THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Her Doctrine and Morals Second Sunday after Easter 14 April 2013

The Sunday Sermon

Dear Friends,

Jesus is the Good Shepherd by nature; His bishops must strive to be so by grace. Jesus told us Himself: “Only God is good.” Bishops are given the care of the Church and are to give an account of all the souls entrusted to them. They will have to render an account for our souls. We can easily witness the many faults and defects in our shepherds, and often are eager to be critical of their lives. History has shown us many who apparently were only interested in feeding off of the flock rather than feeding the flock. We have seen many who were completely indifferent as the demons of error and heresy destroyed and devoured; they remained indifferent never sounding a warning or fighting off these attacks. Our Lord greatly despises the lukewarm and indifferent, “I would that you were either hot or cold…”

Much of the destruction and desolation that we witness in the Church today is due to demonic-talmudic-masonic influences. We can easily see these wolves from hindsight as we survey the aftermath of the slaughter and the continuing destruction of souls. Previous to the attacks and often during the attacks we were deceived by the “sheep’s clothing” draped over the wolves. But, once the destruction has taken place we easily see what happened and who was behind the attack. Sadly, what we have easily observed from hindsight is still hidden from many who do not have the perspective that we were given and they still perceive the wolves in sheep’s clothing to be sheep.

It was and is the duty of the bishops to keep watch for these attacks; and not only to watch but, to warn and fight for these souls against every, and all forces of evil. The bishops themselves have often been devoured or have become the very wolves that they were to guard against. Their miserable souls will have all of eternity to regret their indifference, cowardice, laziness, or outright evil. This is truly not an enviable position to be in because as was mentioned above only God is good. It is however possible with the grace of God for bishops to be good shepherds.

God has promised to give His grace to the bishops as He taught St. Paul: “My Grace is sufficient for thee.” God has promised to remain with the Church until the end of time. Therefore, even with the hirelings, who have allowed the destruction, God has preserved and will continue to preserve the Church (and therefore a shepherd) -- often in spite of the weakness of these unenviable men. The flock may be a remnant of what once was, but She will continue to the end. The shepherds’ burden can be made light and sweet if they take it up for the love of God as He has promised, but the flock itself, can make this duty much easier if they will turn their hearts and ears in humble obedience to the earnest efforts of the shepherds that God has given them.

When the people love and therefore; obey, work, and pray for their bishop and the Church, everyone’s burden is easier and sweeter. If bishops have this obligation to work, watch, and pray for the people, then it likewise follows that the people have an obligation to humbly, obey, see and listen to the bishop. The bishop feeds and keeps a constant watch over the souls of the Church and so the people must reciprocate in supporting the body of the Church. The body and soul then work in harmony and both find their lots made better by the other. They march ever forward to the better and greener pastures of Heaven.

Parents have a similar obligation to their children as the bishops have to the Church. Children have a similar obligation to their parents as the people have to the bishops. However, we all are called upon to be shepherds of our own souls.

We must watch and pray keeping an ever vigilant eye for those who prey upon souls (the devils, the world, and our own passions). When we see our own souls in danger we must rise to the occasion in imitation of The Good Shepherd. We must flee from the occasions of sin. We must listen to the voice of our conscience and guardian angels, and resist all the attacks waged against our souls. We must fight the good fight. May we never allow carelessness, callousness, or laziness to make us lukewarm and indifferent to the life of our souls.

When temptations assail our bodies (flesh) let us choose to allow the flesh to suffer or even die rather than permit an assault upon our souls. We must resist evil in every place and not allow it the least entrance into our lives. The devils only need to get a toe in the door and then they have us. Every sin, no matter how small is an offense against God, and prevents us from entering Heaven (nothing stained can enter the Kingdom of Heaven). We must be as the Good Shepherd ever ready, willing and able to lay down our physical temporal lives for the salvation of our immortal spiritual lives.

St. Alphonsus in St. Peter's in Rome

 “Let us remember that the devil labors hard to disturb us in the time of meditation in order to make us abandon it. Let him, then, who omits mental prayer on account of distractions be persuaded that he gives delight to the devil. It is impossible, says Cassian, that our minds should be free from all distractions during prayer. Let us, then, never give up meditation, however great our distractions may be. St. Francis de Sales says that if in mental prayer we should do nothing else than continually banish distractions and temptations, the meditation is well made.” 

St. Alphonsus

 

Alison, Grace, Lucy, Bishop Bonaventure

Bishop Bonaventure, OFM - Low Sunday High Mass - Our Lady of the Rosary

CHAPTER XI
HOW ST FRANCIS MADE BROTHER MASSEO TURNROUND AND ROUND LIKE A CHILD, AND THEN TO GO TO SIENA
One day, as St Francis was travelling with Brother Masseo, who was walking in front, they arrived at a spot where three roads met, one leading to Florence, one to Siena, and one to Arezzo, and Brother Masseo asked of St Francis which road they should take. "The one which God wills," answered St Francis. Said brother Masseo: "And how are we to know the will of God?" "By the sign I shall show thee," answered St Francis; "I order thee, by the merit of holy obedience, on the spot where now thou art, to turn round and round, as children do in play, and not to stop or rest until I bid thee." On this Brother Masseo began to turn round and round, until his head became dizzy, as is wont to happen from such turning, and he fell down several times. But, as St Francis did not bid him to stop, he went on, out of obedience, till at last St Francis said: "Stand still, and move not; but tell me towards which of the three roads thou art turned?" "Towards that which leadeth to Siena," answered Brother Masseo. "That is the road," said St Francis, "which it pleaseth God we should take." As he went on his way, Brother Masseo wondered to himself why St Francis had made him turn round like a child, in the presence of all those who passed that way, but out of reverence to the saint he did not dare ask him. As they reached Siena, the people of that city, having heard that the saint was approaching, went, out of devotion, to meet him, and taking him and Brother Masseo on their shoulders, carried them to the Bishop's palace, so that their feet touched not the ground. In that same hour some of the inhabitants of Siena were fighting among themselves, and two of them had been killed. Then St Francis, hurrying to the spot, spoke to them so devoutly and in such holy words, that he constrained them all to make peace and give over quarrelling. The Bishop, having heard tell of the holy action of St Francis, invited him to his house, and received him with great honour, retaining him with him all that day and the following night. The next morning, St Francis, who in all his acts sought only the glory of God, rose very early with his companion, and went his way, without even taking leave of the Bishop; at which Brother Masseo murmured within himself, saying, as he went, "What is this that this good man has done? He has made me turn round and round like a child, and he leaves the Bishop, who has received him with such honour, without saying a word, or even thanking him"; for it seemed to Brother Masseo that St Francis had acted indiscreetly; but, inwardly checked by a divine inspiration, he thus reproached himself for indulging in such thoughts: "Thou art too proud who darest to judge the operation of divine grace; thine indiscreet pride makes thee worthy of hell; for Brother Francis yesterday performed such holy actions, that they could not be more wonderful had they been accomplished by an angel of God: so that even were he to order thee to throw stones, thou shouldst do so out of obedience; for that which he has done at Siena is the work of God, as the result proveth, for had he not pacified the men who were fighting together, not only would many have fallen victims, but the devil would have drawn many souls to hell. It is thy folly and thy pride which make thee to murmur at that which preceeds so manifestly from the will of God." Now all these things which Brother Masseo said in his heart were revealed to St Francis, who, coming up to him, said: "Hold fast the things which thou art thinking of at this moment, for they are good and useful, and inspired by God; but thy murmurings, which preceded them, were blind and vain and full of pride, being sent into thy soul by the devil." Then Brother Masseo clearly saw that St Francis knew the secrets of his heart, and understood of a certainty how the spirit of divine wisdom directed all the actions of his holy father.

 

First Friday in April - Bishop Giles, OFM
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Low Sunday - Bishop Giles, OFM

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Her Doctrine and Morals Low Sunday 7 April 2013

The Sunday Sermon

Dear Friends,

Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection. It was she that was the one to bear this great news to the apostles. Mary’s heart was filled with sadness at the loss of the One she loved so greatly. It was therefore most fitting that God rewards her with resplendent joy. The apostles on the other hand were busy in a kind of war, if you will, with the Jews. They were locked away in hiding for fear of the Jews. Therefore, it is fitting that the first words and first gifts of Jesus to them were: “Peace be to you.”

God has a way of giving us exactly what we need when we need it. All too often we grow weary and/or despair of God’s graces. Every difficulty that God wills or permits to enter into our lives is truly a preparation for the great grace that He wishes to give us when He lifts this burden from us. It is therefore necessary that we persevere in the dark and difficult times of our lives so that we may receive greater graces and blessings later on.

Mary persevered in her sorrow and in her love of Jesus and was rewarded to be the first to see Him (even though she was not permitted to touch Him). The apostles persevered in prayer and in not betraying Jesus for a fleeting peace with the Jews. Both were rewarded, the one with joy and the other with peace. When Jesus appeared to the apostles He no longer forbid men to touch Him, but rather invited them to touch Him and see that He is real. I am reminded of this how the Sacred Body of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is not to be touched by any except His priests. This is something that the Modernists have done away with. They must either, not believe that the Eucharist is truly Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, or else they believe that so many laity have reached a high level of holiness that they are now all worthy to touch Him, or are all now “priests.” (If they are all priests now perhaps they are the Protestant “priesthood of the faithful”) Either they deny transubstantiation or they deny the need for the anointing and consecrating of the hands of the priest so that he may handle the most Precious Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was not to the women or anyone else, but only to the apostles that Jesus breathed upon (imparting the Holy Ghost) and gave the power to forgive sins. “Whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven …” In the same manner it was only to the apostles after the Last Supper that Jesus commissioned to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass. We must always remember that there are different offices and gifts imparted by God to the various members of the Mystical Body of Christ. Not everyone is called to be His priests. It is not the priest that chooses God, but rather it is God that chooses His priests. In like manner the true faith is not something that we give to ourselves, but is rather a gift (grace) from God. Too often many are led to a heretical “rationalist” mode of thinking. In this condemned rationalism they think that if they present the right arguments and can show the rational logic of a truth of the Church and the Faith, then they can “make” themselves believe the truth. It is not so. Faith is a grace of God given when and where He wills. Conversions are not so much a matter of presenting the best argument in favor of the Faith, as it is a matter of cooperating with the grace of God. Believing not because we understand, but because God has said it is so. St. Thomas believed because he saw and understood. It is not faith on his part that he believes that Jesus really rose from the dead. This he saw and knew. His belief, is that Jesus in His humanity is truly God. This is borne out in his saying: “My Lord and My God.”

When God calls some to His priesthood and not others, we must not conclude that there is an injustice in this, but rather that He has chosen the best for His particular purposes. It is not a matter for debate. It is what it is, simply because God has made it that way. No one is cheated in any way. Each receives the graces that are necessary for himself or for God’s purposes. If we are each to make correct use of the particular graces that God has given to us we must focus upon that which He has given us, and not what He has given to others.

One grace is given to one but not another, just as joy is given to some and peace to others. Some are called upon to be heads and others to be hands or feet. Everyone must believe that God knows what He is doing and it is always the best. The True Faith demands of us that we believe all that God has revealed to us through The Church. (Who is the guardian and interpreter of both sources of His revelation – Scripture and Tradition.) We believe not because we understand or even have heard of all that has been revealed. We must believe all that Holy Mother Church sets forth for us simply because God the Holy Ghost speaks through Her – God has said it is so and therefore we must believe. And even though we must believe, faith is not something that we can give ourselves but is truly God’s gift to us.

Let us pray then, for the gift of faith or continuance and perseverance in grace. In this manner we may grow stronger as we cooperate with the graces that we already have. Our faithful cooperation with the graces and station of life God has given us will merit for us the Beatific Vision and understanding so that faith will no longer be necessary – we will see and know just as we are seen and known by God.

 

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