TheVi r gi nMar yBr i ngs Manki ndCl osert oGod
Magni f i catbecamet hewor dofMar y ,t hel ampf orher j our ney ,t huspr epar i nghert or ecei veeveni nherwomb t heWor dofGodmadef l esh.Today’ sGospelpassage PopeBenedi ctXVI r ecal l st hi spr esenceofGodi nhi st or yandi nt heunf ol di ngofevent s;i npar t i cul ar ,t her ei sar ef er encet ot he On1November1950,Vener abl ePope SecondBookofSamuelChapt erSi x( 6: 115) ,i nwhi ch Pi usXI Ipr ocl ai medasDogmat hatt he Davi dmovest heHol yAr koft heCovenant .Thecompar i Vi r gi nMar y“ havi ngcompl et edt hecour se soni scl eart ot heEvangel i st :Mar yexpect i ngt hebi r t hof ofherear t hl yl i f e,wasassumedbodyandsouli nt oheaherSonJesusi st heHol yAr kt hatcont ai nst hepr esence venl ygl or y” .Thi st r ut hoff ai t hwasknownbyTr adi t i on, ofGod,apr esencet hati sasour ceofconsol at i on,of wasaf f i r medbyt heFat her soft heChur ch,andwasapar - t ot alj oy .John,i nf act ,l eapsi nEl i zabet h’ swomb,j ustas t i cul ar l yi mpor t antaspecti nt hevener at i onoft heMot her Davi ddancedbef or et heAr k.Mar yi st he“ vi si t ”ofGod ofChr i st .Pr eci sel yt hi sdevot i onalel ement ,sot ospeak, t hatcr eat esj oy .Zechar i ah,i nhi ssongofpr ai sesays wast hedr i vi ngf or cebehi ndt hef or mul at i onoft hi s expl i ci t l y:“ Bl essedbet heLor dGodofI sr ael ,f orhehas Dogma.TheDogmaappear sasanactofpr ai seandexal - vi si t edandr edeemedhi speopl e”( Lk1: 68) .Thehouse t at i onoft heHol yVi r gi n.I tal soemer gesf r om t het extof ofZechar i ahexper i encedt hevi si tofGodbyt heunext heApost ol i cConst i t ut i on,wher ei taf f i r mst hatt heDogma pect edbi r t hofJohnt heBapt i st ,butaboveal lbyt he i spr ocl ai medf or“ t hehonorofherSon. . .f ort hei ncr ease pr esenceofMar y ,whobor ewi t hi nherwombt heSonof oft hegl or yoft hatsameaugustMot her ,andf ort hej oy God. andexul t at i onoft heent i r eChur ch” .Whatwasal r eady cel ebr at edi nt hevener at i onanddevot i onoft hePeopl eof Butnowl etusaskour sel ves:howdoest heAssumpt i on Godast hehi ghestandmostper manentgl or i f i cat i onof ofMar yhel pourj our ney?Thef i r stansweri s:i nt he Mar ywast husexpr essedi nt hef or m ofadogmas;t heact Assumpt i onweseet hati nGodt her ei sr oom f orman, oft hepr ocl amat i onoft heAssumpt i onwaspr esent ed Godhi msel fi st hehousewi t hmanyr oomsofwhi ch al mostasal i t ur gyoff ai t h.Andi nt heGospelwhi chwe Jesusspeaks( cf .Jn14: 2) ;Godi sman’ shome,i nGod havej usthear d,Mar yher sel fpr ophet i cal l ypr onouncesa t her ei sGod’ sspace.AndMar y ,byuni t i ngher sel f ,uni t ed f ewwor dst hator i ent at eusi nt hi sper spect i ve.Shesays: t oGod,doesnotdi st anceher sel ff r om us.Shedoesnot “ Forbehol d,hencef or t hal lgener at i onswi l lcal lme got oanunknowngal axy ,butwhoeverappr oachesGod bl essed”( Lk1: 48) .I ti sapr ophecyf ort hewhol ehi st or yof comescl oser ,f orGodi scl oset ousal l ;andMar y ,uni t ed t heChur ch.Thesewor dsoft heMagni f i cat ,r ecor dedbySt t oGod,shar esi nt hepr esenceofGod,i ssocl oset ous, Luke,i ndi cat et hatpr ai si ngt heBl essedVi r gi n,Mot herof t oeachoneofus. God,i nt i mat el yuni t edt oChr i stherSon,r egar dst he Chur chofal lagesandofal lpl aces.Thef actt hatt he Ther ei sabeaut i f ulpassagef r om StGr egor yt heGr eat Evangel i stnot edt hesewor dspr esupposest hatt hegl or i f i - onStBenedi ctt hatwecanappl yt oMar yt oo.StGr egor y cat i onofMar ywasal r eadypr esenti nt het i meofStLuke t heGr eatsayst hatt hehear tofStBenedi ctexpandedso andheconsi der edi tt obeadut yandacommi t mentoft he mucht hatal lcr eat i oncoul dent eri t .Thi si sevent r uerof Chr i st i ancommuni t yf oral lgener at i ons.Mar y’ swor dst el l Mar y:Mar y ,t ot al l yuni t edt oGod,hasahear tsobi gt hat ust hati ti sadut yoft heChur cht or emembert hegr eat al lcr eat i oncanent ert hi shear t ,andt heexvot osi n nessofOurLadyf ort hef ai t h.Thi sSol emni t yi sani nvi t a- ever ypar toft heear t hshowi t .Mar yi scl ose,shecan t i ont opr ai seGod,andt ol ookupont hegr eat nessofOur hearus,shecanhel pus,shei scl oset oever yoneofus. Lady ,f orweknowwhoGodi si nt hef acesoft hosewho I nGodt her ei sr oom f ormanandGodi scl ose,and bel ongt ohi m. Mar y ,uni t edt oGod,i sver ycl ose;shehasahear tas gr eatast hehear tofGod. Butwhyi sMar ygl or i f i edbyherAssumpt i oni nt oHeaven? StLuke,aswehavehear d,seest her oot soft heexal t aButt her ei sal soanot heraspect :i nGodnotonl yi st her e t i onandpr ai seofMar yi nEl i zabet h’ swor ds:“ Bl essedi s r oom f orman;i nmant her ei sr oom f orGod.Thi st oowe shewhobel i eved”( Lk1: 45) .Andt heMagni f i cat ,t hi s seei nMar y ,t heHol yAr kwhobear st hepr esenceof cant i cl et oGod,al i veandact i vei nhi st or yi sahymnof God.I nust her ei sspacef orGodandt hi spr esenceof f ai t handl ove,whi chspr i ngsf r om t hehear toft heVi r gi n. Godi nus,soi mpor t antf orbr i ngi ngl i ghtt ot hewor l dwi t h al li t ssadness,wi t hi t spr obl ems.Thi spr esencei sr eaShel i vedwi t hexempl ar yf i del i t yandkepti nt hei nmost l i zedi nt hef ai t h:i nt hef ai t hweopent hedoor sofour dept hsofherhear tt hewor dsofGodt ohi speopl e,t he exi st encesot hatGodmayent erus,sot hatGodcanbe pr omi seshemadet oAbr aham,I saacandJacob,maki ng t hepowert hatgi vesl i f eandapat ht oourexi st ence.I n t hem t hecont entofherpr ayer :t heWor dofGodi nt he 4 ust her ei sr oom,l etusopenour sel vesl i keMar yopened
TheVi r gi nMar yBr i ngsMank i ndCl os ert oGod,Cont ’ d
her s el f ,s ay i ng:“ Letyourwi l lbedone,Iam t heser vantof t heLor d” .Byopeni ngour sel vest oGod,wel osenot hi ng. Ont hec ont r ar y ,ourl i f ebecomesr i chandgr eat .Andso, f ai t handhopeandl ovear ecombi ned.Todayt her ei smuch di s c us s i ononabet t erwor l dt obeawai t ed:i twoul dbeour hope.I fandwhent hi sbet t erwor l dcomes,wedonotknow, Idonotk now.Whati scer t ai ni st hatawor l dwhi chdi st anc esi t s el ff r om Goddoesnotbecomebet t erbutwor se. Onl yGod’ spr esencecanguar ant eeagoodwor l d.Letus l eav ei tatt hat . Onet hi ng,onehopei scer t ai n:Godexpect sus,wai t sf or us ,wedonotgoouti nt oavoi d,wear eexpect ed.Godi s ex pec t i ngusandongoi ngt ot hatot herwor l dwef i ndt he goodnes soft heMot her ,wef i ndourl ovedones,wef i nd et er nal Lov e.Godi swai t i ngf orus:t hi si sourgr eatj oyand t hegr eathopet hati sbor nf r om t hi sFeast .Mar yvi si t sus, ands hei st hej oyofourl i f eandj oyi shope.Whati st her e t os ayt hen?Agr eathear t ,t hepr esenceofGodi nt he wor l d,r oom f orGodwi t hi nusandr oom f orusi nGod,hope, bei ngex pec t ed:t hi si st hesymphonyoft hi sFeast ,t he i ns t r uc t i ont hatmedi t at i ngont hi sSol emni t ygi vesus.Mar y i st hedawnandt hespl endoroft heChur cht r i umphant ;she i st hec ons ol at i onandt hehopeofpeopl est i l lont he j our ney . Letusent r us tour sel vest oherMot her l yi nt er cessi on,t hat s hemayobt ai nt hathest r engt henourf ai t hi net er nall i f e; mays hehel pust ol i vet hebestwayt het i met hatGodhas gi v enuswi t hhope.Mayi tbeaChr i st i anhope,t hati snot onl ynos t al gi af orHeaven,butal i vi ngandact i vedesi r ef or Godwhoi sher ei nt hewor l d,adesi r ef orGodt hatmakes ust i r el es spi l gr i ms,nour i shi ngi nust hecour ageandt he poweroff ai t h,whi chatt hesamet i mei st hecour ageand Thi sar t i cl epr ovi dedcour t esyofCat hol i cCul t ur e. or g 5 t hepowerofl ove.Amen.
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APOSTOLI CLETTER "MOTUPROPRI O DATA"PORTAFI DEI OFTHESUPREMEPONTI FFBENEDI CTXVI
FORTHEI NDI CTI ONOF “THEYEAROFFAI TH”
1.The“ dooroff ai t h”( Act s14: 27)i sal waysopenf orus, usher i ngusi nt ot hel i f eofcommuni onwi t hGodand of f er i ngent r yi nt ohi sChur ch.I ti spossi bl et ocr osst hat t hr eshol dwhent hewor dofGodi spr ocl ai medandt he hear tal l owsi t sel ft obeshapedbyt r ansf or mi nggr ace. Toent ert hr ought hatdoori st osetoutonaj our neyt hat l ast sal i f et i me.I tbegi nswi t hbapt i sm ( cf .Rom 6: 4) , t hr oughwhi chwecanaddr essGodasFat her ,andi t endswi t ht hepassaget hr oughdeat ht oet er nall i f e,f r ui t oft her esur r ect i onoft heLor dJesus,whosewi l li twas, byt hegi f toft heHol ySpi r i t ,t odr awt hosewhobel i evei n hi mi nt ohi sowngl or y( cf .Jn17: 22) .Topr of essf ai t hi n t heTr i ni t y–Fat her ,SonandHol ySpi r i t–i st obel i evei n oneGodwhoi sLove( cf .1Jn4: 8) :t heFat her ,whoi n t hef ul l nessoft i mesenthi sSonf oroursal vat i on;Jesus Chr i st ,whoi nt hemyst er yofhi sdeat handr esur r ect i on r edeemedt hewor l d;t heHol ySpi r i t ,whol eadst he Chur chacr osst hecent ur i esasweawai tt heLor d’ s gl or i ousr et ur n. 2.Eversi ncet hest ar tofmymi ni st r yasSuccessorof Pet er ,Ihavespokenoft heneedt or edi scovert he j our neyoff ai t hsoast oshedevercl ear erl i ghtont hej oy andr enewedent husi asm oft heencount erwi t hChr i st . Dur i ngt hehomi l yatt heMassmar ki ngt hei naugur at i on ofmypont i f i cat eIsai d:“ TheChur chasawhol eandal l herPast or s,l i keChr i st ,mustsetoutt ol eadpeopl eout oft hedeser t ,t owar dst hepl aceofl i f e,t owar dsf r i endshi pwi t ht heSonofGod,t owar dst heOnewhogi vesus l i f e,andl i f ei nabundance. ” [ 1]I tof t enhappenst hat Chr i st i ansar emor econcer nedf ort hesoci al ,cul t ur al andpol i t i calconsequencesoft hei rcommi t ment ,cont i nui ngt ot hi nkoft hef ai t hasasel f evi dentpr esupposi t i onf orl i f ei nsoci et y .I nr eal i t y ,notonl ycant hi s pr esupposi t i onnol ongerbet akenf orgr ant ed,buti ti s of t enopenl ydeni ed. [ 2]Wher easi nt hepasti twas possi bl et or ecogni zeauni t ar ycul t ur almat r i x,br oadl y accept edi ni t sappealt ot hecont entoft hef ai t handt he val uesi nspi r edbyi t ,t odayt hi snol ongerseemst obe t hecasei nl ar geswat hesofsoci et y ,becauseofa pr of oundcr i si soff ai t ht hathasaf f ect edmanypeopl e. 3.Wecannotacceptt hatsal tshoul dbecomet ast el essort he l i ghtbekepthi dden( cf .Mt5: 1316) .Thepeopl eoft odaycan st i l lexper i encet heneedt ogot ot hewel l ,l i ket heSamar i t an woman,i nor dert ohearJesus,whoi nvi t esust obel i evei nhi m andt odr awupont hesour ceofl i vi ngwat erwel l i ngupwi t hi n hi m( cf .Jn4: 14) .Wemustr edi scoverat ast ef orf eedi ngour sel vesont hewor dofGod,f ai t hf ul l yhandeddownbyt he Chur ch,andont hebr eadofl i f e,of f er edassust enancef orhi s di sci pl es( cf .Jn6: 51) .I ndeed,t het eachi ngofJesusst i l l r esoundsi nourdaywi t ht hesamepower :“ Donotl abourf or t hef oodwhi chper i shes,butf ort hef oodwhi chendur est o et er nall i f e”( Jn6: 27) .Thequest i onposedbyhi sl i st ener si s t hesamet hatweaskt oday:“ Whatmustwedo,t obedoi ng t hewor ksofGod?”( Jn6: 28) .WeknowJesus’r epl y:“ Thi si s t hewor kofGod,t hatyoubel i evei nhi m whom hehassent ” ( Jn6: 29) .Bel i efi nJesusChr i st ,t hen,i st hewayt oar r i ve def i ni t i vel yatsal vat i on. Cat hol i cLi f eMagazi ne
4.I nt hel i ghtofal lt hi s,Ihavedeci dedt oannounceaYearof Fai t h.I twi l lbegi non11Oct ober2012,t hef i f t i et hanni ver sar y oft heopeni ngoft heSecondVat i canCounci l ,andi twi l lend ont heSol emni t yofOurLor dJesusChr i st ,Uni ver salKi ng,on 24November2013.Thest ar t i ngdat eof11Oct ober2012al so mar kst het went i et hanni ver sar yoft hepubl i cat i onoft he Cat echi sm oft heCat hol i cChur ch,at extpr omul gat edbymy Pr edecessor ,Bl essedJohnPaulI I , [ 3]wi t havi ewt oi l l ust r at i ng f oral lt hef ai t hf ult hepowerandbeaut yoft hef ai t h.Thi s document ,anaut hent i cf r ui toft heSecondVat i canCounci l , wasr equest edbyt heExt r aor di nar ySynodofBi shopsi n1985 asani nst r umentatt heser vi ceofcat echesi s[ 4]andi twas pr oducedi ncol l abor at i onwi t hal lt hebi shopsoft heCat hol i c Chur ch.Mor eover ,t het hemeoft heGener alAssembl yoft he SynodofBi shopst hatIhaveconvokedf orOct ober2012i s “ TheNewEvangel i zat i onf ort heTr ansmi ssi onoft heChr i st i an Fai t h” .Thi swi l lbeagoodoppor t uni t yt oushert hewhol e Chur chi nt oat i meofpar t i cul arr ef l ect i onandr edi scover yof t hef ai t h.I ti snott hef i r stt i met hatt heChur chhasbeencal l ed t ocel ebr at eaYearofFai t h.Myvener abl ePr edecessort he Ser vantofGodPaulVIannouncedonei n1967,t ocommemor at et hemar t yr dom ofSai nt sPet erandPaulont he19t hcent enar yoft hei rsupr emeactofwi t ness.Het houghtofi tasa sol emnmomentf ort hewhol eChur cht omake“ anaut hent i c andsi ncer epr of essi onoft hesamef ai t h” ;mor eover ,he want edt hi st obeconf i r medi nawayt hatwas“ i ndi vi dualand col l ect i ve,f r eeandconsci ous,i nwar dandout war d,humbl e andf r ank” . [ 5]Het houghtt hati nt hi swayt hewhol eChur ch coul dr eappr opr i at e“ exactknowl edgeoft hef ai t h,soast o r ei nvi gor at ei t ,pur i f yi t ,conf i r mi t ,andconf essi t ” . [ 6]Thegr eat upheaval soft hatyearmadeevenmor eevi dentt heneedf ora cel ebr at i onoft hi ski nd.I tconcl udedwi t ht heCr edooft he Peopl eofGod, [ 7]i nt endedt oshowhowmucht heessent i al cont entt hatf orcent ur i eshasf or medt heher i t ageofal lbel i ever sneedst obeconf i r med,under st oodandexpl or edever anew,soast obearconsi st entwi t nessi nhi st or i calci r cumst ancesver ydi f f er entf r om t hoseoft hepast . 5.I nsomer espect s,myvener abl epr edecessorsawt hi sYear asa“ consequenceandanecessi t yoft hepost conci l i arper i od” , [ 8]f ul l yconsci ousoft hegr avedi f f i cul t i esoft het i me, especi al l ywi t hr egar dt ot hepr of essi onoft het r uef ai t handi t s cor r ecti nt er pr et at i on.I tseemedt omet hatt i mi ngt hel aunch oft heYearofFai t ht ocoi nci dewi t ht hef i f t i et hanni ver sar yof t heopeni ngoft heSecondVat i canCounci lwoul dpr ovi dea goodoppor t uni t yt ohel ppeopl eunder st andt hatt het ext s bequeat hedbyt heCounci lFat her s,i nt hewor dsofBl essed JohnPaulI I ,“ havel ostnot hi ngoft hei rval ueorbr i l l i ance. Theyneedt ober eadcor r ect l y ,t obewi del yknownandt aken t ohear tasi mpor t antandnor mat i vet ext soft heMagi st er i um, wi t hi nt heChur ch' sTr adi t i on. . .If eelmor et haneveri ndut y boundt opoi ntt ot heCounci last hegr eatgr acebest owedon t heChur chi nt het went i et hcent ur y:t her ewef i ndasur e compassbywhi cht ot akeourbear i ngsi nt hecent ur ynow begi nni ng. ” [ 9]Iwoul dal sol i ket oemphasi zest r ongl ywhatI hadoccasi ont osayconcer ni ngt heCounci laf ewmont hs af t ermyel ect i onasSuccessorofPet er :“ i fwei nt er pr etand i mpl ementi tgui dedbyar i ghther meneut i c,i tcanbeandcan becomei ncr easi ngl ypower f ulf ort heevernecessar yr enewal oft heChur ch. ” [ 10]
6.Ther enewaloft heChur chi sal soachi evedt hr ought he wi t nessof f er edbyt hel i vesofbel i ever s:byt hei rver yexi st encei nt hewor l d,Chr i st i ansar ecal l edt or adi at et hewor dof r ut ht hatt heLor dJesushasl ef tus. 6 t
TheCounci li t sel f ,i nt heDogmat i cConst i t ut i onLumen Gent i um,sai dt hi s:Whi l e“ Chr i st ,‘ hol y ,i nnocentandundef i l ed’ ( Heb7: 26)knewnot hi ngofsi n( cf .2Cor5: 21) ,butcameonl y t oexpi at et hesi nsoft hepeopl e( cf .Heb2: 17) . . .t heChur ch. . . cl aspi ngsi nner st oi t sbosom,atoncehol yandal waysi nneed ofpur i f i cat i on,f ol l owsconst ant l yt hepat hofpenanceand r enewal .TheChur ch,‘ l i keast r angeri naf or ei gnl and, pr essesf or war dami dt heper secut i onsoft hewor l dandt he consol at i onsofGod’ ,announci ngt hecr ossanddeat hoft he Lor dunt i lhecomes( cf .1Cor11: 26) .Butbyt hepoweroft he r i senLor di ti sgi venst r engt ht oover come,i npat i enceandi n l ove,i t ssor r owandi t sdi f f i cul t i es,bot ht hoset hatar ef r om wi t hi nandt hoset hatar ef r om wi t hout ,sot hati tmayr eveali n t hewor l d,f ai t hf ul l y ,al t houghwi t hshadows,t hemyst er yofi t s Lor dunt i l ,i nt heend,i tshal lbemani f est edi nf ul ll i ght . ” [ 11] TheYearofFai t h,f r om t hi sper spect i ve,i sasummonst oan aut hent i candr enewedconver si ont ot heLor d,t heone Savi ouroft hewor l d.I nt hemyst er yofhi sdeat handr esur r ect i on,Godhasr eveal edi ni t sf ul l nesst heLovet hatsavesand cal l sust oconver si onofl i f et hr ought hef or gi venessofsi ns ( cf .Act s5: 31) .ForSai ntPaul ,t hi sLoveusher susi nt oanew l i f e:“ Wewer ebur i ed. . .wi t hhi m bybapt i sm i nt odeat h,sot hat asChr i stwasr ai sedf r om t hedeadbyt hegl or yoft heFat her , wet oomi ghtwal ki nnewnessofl i f e”( Rom 6: 4) .Thr oughf ai t h, t hi snewl i f eshapest hewhol eofhumanexi st enceaccor di ng t ot her adi calnewr eal i t yoft her esur r ect i on.Tot heext entt hat hef r eel ycooper at es,man’ st hought sandaf f ect i ons,ment al i t y andconductar esl owl ypur i f i edandt r ansf or med,onaj our ney t hati snevercompl et el yf i ni shedi nt hi sl i f e.“ Fai t hwor ki ng t hr oughl ove”( Gal5: 6)becomesanewcr i t er i onofunder st andi ngandact i ont hatchangest hewhol eofman’ sl i f e( cf . Rom 12: 2;Col3: 910;Eph4: 2029;2Cor5: 17) .
8.Ont hi shappyoccasi on,Iwi sht oi nvi t emybr ot herbi shops f r om al lovert hewor l dt oj oi nt heSuccessorofPet er ,dur i ng t hi st i meofspi r i t ualgr acet hatt heLor dof f er sus,i nr ecal l i ng t hepr eci ousgi f toff ai t h.Wewantt ocel ebr at et hi sYeari na wor t hyandf r ui t f ulmanner .Ref l ect i onont hef ai t hwi l lhavet o bei nt ensi f i ed,soast ohel pal lbel i ever si nChr i stt oacqui r ea mor econsci ousandvi gor ousadher encet ot heGospel ,especi al l yatat i meofpr of oundchangesuchashumani t yi scur r ent l yexper i enci ng.Wewi l lhavet heoppor t uni t yt opr of essour f ai t hi nt heRi senLor di nourcat hedr al sandi nt hechur chesof t hewhol ewor l d;i nourhomesandamongourf ami l i es,sot hat ever yonemayf eelast r ongneedt oknowbet t erandt ot r ansmi t t of ut ur egener at i onst hef ai t hofal lt i mes.Rel i gi ouscommuni t i esaswel laspar i shcommuni t i es,andal leccl esi albodi esol d andnew,ar et of i ndaway ,dur i ngt hi sYear ,t omakeapubl i c pr of essi onoft heCr edo. 9.Wewantt hi sYeart oar ousei never ybel i evert heaspi r at i on t opr of esst hef ai t hi nf ul l nessandwi t hr enewedconvi ct i on, wi t hconf i denceandhope.I twi l lal sobeagoodoppor t uni t yt o i nt ensi f yt hecel ebr at i onoft hef ai t hi nt hel i t ur gy ,especi al l yi n t heEuchar i st ,whi chi s“ t hesummi tt owar dswhi cht heact i vi t y oft heChur chi sdi r ect ed;. . .andal sot hesour cef r om whi chal l i t spowerf l ows. ” [ 14]Att hesamet i me,wemakei tourpr ayer t hatbel i ever s’wi t nessofl i f emaygr owi ncr edi bi l i t y .Tor edi scovert hecont entoft hef ai t ht hati spr of essed,cel ebr at ed,l i ved andpr ayed, [ 15]andt or ef l ectont heactoff ai t h,i sat askt hat ever ybel i evermustmakehi sown,especi al l yi nt hecour seof t hi sYear . Notwi t houtr eason,Chr i st i ansi nt heear l ycent ur i eswer e r equi r edt ol ear nt hecr eedf r om memor y .I tser vedt hem asa dai l ypr ayernott of or gett hecommi t mentt heyhadunder t aken i nbapt i sm.Wi t hwor dsr i chi nmeani ng,Sai ntAugust i nespeaks oft hi si nahomi l yont her eddi t i osymbol i ,t hehandi ngoverof t hecr eed:“ t hesymboloft hehol ymyst er yt hatyouhaveal l r ecei vedt oget herandt hatt odayyouhaver eci t edonebyone, ar et hewor dsonwhi cht hef ai t hofMot herChur chi sf i r ml ybui l t abovet hest abl ef oundat i ont hati sChr i stt heLor d.Youhave r ecei vedi tandr eci t edi t ,buti nyourmi ndsandhear t syoumust keepi teverpr esent ,youmustr epeati ti nyourbeds,r ecal li ti n t hepubl i csquar esandnotf or geti tdur i ngmeal s:evenwhen yourbodyi sasl eep,youmustwat choveri twi t hyour hear t s. ” [ 16]
7.“ Car i t asChr i st iur getnos”( 2Cor5: 14) :i ti st hel oveof Chr i stt hatf i l l sourhear t sandi mpel sust oevangel i ze.Today asi nt hepast ,hesendsust hr ought hehi ghwaysoft hewor l d t opr ocl ai m hi sGospelt oal lt hepeopl esoft heear t h( cf .Mt 28: 19) .Thr oughhi sl ove,JesusChr i stat t r act st ohi msel ft he peopl eofever ygener at i on:i never yageheconvokest he Chur ch,ent r ust i ngherwi t ht hepr ocl amat i onoft heGospelby amandat et hati severnew.Todayt oo,t her ei saneedf or st r ongereccl esi alcommi t mentt onewevangel i zat i oni nor der t or edi scovert hej oyofbel i evi ngandt heent husi asm f orcommuni cat i ngt hef ai t h.I nr edi scover i nghi sl ovedaybyday ,t he mi ssi onar ycommi t mentofbel i ever sat t ai nsf or ceandvi gour t hatcanneverf adeaway .Fai t hgr owswheni ti sl i vedasan exper i enceofl over ecei vedandwheni ti scommuni cat edas anexper i enceofgr aceandj oy .I tmakesusf r ui t f ul ,becausei t expandsourhear t si nhopeandenabl esust obearl i f egi vi ng wi t ness:i ndeed,i topenst hehear t sandmi ndsoft hosewho l i st ent or espondt ot heLor d’ si nvi t at i ont oadher et ohi swor d andbecomehi sdi sci pl es.Bel i ever s,soSai ntAugust i net el l s us,“ st r engt hent hemsel vesbybel i evi ng” .[ 12]Thesai nt l y Bi shopofHi ppohadgoodr easont oexpr esshi msel fi nt hi s way .Asweknow,hi sl i f ewasacont i nualsear chf ort hebeaut y oft hef ai t hunt i lsucht i meashi shear twoul df i ndr esti n God. [ 13]Hi sext ensi vewr i t i ngs,i nwhi chheexpl ai nst he i mpor t anceofbel i evi ngandt het r ut hoft hef ai t h,cont i nue evennowt of or m aher i t ageofi ncompar abl er i ches,andt hey st i l lhel pmanypeopl ei nsear chofGodt of i ndt her i ghtpat h t owar dst he“ dooroff ai t h” .
10.Att hi spoi ntIwoul dl i ket osket chapat hi nt endedt ohel p usunder st andmor epr of oundl ynotonl yt hecont entoft hef ai t h, butal sot heactbywhi chwechooset oent r ustour sel vesf ul l y t oGod,i ncompl et ef r eedom.I nf act ,t her eexi st sapr of ound uni t ybet weent heactbywhi chwebel i eveandt hecont entt o whi chwegi veourassent .Sai ntPaulhel psust oent eri nt ot hi s r eal i t ywhenhewr i t es:“ Manbel i eveswi t hhi shear tandsoi s j ust i f i ed,andheconf esseswi t hhi sl i psandsoi ssaved”( Rom 10: 10) .Thehear ti ndi cat est hatt hef i r stactbywhi chone comest of ai t hi sGod’ sgi f tandt heact i onofgr acewhi chact s andt r ansf or mst heper sondeepwi t hi n.
Onl yt hr oughbel i evi ng,t hen,doesf ai t hgr owandbecome st r onger ;t her ei snoot herpossi bi l i t yf orpossessi ngcer t i t ude wi t hr egar dt oone’ sl i f eapar tf r om sel f abandonment ,i na cont i nuouscr escendo,i nt ot hehandsofal ovet hatseemst o gr owconst ant l ybecausei thasi t sor i gi ni nGod. Cat hol i cLi f eMagazi ne
7
Theexampl eofLydi ai spar t i cul ar l yel oquenti nt hi sr egar d. Sai ntLuker ecount st hat ,whi l ehewasatPhi l i ppi ,Paulwenton t heSabbat ht opr ocl ai mt heGospelt osomewomen;among t hem wasLydi aand“ t heLor dopenedherhear tt ogi veheedt o whatwassai dbyPaul ”( Act s16: 14) .Ther ei sani mpor t ant meani ngcont ai nedwi t hi nt hi sexpr essi on.Sai ntLuket eaches t hatknowi ngt hecont entt obebel i evedi snotsuf f i ci entunl ess t hehear t ,t heaut hent i csacr edspacewi t hi nt heper son,i s openedbygr acet hatal l owst heeyest oseebel owt hesur f ace andt ounder st andt hatwhathasbeenpr ocl ai medi st hewor d ofGod.
Conf essi ngwi t ht hel i psi ndi cat esi nt ur nt hatf ai t hi mpl i es publ i ct est i monyandcommi t ment .AChr i st i anmaynevert hi nk ofbel i efasapr i vat eact .Fai t hi schoosi ngt ost andwi t ht he Lor dsoast ol i vewi t hhi m.Thi s“ st andi ngwi t hhi m”poi nt s t owar dsanunder st andi ngoft her easonsf orbel i evi ng.Fai t h, pr eci sel ybecausei ti saf r eeact ,al sodemandssoci alr esponsi bi l i t yf orwhatonebel i eves.TheChur chont hedayof Pent ecostdemonst r at eswi t hut t ercl ar i t yt hi spubl i cdi mensi on ofbel i evi ngandpr ocl ai mi ngone’ sf ai t hf ear l essl yt oever y per son.I ti st hegi f toft heHol ySpi r i tt hatmakesusf i tf or mi ssi onandst r engt hensourwi t ness,maki ngi tf r ankandcour ageous.
t ur i es,t heCat echi sm pr ovi desaper manentr ecor doft he manywaysi nwhi cht heChur chhasmedi t at edont hef ai t h andmadepr ogr essi ndoct r i nesoast oof f ercer t i t udet o bel i ever si nt hei rl i vesoff ai t h. I ni t sver yst r uct ur e,t heCat echi sm oft heCat hol i cChur ch f ol l owst hedevel opmentoft hef ai t hr i ghtupt ot hegr eat t hemesofdai l yl i f e.Onpageaf t erpage,wef i ndt hatwhati s pr esent edher ei snot heor y ,butanencount erwi t haPer son whol i veswi t hi nt heChur ch.Thepr of essi onoff ai t hi sf ol l owed byanaccountofsacr ament all i f e,i nwhi chChr i sti spr esent , oper at i veandcont i nuest obui l dhi sChur ch.Wi t houtt he l i t ur gyandt hesacr ament s,t hepr of essi onoff ai t hwoul dl ack ef f i cacy ,becausei twoul dl ackt hegr acewhi chsuppor t s Chr i st i anwi t ness.Byt hesamecr i t er i on,t het eachi ngoft he Cat echi sm ont hemor all i f eacqui r esi t sf ul lmeani ngi fpl aced i nr el at i onshi pwi t hf ai t h,l i t ur gyandpr ayer .
Pr of essi onoff ai t hi sanactbot hper sonalandcommuni t ar i an. I ti st heChur cht hati st hepr i mar ysubj ectoff ai t h.I nt hef ai t h oft heChr i st i ancommuni t y ,eachi ndi vi dualr ecei vesbapt i sm, anef f ect i vesi gnofent r yi nt ot hepeopl eofbel i ever si nor dert o obt ai nsal vat i on.Aswer eadi nt heCat echi sm oft heCat hol i c Chur ch:“‘ Ibel i eve’i st hef ai t hoft heChur chpr of essedper sonal l ybyeachbel i ever ,pr i nci pal l ydur i ngbapt i sm.‘ We bel i eve’i st hef ai t hoft heChur chconf essedbyt hebi shops assembl edi ncounci lormor egener al l ybyt hel i t ur gi cal assembl yofbel i ever s.‘ Ibel i eve’i sal sot heChur ch,our mot her ,r espondi ngt oGodbyf ai t hasshet eachesust osay bot h‘ Ibel i eve’and‘ webel i eve’ . ” [ 17]
12.I nt hi sYear ,t hen,t heCat echi sm oft heCat hol i cChur ch wi l lser veasat oolpr ovi di ngr ealsuppor tf ort hef ai t h,especi al l yf ort hoseconcer nedwi t ht hef or mat i onofChr i st i ans,so cr uci ali nourcul t ur alcont ext .Tot hi send,Ihavei nvi t edt he Congr egat i onf ort heDoct r i neoft heFai t h,byagr eementwi t h t hecompet entDi cast er i esoft heHol ySee,t odr awupaNot e, pr ovi di ngt heChur chandi ndi vi dualbel i ever swi t hsome gui del i nesonhowt ol i vet hi sYearofFai t hi nt hemostef f ect i veandappr opr i at eways,att heser vi ceofbel i efandevangel i zat i on.
Evi dent l y ,knowl edgeoft hecont entoff ai t hi sessent i alf or gi vi ngone’ sownassent ,t hati st osayf oradher i ngf ul l ywi t h i nt el l ectandwi l lt owhatt heChur chpr oposes.Knowl edgeof f ai t hopensadoori nt ot hef ul l nessoft hesavi ngmyst er y r eveal edbyGod.Thegi vi ngofassenti mpl i est hat ,whenwe bel i eve,wef r eel yacceptt hewhol emyst er yoff ai t h,because t heguar ant orofi t st r ut hi sGodwhor eveal shi msel fandal l ows ust oknowhi smyst er yofl ove. [ 18]
Toagr eat erext entt hani nt hepast ,f ai t hi snowbei ngsubj ect edt oaser i esofquest i onsar i si ngf r om achangedment al i t ywhi ch,especi al l yt oday ,l i mi t st hef i el dofr at i onalcer t ai nt i es t ot hatofsci ent i f i candt echnol ogi caldi scover i es. Never t hel ess,t heChur chhasneverbeenaf r ai dofdemonst r at i ngt hatt her ecannotbeanyconf l i ctbet weenf ai t hand genui nesci ence,becausebot h,al bei tvi adi f f er entr out es,t end t owar dst het r ut h. [ 22]
Ont heot herhand,wemustnotf or gett hati nourcul t ur al cont ext ,ver ymanypeopl e,whi l enotcl ai mi ngt ohavet hegi f t off ai t h,ar enever t hel esssi ncer el ysear chi ngf ort heul t i mat e meani nganddef i ni t i vet r ut hoft hei rl i vesandoft hewor l d.Thi s sear chi sanaut hent i c“ pr eambl e”t ot hef ai t h,becausei t gui despeopl eont ot hepat ht hatl eadst ot hemyst er yofGod. Humanr eason,i nf act ,bear swi t hi ni t sel fademandf or“ whati s per enni al l yval i dandl ast i ng” . [ 19]Thi sdemandconst i t ut esa per manentsummons,i ndel i bl ywr i t t eni nt ot hehumanhear t ,t o setoutt of i ndt heOnewhom wewoul dnotbeseeki nghadhe notal r eadysetoutt omeetus. [ 20]Tot hi sencount er ,f ai t h i nvi t esusandi topensusi nf ul l ness.
13.Onet hi ngt hatwi l lbeofdeci si vei mpor t ancei nt hi sYeari s r et r aci ngt hehi st or yofourf ai t h,mar kedasi ti sbyt heunf at homabl emyst er yoft hei nt er weavi ngofhol i nessandsi n.Whi l e t hef or merhi ghl i ght st hegr eatcont r i but i ont hatmenand womenhavemadet ot hegr owt handdevel opmentoft he communi t yt hr ought hewi t nessoft hei rl i ves,t hel at t ermust pr ovokei neachper sonasi ncer eandcont i nui ngwor kofconver si oni nor dert oexper i encet hemer cyoft heFat herwhi chi s hel doutt oever yone.
11.I nor dert oar r i veatasyst emat i cknowl edgeoft hecont ent oft hef ai t h,al lcanf i ndi nt heCat echi sm oft heCat hol i cChur ch apr eci ousandi ndi spensabl et ool .I ti soneoft hemosti mpor t antf r ui t soft heSecondVat i canCounci l .I nt heApost ol i c Const i t ut i onFi deiDeposi t um,si gned,notbyacci dent ,ont he t hi r t i et hanni ver sar yoft heopeni ngoft heSecondVat i can Counci l ,Bl essedJohnPaulI Iwr ot e:“ t hi scat echi sm wi l lmake aver yi mpor t antcont r i but i ont ot hatwor kofr enewi ngt he whol el i f eoft heChur ch. . .Idecl ar ei tt obeaval i dandl egi t i mat ei nst r umentf oreccl esi alcommuni onandasur enor mf or t eachi ngt hef ai t h. ” [ 21] I ti si nt hi ssenset hatt hatt heYearofFai t hwi l lhavet oseea concer t edef f or tt or edi scoverandst udyt hef undament al cont entoft hef ai t ht hatr ecei vesi t ssyst emat i candor gani c synt hesi si nt heCat echi sm oft heCat hol i cChur ch.Her e,i n f act ,weseet heweal t hoft eachi ngt hatt heChur chhas r ecei ved,saf eguar dedandpr oposedi nhert wot housand year sofhi st or y .Fr om Sacr edScr i pt ur et ot heFat her soft he Chur ch,f r om t heol ogi calmast er st ot hesai nt sacr osst hecen-
Cat hol i cLi f eMagazi ne
Dur i ngt hi st i mewewi l lneedt okeepourgazef i xedupon JesusChr i st ,t he“ pi oneerandper f ect erofourf ai t h”( Heb 12: 2) :i nhi m,al lt heangui shandal lt hel ongi ngoft hehuman hear tf i ndsf ul f i l ment .Thej oyofl ove,t heanswert ot hedr ama ofsuf f er i ngandpai n,t hepoweroff or gi venessi nt hef aceof anof f encer ecei vedandt hevi ct or yofl i f eovert heempt i ness ofdeat h:al lt hi sf i ndsf ul f i l menti nt hemyst er yofhi s I ncar nat i on,i nhi sbecomi ngman,i nhi sshar i ngourhuman weaknesssoast ot r ansf or mi tbyt hepowerofhi sr esur r ect i on.I nhi m whodi edandr oseagai nf oroursal vat i on,t he exampl esoff ai t ht hathavemar kedt heset wot housandyear s ofoursal vat i onhi st or yar ebr oughti nt ot hef ul l nessofl i ght .
8
Byf ai t h,Mar yaccept edt heAngel ’ swor dandbel i evedt he messaget hatshewast obecomet heMot herofGodi nt he obedi enceofherdevot i on( cf .Lk1: 38) .Vi si t i ngEl i zabet h,she r ai sedherhymnofpr ai set ot heMostHi ghf ort hemar vel she wor kedi nt hosewhot r usthi m( cf .Lk1: 4655) .Wi t hj oyand t r epi dat i onshegavebi r t ht oheronl yson,keepi nghervi r gi ni t y i nt act( cf .Lk2: 67) .Tr ust i ngi nJoseph,herhusband,shet ook
Hi s t or yOf
Ther osar ygai nedgr eat erpopul ar i t yi nt he1500s,when Mosl em Tur kswer er avagi ngEast er nEur ope.Recal lt hati n 1453,Const ant i nopl ehadf al l ent ot heMosl ems,l eavi ngt he Bal kansandHungar yopent oconquest .Wi t hMosl emsr ai di ng event hecoastofI t al y ,t hecont r oloft heMedi t er r aneanwas nowatst ake. I n1571,PopePi usVor gani zedaf l eetundert hecommand ofDonJuanofAust r i at hehal f br ot herofKi ngPhi l i pI IofSpai n. Whi l epr epar at i onswer eunder way ,t heHol yFat heraskedal lof t hef ai t hf ult osayt her osar yandi mpl or eourBl essedMot her ' s pr ayer s,undert het i t l eOurLadyofVi ct or y ,t hatourLor dwoul d gr antvi ct or yt ot heChr i st i ans.Al t hought heMosl em f l eetout number edt hatoft heChr i st i ansi nbot hvessel sandsai l or s,t he f or ceswer er eadyt omeeti nbat t l e.TheChr i st i anf l agshi pf l ew abl uebannerdepi ct i ngChr i stcr uci f i ed.OnOct ober7,1571, t heMosl emswer edef eat edatt heBat t l eofLepant o.Thef ol l owi ngyear ,PopeSt .Pi usV est abl i shedt heFeastoft heHol y Rosar y on Oct ober7,wher et he f ai t hf ulwoul d notonl y r emembert hi svi ct or y ,butal sogi vet hankst ot heLor df oral lof Hi sbenef i t sand r emembert he power f uli nt er cessi on ofour Bl essedMot her . Thef actt hatourChur chcont i nuest oi ncl udet heFeastof t heHol yRosar yont hel i t ur gi calcal endart est i f i est ot hei mpor t anceandgoodnessoft hi sf or m ofpr ayer .Ar chbi shopFul t on Sheensai d," Ther osar yi st hebookoft hebl i nd,wher esoul s seeandt her eenactt hegr eat estdr amaofl ovet hewor l dhas everknown;i ti st hebookoft hesi mpl e,whi chi ni t i at est hem i nt o myst er i esandknowl edgemor esat i sf yi ngt hant heeducat i onof ot hermen;i ti st hebookoft heaged,whoseeyescl oseupon t heshadow oft hi swor l d,andopenont hesubst anceoft he next .Thepoweroft her osar yi sbeyonddescr i pt i on. "
Themont hofOct obereachyeari sdedi cat edt ot heMost Hol yRosar y .Thi si spr i mar i l yduet ot hef actt hatt hel i t ur gi cal FeastofOurLadyoft he Rosar yi scel ebr at ed annual l yon Oct ober7t h.I twasi nst i t ut edt ohonort heBl essedVi r gi nMar y i n gr at i t ude f ort he pr ot ect i on t hatshe gi vest he Chur ch i n answert ot hepr ayi ngoft heRosar ybyt hef ai t hf ul . The r osar yi sone oft he mostcher i shed pr ayer sofour Cat hol i cChur ch.I nt r oducedbyt heCr eed,t heOurFat her ,t hr ee Hai lMar ysandt heDoxol ogy( " Gl or yBe" ) ,andconcl udedwi t h t he Sal ve Regi na,t he r osar yi nvol ves t he r eci t at i on off i ve decadesconsi st i ngoft heOurFat her ,10Hai lMar ysandt he Doxol ogy .Dur i ngt hi sr eci t at i on,t hei ndi vi dualmedi t at esont he savi ngmyst er i esofourLor d' sl i f eandt hef ai t hf ulwi t nessofour Bl essedMot her . Jour neyi ng t hr ough t he Joyf ul ,Sor r owf ul ,Gl or i ous and Lumi nousmyst er i esoft her osar y ,t hei ndi vi dualbr i ngst omi nd ourLor d' si ncar nat i on,Hi spassi onanddeat handHi sr esur r ect i onf r om t hedead.I nsodoi ng,t her osar yassi st susi ngr owi ng i nadeeperappr eci at i onoft hesemyst er i es,i nuni t i ngourl i f e mor ecl osel yt oourLor dandi ni mpl or i ngHi sgr acedassi st ance t ol i vet hef ai t h.Weal soaskf ort hepr ayer sofourBl essed HowToPr ayt heRos ar y: Mot her ,whol eadsal lbel i ever st oherSon. Theor i gi nsoft her osar yar e" sket chy"atbest .Theuseof Thef ol l owi ngi sacust omar ywayofpr epar i ngf ort her osar yand " pr ayerbeads"andt her epeat edr eci t at i onofpr ayer st oai di n concl udi ngi t . medi t at i onst em f r om t heear l i estdaysoft heChur chandhas 1.Pr epar at i on St ar tbymaki ngt hesi gnoft heCr oss: r oot si npr eChr i st i ant i mes.Evi denceexi st sf r om t heMi ddl e I nt henameoft heFat her ,andoft heSonandoft heHol ySpi r i t .Amen. Agest hatst r i ngsofbeadswer eusedt ocountOurFat her sand Thenr eci t et heApost l e' sCr eed: Hai lMar ys.Act ual l y ,t hesest r i ngsofbeadsbecameknownas i evei nGod,t heFat herAl mi ght y , Cr eat orofHeavenand Ibel " Pat er nost er s, "t heLat i nf or" OurFat her . " ear t h;andi nJesusChr i st ,Hi sonl ySonOurLor d,WhowasconThest r uct ur eoft her osar ygr adual l yevol vedbet weent he cei vedbyt heHol ySpi r i t ,bor noft heVi r gi nMar y ,suf f er edunder 12t hand15t hcent ur i es.Event ual l y50Hai lMar yswer er eci t ed P o n t i u s P i l a t e , w a s c r u c i f i e d , d i e d , a n d w a s b u r i ed. He andl i nkedwi t hver sesofpsal msorot herphr asesevoki ngt he d e s c e n d e d i n t o H e l l ; t h e t h i r d d a y H e r o s e a g a i n f r o m t h edead; l i vesofJesusand Mar y .Dur i ng t hi st i me,t hi spr ayerf or m Heascendedi nt oHeaven,andsi t t et hatt her i ghthandofGod, became known as t he r osar i um ( " r ose gar den" ) ,act ual l ya t heFat heral mi ght y;f r om t henceHeshal lcomet oj udget he commont er mt odesi gnat eacol l ect i onofsi mi l armat er i al ,such l i v i n g a n d t h e d e a d . I b e l i e v e i n t h e H o l y S p i r i t , t h e h o l y C a t h o l i c asanant hol ogyofst or i esont hesamesubj ectort heme.Dur i ng Chur ch,t hecommuni onofsai nt s,t hef or gi venessofsi ns,t he t he16t hcent ur y ,t hest r uct ur eoft hef i vedecader osar ybased r esur r ect i onoft hebodyandl i f eever l ast i ng.Amen. ont het hr eeset sofmyst er i espr evai l ed. Thensay1OurFat her ,3Hai lMar ys( f ort hevi r t uesofFai t h, Tr adi t i ondoeshol dt hatSt .Domi ni c( d.1221)devi sedt he HopeandChar i t y)andt hen1GLORYBEt ot heFat her ,andt o r osar yasweknowi t .Movedbyavi si onofourBl essedMot her , t heSon,andt ot heHol ySpi r i t .Asi twasi nt hebegi nni ng,i snow, hepr eachedt heuseoft her osar yi nhi smi ssi onar ywor kamong andevershal lbe,wor l dwi t houtend.Amen. t heAl bi gensi ans,whohaddeni edt hemyst er yofChr i st .Some schol ar st ake except i on t o St .Domi ni c' sr ol ei nf or mi ng t he 2.Whi l emedi t at i ngont heMyst er i es,r eci t e:OneOurFat her r osar y .Theear l i estaccount sofhi sl i f edonotment i oni t ,t he ( l ar ge beads) ,10 Hai lMar ys( smal lbeads)and 1 Gl or yBe Domi ni canconst i t ut i onsdonotl i nkhi m wi t hi tandcont empor a- ( bef or et henextl ar gebead)t omakeacompl et edecadeoft he neouspor t r ai t sdonoti ncl udei tasasymbolt oi dent i f yt hesai nt . r osar y . usXI I ) . Af t ereachdecadet heFát i maPr ayermayal sobesai d(PopePi I n 1922, Dom Loui s Cougaud st at ed, " The var i ous “ O myJesus,f or gi veusoursi ns,saveusf r om t hef i r esofhel l , el ement s whi ch ent eri nt ot he composi t i on oft hatCat hol i c l eadal lsoul st oheaven,especi al l yt hosewhoar ei nmostneed devot i oncommonl ycal l edt her osar yar et hepr oductofal ong ofThymer cy . ” and gr adualdevel opmentwhi ch began bef or e St .Domi ni c' s 3.Concl udi ngPr ayer s t i me,whi chcont i nuedwi t houthi shavi nganyshar ei ni t ,and A f t e r t h e c o mp l e t i o n off i vemyst er i es( 5decades) ,or15or20, whi chonl yat t ai nedi t sf i nalshapesever alcent ur i esaf t erhi s t h e f o l l o w i n g i s c u s t o ma r i l y s a i d : deat h. "However ,ot herschol ar swoul dr ebutt hatSt .Domi ni c Hai lHol yQueen( orSal veRegi namaybesung) notsomuch" i nvent ed"t her osar yashepr eachedi t suset o H a i l , h o l y Qu e e n , mo t h e r o f me r cy ,ourl i f e,oursweet ness,and conver tsi nner s and t hose who had st r ayed f r om t he f ai t h. o u r h o p e . T o t h e e d o w e c r y , p o o r b a n i s h e d c h i l d r e n o fEve.To Mor eover ,atl eastadozenpopeshavement i onedSt .Domi ni c' s t h e e d o w e s e n d u p o u r s i g h s mo u r n i n g a n d w e e p i n gi nt hi s connect i onwi t ht her osar y ,sanct i oni nghi sr ol easatl easta val l eyoft ear s.Tur nt hen,mostgr aci ousadvocat e,t hi neeyesof " pi ousbel i ef . " mer cyt owar dus,andaf t ert hi sourexi l e,showust hebl essed 10 Cat hol i cLi f eMagaz i ne
f r ui toft hywomb,Jesus.O cl ement ,O l ovi ng,O sweetVi r gi n Mar y . ( Ver se)Pr ayf orus,O Hol yMot herofGod. ( Response)Thatwemaybemadewor t hyoft hepr omi sesof Chr i st . Rosar yPr ayer ( Ver se)Letuspr ay , ( Response)OGod,whoseonl ybegot t enSon,byHi sl i f e,deat h, andr esur r ect i on,haspur chasedf orust her ewar dsofet er nal sal vat i on.Gr ant ,webeseechThee,t hatwhi l emedi t at i ngon t hesemyst er i esoft hemosthol yRosar yoft heBl essedVi r gi n Mar y ,t hatwemaybot hi mi t at ewhatt heycont ai nandobt ai n whatt heypr omi se,t hr oughChr i stourLor d.Amen. MostSacr edHear tofJesus,havemer cyonus. I mmacul at eHear tofMar y ,pr ayf orus. 4.Fort heI nt ent i onsoft heHol yFat her ,Cat hol i cswhosayt he r osar yi nagr oup,or ,i ndi vi dual l ybef or et heBl essedSacr ament , may gai n a pl enar yi ndul gence undert he usualcondi t i ons, whi chi ncl udespr ayerf ort hei nt ent i onsoft heHol yFat her . Fort hei nt ent i onsoft heHol yFat her . OurFat her ,oneHai lMar y ,andoneGl or yBe.
Four t hDecade:ThePr esent at i onofOurLor d( Luke2: 2238) Fi f t hDecade:TheFi ndi ngofOurLor di nt heTempl e( Luke2: 4152) OnThur sday,medi t at eont he“ Lumi nousMyst er i es” Fi r stDecade:TheBapt i sm ofOurLor di nt heRi verJor dan( Mat t hew 3: 1316) SecondDecade:TheWeddi ngatCana,whenChr i stmani f est ed Hi msel f( Jn2: 111) Thi r d Decade:The Pr ocl amat i on oft he Ki ngdom ofGod ( Mar k 1: 1415) Four t hDecade:TheTr ansf i gur at i onofOurLor d( Mat t hew17: 18) Fi f t hDecade:TheLastSupper ,whenOurLor dgaveust heHol y Euchar i st( Mt26) i day,medi t at eont he“ Sor r owf ulMyst er i es” OnTuesdayandFr
Fi r stDecade:TheAgony ofOurLor di nt he Gar den ( Mat t hew 26: 3656) SecondDecade:OurLor di sScour gedatt hePi l l ar( Mat t hew27: 26) Thi r dDecade:OurLor di sCr ownedwi t hThor ns( Mat t hew27: 2731) Four t hDecade:OurLor dCar r i est heCr osst oCal var y( Mat t hew 27: 32) I nt heNameoft heFat her ,andoft heSonandoft heHol ySpi r i t .Amen. Fi f t hDecade:TheCr uci f i xi onofOurLor d( Mat t hew27: 3356) TheMyst er i esoft heHol yRosar y
OnWednesdayandSunday,medi t at eont he“ Gl or i ousMyst er i es”
OnMondayandSat ur day ,medi t at eont he“ Joyf ulMyst er i es”
Fi r stDecade:TheGl or i ousResur r ect i onofOurLor d( John20: 129) SecondDecade:TheAscensi onofOurLor d( Luke24: 3653) Thi r dDecade:TheDescentoft heHol ySpi r i tatPent ecost( Act s 2: 141) Four t hDecade:TheAssumpt i onofMar yi nt oHeaven Fi f t hDecade:TheCor onat i onofMar yasQueenofHeavenand Ear t h
Fi r stDecade:The Annunci at i on ofGabr i elt o Mar y( Luke 1: 2638) Second Decade:The Vi si t at i on ofMar yt o El i zabet h( Luke 1: 3956) Thi r dDecade:TheBi r t hofOurLor d( Luke2: 121)
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•Thepast .Let ' ssayt heper sondoespr ovet heyl ove youandyouar emar r i ed!I famanorwomanhaspr evi ousl yhadsexwi t hsomeoneel se,oneorbot hspouses wi l lnowhavet odealwi t hr ealorper cei vedcompar i sons wi t h" f or merl over s" .Buti fbot hhavewai t edf ort hei r weddi ngni ght ,t her el at i onshi phasasol i df oundat i on. Remember ,t her ei snof earwi t hi nt r uel ove( 1John 4: 18) .
Theyt ookt hi suni onasser i ousl yasl i f eanddeat h.I t wasnotj ustst andi ngi nf r ontofyourf ami l ysayi ngyou l ovedaper sonormaki ngast at ementt hatyouwoul d l i vewi t haper son.No,mar r i agei ssupposedt obea t r uecovenantbet weenyourf ami l yandyour sel fwi t h t headj oi ni ngf ami l yandsoont obespouse.I ti sa cer emonyofcommi t ment ,t r ust ,st r engt h,l ove,et c.I ti s notadi vi derbutauni t i ng,f orGodi sOne.
I fyou' veal r eadydi sobeyed,i ti snott ool at et omakea change.Somecal li tsecondvi r gi ni t y .EvenJesusadvocat edt hi swhenhet ol dt hewomanwhowast i edupi n sexualsi ns,havi ngmanypar t ner st o" " goandsi nno mor e"( John8: 1 1) .Thepasti sdonebutyoucanpassup cr eat i ngf ur t herdamagebyavoi di ngsi t uat i onst hatmi ght causeyout ocompr omi seyoursexualpur i t y .
Godt eaches," Wi ves,besubj ectt oyourown husbands,ast ot heLor d, "( meani ngt hatasl ongast he husbandact saccor di ngt oChr i st ' sst andar ds,women shoul dbehumbl ei nGodt owar dst heoneshel oves) and" Husbands,l oveyourwi ves,j ustasChr i stal so l ovedt hechur chandgaveHi msel fupf orher " ( Ephesi ans5: 22,25)( meani ngt hatheshoul dbecompl et el ypat i ent ,l ovi ng,ki nd,gent l e,pr ot ect i ng,not pr oud,et c.f r om 1Cor .13showi ngt r uel ove) .
Somepeopl ear egi vent ocel i bacy .I nMat t hew19: 46 Jesust al ksabouthowGodcr eat edt hemal eandf emal e ( womanmeans' outofman' ) .I nmar r i aget het woar et o becomeone,t her ef or ei nmar r i agewear et obeuni t ed backi nt oone.Yet ,Hecont i nuesbydi scussi nghow di vor cecamei nt opl ayONL Ybecauseofadul t er yand sexuali mmor al i t ybutt hatwasn' tGod' spl an.Thedi sci pl essai dt hati t ' spr obabl ybet t ert onotmar r ybecauseof somanysel f seeki ngi ndi vi dual s.I nver ses1 1and12, Jesusr epl i est hatf orsomet hati st r uebecauseofGod' s al l owancesomewantt ost aycel i bat e( whi chi sno mar r i ageandnosex) .Cel i bacyi sanobvi ousal t er nat i ve buti t ' snotsuper i ort ot heuni onGodhascr eat edi nt he begi nni ng. I fnotgi vent ocel i bacy ,aper sonshoul dmar r y .Sexgoes handi nhandwi t hmar r i age,t her ef or ei fonewant st o havesexoneshoul dmar r yatsomepoi nt .Notf orsex t hough,butf orcommi t ment ,t r ust ,l ove,et c.Thi sconcept ofmar r i agewast housandsofyear sol dwhenJesus came,butHet aughtt hati twasappr opr i at e( Mar k 10: 69) .Mar r i ageshoul dnotbeabandonedbymaj or i t y vot e,what ' s" i n" ,orbysel f ambi t i on.God' swor dshoul d beexami nedonmar r i age. I nt heTenCommandment si tst at es," Youshal lnot commi tadul t er y"( Exodus20: 14) ,andt hoseconvi ct edof i twoul dr ecei vet hedeat hpenal t y( Levi t i cus20: 10)
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Thel i nkbet weenhusbandandwi f ei sexact edf r om t he ever l ast i ngr el at i onshi pofGodt owar dsus( t he Chur ch) ,andnotmer el yaf t ersoci et alt r adi t i ons.I fa manandwomanobeyt heLor dandf ol l owHi m,t hen t hatmanandwomanwi l lhavegoodr el at i ont oeach ot her ,f ol l owi ngt hosesamegui del i nes.I fyouhave t r oubl ehumbl i ngyour sel fandobeyi ngGod( knowi ng t hatHewi l ldor i ghtt owar dsyou) ,youwi l lhavet r oubl e t owar dsyourhusband.Equal l y ,i fyoudonotunder st andt hecompl et econt extofLove( f orGodi sLove andJesusdi edont hecr ossf orus) ,t henyouwi l lhave t r oubl eshowi ngt hi sl ovet owar dsyourwi f e. Chr i st i ansmustadmi tt hatt her ear enumer ouscust oms r el at i ngt obot hweddi ngsandmar r i agest hathaveno Scr i pt ur alsuppor t ,buthavear i senf r om cul t ur alorr el i gi oust r adi t i ons( i . e. ,mar r i agel i censes,et c. ) .Butt he Chr i st i anmustal waysr eal i zet hathi scommi t mentt r anscendsear t hl yl aws:i ti sacommi t mentt oanot her per sonbef or eGodHi msel fandnott obedi st or t edor usedoutofcont ext .Keepsexandmar r i agehol yand honor abl ebef or eGod-i nt hi swaywecangr owt obe onebodyoft heChur ch. Ar t i cl ef r om Anoi nt edYout h
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Ev ery ear ,ov er1, 500peopl el os et hei rl i v esi n v ehi c l eac c i dent swher es omeonehasf al l en as l eepatt hewheel .St at i s t i c ss howonei nf i v e dr i v er sf al l as l eepatt hewheel ats omet i mei n t hei rl i f e.Mos ts l eepr el at edc r as hesi nv ol v e mal esunder25y ear sol d.Bel owar es ome f ac t or st hatmi ghtputy oui nahi ghr i s k c at egor y . Behav i or st hati nc r eas edr ows ydr i v i ngi nc l ude: •Sl eepdepr i v at i on •Dr i v i ngl ongdi s t anc eswi t houtabr eak •Dr i v i ngatt i meswheny ounor mal l ys l eep •Medi c at i ont hatc aus esdr ows i nes s •Dr i nk i ngal c ohol •Dr i v i ngal one •Dr i v i ngonl ong,bor i ngr oads War ni ngs i gnsoff at i gue: •Can’ tr emembert hel as tf ewmi l esdr i v en •Dr i f t i ngf r om l aneorhi t t i ngar umbl es t r i p •Wander i ngt hought s •Yawni ngr epeat edl y •Di f f i c ul t yf oc us i ngork eepi ngey esopen •Tr oubl ek eepi ngheadup •J er k i ngv ehi c l ebac ki nt ol ane St eer i ngt opr ev entdr ows ydr i v i ng: •Don’ tc ountont her adi oor“ openwi ndow”t o s t ayawak e. •I fy ouf eel t i r ed,f i ndas af epl ac et ot ak ea br eak . •Dr i nkc of f eeorot hers our c esofc af f ei net o pr omot es hor t t er m al er t nes s
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car e,educat i on,andmeani ngf ulwor k—i suni ver sal l y bi ndi ngonourconsci encesandmaybel egi t i mat el yf ul f i l l edbyavar i et yofmeans.Cat hol i csmustseekt he bestwayst or espondt ot heseneeds.AsBl essedPope JohnXXI I It aught ," [ Eachofus]hast her i ghtt ol i f e,t o bodi l yi nt egr i t y ,andt ot hemeanswhi char esui t abl ef or t hepr operdevel opmentofl i f e;t hesear epr i mar i l yf ood, cl ot hi ng,shel t er ,r est ,medi calcar e,and,f i nal l y ,t henecessar ysoci alser vi ces"( Pacem i nTer r i s,no.1 1) . 26.PopeJohnPaulI Iexpl ai nedt hei mpor t anceofbei ng t r uet of undament alChur cht eachi ngs:Aboveal l ,t he commonout cr y ,whi chi sj ust l ymadeonbehal fof humanr i ght s—f orexampl e,t her i ghtt oheal t h,t ohome, t owor k,t of ami l y ,t ocul t ur e—i sf al seandi l l usor yi ft he r i ghtt ol i f e,t hemostbasi candf undament alr i ghtand t hecondi t i onf oral lot herper sonalr i ght s,i snotdef endedwi t hmaxi mum det er mi nat i on.( Chr i st i f i del es Lai ci ,no.38) empt at i onsi npubl i cl i f ecandi st or tt heChur ch' s 27.Twot def enseofhumanl i f eanddi gni t y: 28.Thef i r sti samor alequi val encet hatmakesno et hi caldi st i nct i onsbet weendi f f er entki ndsofi ssues i nvol vi nghumanl i f eanddi gni t y .Thedi r ectandi nt ent i onaldest r uct i onofi nnocenthumanl i f ef r om t he momentofconcept i onunt i lnat ur aldeat hi sal ways wr ongandi snotj ustonei ssueamongmany .I tmust al waysbeopposed. 29.Thesecondi st hemi suseoft hesenecessar ymor al di st i nct i onsasawayofdi smi ssi ngori gnor i ngot her ser i oust hr eat st ohumanl i f eanddi gni t y .Raci sm and ot herunj ustdi scr i mi nat i on,t heuseoft hedeat hpenal t y , r esor t i ngt ounj ustwar ,t heuseoft or t ur e,warcr i mes, t hef ai l ur et or espondt ot hosewhoar esuf f er i ngf r om hungeroral ackofheal t hcar e,oranunj usti mmi gr at i on pol i cyar eal lser i ousmor ali ssuest hatchal l engeour consci encesandr equi r eust oact .Thesear enot opt i onalconcer nswhi chcanbedi smi ssed.Cat hol i cs ar eur gedt oser i ousl yconsi derChur cht eachi ngon t hesei ssues.Al t houghchoi cesabouthowbestt o r espondt ot heseandot hercompel l i ngt hr eat st ohuman l i f eanddi gni t yar emat t er sf orpr i nci pl eddebat eand deci si on,t hi sdoesnotmaket hem opt i onalconcer nsor per mi tCat hol i cst odi smi ssori gnor eChur cht eachi ng ont hesei mpor t anti ssues.Cl ear l ynotever yCat hol i c canbeact i vel yi nvol vedoneachoft heseconcer ns,but weneedt osuppor toneanot herasourcommuni t yof f ai t hdef endshumanl i f eanddi gni t ywher everi ti s t hr eat ened.Wear enotf act i ons,butonef ami l yoff ai t h f ul f i l l i ngt hemi ssi onofJesusChr i st . 30.TheVat i canCongr egat i onf ort heDoct r i neoft he Fai t hmadeasi mi l arpoi nt : I tmustbenot edal sot hatawel l f or medChr i st i anconsci encedoesnotper mi tonet ovot ef orapol i t i cal pr ogr am orani ndi vi duall awwhi chcont r adi ct st hef undament alcont ent soff ai t handmor al s.TheChr i st i an f ai t hi sani nt egr aluni t y ,andt husi ti si ncoher entt o i sol at esomepar t i cul arel ementt ot hedet r i mentoft heof t hewhol eofCat hol i cdoct r i ne.Apol i t i calcommi t ment 19
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Chur ch.Dur i ngt heSecondVat i canCounci l ,whi cht ookpl acei n t he mi d1960s,Pope PaulVIi nser t ed Mar yi nt he mi ddl e of Whyconf esst oapr i estwhenIcangodi r ect l yt oGod? LumenGent i um ( t hedogmat i cconst i t ut i onont hechur ch)by Ther ear emanydi f f er entnamesf ort hesacr amentofpenance, cal l i ng herourSpi r i t ualMot her ;however ,she became t he i ncl udi ngr econci l i at i on,conf essi on,andf or gi veness,whi chal l Mot heroft heChur chatt hef ootoft hecr oss.Jesusgaveushi s gi veacl ueast owhyCat hol i csgot oapr i estt oconf esst hei rl astandmostpr i zedpossessi onbef or eHedi ed,Hi sMot her .He si ns.Apr i estact sI nPer sonaChr i st i ,ori nt hePer sonofChr i st .t ur nedt oSai ntJohnt heBel ovedDi sci pl eandsai d,“ Sonbehol d I ti snott hepr i estwhoabsol vest hepeni t entf r om si n;r at her ,i tt hyMot her . ”Thenhet ur nedt ohi sMot herandsai d,“ Mot her , i sJesusChr i stt hr ought hesacr ament almi ni st r yoft hepr i est - behol dt hy Son. ”Fr om t hatmomenton,Mar y became t he hood.Thewor dsofabsol ut i onorf or gi veness,hi ntatt hi s,si nce Mot heroft heChur ch.I ti si mpor t antt onot et hatbl oodandwat er i ti ssai di nt hef i r stper son.I ft he“ I ”r ef er r edt ot hepr i est ,t hen f l owedf r om t hesi deofChr i stt hatdaywhent heChur chwas t hesacr amentwoul dhavenoef f ect .Rat her ,t hef i r stper soni s bor n.Thr ough bapt i sm,we ar e al ladopt ed chi l dr en ofGod, Chr i st .“ Iabsol veyouf r om yoursi ns,i nt henameoft heFat her adopt edbr ot her sandsi st er soft heLor dJesus,andt her ef or e andoft heSonandoft heHol ySpi r i t . ” Mar yi sal soouradopt edmot her . Second, sacr ament s ar e encount er s wi t h di vi ni t y . Ther ear ecount l essot hert i t l eswhi chhavebeengi vent o Sacr ament sar et he chi efwayi n whi ch God communi cat es Mar yovert het wot housandyear soft heChur ch.Manyar econgr ace,Hi ssavi ngl i f ewi t hi nus.Thesacr amentofpenancei san t ai nedi nabeaut i f ulpr ayerent i t l ed“ TheLi t anyofOurLadyof encount erwi t ht heheal i ngJesus.I ti st hr ought hewor dsof Lor et o. ”Thi sl i t anyi sof t enpr ayedatt heendoft her osar ydur i ng absol ut i ont hatt hemer i t soft hebl oodofChr i star epour edover t hemont hsofMayandOct ober ,whi char edevot edt oher ,andi s t hepeni t ent .Thus,wear eheal edandf or gi veni nt hebl oodof sai donherf eastdays.Lor et oi sal i t t l et owni nI t al yont he Chr i st . Adr i at i c Coastwher ei ti s bel i eved t hatt he hol y house of Thi r d,ever ysi n,nomat t erhow per sonal ,i sanof f enset o Nazar et hr emai ns.Mi r acul ousl y ,t hi s house was t r anspor t ed Al mi ght yGod.Li keAdam andEve,f i l l edwi t hpr i det hr oughour f r om Nazar et ht oSl oveni aandf i nal l yt oI t al ybyangel s.Thef ol consci ousandf r eewi l l ,wedeci dewhati sbestf orusr at her l owi ngar esomeofhert i t l est hatar epr ayed:Mot herofDi vi ne t hanal l owi ngGodt odeci def orus.Cl assi cal l y ,si ni sdef i nedas Gr ace,MostPur e,Chast e,GoodCounsel ,Pr udent ,Mi r r orof at ur ni ngawayf r om Godt owar dsal essert hi ng.Si nceal lsi n Just i ce,SeatofWi sdom,CauseofOurJoy ,QueenofAngel s, ul t i mat el yi nvol vespr i de,t hesacr amentofpenancei sat r ueact QueenofSai nt s,andQueenoft heMostHol yRosar y .Ot her ofhumi l i t ywhi chcount er at t ackspr i de.I ti sahumbl i ngexper i -t i t l esofMar yr ef ert ospeci alpl aceswher eshehasappear ed, encet oconf essone’ sdeepestf aul t st oanot herper son,even suchasOurLadyofLour des,OurLadyofFat i ma,andOurLady t hought hatper son,apr i est ,i sact i ngi nt henameofChr i st .By ofMountCar mel . t hi sactofhumi l i t y ,weexpr esst oAl mi ght yGodhowt r ul ysor r y wear et hatweof f endedHi m.Thepenancet hati sgi venbyt he spur gat or yandwher ei si ti nt heBi bl e? pr i esthel psust owor koutourof f enseandpr act i cet hevi r t ueof Whati T h e w o r d “ p u r g a t o r y ” i s n o t i n t h e B i b l e , b u t n e i t heri st hewor d humi l i t y .Whi l ei tneverer asest hei nsul tsi ncommi t sagai nst “ b i b l e . ” C a t h o l i c i s m i s n o t b a s e d o n t h e p r e mi s e o f s o l a s c r i p t u r a Al mi ght yGod,i tcer t ai nl ymakesourgui l tl ess. onl yi nt heBi bl e) ,buti tdoesf i ndseedsofdoct r i nei nmany Four t h,i ti sasacr amentofr econci l i at i on.Si nnotonl ysepa- ( i pt ur alpassagesaswel lasi nSacr edScr i pt ur e.Whati si nt he r at esusf r om God,buti tal sodi sr upt sourr el at i onshi pi nt he scr 4246( oneoft heDeut er ocanoni cal myst i calbody ,t heChur ch.Mor t alsi ncut susof ff r om t hatr el a- bookof2Maccabees12: t i onshi p.Ther ef or e,t he sacr amentofr econci l i at i on notonl y books whi ch Pr ot est ant Bi bl es of t en i ncl ude but l i st as r est or esourr el at i onshi pwi t hGod,buti tal sor est or esust ot he Apocr ypha)ar et hesekeypassages:“ Het hent ookupacol l ecChur ch.Tr uef or gi venessbegi nsout si det heconf essi onal .Our t i onamongal lhi ssol di er s,amount i ngt ot wot housandsi l ver at t i t udeoft r uecont r i t i onandf i r m pur poseofamendmentmust dr achmas,whi chhesentt oJer usal em t opr ovi def oranexpi aant ecedeconf essi on.YetourLor di nst i t ut edt hi ssacr amentas t or ysacr i f i ce.I ndoi ngt hi sheact edi naver yexcel l entandnobl e awayt ocommuni cat eHi sf or gi veness. way ,i nasmuchashehadt her esur r ect i onoft hedeadi nvi ew;f or i fhewer enotexpect i ngt hef al l ent or i seagai n,i twoul dhave WhydoesMar yhavesomanyt i t l es? beenusel essandf ool i sht opr ayf ort hem i ndeat h.Buti fhedi d t hi swi t havi ewt ot hespl endi dr ewar dt hatawai t st hosewhohad gonet or esti ngodl i ness,i twasahol yandpi oust hought .Thus hemadeat onementf ort hedeadt hatt heymi ghtbef r eedf r om t hi ssi n. Whati shappeni ngher ei st hatJudasMaccabees( aJew) had j ustl ed a successf ulr evol tagai nstt he Syr i an Ki ng GodnotbecauseshegaveJesushi sdi vi ni t ybutbecauseshe Ant i ochusI VEpi phanesf r om 167160BC.Someofhi ssol di er s gavehi m hi ssacr edhumani t y .Anot herdoct r i ne,t hehypost at i c di ed,t hough,andi twasdi scover edt hataf ew oft hem wor e Uni on,def i nest hi smi r acl econci sel y:“ onedi vi nePer sonwi t h amul et sar oundt hei rnecksasgoodl uckchar ms.Thesewer e t wo nat ur es,di vi ne and human. ”Because i ti s a uni on of st r i ct l yf or bi dden underMosai c Law,as t he commandment s nat ur esi nt hedi vi nePer son,Mar yi sconsi der edt heMot herof f or badeanygr aveni mage,andt hesemedal l i onshadani mage God.Mar y’ ssecondmosti mpor t antt i t l ei sMot heroft he ofapagangod.Hence,t hesol di er swer egui l t yofi dol at r y .They 23 Cat hol i cLi f eMagaz i ne
Fi nanci al Adv i ce f r om t he Wor doft heLor d
( Scr i pt ur est akenf r om t heHOLYBI BLE,NEW I NTERNATI ONALVERSI ON.Copyr i ght1973,1978,1984I nt er nat i onalBi bl eSoci et y.Usedbyper mi ssi onofZonder vanBi bl ePubl i sher ’ s. )
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Fi nanci al Adv i cef r om t heWor doft heLor d
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What’sTheBigDealAboutMissingMass? l i vi ngf ai t h.Fr om suchaf ai t hcomest hat‘ f eel i ngf ort he Chur ch, ’whi chf i l l st heChr i st i anwhohasbeen r ai sedi nt heschooloft heDi vi neWor d. ”
Doyouf eell onel y?Li kenoonet r ul yunder st andsyou? Doesi tseem t hatwhi l eyou’ r et r yi nghar dt odo yourbest( asapar ent ,aspouse,anempl oyee, et c. ) ,ot herf or cesar ewor ki ngagai nstyou?I s somet hi ngmi ssi ngf r om yourl i f e?Thef ul l amountofj oy ,per haps?Thef ul lamountof l oveyouneed?
I sSomet hi ngMi ssi ngf r om YourLi f e? Wear ei ncompl et ei fwer eadt heWor dofGod wi t houtbecomi nganact i vepar toft heBodyof Chr i st ,ori fwet r yt ounder st andGodwi t houtt he benef i tofbot hScr i pt ur eandChur ch.
ThewayGoddesi gnedt hi ngs,youcannever becompl et el ysat i sf i edal one.Youcannever r esol vet hesef eel i ngsal one. “ Remembert hatmani ssoci albynat ur eand t hati thasbeenGod’ spl easur et oassembl e t hosewhobel i evei nChr i standmakeoft hem t hePeopl eofGod. ”( Fr om Vat i canCounci lI l ’ s Decr eeont heApost ol at eofLayPeopl e,1965. ) I not herwor ds,Goddesi gnedust oneedeach ot her .Hewant sust obej oi nedasaChur cht hatdepends ont oget her ness.Onl yt hi swaycanwef i ndsuppor ti nt he mi dstofourpr obl ems.Onl yt hi swaycanwer emai n st andi ngst r ongagai nstt heonsl aughtoft hewor l d’ sevi l . ADi f f er entPer spect i ve Whatexcuseshaveyouhear df ornotgoi ngt ochur ch?I f peopl eusedt hesameexcusesathome,her e’ swhati t woul dsoundl i ke: •“ Iwon’ tbepar tofmyf ami l ybecauset heyar gue. ” •“ Iwor khar dandneedt i mebymysel f .Idon’ twantmy spar et i met obet akenupwi t hf ami l yi nt er est s. ” •“ Myf ami l yi sal waysaski ngf ormoney . ” Wi t hal lt hescandal syour eadabouti nf ami l i es,It hi nk •“ i t ’ ssaf ert ol i vebymysel f . ” •“ Mywi f e( orhusband)want st omeetwi t hmet oomuch. ” DoYouRememberFal l i ngi nLove? Remembert hegushyf eel i ngi nyourst omachwhent hat speci alsomeonecal l edoraccompani edyouonadat e? Youpr obabl ydi daf ewcr azyt hi ngsj ustt obenearhi m or her ,l i kedr i vi ngf orhour st ospendaf ewmi nut est oget her , orgi vi ngupyourf avor i t eact i vi t yt obeavai l abl e.Chur chi s al over el at i onshi pbet weenusandGod.Hel ovesusmor e t hananyot herevercoul d.Hi sl ovei smostpower f ul l y avai l abl et ouswhenwegat herwi t hot herbel i ever st o shar et heEuchar i st i cmeal .I ti si nt hi sCommuni ont hat Jesusbecomest angi bl ypr esentandr econci l esust ot he Fat herandt oeachot her . TheChur chHel psUst oUnder st andGod Thewonder sofGod,f r om Hi si nf i ni t e,uncondi t i onall ovet o Hi spl anofsal vat i onf oryou,ar e“ amyst er i ousst or ehouse, or ,i not herwor ds,at r easur y . . .whi char et ober eveal ed t hr ought heChur ch, ”saysPopePaulVIi nhi sencycl i cal l et t erent i t l ed,Pat hsoft heChur ch.
WhyI sn’ tWor shi pi ngGodatHomeEnough? Cer t ai nl y ,pr ayer sathomear epl easi ngt oGod,but cel ebr at i ngMasswi t ht hel ocalcommuni t yof bel i ever si st ooval uabl et omi ss.Whywoul dwe wantt ost ayawayf r om JesuswhenHemani f est s Hi spr esencephysi cal l yi nt heEuchar i st ? Al so,wecanbest r engt henedbymaki ngcont act wi t h,wor shi pi ngwi t handpr ayi ngwi t ht her estof t hecommuni t y .Wecanal sost r engt hent hem i nl i kemanner . At t endi ngMassi savi si bl ewi t nessofourf i del i t yt oChr i stand Hi sChur ch.I ti saj oi ni ngofourpr ayer swi t hot her s. St .JohnChr ysost om sai d: “ Youcannotpr ayi nyourhomeasi n t heChur ch,wher emanyar egat her ed, ( and)wher et hecr yofal lr i sest oGod asf r om onehear t .Ther ei si nher( t he Chur ch)somet hi ngmor e:t heuni onof spi r i t s,t hehar monyofsoul s,t hebond ofchar i t y ,t hepr ayer soft hepr i est s. ” Wheneverwepl aceanyt hi ngabove God,wear esi nni ng.Whenwechooset osl eepl at eorent er t ai n our sel vesonSundaymor ni ngs,f orexampl e,i nst eadofmeet i ng Jesusi nt heMass,wear et ur ni ngourbacksont heOnewho suf f er edgr eat l yanddi edf orus. I sMi ssi ngMassReal l yaSi n? TheRevi sedCodeofCanonLawst at es:“ OnSundaysand ot herhol ydaysofobl i gat i ont hef ai t hf ular eboundt opar t i ci pat e i nt heMass;t heyar eal sot oabst ai nf r om t hosel abor sand busi nessconcer nswhi chi mpedet hewor shi pt ober ender edt o God,t hej oywhi chi spr opert ot heLor d’ sDay ,ort hepr oper r el axat i onofmi ndandbody . ” TheChur chneedsyou!TheChur chl ovesyou!Whathaskept youaway?I ft heChur chhassi nnedagai nstyou,sheneeds yourf or gi veness. Comei nsi deandmakeadi f f er ence.Maket heChur chabet t er pl acewi t ht heuni quet al ent sandexper i encesonl yyoucan of f er !©2010byTerryA.Modi caofGoodNewsMi ni st r i es:www. gnm. or g.©
2010byTer r yA.Modi caofGoodNewsMi ni st r i es:www. gnm. or g.
Headdst hatt heChur chhel psusunder st andGodbet t er , l eadi ngust oadeeperf ai t h,whi chi nt ur nl eadsust oa gr eat erl ovef ort heChur ch:“ I ndeed,awar enessoft he myst er yoft heChur chi sar esul tofamat ur eand Cat hol i cLi f eMagazi ne
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SeaTur t l es. . .
Rat hert hanf ol l owt hepat hwewer emeantt of ol l ow, unf or t unat el ywet ooof t enar edi st r act edbyt hi ngst hat moveusi nt hewr ongdi r ect i on.Technol ogy ,onl i ne games,t oomucht i meonFacebook,badhabi t s,addi ct i ons,st r ess,busynessandmeani ngl essdi st r act i ons l eadusast r ay .I nst eadoff ol l owi ngt hePur eLi ghtofper f ect i onweal l owbr i ghtandshi nyar t i f i ci alt hi ngst o sabot ageourj our ney .
AsIwal kedont hebeacht heot herdayInot i cedt hat cer t ai nar easwer ecl osedof fbyf encesandsi gnst hat sai d" SeaTur t l eEggs. "
So,whataboutyou? Ar eyouf ol l owi ngyourpr i or i t i esandPur eLi ghtt ot he r i ghtdest i nat i onorar eyoual l owi ngar t i f i ci aldi st r act i ons t ol eadyoui nt hewr ongdi r ect i on?Ar eyouf ol l owi ngt he pat hyouwer emeantt of ol l oworar eyoul et t i ngmeani ngl esst hi ngskeepyouf r om bei ngyourbest ?
andDi st r act i ons t hatLeadUs i nt heWr ong Di r ect i on
Ir emember edr eadi ngt hatf emal eseat ur t l esswi mt o shor ebet weenMayandAugustt odi gnest si nt hesand andl ayt hei reggs.Mont hsl at er ,t heeggshat chandt he babyt ur t l esf ol l owt hepur el i ghtoft hemoonbackt ot he sur f .
Thegr eatnewsi st hatunl i keseat ur t l eswehavet he abi l i t yt ot hi nk,adaptandchangedi r ect i onwhenwe r eal i zewear ef ol l owi ngt hewr ongpat h.Wecant une outt hedi st r act i onsandf ocusonourpr i or i t i esandl et t he Pur eLi ghtl eadust oanoceanofpossi bi l i t i esanda gr eatf ut ur e! J onGor don www. j ongor don. c om
I naper f ectwor l d,t hepur el i ghtoft hemoongui des ever yt ur t l ebacksaf el yt ot heocean.However ,aswe know,wedon’ tl i vei naper f ectwor l d.SeaTur t l ehat chl i ngsi nst i nct i vel ycr awlt owar dt hebr i ght estl i ght .Onan undevel opedbeach,t hebr i ght estl i ghti st hemoon.Ona devel opedbeach,t hebr i ght estl i ghtcanbeanar t i f i ci al l i ghtsour ceemanat i ngf r om r est aur ant s,homesand condomi ni umsal ongt hecoast .Unf or t unat el y ,t hese power f ular t i f i ci alsour cesofl i ghtof t enat t r actt hehat chl i ngsandcauset hem t omovei nt hewr ongdi r ect i on whent heyar ebor n.Rat hert hanf ol l owt hepur el i ghtof t hemoont ot heocean,t heseat ur t l esf ol l owt hewr ong l i ghtt oadi sast r ousout come.I toccur r edt omet hatwe humansf aceasi mi l archal l enge.
Cat hol i cLi f eMagaz i ne
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Seeki ngSuccess...ATrueStory
Abbymadeadesper at ecal lf orhel pt omakear r angement sf orat estandhel pt oabor therpr egnancy .Dur i ngher vi si tshewasassur edt hatGodwasgoi ngt ohel pherwi t hever yneedshehad.However ,shef el tt hatshewast oo i nt el l i gentt ohaveal l owedher sel ft ogetpr egnantr i ghtbef or eget t i ngherdegr eef r om ourl ocaluni ver si t yand neededt oabor t . Abby’ sbi ggestconcer nwasdi sappoi nt i ngherpar ent s.Shewant edt opr ovet ot hem t hatt heyhadr ai sedherr i ght andt hi smeantsheneededt opr ovet hi sbyabor t i ngt hei rgr andchi l d.Whi l eatourcent erAbbyr eal i zedhow decei vedsher eal l ywasbyt hi nki ngi twasj ustabl oboft i ssueandnotanunbor nchi l dor ,herpar ent ’ sposi t i onof l osi ngt hei rf i r stgr andchi l d. Dur i nghervi si tatoneoft hecent er sAbbywast aughtaboutt heSanct i t yofLi f eandhowmucht heLor dl ovedher andherunbor nchi l d.Bef or el eavi ngsher ecei vedpr ayerandwasencour agedt okeept hebabyt r ust i ngGodt o hel pherf i ni shhergoalr egar di nghereducat i on.Af ewdaysl at eraf t eraf ol l owupcal l ,Abbyagr eedt odoj ust t hat ,sheaddr essedherpr obl em wi t hherpar ent swhot ot al l yf or gaveherandwi t hmuchent husi asm wer eexci t ed aboutmeet i ngt hei rf i r stgr andchi l d.Si ncet hen,shehasf i ni shedhereducat i onandi smadl yi nl ovewi t hher daught er . Whatawonder f ulst or yofGod’ sl oveandi nt er vent i on,t hi si swhatweseeatanyofourf ourl ocat i onsi nt he Val l ey ,t heaut horofLI FEi nt er veni ngi nt hel i vesofdesper at ef ami l i esbr i ngi ngt hegi f tofl i f eandr est or at i ont o t hebodyofChr i st .
ABORTI ON I SNOTAN OPTI ON!
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Hous e hol dM i s s i on S t a t e me n t I famachi nei soutofor der ,i tdoesn' tser vei t sf unct i on.Nomat t er
Onedaywhi l econt empl at i ngaboutwhatIwant edf ormyf ami l y ,I t hought :ThecompanyIwor kf orhasami ssi onst at ement ,t he chur chIat t endhasami ssi onst at ement ,t heor gani zat i onsI bel ongt ohavemi ssi onst at ement s,t hef ami l yi sanor gani zat i on, whydoesn' ti thaveami ssi onst at ement ?"
howmanyquar t er syouhavei nyourpocket ,i favendi ngmachi ne hasanoutofor dersi gnoni t ,youhadbet t erl ookf orsnacksel sewher e. I fanar cademachi neorATM hasanoutofor dersi gnont hem, t heywon' tser vet hei rpur poses.I ti st hesamewi t hf ami l i es.When par ent sandt hechi l dr enar eoutofor der ,somet hi ngi nt hef ami l y wi l lnotf unct i onpr oper l y .
Busi nesseshavemi ssi onst at ement sbecauset heyf ol l owt her ul e of" bestpr act i ces. "Thi smeans,what evert hebi ggestandmost pr of i t abl ecompani esar edoi ngi ncommon,t hatmustbet hebest wayofdoi ngt hi ngsi nbusi ness.
I V.Bel i efSyst em -Thi sexpr essest her el i gi ousandmor albel i ef s oft hef ami l y .
Ourf ami l yaf f ect susmor et hananyot heror gani zat i on;mosthave nowr i t t enmi ssi onst at ement .St opandt hi nkf oramoment .Does t hecompanyyouwor kf orhaveami ssi onst at ement ?Whatabout t heot heror gani zat i onsyoubel ongt o?Now,doyouhaveawr i t t en mi ssi onst at ementpost edwher eal loft hemember sofyourhousehol dcanseei t ? No?Whynot ?Ibel i evet heansweri sbecauseourpar ent sdi dn' t haveoneup,andwewer enevert aughtt ocr eat eone. I mmedi at el yaf t err eal i zi ngt hi st r agedy ,Igotonmycomput erand begant owr i t e.Ibr okemyhousehol dmi ssi onst at ementi nt ot he f ol l owi ngf i vecat egor i es: I .Obj ect i ve-t heover al lgoalofourf ami l y . I I .Pr i or i t ySyst em -I nt hi sar eaIl i st edourpr i or i t i esi nt heor derof i mpor t ance( Godf i r st ,Fami l ysecond,andBusi nesst hi r d) .Ther e ar eot hert hi ngsbutt hesear et hef i r stt hr eegener alar easi nor der ofi mpor t ance. I I I .Or gani zat i onalSyst em -I nt hi scat egor yIdi dapr of essi onal or gani zat i onalchar tj ustl i ket heonemycompanyhas.Shoul dour f ami l i esset t l ef oranyt hi ngl esst hanwhatwehavef orourbusi nesses? I tl ai doutt heaut hor i t yst r uct ur ef orourhouse.I thasGodast he head,t henme,t henmywi f eandt hechi l dr enbel owal ldi agr amed out .Thi sar easet st heor derf ort hef ami l y . Whi l et aki ngashoweronemor ni ng,i nmymi nd' seyeIsawoutof or dersi gnsswi ngi ngonhouses.Manyofourhousesar eoutof or derbecausenoor derhasbeenset .
i nySyst em -Thi sexpl ai nst hepur posef orourf ami l yand V.Dest wher ewear eheadedl ongt er m. Event hought hi sal lmaysoundf ancy ,Iwr ot eever yt hi ngonan el ement ar yschooll evelsomychi l dr encoul dunder st andi t .Af t erI f i ni shedwr i t i ngmyf i r stdr af t ,It ooki tt omywi f et ohaveher di scusschangessot hatwewoul dbeononeaccor d.Sher eadt he ent i r edocumentanddi dn' tmakeanychanges.Ourvi si onand bel i efsyst emsbl endedandagr eedper f ect l y . Ever yonewi l lnotcompl et el yagr eeont hei rmi ssi onst at ementbut t hati st hepur poseofawr i t t enmi ssi onst at ement ,sot hat ever yonewi l lhaveonevi si on.Whenyouhavet wovi si onsyou t henhave" di vi si on. " Isi gnedt hedocumentashousehol dPr esi dentandmywi f esi gned i tashousehol dVi cePr esi dent .It henhadi tbl ownupand l ami nat ed.Wepl acedi tont hewal lr i ghtnextt ot hef r ontdoor . Ever yt i meourchi l dr enl eavet hehouse,t heywi l lknowwhatour housest andsf or .Whenevert heybr i ngf r i endsover ,t hef i r st t hi ngt heywi l lseei swhatt hehousest andsf or .Whenmychi l dr en r et ur nf r om school ,t hef i r stt hi ngt heyseei st hef ami l ymi ssi on st at ement . Uponr et ur ni nghome,t heywi l lknowi nst ant l yi nt hei rconsci ous whet hert heybehavedi nawayt hathonor st hef ami l ymi ssi on. Ever yhousehasadi f f er entmi ssi on,knowyourmi ssi on, wr i t eyourmi ssi on,andpostyourmi ssi on. AMo u n t a i n Wi n g sOr i g i n a l b yJ a me sBr o n n e r ~ www. mo u n t a i n wi n g s . c o m
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