“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) Explore the richness of the Catholic Faith!
The MissaleRomanum (the Roman Missal), the ritual text for the celebration of the Mass, was first promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as the definitive text of the reformed liturgy of the Second Vatican Council. A second edition followed in 1975. Pope John Paul II issued a revised version . . . read more
“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth.” (Psalm 139:13-15 NAB)
Every life is willed into existence by God, our Creator, and all human life is precious in the His eyes! Our Lord Jesus Christ gave himself for each and every one of us without discrimination! That should suffice to define the value God has placed on human life!
In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gives us the example of how we are to ask for our Heavenly Father’s help. As Jesus awaits his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prays the following prayer, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39 NAB)
Again in Matthew’s gospel we are given another example of how to ask God for help. This time the example is given to us by a leper who approaches Jesus asking to be healed. And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Matthew8:2-3NASB)
The point is that God knows what is best for us and wants what is best for us, which means that He will sometimes choose not to respond to our requests for reasons that are beyond our understanding.
He may also choose to delay answering our prayers because immediately doing so would not conform to His divine plan of salvation.
When it seems that God has not heard our prayer, or that He is an uncaring God who ignores our pleas, we must remember to trust that He knows what is best for us!
It is truly unfortunate when people become angry with God when their prayers seem to go unheard, as if God were some genie who is under an obligation to grant our every wish and desire.
Trust in God! His love is eternal and perfect! He desires the best for us! Never allow yourself to stray from His loving care!
My favorite part of the film documentary, "Into Great Silence" a film about the Carthusian Monks, is an interview that takes place with an elderly, frail, blind monk.
Unfortunately, this video clip shows only about half of the interview. I'm convinced that the wisdom the monk shares during the interview is the result of a life spent in silent contemplation and prayer. He demonstrates a peace and contentment that goes beyond anything that the material world has to offer.
The interview begins about 1 minute and 10 seconds into this short video clip.
We take care of our bodies daily by doing these things. We get periodic checkups at the doctors and dentists in an attempt to remain healthy. We clothe ourselves and provide ourselves with shelter and as many physical comforts and pleasures as possible. We try to take good care of our bodies!
But has the hectic pace of life in today’s world kept you from taking the time to nourish and care for your soul? Like the body, the soul needs to be fed and nourished along this life’s journey.
We receive that nourishment through close union with Jesus Christ. As Catholics, we are privileged to receive this nourishment through the sacraments, through which God pours forth His grace via Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.
Our souls are brought to life through the Sacrament of Baptism, or as our evangelical brothers and sisters in Christ like to say, our souls are “BORN AGAIN”. That’s right! We are ALL “Born Again Christians” when we are baptized.
The Sacrament of Confession / Reconciliation / Penance heals the sick soul and restores it to the state it was in at the moment we were baptized. Frequent trips to the confessional are as important to the health of our souls, as visits to the doctor’s office are to our bodies!
Finally, and most importantly, Christ, through His Church, makes Himself available to us daily in the Eucharist. Christ in the Eucharist provides the ultimate nourishment for our souls as He unites intimately with us to give us the strength to love and serve as He has taught us to do!
There are many good resources available to those of you who are seeking the truth and looking for answers. I urge you to take some time to care for your soul. Explore the many good websites out there that can provide the information you're looking for, or at least point you in the right direction!
New Words: A Deeper Meaning, but the Same Mass
