Thursday, July 6, 2023
Thursday-Octave of the Saints Peter
and Paul
MARIA GORETTI-FRIED CHICKEN
Matthew, Chapter 14,
Verse 22-27
22 Then he made the disciples get
into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
23
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening,
he was there alone. 24Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles
offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 25During
the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them,
walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw him walking
on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out
in fear. 27At
once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be AFRAID.”
The disciples,
laboring against the turbulent sea are saved by Jesus. Jesus shows his power
over the waters by his walking on the sea during the night.
This happens during the fourth watch of the night-time:
between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. The Romans divided the twelve hours between 6 p.m.
and 6 a.m. into four equal parts called “watches.” Christ further demonstrates that he is divine
by stating “it is I” or “I am.” This reflects his hidden identity of Jesus as
Son of God.
Fear of Ghosts[1]
Peter Kreeft,
professor of philosophy at Boston College, while acknowledging that the
Catholic Church does not teach specifically about “ghosts” or spirits,
speculates that there are three different kinds of ghosts:
We can distinguish three kinds of ghosts, I
believe.
First, the most familiar kind: the sad ones, the wispy
ones. They seem to be working out some unfinished earthly business or suffering
some purgatorial purification until released from their earthly,
business. These ghosts would seem to be the ones who just barely made it
to Purgatory, who feel little or no joy yet and who need to learn many painful
lessons about their past lives on earth.
Second, there are malicious and deceptive spirits and
since they are deceptive, they hardly ever appear malicious.
These are probably the ones who respond to conjuring’s at séances. They
probably come from Hell. Even the chance of that happening should be
sufficient to terrify away all temptation to necromancy.
Third, there are the bright, happy spirits of dead
friends and family, especially spouses, who appear unbidden, at God’s will, not
ours, with messages of hope and love. They seem to come from Heaven. Unlike the
purgatorial ghosts who come back primarily for their own sakes, these bright
spirits come back for the sake of us the living, to tell us all is well. They
are aped by evil spirits who say the same, who speak “peace, peace, when there
is no peace”. But deception works only one way: the fake can deceive by
appearing genuine, but the genuine never deceives by appearing fake. Heavenly
spirits always convince us that they are genuinely good. Even the bright
spirits appear ghostlike to us because a ghost of any type is one whose
substance does not belong in or come from this world. In Heaven these spirits
are not ghosts but real, solid, and substantial because they are at home there.
“One can’t be a ghost in one’s own country.”
How to Outwit the Six Ghosts of Fear[2]
BEFORE you can put any portion of this
philosophy into successful use, your mind must be prepared to receive it. The
preparation is not difficult. It begins with study, analysis, and understanding
of three enemies which you shall have to clear out.
These are INDECISION, DOUBT, and FEAR! The
members of this unholy trio are closely related; where one is found, the other
two are close at hand.
INDECISION is the seedling of FEAR! Remember
this, as you read. Indecision crystalizes into DOUBT, the two blend and become
FEAR! The “blending” process often is slow. This is one reason why these three
enemies are so dangerous. They germinate and grow without their presence being
observed.
There are six basic fears, with some
combination of which every human suffers at one time or another. Most people
are fortunate if they do not suffer from the entire six. Named in the order of
their most common appearance, they are:
· The fear
of POVERTY
· The fear
of CRITICISM
· The fear
of ILL HEALTH
· The fear
of LOSS OF LOVE OF SOMEONE
· The fear
of OLD AGE
· The fear
of DEATH
All other fears are of minor importance, they
can be grouped under these six headings. The prevalence of these fears, as a
curse to the world, runs in cycles.
Breaking the cycle of fear of poverty
“Each year you shall tithe all the
produce of your seed that grows in the field; then
in the place which the LORD, your God, chooses as the dwelling place of his
name you shall eat in his presence the tithe of your grain, wine and oil, as
well as the firstlings of your herd and flock, that you may learn always to
fear the LORD, your God.” Deuteronomy 14
God wants you to celebrate life; you shall eat in his presence the tithe of your produce. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone did this! If we all took time off with a tenth of the money, we made to celebrate with God and our family and friends together. What a different world it would be. Imagine all the celebrations you would attend. Maybe we should all strive to take a 40-day retreat/celebration. Save your money for this! What is on your bucket list; perhaps the Lord wants you and me to cross off some of those things in His presence. If I were young again this is how I would budget: 10% for His Presence (30 to 40 days’ vacation); 10% for charity/church; 10% savings and live off the 70 percent; that is after the government takes their 50%. Imagine if there was a fair tax……. that bequeathed everyone $5000 above the poverty level for a family of 4 of $29,420 to invest. A good resource for financial advice is a book entitled, “The Richest Man in Babylon”[3].
St. Maria Goretti[4]
St. Maria Goretti was born of a poor family in Corinaldi, Italy, in 1890. Near Nettuno she spent a difficult childhood assisting her mother in domestic duties. She was of a pious nature and often at prayer. In 1902 she was stabbed to death, preferring to die rather than be raped.
"It is well known how this young girl had to face a
bitter struggle with no way to defend herself. Without warning a vicious
stranger (actually Alessandro Serenelli who lived with his father in the same
house as the Goretti's.) burst upon her, bent on raping her and destroying her
childlike purity. In that moment of crisis, she could have spoken to her
Redeemer in the words of that classic, The Imitation of Christ:
"Though tested and plagued by a host of misfortunes, I have no fear so
long as your grace is with me. It is my strength, stronger than any adversary;
it helps me and gives me guidance." With splendid courage she surrendered
herself to God and his grace and so gave her life to protect her virginity.
"The life of this simple girl—I shall concern myself
only with highlights—we can see as worthy of heaven. Even today people can look
upon it with admiration and respect. Parents can learn from her story how to
raise their God-given children in virtue, courage and holiness; they can learn
to train them in the Catholic faith so that, when put to the test, God's grace
will support them and they will come through undefeated, unscathed and
untarnished.
"From Maria's story carefree children and young people with their zest for life can learn not to be led astray by attractive pleasures which are not only ephemeral and empty but also sinful. Instead, they can fix their sights on achieving Christian moral perfection, however difficult and hazardous that course may prove. With determination and God's help all of us can attain that goal by persistent effort and prayer.
"Not all of us are expected to die a martyr's death,
but we are all called to the pursuit of Christian virtue. This demands strength
of character though it may not match that of this innocent girl. Still, a
constant, persistent and relentless effort is asked of us right up to the
moment of our death. This may be conceived as a slow steady martyrdom which
Christ urged upon us when he said: The kingdom of heaven is set upon and laid
waste by violent forces.
"So, let us all, with God's grace, strive to reach the goal that the example of the virgin martyr, Saint Maria Goretti, sets before us. Through her prayers to the Redeemer may all of us, each in his own way, joyfully try to follow the inspiring example of Maria Goretti who now enjoys eternal happiness in heaven."
Excerpted from a homily at the canonization of Saint Maria Goretti by Pope Pius XII
Imprisoned for murder she appeared to him in his cell and
forgave him and he was subsequently converted. Most importantly, he sat next to
her mother at the beatification, who also forgave him.
Patron: Against impoverishment; against poverty; children; children of Mary; girls; loss of parents; martyrs; rape victims; young people in general.
Things to Do:
- Please visit this The Pilgrimage of Mercy:
Tour of St. Maria Goretti's Major Relics for more information on St.
Maria, in particular this article
for a more detailed account of St. Maria Goretti's life and Alessandro
Serenelli's conversion.
- This saint's feast day
is a wonderful launching point to teach our children about purity,
chastity and modesty. Sex education should be taught by the parents with a
Catholic approach. Young girls can use St. Maria as a model.
- A highly recommended
book is St. Maria Goretti: In Garments All Red by Rev.
Godfrey Poage. Young teens to adult will enjoy this account of her life.
What are the seven wounds or scars of Christ?[5]
God’s love for sinners led Him to give all for their salvation (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ bore the chastisement necessary to give guilty humans peace with God. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Our Savior shed His blood to save humanity from eternal death (Romans 6:23). He did this because, “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins” (Leviticus 17:11, 14; Hebrew 9:22). Every animal sacrifice pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of the “Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Therefore, “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). The Bible records the following seven wounds or scars of Jesus:
1-The
wounds on His head
Matthew wrote, “And plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it on His head… (ch. 27:9, also John 19:5). The type of thorns that were grown in Jerusalem were called the Arabian Nebulae. This plant had sharp thorns that were up to 4 inches long. It is estimated that the cruel crown had over 100 spicules or thorns. This crown was pushed into Jesus’ head causing deep wounds. The prophecy given to Ezekiel appears to apply not only to him in his day, but also of Jesus. “And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day… And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 2:3, 6). In addition, Jesus received blows on his face on two different occasions. This could have caused additional wounds or scars. Matthew wrote, “Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands” (Matthew 26:67; John 18:22). This was a fulfillment to the Old Testament prophecy. “I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6).
2-The wounds on
His back
“Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and
scourged Him” (Matthew 27:20; John 19:1). The Romans used the brutal
cat-of-nine tails whip to scourge prisoners. At the tips of the whip were nine
strands of leather which had sharp bones or metal balls attached with nails. As
the whip was lashed on the back of the prisoners, it would tear out the flesh
causing intense bleeding. According to the law, victims could be whipped up
to 40 times.
However, the punishment would frequently end at 39 lashes because the effects
were often fatal.
This was a fulfillment of several Old Testament prophecies to the wounds or scars of Jesus. “The plowers plowed on my back; they made their furrows long” (Psalms 129:3). “I gave My back to the smiters” (Isaiah 50:6). Also, “They shall smite the Judge of Israel with a rod” (Micah 5:1). Jesus indeed endured suffering and pain for those whom He loves.
3 and 4-The wounds
on His two hands
Perhaps the most notable scars or wounds
of Jesus are those on His hands from the crucifixion. “So Pilate, wanting to
gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he
had scourged Him, to be crucified” (Mark 15:15
also Matthew 27:26, 35; John 19:1, 17). The nailing of Jesus’ hands was a
fulfillment to a Messianic Psalm. “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of
the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16). Also,
the prophet Zechariah foretold
of the Messiah’s pierced hands. “And one shall say unto Him, what are these wounds
in Thine hands?…” (ch. 13:6). He also added, “They shall look upon Him Whom
they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10).
After the resurrection, Jesus invited Thomas “the doubter” to see and touch His nail-pierced hands for himself. “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands… Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (John 20:27).
5 and 6- The
wounds on His two feet
The New Testament records that Jesus was
crucified by nailing His feet. “And when they were come… to Calvary, there they
crucified Jesus” (Luke 23:33;
John 19:16-18). This was a fulfillment to the Old Testament prophecy that
stated, “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed
me: they pierced my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16). Also, “They shall look
upon Him Whom they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10).
The piercing of
the feet was an important part of the crucifixion. When the victim was nailed
in the feet to the cross,
this was essential to them being able to breathe. As they hung with arms
extended, breathing was very difficult, and the person would have to push up
with their legs onto their nail-pierced feet in order to inhale. It caused
excruciating pain with
every breath, but it was how the victim temporarily survived. This is why the
guards would break the legs of the victim in order for the person to expire.
However, it was prophesied of Jesus that none of His bones would be broken. “He
keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken” (Psalm 34:20).
“The Jews
therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain
upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that
their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away… But
when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his
legs… For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled,
A bone of him shall not be broken” (John 19:31, 33, 36).
7- The wound on
His side
In order to verify Jesus’ death,
“one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there
out blood and water” (John 19:34). This fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy
that stated, “They shall look upon Him Whom they have pierced” (Zechariah
12:10). After the resurrection, Jesus invited Thomas “the
doubter” to put his hand also into His side saying, “Reach your finger here…and
put it into My side…” (John 20:27). This final piercing of
Jesus showed the state of His heart. The fact that both water and blood came
out demonstrates the extreme stress and trauma He was under. It was so intense
that it brought about a condition known as pericardial effusion. This is where
fluid builds around the heart and can be fatal. It is often said that
this event shows that Jesus died of a broken heart.
Jesus’ wounds of
love
God demonstrated inexplicable love for
the lost race in enduring this sacrifice for us. “For God so loved the world
that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Greater love hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
The scars or wounds on Christ’s glorified
body will remain throughout eternity to testify to the Creator’s
infinite love for humanity. “And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds
in thine hands? Then he shall answer, those with which I was wounded in the house
of my friends” (Zechariah 13:6).
National Fried
Chicken Day[6] Remember it was this humble bird that that crowed calling
Peter to conversion and repentance-if you can go to confession and confess with
Peter, “Yes,
Lord, You Know That I Love You”.
·
The bird gets the spotlight on Fried Chicken Day, and stomachs
are rumbling already. Move over vegetarians, there’s a deep-fried chicken leg
and breast coming this way!
·
To add more pizzazz to the day, coat the
legendary southern food in spices and yell “Yeehaw!” Cover the chicken with a
mixture of cayenne pepper, garlic powder and paprika to put the spring back in
the step. A little hot sauce? Sure, let’s go all out! Serve the mouth-watering
fried food with chicken gravy to up the yum-factor even more.
·
Pair the succulent bird with waffles for a
classic combo. Or, why not make chicken the star of the show and add a tasty
side dish? Lip-smacking sides include buttermilk biscuits, cold potato salad or
coleslaw. With fried chicken on the plate, the taste is sure to taste clucking
good!
Wiener Backhendl
Viennese fried chicken has
a history that goes back to the 18th century, when it was in vogue as
a dish for the aristocracy and upper classes. Serve backhendl with
lemon wedges and parslied potatoes, potato salad or a tossed green salad.
Backhendl is popular in Munich as a dish served at Oktoberfest celebrations.
Also known as Backhähnchen or poulet frit à la viennoise.
4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
- Chicken,
cut into serving pieces -- 3 pounds
- Lemon
juice -- 2 tablespoons
- Salt
and pepper -- to season
- Flour
-- 1 cup
- Eggs,
beaten with a little water -- 2
- Breadcrumbs
-- 1 1/2 cups
- Oil
for deep frying
Method
- Toss
the chicken in a large bowl with the lemon juice, salt and pepper. Set
aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Put
the flour in one bowl, the eggs in another bowl and the breadcrumbs in a
third bowl. One at a time, dip the chicken pieces first in the flour, then
in the egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs to coat. Set the breaded
chicken pieces on a baking sheet to let the coating set.
- Heat
about 2 inches of oil to 375°F in a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Deep
fry the chicken pieces for 10 minutes, turning to brown both sides.
- Reduce
heat to low and continue to cook for another 20 minutes, turning often.
Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
Wiener Backhendl Variations
- Finishing
in the Oven: After browning, remove the chicken pieces to
a rack-lined baking sheet and finish cooking in a 350°F oven for about 20
to 25 minutes.
Catechism of the
Catholic Church
PART ONE: THE PROFESSION
OF FAITH
SECTION
TWO-I. THE CREEDS
CHAPTER TWO
I
BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, THE ONLY SON OF GOD
Article 3-"HE WAS CONCEIVED BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
AND WAS BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY"
Paragraph 1. THE SON OF GOD
BECAME MAN
I. WHY DID THE WORD BECOME FLESH?
456 With the Nicene Creed, we
answer by confessing: "For us men and for our salvation he came down from
heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of the Virgin
Mary, and was made man."
457 The Word became flesh for us in
order to save us by reconciling us with God, who "loved us and sent his
Son to be the expiation for our sins": "the Father has sent his Son
as the Saviour of the world", and "he was revealed to take away
sins":
Sick, our nature demanded to be
healed; fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again. We had lost the
possession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed
in the darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light; captives, we awaited a
Savior; prisoners, help; slaves, a liberator. Are these things minor or
insignificant? Did they not move God to descend to human nature and visit it, since
humanity was in so miserable and unhappy a state?
458 The Word became flesh so that
thus we might know God's love: "In this the love of God was made manifest
among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live
through him." "For God so loved the world that he gave his only
Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal
life."
459 The Word became flesh to be our
model of holiness: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me."
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father,
but by me." On the mountain of the Transfiguration, the Father
commands: "Listen to him!" Jesus is the model for the Beatitudes
and the norm of the new law: "Love one another as I have loved you." This
love implies an effective offering of oneself, after his example.
460 The Word became flesh to make
us "partakers of the divine nature": "For this is why the
Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by
entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might
become a son of God." "For the Son of God became man so that we
might become God." "The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to
make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man,
might make men gods."
II. THE INCARNATION
461 Taking up St. John's
expression, "The Word became flesh", The Church calls
"Incarnation" the fact that the Son of God assumed a human nature in
order to accomplish our salvation in it. In a hymn cited by St. Paul, the
Church sings the mystery of the Incarnation:
Have this mind among yourselves,
which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not
count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the
form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. and being found in human
form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
462 The Letter to the Hebrews
refers to the same mystery:
Consequently, when Christ came into
the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a
body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have
taken no pleasure. Then I said, Lo, I have come to do your will, O God."
463 Belief in the true Incarnation
of the Son of God is the distinctive sign of Christian faith: "By this you
know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come
in the flesh is of God." Such is the joyous conviction of the Church
from her beginning whenever she sings "the mystery of our religion":
"He was manifested in the flesh."
III. TRUE GOD AND TRUE MAN
464 The unique and altogether
singular event of the Incarnation of the Son of God does not mean that Jesus
Christ is part God and part man, nor does it imply that he is the result of a
confused mixture of the divine and the human. He became truly man while
remaining truly God. Jesus Christ is true God and true man.
During the first centuries, the Church had to defend and clarify this truth of
faith against the heresies that falsified it.
465 The first heresies denied not
so much Christ's divinity as his true humanity (Gnostic Docetism). From
apostolic times the Christian faith has insisted on the true incarnation of
God's Son "come in the flesh". But already in the third century,
the Church in a council at Antioch had to affirm against Paul of Samosata that
Jesus Christ is Son of God by nature and not by adoption. the first ecumenical
council of Nicaea in 325 confessed in its Creed that the Son of God is
"begotten, not made, of the same substance (homoousios) as the
Father", and condemned Arius, who had affirmed that the Son of God
"came to be from things that were not" and that he was "from
another substance" than that of the Father.
466 The Nestorian heresy regarded
Christ as a human person joined to the divine person of God's Son. Opposing
this heresy, St. Cyril of Alexandria and the third ecumenical council, at
Ephesus in 431, confessed "that the Word, uniting to himself in his person
the flesh animated by a rational soul, became man." Christ's humanity
has no other subject than the divine person of the Son of God, who assumed it
and made it his own, from his conception. For this reason the Council of
Ephesus proclaimed in 431 that Mary truly became the Mother of God by the human
conception of the Son of God in her womb: "Mother of God, not that the
nature of the Word or his divinity received the beginning of its existence from
the holy Virgin, but that, since the holy body, animated by a rational soul,
which the Word of God united to himself according to the hypostasis, was born
from her, the Word is said to be born according to the flesh."
467 The Monophysites affirmed that
the human nature had ceased to exist as such in Christ when the divine person
of God's Son assumed it. Faced with this heresy, the fourth ecumenical council,
at Chalcedon in 451, confessed:
Following the holy Fathers, we unanimously teach and confess one and the same
Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: the same perfect in divinity and perfect in
humanity, the same truly God and truly man, composed of rational soul and body;
consubstantial with the Father as to his divinity and consubstantial with us as
to his humanity; "like us in all things but sin". He was begotten
from the Father before all ages as to his divinity and in these last days, for
us and for our salvation, was born as to his humanity of the virgin Mary, the
Mother of God.
We confess that one and the
same Christ, Lord, and only-begotten Son, is to be acknowledged in two natures
without confusion, change, division or separation. the distinction between the
natures was never abolished by their union, but rather the character proper to
each of the two natures was preserved as they came together in one person
(prosopon) and one hypostasis.
468 After the Council of
Chalcedon, some made of Christ's human nature a kind of personal subject.
Against them, the fifth ecumenical council, at Constantinople in 553, confessed
that "there is but one hypostasis [or person], which is our Lord Jesus
Christ, one of the Trinity." Thus everything in Christ's human nature
is to be attributed to his divine person as its proper subject, not only his
miracles but also his sufferings and even his death: "He who was crucified
in the flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ, is true God, Lord of glory, and one of the
Holy Trinity."
469 The Church thus confesses that
Jesus is inseparably true God and true man. He is truly the Son of God who,
without ceasing to be God and Lord, became a man and our brother: "What he
was, he remained and what he was not, he assumed", sings the Roman
Liturgy. and the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom proclaims and sings:
"O only-begotten Son and Word of God, immortal being, you who deigned for
our salvation to become incarnate of the holy Mother of God and ever-virgin
Mary, you who without change became man and were crucified, O Christ our God,
you who by your death have crushed death, you who are one of the Holy Trinity,
glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us!"
IV. HOW IS THE SON OF GOD MAN?
470 Because "human nature was
assumed, not absorbed", in the mysterious union of the Incarnation,
the Church was led over the course of centuries to confess the full reality of
Christ's human soul, with its operations of intellect and will, and of his
human body. In parallel fashion, she had to recall on each occasion that
Christ's human nature belongs, as his own, to the divine person of the Son of
God, who assumed it. Everything that Christ is and does in this nature derives
from "one of the Trinity".
The Son of God therefore
communicates to his humanity his own personal mode of existence in the Trinity.
In his soul as in his body, Christ thus expresses humanly the divine ways of
the Trinity:
The Son of God. . . worked with
human hands; he thought with a human mind. He acted with a human will, and with
a human heart he loved. Born of the Virgin Mary, he has truly been made one of
us, like to us in all things except sin.
Christ's soul and his human
knowledge
471 Apollinarius of Laodicaea
asserted that in Christ the divine Word had replaced the soul or spirit.
Against this error the Church confessed that the eternal Son also assumed a rational,
human soul.
472 This human soul that the Son of
God assumed is endowed with a true human knowledge. As such, this knowledge
could not in itself be unlimited: it was exercised in the historical conditions
of his existence in space and time. This is why the Son of God could, when he
became man, "increase in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and
man", and would even have to inquire for himself about what one in
the human condition can learn only from experience. This corresponded to
the reality of his voluntary emptying of himself, taking "the form of a
slave".
473 But at the same time, this
truly human knowledge of God's Son expressed the divine life of his person. "The
human nature of God's Son, not by itself but by its union with the Word, knew
and showed forth in itself everything that pertains to God." Such is
first of all the case with the intimate and immediate knowledge that the Son of
God made man has of his Father. The Son in his human knowledge also showed
the divine penetration he had into the secret thoughts of human hearts.
474 By its union to the divine wisdom
in the person of the Word incarnate, Christ enjoyed in his human knowledge the
fullness of understanding of the eternal plans he had come to reveal. What
he admitted to not knowing in this area, he elsewhere declared himself not sent
to reveal.
Christ's human will
475 Similarly, at the sixth
ecumenical council, Constantinople III in 681, the Church confessed that Christ
possesses two wills and two natural operations, divine and human. They are not
opposed to each other, but co-operate in such a way that the Word made flesh
willed humanly in obedience to his Father all that he had decided divinely with
the Father and the Holy Spirit for our salvation. Christ's human will
"does not resist or oppose but rather submits to his divine and almighty
will."
Christ's true body
476 Since the Word became flesh in
assuming a true humanity, Christ's body was finite. Therefore the human
face of Jesus can be portrayed; at the seventh ecumenical council (Nicaea II in
787) the Church recognized its representation in holy images to be legitimate.
477 At the same time the Church has
always acknowledged that in the body of Jesus "we see our God made visible
and so are caught up in love of the God we cannot see." The
individual characteristics of Christ's body express the divine person of God's
Son. He has made the features of his human body his own, to the point that they
can be venerated when portrayed in a holy image, for the believer "who
venerates the icon is venerating in it the person of the one depicted".
The heart of the Incarnate Word
478 Jesus knew and loved us each
and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for
each one of us: "The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for
me." He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, "is
quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which
the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human
beings" without exception.
IN BRIEF
479 At the time appointed by
God, the only Son of the Father, the eternal Word, that is, the Word and
substantial Image of the Father, became incarnate; without losing his divine
nature he has assumed human nature.
480 Jesus Christ is true God and
true man, in the unity of his divine person; for this reason he is the one and
only mediator between God and men.
481 Jesus Christ possesses two
natures, one divine and the other human, not confused, but united in the one
person of God's Son.
482 Christ, being true God and
true man, has a human intellect and will, perfectly attuned and subject to his
divine intellect and divine will, which he has in common with the Father and
the Holy Spirit.
483 The Incarnation is therefore
the mystery of the wonderful union of the divine and human natures in the one
person of the Word.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Authentic
Feminism
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Roy Rogers King of Cowboy RIP 1998
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
Starting Tomorrow: Let Freedom
Ring: 40 Days to Freedom from the Devil[7]
July 7-August 15, 2023
Goal:
Through acts of
reparation, fasting, penance, charity, and prayer (both personal and sacramental)
we call upon the power of God to release ourselves, our families, our parishes,
our dioceses, and our nation from all demonic influence and oppression.
Method:
Each
day will be broken into prayer, reflection, and reparation.
Reflection:
A reflection
(rotating from Fr. Peckman, Fr. Altman & Fr. Heilman) will be written for
each day on a particular manifestation of the demonic and the sin it leads to.
It will commend a corresponding virtue to cultivate.
Prayer:
Prayers of reparation
and exorcism will be followed by a litany
·
Monday:
Litany of Humility
·
Tuesday:
Litany of St. Michael the Archangel
·
Wednesday:
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
·
Thursday:
Litany of St. Joseph
·
Friday:
Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
·
Saturday:
Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
·
Sunday:
Litany of the Blessed Sacrament
Acts of
Reparation and Penance:
Factoring into
this will be variables of age, ability, and availability.
*
To pray a Rosary for the Intention of exorcism of the day's area of
reflection
*
To pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet in reparation for the sin caused by the area of
the day's reflection
*
To commit one act of either a spiritual or corporal works of mercy for either
one who has been harmed by our sin or who has harmed us by their sin.
*
To commit to fasting or abstinence days as prescribed below.
*
To commit to a prescribed time of exercise based on one's abilities
*
To commit to going to confession once a week (where available)
*
To refrain from all use of the conventional media throughout the 40 days and to
limit one's use of social media to one hour a day for non-business or
evangelical use.
Levels
Understanding
that age, health, and the Covid 19 pandemic are current factors...
·
Black
level: (For clerics)
o
Acts
of reflection and prayer remain intact. Added is a commitment to a Holy Hour
every day.
§
Cleric
commits to fasting 3xs a week (unless age or medical condition is an issue).
§
Cleric
commits to abstaining from sweets, soda, junk food, and fast food for all 40 days.
§
Clerics
with medical conditions and over the age of 65 commit to a half hour of
exercise. Otherwise, they commit to one hour of exercise, with the
understanding that one can exercise and pray the Rosary and Divine Mercy
Chaplet at the same time.
§
They
also commit to making more time for the confessional, daily Mass, and praying
the entirety of the Divine Office (all hours) for the 40 days.
§
The
prayer, reflection, some acts of reparation can be done during Holy Hour and/or
exercise time.
§
Clerics
commit to confession once a week. Clerics, in a special way, should offer the
prayers for those placed under their pastoral care and do their acts of
reparations for those harmed by the actions of any cleric, including
themselves.
·
Blue
level: Recommended for those called to go "All In!"
o
Acts
of Reflection and prayer remain intact.
§
Person
commits to fasting 3xs a week (Wednesday, Friday, and any other day, save
Sunday).
§
Abstinence
from sweets, soda, junk food, and fast food for all 7 days.
§
One
hour of exercise with the understanding that one can exercise and pray the
Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet simultaneously.
·
Red
Level: Recommended for those who do not think they can do the blue level:
o
Acts
of Reflection and prayer remain intact.
§
Person
commits to fasting 2xs a week on Wednesdays and Fridays.
§
Abstinence
from sweets, soda, junk food, and fast food for the other four days.
§
One
hour of exercise, with the understanding that one can exercise and pray the
Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet at the same time
·
White
Level: Recommended for pregnant women, senior citizens, those with serious
medical conditions:
o
Acts
of Reflection and prayer remain intact.
§
Abstinence
3xs a week from sweets, soda, junk food, & fast food instead of fasting.
§
Half
hour of exercise instead of an hour. That other half hour can be used to do
spiritual reading.
§
It
should be noted that praying the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet can be done
while exercising
Prayer for Freedom from the Devil
(We will all pray
the following prayer each day)
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
At a word from You the devil and his minions flee in
terror.
You are the source of all truth. You are the source of
all strength.
By the power of Your Cross and Resurrection, we
beseech You, O Lord
To extend Your saving arm and to send Your holy angels
To defend us as we do battle with Satan and his
demonic forces.
Exorcise, we pray, that which oppresses Your Bride,
the Church,
So that within ourselves, our families, our parishes,
our dioceses, and our nation
We may turn fully back to You in all fidelity and
trust.
Lord, we know if You will it, it will be done.
Give us the perseverance for this mission, we pray.
Amen.
Our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception ... pray for us
St. Joseph ...
pray for us
St. Michael the
Archangel ... pray for us
(the patron of
your parish) ... pray for us
(your confirmation
saint) ... pray for us
ENLIST
IN THE UNITED STATES GRACE FORCE
(Please recruit family and friends to enlist!)
[1]https://www.patheos.com/blogs/kathyschiffer/2015/04/jesus-a-ghost-what-does-the-catholic-church-teach-about-ghosts/
[3]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Richest_Man_in_Babylon_%28book%29
[4]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-07-06
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