Good Company



Most Reverend Daniel Jenkey, Bishop of Peoria
(click picture for text of homily)

We must marvel--too often these days, it seems!--how the Acts of the Apostles, chapters from so long ago, eloquently speak to our modern times. Peter and John, then, and Daniel, now, will not be silenced. (Acts 4:18-20.)

“The days in which we live now require heroic Catholicism, not casual Catholicism.”

(Bishop Daniel Jenkey, Peoria) 

Lessons from the Garden

(Source:  NASA photo; Visible Earth)

On Earth Day, April 22, 2012, we might, for a moment, stand back and look at the earth from a distant perspective and consider the relationship between man and creation. To the extent that we exercise dominion as honest stewards of our environment, we recognize, at last, a renewed longing for unity between man and the Garden itself. In a profound sense, this natural longing for unity is a reflection of our hope for peace on earth. And we recognize, too, that the source of this longing for unity is our ultimate desire to be one with the Creator, the “I AM,” being outside of man and creation, who is Lord over all.

"If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation. The quest for peace by people of good will surely would become easier if all acknowledge the indivisible relationship between God, human beings and the whole of creation. In the light of divine Revelation and in fidelity to the Church's Tradition, Christians have their own contribution to make. They contemplate the cosmos and its marvels in light of the creative work of the Father and the redemptive work of Christ, who by his death and resurrection has reconciled with God "all things, whether on earth or in heaven" (Col 1:20). Christ, crucified and risen, has bestowed his Spirit of holiness upon mankind, to guide the course of history in anticipation of that day when, with the glorious return of the Savior, there will be "new heavens and a new earth" (2 Pet 3:13), in which justice and peace will dwell forever.”

 (source: Message, World Day of Peace, January 1, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI)

"The Church has a responsibility towards creation and she must assert this responsibility in the public sphere. In so doing, she must defend not only earth, water and air as gifts of creation that belong to everyone. She must above all protect mankind from self-destruction. There is need for what might be called a human ecology, correctly understood. The deterioration of nature is in fact closely connected to the culture that shapes human coexistence: when “human ecology” is respected within society, environmental ecology also benefits. Just as human virtues are interrelated, such that the weakening of one places others at risk, so the ecological system is based on respect for a plan that affects both the health of society and its good relationship with nature." 

          (source: Encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, June 29, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI)

The Big Lie

The "Big Lie" is that you cannot be forgiven.  I can't be forgiven.  Too much.  Too much time.  Too much sin.  I am not worthy. 

And that's the "Big Lie" because the Christ of Divine Mercy, Christ Crucified, has already given the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.  We are forgiven.

Agnus Dei!  who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

It is fitting that we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday as the octave of Easter.  We are Didyimus, we are Mary Magdalene, we are Peter, we are Thomas, we are Saul of Tarsus!  We are forgiven!

Take the first step:  Forgive me Father, for I have sinned, it has been ___ years since my last confession . . .

Christus Resurrexit



Christus resurrexit!  Resurrexit vere!

 
It is remarkable that Jesus Christ, risen, is Jesus Christ, yet wounded. To dumbfounded disciples, Jesus shows them His hands and His feet. (Luke 24:39-40)   Post resurrection, His hands and feet yet bear the imprints of His Cross. There are wounds to touch. (John 20:24-29)    In His demonstration, one sees physical proof for the confounded that Jesus Crucified is now and forever.  In the Holy Eucharist, Christ with us, we behold the eternal Lamb of God.  Christus Resurrexit.

Emmaus

As the story of Easter continues, we hear today about the sojourners on the road to Emmaus, who, eventually, recognize Christ in the breaking of the Bread. (Luke 24:13-35.)   As Catholics, we re-live the Emmaus experience in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: The Word of God broken for us, to feed us, in the Scriptures and in the Holy Eucharist. Emmaus remains, then and today, a place of faith.

Easter Greetings

(Source:  Franciscan Media)

Franciscan Media (formerly St. Anthony Messenger Press) encourages e-vangelization through various media, including “greeting cards”—an Easter greeting is just a click away.

From Out of the Shadow

(C) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America

From out of the shadow of the Cross, our Hope is revealed in the Risen Christ.   (1 Cor. 15:14)

Alleluia!

Alleluia!

Alleluia! Rejoice!
Alleluia! Re-call!

Christ's gift
to all!
Alleluia!
to you!
yeah you!
all you!
yeah, you all!
all you all, yeah!

Alleluia!

(C) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America (photo and lyric)

Where have they put Him?



(C) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America

“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” (Jn. 20:2)

Sunday to Sunday

As we enter the mysteries of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday, we circle around and around again to the meaning of “Jesus Christ is Lord.” How different the world looks—and how differently we view the world!—as we move from the hosannas of Palm Sunday to the Alleluia! of Easter Sunday! We learn anew what St. Peter proclaimed to Christ:

“You are the Christ, the son of the Living God.” (Matt. 6:16)