Deeply Gladdening

Can a university be both Catholic and American?  While too many Catholic universities in the United States have failed the test of late, the answer is surprisingly simple:

Is not a big part of our gladness and pride this happy morning of graduation a grateful recognition that this university does indeed exude such “ecclesial communion and solidarity?” That this university is both CatholIic and American, flowing from the most noble ideals of truth and respect for human dignity that are at the heart of our Church and our country? That a university’s genuine greatness comes not from pursuing what is most chic, recent, or faddish, but what is most timeless, true, good, and beautiful in creation and creatures? That the true goal of a university is to prepare a student not only for a career but for fullness of life here and in eternity?

123rd Annual Commencement Address

  Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York

  East Portico, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

  May 12, 2012

In his moving commencement address, Cardinal Timothy Dolan also speaks of marriage in the context of "the law of the gift."

Read the full commencement address here.

Our Queen Mother

Stained glass window, The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Denver, Colorado
(c) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America

As we enter into the month of May, we have an opportunity to contemplate—and celebrate—the many mysteries of Mary, Mother of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and Queen of Heaven.   Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of the United States of America.   Maria, ora pro nobis.

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.

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)

Good Friday

Sacrifice and Sacrament

The Eucharist is a sacrifice inasmuch as it is offered up, and a sacrament inasmuch as it is received.

One of the many gifts to us from Blessed John Paul the Great was his declaration of the Luminous Mysteries, an invitation, through Our Lady’s Most Holy Rosary, to contemplate the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. On Holy Thursday, observed today, the culmination of the Luminous Mysteries comes to mind. The last decade, the fifth mystery, is the Institution of the Eucharist: Christ present with us—Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. In the breaking of the Bread, we realize: The kingdom of God is at hand.

The Road Not Taken

Peter and Judas. Two broken responses to Christ’s invitation to follow Him, which is the Way of the Cross. When night fell, the sheep scattered, as predicted. Judas, with a kiss, turned away, irrevocably, it seems, choosing despair and death. Peter swore denials, but then wept bitterly. Tears of remorse. And perhaps, tears released in thanksgiving for what Peter at once may have recognized in Christ’s look from across the courtyard--forgiveness.  (Luke 22:61)

Moral Authority

On questions of faith and morals, the Bishops need not be listened to, the argument goes, because, after the child abuse scandal (or name your example), the Church has lost its "moral authority."  Assuming, for sake of argument, a working definition of "moral authority" is "suasion," that is, the ability to influence or persuade another, how does the "no moral authority" argument fare?  Not well when you dig into it.  The underlying premise of the "no moral authority" argument assumes the applicability of the old adage, Do as I say, not as I do.  But the moral authority of the Church, the Truth it proclaims, draws its power not from human conduct or example but from the Word itself.   In denying the reality of the Truth, we take the stage as Pilate does this Holy Week:  "What is truth?" (Jn.18-38)

Trust

Therefore I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

 (Isaiah 50:7)

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)

No Masters, No Gods

No Masters, No Gods. This pithless expression of humanistic philosophy fit nicely across the bumper sticker; its comprehensive message presumably serving as the Summa on the topic of God and man. Yet on that same topic, we find in Mary’s fiat (from Latin “let it be done”) true freedom: In being open to, accepting of, and trusting in God’s plan, Mary freely conformed her will to God’s will. With her “yes,” Mary achieved the triumph of human free will over the tyranny of the self and to that world to which the self clings with grasping fingers.

On the significance of Mary’s fiat, read, Bl. John Paul the Great.