27 February 2014
some comments on CMTV manifesto
Here, CMTV gives a manifesto on their own criticism (or lack their of) of Pope Francis
minor point that they get wrong; that said, I agree with the substance of what they're trying to say
minor point that they get wrong; that said, I agree with the substance of what they're trying to say
- The SSPX are not sedevacantists (the SSPV however, are)
- I would not say that the Remnant, and Catholic Family News are allegedly faithful
The thing about reading the traditional blogs, they are 99% of time on the point substantially about the points that they bring up. The vast majority aren't in-tune with the problems in the church (at least to this level) and I would agree that those with weak faith could very well lose their faith over reading the traditional blogs (and I comment on some frequently, and often times than not agree with them)
I must say it is rather addicting to tune into what will Pope Francis say next, often times these words have an unintended humor to them (at least the comments on the words do). In this sense while certainly no where near as evil as pornography....I can totally see the reference. Perhaps it would have been better to make an analogy to marble cake...too much probably a bad thing...but I wouldn't say the traditional blogs are an intrinsic evil which necessarily in of themselves need to be avoided, but I get the point....those with weak faith should avoid these...I absolutely agree.
They are most certainly not saying that the Pope isn't above criticism (he isn't....insofar as these things are done in charity, and not focused upon the person of Pope Francis, and rather focused upon objective criticisms, by no means is the Pope God, nor should he ever be exalted to that point). The point is that this is not the mission of CMTV...there are the rest of us that can do the criticizing...(always in charity of course)
Yes, I do sometimes think mountains are made out of molehills (the charism of infallibility is specific for a reason), and sometimes the media is to blame for the situation of Pope Francis, but there are times when the words themselves are a problem. Yes we can point them out, but always in charity, but it's not always necessary for every single thing that Pope Francis says. (The converse of everything being all sunshine and rainbows also holds true). As I've said before I'm not doom and gloom, but also not sunshine and rainbows on this pontificate either.
We each have our mission, and CMTV has theirs, and for their mission they are doing a good job. They don't have to criticize Pope Francis to accomplish this....I've certainly tried here to keep the criticisms to a minimal...(hasn't always been successful)
Let us pray for Pope Francis (he needs it) and for all of us trying to be faithful to Holy Mother Church (it's not easy in these stormy times)
Pax Vobis
Just and unjust discrimination
Society discriminates all the time. This shouldn't be a surprise statement from me at all. It is in fact necessary for society to function...Let me give some examples of when we discriminate...
- We do not allow pedophiles to work with children, even if they've been released from prison as a precaution for the children.
- We do not allow those without the proper training to use specific pieces of equipment
- We do not allow those that we don't trust to interact with us or our children
- There are countless examples of society discriminating against people or against particular issues.
- The state does not allow those that are brother and sister to get married
Of course there could be an endless list of when these things happen, but do we bother to look at why? In most cases, the why is obvious, but sometimes, not blatantly so.
In the first case of not allowing a pedophile to work with children. Obviously we're trying to protect the children from being in a potentially dangerous situation.
Now let's throw a wrinkle in this situation...Let's say that the pedophile has a degree in child development, has been out of prison for about 10 years, and throws in good references. Do we still not allow him the job? Of course we don't...again, we place the safety of the children over the desires of the pedophile seeking work. Some may say, what about the pedophile? Does he not have a right to work? Well, no, there isn't a right to work per se. A person does have a right to seek work, but to be hired, not so much....otherwise all of us upon interview would have to be hired. In this situation discrimination is justified for the sake of protection of the children. It's not to say that a normal employee can't abuse children....but it's about minimizing the risk....bringing the probability down
In the second case, of not allowing those without proper training to handle particular equipment. The person without the proper training could very well damage the equipment beyond repair making for expensive repairs. Is it to say even with the proper training that this can't happen? No, but the probability is minimized. The point is to minimize the likelihood of things going wrong. We can't prevent things from going wrong always, but to minimize them, yes, this can be done.
In the third situation, those of you with children understand this completely. Heck even those of you without children understand this....If there's anyone in particular that we don't trust, they don't get our interaction or what not. It's for our own protection (or children) or what not. Once again, it's not to say that even people we trust can't stab us or do something to betray us (often times they do) but it's once again about minimizing the risk.
The 4th situation of the state not allowing those that are brother and sister to get married is slightly more interesting. The state is on the lookout for it's own interests of course, and amongst the interests are it's continuation. This is done by an increase in population obviously. The state gives tax benefits to those that are married as a sort of "gambling" or a "wager" so to speak, for lack of a better analogy. Any marriage has the potentiality of having children (those that are unable to conceive are obviously exempt)...but the thought of a marriage having children...kind of works like this: state gives you money now (or rather tax break, so more money goes in your pocket) so that the children will give the money back later. (as future tax payers) (One can argue whether children should be looked on as property, they shouldn't...their dignity is more than this obviously)....Now these benefits are not necessary for a marriage to exist...but they are there to help promote the future of the state. In a brother/sister marriage, the likelihood of producing children is small, in addition there are several things that can go wrong. The state rightly discriminates against this and does not allow for this to happen. An extension of this is so called homosexual marriage. How does this help the state? These "marriages" will not produce children in of themselves. (An outside source would have to intervene)....It's self defeating, for the state it really doesn't serve much of a purpose to allow this to happen. This is why tax benefits do not make sense for the homosexual "couple" in the strictest sense. What would the government be wagering on? It's a 100% chance that children will not happen. (Even if they're allowed to adopt, children did not come from two people in question). Although now, the government doesn't discriminate against such, in some states, this situation is not allowed to happen.
Unjust discrimination is when something that would not get in the way of a thing being done. For example, the color of one's skin does not prevent one from working as a teacher or in a particular field.
Some might say one's "sexaul orientation" does not prevent one from doing a job...Well perhaps not, but there are environmental issues that come up. It is typical that we as a society try to prevent things from happening to the best of our ability. Placing a person who is attracted to children in front of children, not a good idea, even if they may not act on it, still again best to prevent a situation, rather than promote it. Likewise a homosexual in a situation may or may not act out on those thoughts or desires, but the question becomes does one want a situation where workplace productivity could be interrupted by things that should not happen in the workplace? What about the others in the workplace? Should not an environment for work be such that everyone can work in peace and not worry? Again, does it imply that a situation will break out? Absolutely not, but again it's better to prevent, than to have a situation happen and things be far worse than normal.
For a business, that seeks a certain clientele, does it have a right to refuse service to people? In particular situations absolutely (a family resturarnt for example, and two people walk in behaving immodestly for example....to protect the patrons of the restruant, in this situation, they'd have an obligation to deny them service....)....It's an example of the just discrimination practice once again.
In the news recently, there was a law that was going to be passed by Arizona that allowed businesses to deny services to homosexuals because of the owner's religious beliefs. One of the things we can't do is be an accessory in another's sin, this is why we can't be a 3rd party involved with a sin (indirect participation in a sin)...This is the perspective of the owner, which does have a right to do this. A person has a right to practice their beliefs in public. Now the question would have to come, how can one tell if one is homosexual? The eye test? The Justin Bieber playing on their raido? Clearly this is a situation of subjectivity, and why although in good intent, the law was rightfully vetoed. There has to be an objective way for people to be able to discern these things. Remember that people are innocent until proven guilty (in spite of the modern practice of guilt until proven innocent)....and people have a right to not be questioned either...
There are certainly times where we have to use subjective things to discriminate, but for the most part if we're going to discriminate against anything, there needs to be objective evidence towards that end. But I hope that people learn the difference between the two.
Pax Vobis
25 February 2014
24 February 2014
Thought of the day
Sometimes, damage control makes the problem worse than actually doing the intended "damage control"
21 February 2014
Thought of the day
It's a great sacrifice to do things to extraordinary detail. Often the vice of sloth makes us lazy and not want to work hard for our goals or for those that we serve.
16 February 2014
No, it's not a fad, it's a matter of being fed.
Over at Rorate....Our dear friend Pope Francis does not understand why the young wish to go back to the Traditional Liturgy.
As one of those young people, I'm gladly able to help in the misunderstandings that may occur.
a. It's not a nostalgia, and it's most certainly not a fashion, or a fad.
It's impossible to be nostalgic to something that we don't memories of. Bear in mind that all of us young people were born well after the 2nd Vatican Council (the blogger 1985, a full 20 years some odd well after the conclusion of the Council). All of us have grown up with the Novus Ordo (Ordinary Form) since our birth. Many of us have experienced Liturgies that were "lacking" (and that's being rather kind). Between inviting all of us to the altar, surrounding priests for the Consecration, to "altar calls" with some subjective, how has the Lord affected my life that sounded like it came straight out of a self help book, to the Pouring of Jesus after the Consecration, and added on top of an attempted Catholic attempt at rock music which sounded as pathetic as the modern Justin Bieber, but didn't quite get that low. The youth were the subjects of Liturgical experiment after experiment...(Yes, everything I mentioned actually did happen at my parish growing up). And while emotionally "filling" (or epically lame depending on your point of view), none of these things substantially dwelled or edifies our souls. Why? Because it was exactly what we knew from our everyday culture, and we didn't need to come to church to find this. As much as I mock pop culture at times, there are good things within it....Everyone has the desire for Truth within them, and they're going to go where this desire can be substantially filled. The OF as celebrated in average everyday parish at St Liturgical Abuse, while most certainly Jesus is there because the OF is a valid Catholic rite, I can't really say at least from my own experience that it takes people out of the ordinary.
b. It's not the ordinary everyday experience, the reverence, the order and beauty all fill our crying hearts.
As alluded to earlier, if we wanted to go to a rock concert, jazz concert, tango dance, etc, those things are easily within access, and the Church does not need to provide those things to be found. We go to Mass (or Divine Liturgy) to adore God, to beg pardon for our sins, to thank Him for our needs, and to pray for others and ourselves. While most certainly these things can be done outside of Mass context, in justice by the virtue of religion, we do these things because of our love for God and His Holy Church.
The chanting (whether Gregorian or Byzantine) lifts our hearts and minds towards our Heavenly Father, and takes us away from reality and towards the Divine in ways that contemporary or modern music can't even attempt to achieve. Though rest assured if you want emotional, sappy, feeling stuff, contemporary music does that quite well. (Although believe me, a good Dies Irae can definitely be very moving)
While most certainly the NO can be done very reverently and absolutely beautifully (need we look at the examples of our beloved Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI for this)...I don't think it can be said that the reverence is built into the Mass itself. How can that be said? The variety in which the NO is celebrated, from clown Masses, to beautiful Gregorian Masses, shows that the degree of reverence that is shown is subject to the person celebrating, and this is indeed a problem. When subjectivity becomes our basis, that only leads down painful roads in which to some degree we're living out the consequences of such. In the EF (TLM) or Divine Liturgy, the person of the priest is gone....all of the rubrics point to the person of Christ. (Again, not to say that these things can't occur in the NO, they do, but to a lesser degree)....there's a rigidity to the forms, we know exactly what to expect. Every bow (genuflection) is for a reason, always pointing us to something higher. The precision in which the rubrics are done gives an order to an often disordered world.
Quite to the contrary, beautiful vestments are not a distraction (nor should they be donated to the poor) they lift us up because God is Beauty itself. The beauty shows how much we love God in the sense that we give back to God the most beautiful, because He in His mercy created us to love Him. The vestments that are plain are actually a distraction because they point to the ordinary, the cheapness in which somethings are done, believe me are noticed, even if in the subconscious, and often the question is asked "Is this how much we love God?" If we treat Him like this, what's the point. Again, it's the point about dragging us out of the ordinary and into the Divine.
Things like this are edifying to the soul
As one of those young people, I'm gladly able to help in the misunderstandings that may occur.
a. It's not a nostalgia, and it's most certainly not a fashion, or a fad.
It's impossible to be nostalgic to something that we don't memories of. Bear in mind that all of us young people were born well after the 2nd Vatican Council (the blogger 1985, a full 20 years some odd well after the conclusion of the Council). All of us have grown up with the Novus Ordo (Ordinary Form) since our birth. Many of us have experienced Liturgies that were "lacking" (and that's being rather kind). Between inviting all of us to the altar, surrounding priests for the Consecration, to "altar calls" with some subjective, how has the Lord affected my life that sounded like it came straight out of a self help book, to the Pouring of Jesus after the Consecration, and added on top of an attempted Catholic attempt at rock music which sounded as pathetic as the modern Justin Bieber, but didn't quite get that low. The youth were the subjects of Liturgical experiment after experiment...(Yes, everything I mentioned actually did happen at my parish growing up). And while emotionally "filling" (or epically lame depending on your point of view), none of these things substantially dwelled or edifies our souls. Why? Because it was exactly what we knew from our everyday culture, and we didn't need to come to church to find this. As much as I mock pop culture at times, there are good things within it....Everyone has the desire for Truth within them, and they're going to go where this desire can be substantially filled. The OF as celebrated in average everyday parish at St Liturgical Abuse, while most certainly Jesus is there because the OF is a valid Catholic rite, I can't really say at least from my own experience that it takes people out of the ordinary.
b. It's not the ordinary everyday experience, the reverence, the order and beauty all fill our crying hearts.
As alluded to earlier, if we wanted to go to a rock concert, jazz concert, tango dance, etc, those things are easily within access, and the Church does not need to provide those things to be found. We go to Mass (or Divine Liturgy) to adore God, to beg pardon for our sins, to thank Him for our needs, and to pray for others and ourselves. While most certainly these things can be done outside of Mass context, in justice by the virtue of religion, we do these things because of our love for God and His Holy Church.
The chanting (whether Gregorian or Byzantine) lifts our hearts and minds towards our Heavenly Father, and takes us away from reality and towards the Divine in ways that contemporary or modern music can't even attempt to achieve. Though rest assured if you want emotional, sappy, feeling stuff, contemporary music does that quite well. (Although believe me, a good Dies Irae can definitely be very moving)
While most certainly the NO can be done very reverently and absolutely beautifully (need we look at the examples of our beloved Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI for this)...I don't think it can be said that the reverence is built into the Mass itself. How can that be said? The variety in which the NO is celebrated, from clown Masses, to beautiful Gregorian Masses, shows that the degree of reverence that is shown is subject to the person celebrating, and this is indeed a problem. When subjectivity becomes our basis, that only leads down painful roads in which to some degree we're living out the consequences of such. In the EF (TLM) or Divine Liturgy, the person of the priest is gone....all of the rubrics point to the person of Christ. (Again, not to say that these things can't occur in the NO, they do, but to a lesser degree)....there's a rigidity to the forms, we know exactly what to expect. Every bow (genuflection) is for a reason, always pointing us to something higher. The precision in which the rubrics are done gives an order to an often disordered world.
Quite to the contrary, beautiful vestments are not a distraction (nor should they be donated to the poor) they lift us up because God is Beauty itself. The beauty shows how much we love God in the sense that we give back to God the most beautiful, because He in His mercy created us to love Him. The vestments that are plain are actually a distraction because they point to the ordinary, the cheapness in which somethings are done, believe me are noticed, even if in the subconscious, and often the question is asked "Is this how much we love God?" If we treat Him like this, what's the point. Again, it's the point about dragging us out of the ordinary and into the Divine.
Things like this are edifying to the soul
Things like this, not so much:
The times of today, there's not rushing through prayers, there is a love, and a beauty which is not there for the most part in the OF as practiced in everyday parishes. We youth do notice these things, and while this is not meant to be an exhaustive post on why the traditional Liturgies are attracting, it's meant to help those that don't know, see, appreciate and love the Traditional forms of Liturgy.
Oh, but I'm not quite done, lest anyone think otherwise. Of course we must certainly be careful that the Liturgy does not become a form of idolatry, and while it's not the "Liturgical form" that saves us per se, Christ DOES act through the Liturgy, and it is He that redeems us through the Cross, and saves us, so far as we persevere in the end....so in that sense, one can say the Liturgy can indeed save the world. If my memory serves right, one of our presidents, I think it was John Adams, once went to a Catholic Mass, and saw it sloppily celebrated, and didn't convert because of that. So I thus think that it indeed quite important that Liturgy be celebrated well, and why I'm in support of the Liturgical movement.
So yes, do pay attention, and see where we're heading. The ugly will not attract, beauty will. And while certainly we youth still struggle with various sins, we're certainly trying...and for this, we'd rather not appreciate being mocked, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Pax Vobis
14 February 2014
Thought of the day
I really don't have a reason to "like" Valentine's Day....So I solved this
Bonus if you cam solve without matrices :)
Bonus if you cam solve without matrices :)
13 February 2014
Please, please
Keep praying for me...the interview went very well.
Apparently, I'm right in being a freak, practicing problems daily...it came very much in handy when I needed it. Knowing Kircchoff's laws helped me seriously on the interview....Thank you Mrs. M, once again :D
Apparently, I'm right in being a freak, practicing problems daily...it came very much in handy when I needed it. Knowing Kircchoff's laws helped me seriously on the interview....Thank you Mrs. M, once again :D
12 February 2014
What I learned Weds Vol 3
Welcome to another Volume of things I probably should have learned. The sponsor of this is of course my dear friend Emmy
1) You may or may not know this but Friday will the 3rd anniversary of when the person who happens to be the author of this blog, was forced out of seminary. As being such, I do not celebrate the holiday that's associated...buuuuuut....being the geek that I am, go here
2) I've learned that I can be semi-productive when I actually feel like it...see the progress on my youtube channel here
3) Also, last but not least...because everyone needs cute in their lives.....
Pax Vobis
1) You may or may not know this but Friday will the 3rd anniversary of when the person who happens to be the author of this blog, was forced out of seminary. As being such, I do not celebrate the holiday that's associated...buuuuuut....being the geek that I am, go here
2) I've learned that I can be semi-productive when I actually feel like it...see the progress on my youtube channel here
3) Also, last but not least...because everyone needs cute in their lives.....
Pax Vobis
Thought of the day
The problems in the Church can be related to quite a simple thing, a lack of discipline.
11 February 2014
Thought of the day
We were far unworthy to deserve a Pope as humble and loving as Pope Benedict XVI. May God have mercy on us, and protect our dear Emeritus Pope, yes, I totally miss him.
10 February 2014
Thought of the day
The liberal commentators on ESPN and NBC make me thank God for the mute button. Once again, it is not necessary for anyone to give public approval to actions done in a private life.
08 February 2014
Thought of the day
I'm further convinced that the west (save Africa) will not hold to the onslaught of the culture wars, but the East will hold.
07 February 2014
06 February 2014
Thought of the day
The strategy is simple, occasionally throw a bone (treat) to those that disagree with you...in the mean time, dismantle them under the guise of *insert thing here*....The Obama Administration makes complete sense.
05 February 2014
Thought of the day
To be consistent requires knowledge. Many people think that Church institutions aren't consistent as regards to their application of particular morals clauses. Perhaps she isn't because there is a difference between private and public knowledge. If person A and person B do something and no one knows about it...it can NOT be assumed that something's going on. If person A and person B tell the press and media what's going on. THEN it is public, and from that point, the law gets to be applied.
04 February 2014
On superstitions
My good friend Emmy at her blog wrote this, I thought it was good, so I share without comment
*cue "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder*
This is a topic I've wanted to write for quite some time because I've seen how many superstitious acts are clumped together with Catholicism... and it's just not right! I am still learning about these things but I'd like to share what I've found in my research. The topic is too broad but I'll try to touch on as many things as I can.
Full disclosure: I grew up with very superstitious parents so it took me a long time to let go of the superstitious beliefs I grew up believing. Unlucky numbers (I hated the number 6), unlucky months (July and August were my worst), etc. It took some time to see that it was the anxiety that was talking and that I wasn't trusting God enough. That and someone once said "luck is for pagans" (which I still laugh over; thanks, Laurence). The deeper I grow in my faith, the less those superstitions make sense. The same goes for my mom. The more she learns, the less she fears and the more she trusts in Him. The number 13? Nope. Black cats crossing my path? I'll stop because I don't to crush the poor animals with my car before going on.
Now, let's get right into the facts. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has this to say about superstition: "Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition." (CCC 2111)
Where to start on the superstitions? Did some of you know that people sweep an egg over a child's body to remove the "evil eye" while praying Our Fathers and Hail Marys (called a "barrida" in Spanish)? Did you know that some people put "eye" bracelets on their babies so that the "evil eye" won't make them sick (called the "Ojo de Venado" in Mexico)? These are amulets though people don't call them that. Did you hear that you must touch a baby if you gush over how cute they are or else the "evil eye" will get them? All Hispanic superstitions. A lot of them involve using prayers to "counteract" the evil. I'm not saying doesn't exist -- it does -- but to do things that people believe will help them make things go their way? I draw the line there. Let's consult the Catechism again, shall we? "
All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion.... Wearing charms is also reprehensible." (CCC 2117) See? Just say no!
Very devout people are not immune to this. Some believe that wearing the brown scapular 24/7 will save them from the fires of hell, as Our Lady promised. They believe that certain medals have the powers to keep all evil and/or misfortune away. Some ne'er-do-wells wear Rosary beads because they believe it'll protect them while they are up to no good. For students, if you ask St. Joseph of Cupertino to help you pass an exam and you don't study, don't expect to pass. It's one thing to ask for help if you can't concentrate, it's another to think that you'll get your way (without the effort) simply because you prayed for it. Doesn't work that way, loves.
Did you hear about the "Santa Muerte"? It's the "patron saint" of gang-bangers, drug lords, and those generally up to no good. Certain things must be done in order to "ensure" that things go the way people ask. They use Catholic prayers and try to pass it off as a Catholic devotion but it isn't. It's been condemned by Mexican bishops and the Vatican has warned the faithful not to participate in the "devotion."
I know some of you are on the fence about the St. Joseph home selling kits. Personally, I believe these things are superstitious. You're going bury a plastic statue of St. Joseph to help you sell the house? Really? I know blessed items are buried if they cannot be burned, but saying that a statue can control whether or not your house gets sold -- if you do things exactly as directed -- is superstitious.
If you're saying "well, where's the harm in that? It's just silly." Well, if you think it's silly, don't do it. When you participate in superstitious acts you're basically saying that YOU have control over the outcome of certain things instead of trusting God. I'm going to be somewhat bold and say that, in way, you're making yourself an idol by saying that you have some of the same powers God does; that you can control what happens because you had the power to. Trust me, you don't. Sorry but there's only one true God.
As I've said, it's too easy to fall into superstition. We all want things to go the way we want them to and rarely do we just accept that most things won't. We pray because we want things to go our way, and that's the wrong attitude to have. Sometimes we don't get what we pray for because it's not what's best for us. God has amazing plans for all of us yet, let's be honest, we can be impatient and we can be upset when our prayers don't get answered in the way we want them to. What's so wrong with trusting God? What's so wrong with not knowing exactly what's in store for us in the future? Just a few things to think about.
Anyway, that's it for now. I would go on and on on this topic but I have a movie/miniseries date with Julie (and her baby girl, Grace) to get to. OH! And I would like to say that if you do have some superstitions because you have OCD, don't feel about it; that is something you most likely can't control. My prayers will go out for you (and don't forget to ask St. Dymphna for her intercession; she's the patroness of these things).
I hope y'all are having a great week so far. If you have any prayer requests, send them my way. As always, thanks for reading and God bless!
*cue "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder*
This is a topic I've wanted to write for quite some time because I've seen how many superstitious acts are clumped together with Catholicism... and it's just not right! I am still learning about these things but I'd like to share what I've found in my research. The topic is too broad but I'll try to touch on as many things as I can.
Full disclosure: I grew up with very superstitious parents so it took me a long time to let go of the superstitious beliefs I grew up believing. Unlucky numbers (I hated the number 6), unlucky months (July and August were my worst), etc. It took some time to see that it was the anxiety that was talking and that I wasn't trusting God enough. That and someone once said "luck is for pagans" (which I still laugh over; thanks, Laurence). The deeper I grow in my faith, the less those superstitions make sense. The same goes for my mom. The more she learns, the less she fears and the more she trusts in Him. The number 13? Nope. Black cats crossing my path? I'll stop because I don't to crush the poor animals with my car before going on.
Now, let's get right into the facts. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has this to say about superstition: "Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition." (CCC 2111)
Where to start on the superstitions? Did some of you know that people sweep an egg over a child's body to remove the "evil eye" while praying Our Fathers and Hail Marys (called a "barrida" in Spanish)? Did you know that some people put "eye" bracelets on their babies so that the "evil eye" won't make them sick (called the "Ojo de Venado" in Mexico)? These are amulets though people don't call them that. Did you hear that you must touch a baby if you gush over how cute they are or else the "evil eye" will get them? All Hispanic superstitions. A lot of them involve using prayers to "counteract" the evil. I'm not saying doesn't exist -- it does -- but to do things that people believe will help them make things go their way? I draw the line there. Let's consult the Catechism again, shall we? "
All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion.... Wearing charms is also reprehensible." (CCC 2117) See? Just say no!
Very devout people are not immune to this. Some believe that wearing the brown scapular 24/7 will save them from the fires of hell, as Our Lady promised. They believe that certain medals have the powers to keep all evil and/or misfortune away. Some ne'er-do-wells wear Rosary beads because they believe it'll protect them while they are up to no good. For students, if you ask St. Joseph of Cupertino to help you pass an exam and you don't study, don't expect to pass. It's one thing to ask for help if you can't concentrate, it's another to think that you'll get your way (without the effort) simply because you prayed for it. Doesn't work that way, loves.
Did you hear about the "Santa Muerte"? It's the "patron saint" of gang-bangers, drug lords, and those generally up to no good. Certain things must be done in order to "ensure" that things go the way people ask. They use Catholic prayers and try to pass it off as a Catholic devotion but it isn't. It's been condemned by Mexican bishops and the Vatican has warned the faithful not to participate in the "devotion."
I know some of you are on the fence about the St. Joseph home selling kits. Personally, I believe these things are superstitious. You're going bury a plastic statue of St. Joseph to help you sell the house? Really? I know blessed items are buried if they cannot be burned, but saying that a statue can control whether or not your house gets sold -- if you do things exactly as directed -- is superstitious.
If you're saying "well, where's the harm in that? It's just silly." Well, if you think it's silly, don't do it. When you participate in superstitious acts you're basically saying that YOU have control over the outcome of certain things instead of trusting God. I'm going to be somewhat bold and say that, in way, you're making yourself an idol by saying that you have some of the same powers God does; that you can control what happens because you had the power to. Trust me, you don't. Sorry but there's only one true God.
As I've said, it's too easy to fall into superstition. We all want things to go the way we want them to and rarely do we just accept that most things won't. We pray because we want things to go our way, and that's the wrong attitude to have. Sometimes we don't get what we pray for because it's not what's best for us. God has amazing plans for all of us yet, let's be honest, we can be impatient and we can be upset when our prayers don't get answered in the way we want them to. What's so wrong with trusting God? What's so wrong with not knowing exactly what's in store for us in the future? Just a few things to think about.
Anyway, that's it for now. I would go on and on on this topic but I have a movie/miniseries date with Julie (and her baby girl, Grace) to get to. OH! And I would like to say that if you do have some superstitions because you have OCD, don't feel about it; that is something you most likely can't control. My prayers will go out for you (and don't forget to ask St. Dymphna for her intercession; she's the patroness of these things).
I hope y'all are having a great week so far. If you have any prayer requests, send them my way. As always, thanks for reading and God bless!
03 February 2014
02 February 2014
Thought of the day
The world is opposed to Truth, because the Truth forces one to have to transform themselves. If the world feels comfortable, they'll praise you. If the world doesn't, they'll condemn you. Those that aren't supportive of an agenda will always be condemned....Stand up for the Truth.
01 February 2014
Weekend musings
- I hear there's a football game tomorrow. I the avid sports person that I am will be watching. Apparently since I'm in seachicken territory, I'm supposed to root for Seattle...however as we all know, I only root for the Seattle baseball team...go Broncos...That said, it is of course a business, and while we shouldn't be envious of their profits....they should be able to carry their own weight.
- Many people are trying to say Pope Francis isn't a liberal: too late, damage is already done...or as I've said, he's not really on either side of the debate...but these words still apply:
"It’s nice, but too little too late…Although the Pope may very well be fine doctrinally, etc, the perception that he isn’t has caused more damage than if he actually were to change anything (which of course he can’t do). Perception might not be reality at times, but the perception often is worse.
It does not bring anyone joy to point out things with Pope Francis, One can’t pretend that things are all unicorns, sunshine and rainbows, when they’re not. Pope Francis does say things that are good and solid, at the same time he doesn’t. Praise where praise is due, correction, where correction is due…but the vast majority of time it’s the latter rather than the former, whether it’s the “who am I to judge” (TM) , “little monsters” (TM) , intentionally disobeying Holy Thursday rubrics, or “the miracle is a sharing” when referring to the feeding of the 5 000. Not nipping things before they get worse always undercuts whatever authority or intention someone is trying to do. Especially for the Pope.
It’s good to not despair or constantly focus on the negative things, it’s quite taxing. As I like to say, while I’m not as far to the right as the traditional blogs in their criticisms of Pope Francis. (I genuinely think he doesn’t know), I’m not in the super sunshine and rainbows camp of the lefties either. It’s a day by day thing.
Let us pray for our Holy Father Francis, Pope of Rome, Lord have mercy."
- You know something I really can't stand, when people complain behind my back. I guess people think that they're going to offend me...well, they're right. It's better to offend me, deal with the wrath that comes with the particular situation, then seek forgiveness, rather than hide one's opinions....me find out, and be even angrier than I would have been if one just told me. And people wonder why I'm not a fan of people :p
- I remember when there weren't ads on youtube.....it was better then
- Penitential kneeling is forbidden on Sundays, kneeling in Adoration is not. The primary use of kneeling in the West is Adoration. The primary use of kneeling (prostrations) in the east is Penance...both traditions should be respected and left within their respective traditions and not imposed on each other.
- These words were very comforting....I only hope that when the time comes that all of us have the grace to stand up like our St Ignatius of Antioch
- The problem with so many statements today is that they frame the subjective ahead of the objective piece. This is backwards as to the way things should be framed. Application only comes after knowing what the law is. This applies to not just matters political.
- I've heard it's good to look at cute things...so here's 5 min of cute...don't die
- As always, Pax Vobis
Thought of the day
We should avoid gossip. The talking behind peoples' backs is not a good thing, nor is demeaning their person. If one does have a complaint about a person, those complaints should be addressed directly to the person of choice...and not to anyone other than that person.
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