When I think of mercy, I think of forgiveness of sins, intercession for need, and healing. I went to confession yesterday because I want to unload my sins before I receive my CPAP machine. I think I will stop here. I am waiting. I pray for healing and freeing from the bondage of my disabilities.
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The waiting of lent seemed so long for me this year, the Triduum so demanding. At last the long shadows of night and the aridness of the soul are over. Easter is here. Little things give evidence to this. I received my K-1 from my brother and filed my returns and the FTB and the IRDS accepted them. So in two weeks I should receive a handsome refund. This week I should be hearing from the Sleep Clinic on my test results and my CPAP machine. My brother is so optimistic about the effects of the CPAP will have on me. I would rather he keep it to himself. His stoking the fires of hope makes it hard on me. It looks like the upgrade to my home entertainment system is about complete. The challenge for me is to find more current movies I enjoy. At work I am almost through with my IRCT reports. I will finish up Monday of Tuesday I am continuing to make progress on the inventory of books in the family resource room. My appointment with my neurologist Friday and my psychiatrist the following Tuesday. Then my Sleep Apnea group sessions will begin. There is still a lot of waiting in my life. I am not remotely a patient person. It chafes at my spirit. But Easter is here. The neophytes will continue their studies. Perhaps soon, I will able to see Sister Linda.
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This year has been the most demanding Lent of my life. I have made a commitment to regain my health. Since November, I have embarked on a exercise and nutrition program that has seen me lose 39 lbs. I went through a tax scare, and I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and an auto-CPAP machine will be ordered for me. I don’t know the time frame for getting the CPAP.
My sleep doctor is being non-committal about what a CPAP machine will do form me, but my therapist and psychiatrist and my brother very hopeful. They tell me that effects of the CPAP will be sudden and dromatic: increased energy level, reduced mental illness issues, increased mental clarity and memory, and reduced seizure activity.
This could be a huge game changer in my life. That when combine with my wellness program could open my life to new possibilities. I will be the same person yet different, I may be freed from chains of disabilities that have so limited and vexed my life. This could open up doors to new relationships, careers, and vocations, and a reduced dependency on meds. It might mean some way in the future I might be able to drive.
I am not ready yet to hope. Waiting does not come easy for me, but it really the only option for me.
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In a talk with my spiritual adviser, it became clear to me that this Lent I will try to answer two basic questions: “Why am I Catholic?” and “What difference does being Catholic make in my life?”
Let me begin. The Church gives me life, hope, and meaning. The Church is sacramental, a loving expression of God’s grace and will. I would be spiritually dead with out it. Receiving the sacraments: Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Anointing of the Sick brings healing to my soul, renews my relationships with other Catholics, and brings me in union with the divine.
My medical conditions prevent me from fasting this Lent. On the Last Days, I will be praying for the sick of my parish. I will do with humility, obedience, and joy.
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Ash Wednesday, ashes on foreheads, meatless meals and abstinence have come full circle. Lent is around the corner. This is a time of deep reflection and penance. I acknowledge my sinfulness, my wavering trust in God, and how easily I become distracted by concerns of this world.
Lent will be a time of emptying out my soul like one massive garage sale. This is a time for me to humble myself in contrition. I see areas of my life where I live a completely different value system than the Gospel, and in that I am deeply sorrowful. I can’t pick and choose when I am Catholic.
Ash Wednesday brings to mind the three great temptations: bread, security, and power. Recall the Sermon on the Mount. Matt. 6:31 So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ 32 All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
The bottom line is trust in the Lord.
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Reading “The Dark Night of the Soul” resonated with me deep within my being. Life can be many things, but the word arid reflect my experience most.While there is life exists in the desert, it has adapted to its harshness and extremes.
The Israelites fled Egypt into the desert. God provided them manna from heaven to sustain them. The Eucharist is the manna of the new covenant. It nourishes me, fills my empty stomach, and quenches my thirst. The spirit in the wine unites with my soul.
The Eucharist carries me when I am tired and worn out, and given to despair, when hope seems so far off out of reach. In submission, I go to Recognition, confess my sins, am pardoned, and do penitence. My heart and soul is made ready to receive the Eucharist.
I am reminded of Jesus and the woman at the well. In the heat of the day, Jesus offered her the waters of the Holy Spirit, to eternally quench the thirst of her soul.
This why we say in mass
Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
God is infinite in love, mercy, and forgiveness. He continually gives us the gift of renewal, hope, and new life.
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Instituted by Jesus Christ, sacraments are visible and gracious expressions of the Holy Spirit working through human action. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes seven Sacraments: baptism, reconciliation,confirmation, eucharist, marriage, anointing of the sick, and holy orders.The Council of Vatican II discerned that we are a sacramental church. Baptism, confirmation, and holy orders can be performed only once and cannot be undone. Reconciliation,eucharist, and anointing of the sick can be performed on an on-going basis. Ideally marriage is performed only once or until the death of the spouse.
As we are a sacramental church, God calls us to show His love, mercy, and compassion to others. We are to advocate for social justice. We are continually called to renewal, turn away from sin, and seek God and His righteousness. We are ambassadors and representatives of Christ here on earth, and are a foreshadow of the Heavenly Kingdom that well be known fully upon His return. We labor and carry out His will for His glory.
We ask God in his infinite mercy to guard us against the burdens of sin and temptation. We ask for strength to endure trials and tribulations. We seek His love and warm embrace ask Him to send the Comforter to give us solace in peace in times of distress.
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I think I grew a lot in 2011. I was introduced to WordPress for one thing. More importantly, I discovered a deeper yearning to serve God and the Church. I have been very happy with my involvement in RCIA. I delivered products for work, and made some good presentations. I developed closer friendships. I am starting to get used to the new missal. Last but not least, I started listening to my friends, doctors, and body, and have started diet and fitness program. I have been at it for almost two months now.
In 2012, I see possibilities in faith, work, relationships, and health. I want to continue my studies of Church doctrine and history. At work, I want to get more involved in training material development. Also, I want to do do some bulletin boards. I simply was too out of shape and lacked the creativity to do it. My strengths are structure, habit, and analysis. I hope as I become more fit, I will become more sociable and have more and closer friends.
I really don’t have anything novel to say on the wider issues of life. Politics will continue to be contentious. Downward pressures on the middle class will continue in the economy. In short more of the same.
Posted in asides
Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders
Introduction
Sacraments are gracious actions of the Holy Spirit working through human deeds. The Catholic Church has seven inter-related sacraments. The meaning and thought behind these sacraments has varied of the course and history of the Church with Vatican II restoring some to their original intent and giving others new meaning and purpose. Most of these are communal and involve human touch. All in someone or another act to restore the original union with the divine and advance relationships with others.
Anointing of the Sick
The Council of Trent said:
The sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord.
Vatican II Council issued the following statement on this sacrament:
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly bless oil—pressed from olives or from other plans—saying, only once: “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.
The clearest scriptural reference to this sacrament is:
James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, 15 and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
The Psychology and Theology of Sickness
Jesus was the great physician. The Gospels notably Mark give many accounts of his healing ministries. Luke was also a physician, and Acts gives many accounts of the Apostles healing the sick.
Sickness is a sign of our mortality that stem from human rebellion and the Fall. It is in itself is not sin nor caused by sin of the person or the person’s parents. Sickness subjects persons to pain, discouragement, and rob them of strength and control of their minds and bodies. Sickness may compromise economic self-sufficiency, and induce dependency upon others, and limit potentials and dreams. Many illnesses carry social stigmas and negatively impact relationships with others. Sickness effects not only the person but their entire family, causing a burden for care takers, and creating a void for children.
Individuals may become distraught and question themselves, others, and God. They may be filled with anger and frustration and question God in His mercy, justice, love, and power. They may feel abandoned to a capricious fate.
God can work grace through illness. St. John writes in his Gospel:
John 9:1 As he passed by he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. 4 We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, 7 and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see.
Suffering may draw individuals closer to Christ and His agony on the cross. Pain may cleanse the passions of the flesh and in the Dark Nights of the Soul lead a person to encounter God in more perfect union. It can teach a person the Be Attitudes. Notably illness can teach an individual humility, meekness, submission, obedience, and perseverance. Suffering is transformed from a result of the Fall to participating in the saving work of Jesus.
Celebrating the Sacrament
The celebration of this sacrament includes the following principle elements: the “priests of the Church”—in silence—lay hands on the sick; they oer them in the faith of the Church—this is the epilclesis proper to this sacrament; they then anoint the with oil blessed, if possible, by the bishop.
The celebration of this sacrament bestows the following graces: strengthening the spirit, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age. It strengthens a person against the temptation to discouragement or anguish of facing death. This grace is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also for the body if such is God’s will. Furthermore, if the person has committed sins, his or her sins will be forgiven.
This sacrament offers ecclesial grace. The sick person who receives this sacrament, “by freely uniting themselves to the passion and death of Christ,” “contribute to the good of the People of God.” By celebrating this sacrament the Church, in the communion of saints, intercedes for the benefit of the sick person, and he or she, for his or her part, through the grace of this sacrament, contributes to the sanctification of the Church to the good of all people for whom the Church suffers and offers herself through Christ to God the Father.
This sacrament may be preparation for the final journey and in this case called sacramentum exeuntium, “Sacrament of departing.” It completes the holy anointings that began with baptism in which a person dies to flesh and to new life in the Spirit. It prepares a person on the pathway to enter eternity.
In the case of dying, the follow sequence of sacraments is performed by a priest: baptism, resolution, anointing of the sick, and viaticum (the last communion.) If time is of essence, the anointing of the sick may be omitted.
With anointing of the sick, it is important for person, family, or care providers be in communication with the priest, so that the person may receive on going pastoral care and be alert when the final sacraments are performed.
Holy Orders
Introduction
The book of Hebrews speaks of the Old Testament legacy of priests. It begins with Levi and his descendants, notably Aaron. Notably is the priest Melchizedek, king of Salem, who blessed Abraham, and Jesus is the high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Jesus sets at the right hand of the Father in heaven. He is the minster of the sanctuary and of the tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up. Priests of the Old Testament continually offered animals as sacrifice for sin offerings and Aaron provided manna from heaven to the Israelites while they were on their Exodus. Jesus came and offered, Himself as the Pascal Lamb, pure and with blemish, once and for all for the forgiveness of sins. For by one offering one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for saying: This is the covenant I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord: I will my laws in their hearts, and I will write up their minds. Their sins and their evildoing will remember no more. Christ acts as a mediator and advocate between man and the Father.
St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians charismatic leaders of the church: Apostles, prophets, teachers, healers, administrators, speakers of tongues, and interpreters of those who speak in tongues. Biblical authors were careful not to refer to any leader as priests to show that they were under a new covenant. Instead they designated the follow leaders: bishops/ overseers, presbyters/elders, and deacons.
The Church is a priestly fellowship, as all belong to the priesthood of believers, Laity belong to the common priesthood. The ordained ecclesiastical ministry consists of three orders (groups) that serve the laity: the episcopal (bishops), presbyters (priests), and diaconate (deacons).
Analysis
The sacrament of Holy Orders is like baptism and confirmation is conferred only once and cannot be undone. All are baptized men as Christ called only men to be his apostles. Bishops and priests are called to remain celibate for the sake of the kingdom of God. Married men can be ordained as deacons. It is like marriage in that it sets an individual apart for sacred use.
Ordination confers an indelible character on the individual. This is an act of grace. Ordination are communal events. The essential rite of Holy Orders for all three degrees consists in the bishop’s imposition of hand on the head of the ordinand and in the bishop’s specific consecratory prayer asking God for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and his gifts proper to the ministry to which the candidates being ordained. At the ceremony, bishops and priests are anointed with the holy chrism. Holy orders are conferred by a bishop, the vicar of Christ, who stand as successors to the apostles.
Three bishops confer ordination for a bishop, a bishop confers ordination on a priest with attending priests laying on their hands, and a bishop confers ordination on a deacon with all the attending deacons signing the cross.
Bishops and priests act in person for Christ. Bishops provide pastoral care for the Church in one particular locality. They offer the sacraments. Priests are co-workers with the bishop and administer the sacraments in the bishop’s absence (baptism, confirmation, reconciliation, Eucharist, marriage, and anointing of the sick.)
The order of deacons was re-established after Vatican II, and as such the deacons are servants to the bishop performing specific ministries to the Church (Fiscal management, Prison Ministry, Hospital ministry, and assisting in the liturgy of mass.).
Posted in Roman Catholic Church, Spirituality
Nicaea-Constantinople Creed
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit
was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy,
catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Introduction
The Creed is a concise and poetic statement of the Catholic Faith. Saying it is a profession of faith, symbol, narrative, rule of faith and orthodoxy, and doxology. It was born out out of two heresies: the Arian Conflict (Jesus is neither fully divine or human) and the Pneumatonachs/Macedonian argument (The Holy Spirit is not divine.), and two Church Council: Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381), both in modern day Turkey. Catholics stand and express it corporately following the homily in the order of mass.
Analysis & Exegesis
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I commit my whole life to One and true God. God exists above and beyond time, ever present, and all-powerful. He is perfect and complete in every way lacking nothing. He created the universe out of nothing out of divine and perfect love, setting creation into motion with physical and moral laws God’s plan for salvation existed before time. As Father, He is father of the Son, and ass adopted children we share in His divine promise.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
I commit my whole life Jesus Christ.. His name means the anointed one, the Lord Saves us from our sins. As the messiah, He is of the house and lineage of David. St. John spoke of Him in his prologue to his gospel. Jesus is of the same substance or divine stuff of the Father also existing above and beyond time and through Him with the Father all creation was made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit
was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
God has infinite love for humanity and is continually working His plan of salvation. Humanity is created in the image of God, and He desires to restore us to our original blessing and communion with Him. As a result of the Fall, we are stained with original sin, we are subject to sin and death. Jesus came into this world to act as the Pascal Lamb to take on our sins and redeem us from destruction. Jesus became flesh by the Holy Spirit. The Virgin Mary, who herself was conceived free from original sin, gave birth to Him, her one and only child. He grew with grace and wisdom sharing our common lot.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
Out of perfect obedience to the Father, Jesus became the Pascal lamb to save us from our sins, and that the Holy Spirit may come to humanity. The Creed is silent and does not mention any of Jesus’ miracles or teachings or the Last Supper. Neither does it mention any of the Disciples or Mary Magdalene. The Creed only mentions Pontius Pilot who has come down through the ages as the epitome of amorality and irresponsibility. He had Jesus tortured and crucified. Yet on the cross he had the sign posted Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews.
An alternative meaning of “suffer” is to permit. Jesus freely chose to go to the cross. He endured the shame, abandonment, and pain for three hours before giving up His spirit. In fulfillment of prophecy, not a bone of His body was broken. A Roman solder pierce His side. Because it was the Day of Preparation, He was taken to unused tomb. The Romans sealed the tomb with a large stone. On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other women came to the tome to prepare the body for burial, but found the stone rolled away and tomb empty. He physically appeared to Mary Magdalene and the to the Disciples.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
Jesus taught and ate with Disciples for a period of 40 days. Then on a mountain, He gave the Disciples the Great Commission, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”. He ascended into the heavens and is now in perfect union with the Father, in a righteous bond of majesty, power, and love. He will come again in glory to establish His everlasting kingdom of love, peace, and joy. He will judge the living and dead with the authority granted to Him by the Father. He will separate them according to their own actions and inclinations of their hearts, like goats from the sheep.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I commit myself to the Holy Spirit who is consubstantial with the Father and Son. He was active in the Creation breathing in life to all living things. We know Him through His deeds: in the Scriptures He inspired; in the Church Tradition, Magisterium, and Liturgy; in prayers of intercession; in charisms and ministries; signs of apostolic and missionary life; and in the witness of saints. At Christ’s baptism, the Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove. Jesus breathed the Spirit upon the Disciples in the locked room, and descended upon the Apostles on Pentecost. Through theophonies we engaged the Patriarchs and prophets, and they voiced His truth and wisdom.
I believe in one, holy,
catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
I commit myself to the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. The Holy Mother Church, the bride of Christ is both earthly and divine. Her authority goes back to St. Peter. She witnesses the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is care keeper of the keys of the Kingdom. She is more than any one particular rite or denomination. The Roman Catholic stands preeminently among other Christian voices. Her membership includes both the living and the dead. Satan and the powers of Evil will not prevail against her. I attest to one baptism, a work of grace of the Holy Spirit, that rejuvenates us from death in sin to life of forgiveness in love and glory. I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and joy and glory of the world to come and the just will live with Him for life everlasting.
Amen.
Let it be.
Posted in Uncategorized
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Last Updated on May 20 2012, 2:51 am PDT
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Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say Rejoice!