Pray for our brethren in Mosul

Let us pray for our Christians in the middle east being persecuted.....I'm not much into the social movements....but I indeed stand with our brethren in the middle east. "Blessed are those who are persecuted and reviled against for My sake"

In earnest, let us pray for them....Let us also pray for the conversion of their persecutors to the Catholic Faith, for in her, will be found peace.

Pax Vobis

This is the arabic letter for "n" for Nazarene, which is being used to identify those places which belong to the Christians, let us stand with our brethren in the middle east!

Thought of the day

It is often hard to criticize those we love, because we love them, but charity demands that corrections be made...even if they're difficult to do.

A disagreement with Michael Voris (it does happen from time to time)

Today's Vortex was rather interesting...but I must say I don't agree with it

Some great comments at Connecticut Catholic Corner here and Restore DC Catholicism here

Is not the constant complaint that leaders in the Church are not speaking clearly and with unambiguity? The Faith needs to be taught boldly and with clarity...is not what happening with Pope Francis and the interviews, exactly the problem? The Truth is not being spoken clearly and with unambiguity. The fact that we need help to understand him in of itself isn't the problem (all of us get misinterpreted from time to time) it's the fact that this is a constant exercise...almost seems weekly this is happening. And this is a problem. While one is easily able to get away with this in Buenos Aires, as Pope the magnifying glass is even more magnified than normal. The whole world's eyes are on Rome...and such on the Pope whether he likes it or not.

It pains all of us to mention this, it's not something that we wish to admit, but it is a problem, and something needs to be done about it. While most certainly the laity aren't in much of a position other than to pray, the Truth always must be presented.

Some may wonder, why no benefit of the doubt for Pope Francis? and Pope Benedict got off the hook for his condom fiasco? Well, here's why: a. The mind of Pope Benedict XVI was known as then Cardinal Ratzinger through his various writings and through his work at the CDF and it was something that was clearly out of its context when one listened to the quote, something immediately seemed off. b. Pope Benedict learned from his mistake...you'll notice no one misquoted him again after that. For the sake of the Church, he (Pope Benedict) spoke in such a way that he would not be misunderstood. c. We still have no clue who or what Pope Francis stands for....is he liberal? is he conservative? For the most part he remains a mystery in the sense he never fully communicates what he actually thinks on a particular issue. Yes, we've had a few good statements from our Holy Father on women's ordination and abortion, but we really haven't heard much on other issues such as gay marriage (from him AS POPE)...But we've heard plenty of "who am I to judge?" or that we're supposed to welcome illegal immigrants, and plenty on the poor, or something on economics. This is of course not to say that other issues don't need to be talked about, surely they do, but they are symptoms of a larger problem, the fundamental respect and dignity of the right belonging to Life. Without it, everything else falls. As such without the expression of these points, there's no chance TO defend him when the time comes. d. The ostentatiousness of some of his actions, whether it's been the ditching of the moezetta, not genuflecting, the constant photo ops, violating liturgical law, insert other things here. It's extremely difficult to give the benefit of the doubt, when one is trying to force themselves to be seen. It's easy to see why people are quick to say, hey something's going on here instead of waiting.

Is it possible that if one is being misunderstood that one needs to look at how the message is being communicated? Of course! That is to say it's time for the Pope to take responsibility for his own actions! Enough with blaming the media! Enough with "this is what the Pope meant to say" (NO, if he meant to say that, he would have said it)...Start reviewing things before placing them online, in particular when it comes to interviews (or better yet, stop giving them). If it seems like I'm repeating myself, I am, because it needs to be said over and over until it's understood!.

One of the spiritual gifts is discernment, and I thought this was something that was emphasized in Jesuit spirituality (Ignatian retreats), apparently this is not done before publishing things in the Vatican. It needs to be done. Get things right the first time, so we don't have to go through this "mess" (Oh wait, he did say "make a mess") Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy

Let us pray for Pope Francis, that he may turn around, lest we end up having to pray Ps 108, 8 for him instead "May his days be few: and his bishopric let another take" (And just so we're clear, ABSOLUTELY NO HARM SHOULD COME TO POPE FRANCIS....an early retirement however, would be lovely...especially if we're going to have to do this all the time)

Pax Vobis

Thought of the day

Just because my phone is on my person, does not imply that I wish to answer it.

Sunday Troparian and Kontakian week 5

O Faithful, let us praise and adore the Word eternal with the Father and the Spirit and born of the Virgin for our salvation. For He chose to ascend the cross in the flesh and to suffer death and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection. (sung here)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever Amen

O Saviour, you descended into Hades. You crushed its gates as the Almighty, you raised the dead and destroyed the sting of Death as the Creator. You delivered Adam from the curse. O Lover of us all, therefore all cry out to you O Lord, save us. (sung here)

In these are beautiful summaries of our Faith...In our tradition, we sing the Troparia of the day when we do major blessings. For example, when a priest comes to bless the house, the troparia of Epiphany is sung. There's this intimate connection between the personal prayer and the Divine Liturgy. Or if one prefers the connection between private and public prayer. It's a beautiful tradition which I hope more can be brought out of this. I'll be reflecting more upon this connection in a while. But for now, I think this is a place where we can start.

Pax Vobis

Thought of the day

It is often the case that the tugs that come from outside ourselves on occasion should be listened to.

Unsolicited Advice where advice is needed

Rumor has it, another interview was given...Being the semi-compassionate person that I am, it's time to give some advice (This article helps a bit)

Here's some advice to help our dear friends in the Vatican Press Office/Pope Francis/G8/USCCB

1) NO MORE INTERVIEWS

To blame the media for things that are approved by the Vatican press office is absolute garbage. (Don't tell me that interviews like this are published "without approval"...I'm not buying it). The old foot in mouth problem seems to be at play here. This isn't to say that he (Pope Francis) shouldn't be allowed to speak freely....but this is the age of mass media, information travels quickly. Everyone needs to recognize this and ACT ACCORDINGLY, seriously all of this is getting ridiculous. The mind bending mental gymnastics that are being applied by the Papal Defense team to explain the obvious is outright repulsive. Call a spade a spade. When the pope is clearly speaking against Church teaching, state it as his private opinion and move on. Define the parameters in which one is working. If one needs lessons in this, just call the Emeritus Pope....he seemed to figure that part out really well.

2) NO MORE BROADCASTING OF THE DAILY HOMILIES

These are intended for a private audience, and should be treated as such. They don't form any magisterial weight, although, they are quoted as such. The only things we should see are the Sunday and Holy Day Homilies, the Angelus addresses, weds audiences, and any acts as Pope or head of state. The rest need not be broadcasted. These homilies are unscripted and are not run by a theologian for orthodoxy as such it's quite possible that something heretical can be said, the idea here being to eliminate confusion.

3) If you're not going to follow the law, either, explain why, or change the law accordingly. While Church Liturgical Law isn't Divine, it is there for a reason. If one physically can't genuflect, state this is not the norm, and because of an inability. (Yet it's hard to believe when we see one kneeling on the floor to kiss the feet of a disabled person). Otherwise it will be presumed that you're placing yourself above the law and being completely arrogant about it.

4) Humility is not ostentatious. It is not forced, no need to show off to anyone. Remember that you are in control of the cameras.

5) This one is for the USCCB...Stop sleeping with the Democrats/spewing the DNC talking points.

It's not like y'all have any authority (canonically they have zero authority can can easily be blocked by a local Bishop) anyway, but I'm happy to help get you some. Pushing for amnesty for illegal immigrants is definitely not going to help you, and certainly offend those that actually did patiently wait in line to come to the country. While many can say that the system is broken, it starts by enforcing the laws that are on the books....Stop selectively reading the catechism and read the whole section on immigration. You know the part where it says a state has a right to protect its borders and he part where immigrants are to FOLLOW THE LAWS OF THE LAND. I'm happy to assist in re-catechesis in any manner I can.

6) Continuing with the USCCB, some more help....funding pro-abortion groups completely undermines your so called message for "religious liberty" Want the "Fortnight for Freedom" to work? Well start by cleaning house, ending federal money from the government and actually teaching the Catholic Faith, that would help for sure...and I'm pretty sure celebrating the Liturgy correctly would also help.

7) Lastly, for all the Common Core people posting the math problems. Common core is the standard that's being taught, not the methodology or the pedagogy. Although the methods are certainly alighted to the standards in question. We need to oppose common core for two reasons. 1. The ease of the ability to indoctrinate kids, and 2. The principle of subsidiarity, otherwise it's symptom of a problem instead of the actual problem that we're treating.

Pax Vobis