around my head three times or something like that…
So what ways are there to get my sinnyness tidied up a bit around the edges?
A: I suggest you go ahead with the chicken idea.
There’s probably only a few other souls spending eternity in hell, while swinging chickens over their heads.
They could use a little entertainment, down there.
Follow up about World Youth Day, in Australia, from this poster:
Subject: Chickens!
Message: Hi mate,
The chicken swinging idea is the Jewish method for atonement. True, I did think it was entertaining.. but seems I wouldn’t be alone in hell if I took up the practice… lol!
World Youth Day! – The Pope is in Sydney today~ should I go and try to get a look? The trains are full of Pilgrims… and the city streets are chockablock with people singing! Very exciting!@
Best wishes
G.
Q: Will my past sins still be brought back up into my face?
I don’t take sin lightly, but when i feel i had control but I decided for that moment to sin anyways. well now i’m feeling very sorry and regretful. I’m wondering if i’ll be judged by God almighty and my sins will be pointed out. I want to keep my record short.
A: It’s always a good idea to formally apologize to God for sins, and to sincerely promise to do better next time.
Presuming that God will automatically forgive your sins is another sin, in itself.
Catholics have the best deal in this regard, because they have a sacrament that was instituted by Jesus Christ for the specific purpose of forgiving sins … absolutely … without any doubt … right here and right now.
That means Catholics don’t have to wait until Judgment Day to find out if God has actually forgiven all their sins, while the power of the sacrament also effectively replenishes any grace that might have been lost.
It doesn’t get much better than that, this side of heaven.
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