The following article on Confession, is from a recent The CatholiCity Message email (Volume XIV, Number 2). We thought it worthy of reproducing it here:
Allow us to be direct: if you are a Catholic who is serious about pleasing God, growing in holiness, and serving the people who depend on your virtue, then you should be going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently. "Frequent Confession," to use the old phrase, translates into going at least once or twice a month, if not every week. This is normal.
This advice is not given lightly. Digest this: you simply cannot be holy without going to Confession frequently. The saints went frequently. Certain popes have been known to go nearly every day. The graces available in Confession, and the unique psychological dynamic of the sacrament itself (as Jesus no doubt designed it), are absolutely necessary for making "course corrections" in your spiritual life between Confessions. That is, this sacrament allows you to discern the "internal" reasons why you fall into sin as you prepare for your next Confession, and these insights often come in very sophisticated and nuanced ways. This is both practical (frequent "evaluation" along with knowledge of a future "evaluation" encourages greater insight) and supernatural (the Holy Spirit will ~show you~ where you need to improve and how make adjustments).
Unfortunately, in recent decades, the scandalous liberal zeitgeist has made finding a priest and place to go to Confession more difficult. Do not fret, however, because most dioceses have Confessions every day at their cathedrals or at Poor Clare and other monasteries. Those of us who are old hats at frequent Confession eventually figure out where the good priests and opportunities are found. You can always schedule Confession with a trustworthy priest. And if you have an Opus Dei center in your area, their priests are well known for craving being available. Turn off the car radio and take a longer drive to get there--with the bonus of having more time to prepare.
Virtually every person who has been going frequently for decades understands these things, and how necessary the sacrament is for growth in virtue, if not holiness, especially when combined with the only known "cures" for habitual sinfulness such as fasting, reparation, and contemplative prayer. Your life will surely change substantially, if not gradually, as you pile up twenty-five to fifty Confessions every year, decade after decade.
In short, if you are not praying (talking to Jesus) and receiving Communion as often as practical (consuming Jesus), and going to Confession (repenting with Jesus), then you are not really making a good faith attempt to be holy. If so, you are floating through life, and your orthodox beliefs will not change this.
We have often referred to Confession as an intimate "whispering" into the ear of Christ through the priest--a direct encounter with Jesus unlike anything else. Let us imagine that you are, ahem, pretty old--let us say you are fifty years old--and that you shall live for another twenty-five years, and further, that will go to Confession every week. That adds up to over 1300 life-altering meetings with Jesus. Compare that to the person who goes only once or twice a year.
Saint John Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests, transformed his parish by hearing Confessions every day, all day long, while fasting around 300 days a year for those who went to him in this sublime sacrament.
We have only scratched the surface on Confession. It has enormous value as a healing sacrament, as well, along with many other benefits.
In this regard, our parent organization, the Mary Foundation, has two free excellent talks on this subject: "Confession" by Fr. Larry Richards, and "Healing and Holiness" by Vinny Flynn. If you have not heard them, or have not heard them recently, order copies today, for yourself, for those you love, and for people at your parish who otherwise will continue to neglect or remain ignorant of this Sacrament (and risk eternal damnation) unless you take action:
https://secure.catholicity.com/cds/
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Feast of the Annunciation
Today is the Feast of the Annuniciation.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
St. Joseph
Friday we celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph, patron of the Men of St. Joseph. Following is a video about St. Joseph, by Fr. James Martin, SJ, from his DVD, "Who Cares About the Saints?"
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Parable of the Adulterous Woman
By Andy Chambers, Pensacola, Fla.. - St. Paul
The Good News this Sunday is from John 8:1-11, and the familiar story of Jesus telling the Pharisees to go ahead and stone the adulterous woman if they are free from sin. We all know this story, how Jesus was put on the spot by the Pharisees trying to trick him into going against religious tradition in regards to this adulterous woman. Law dictates that this woman should be stoned to death for her sin. Jesus put it back on them by saying "Let him who is without sin among you, be the first to throw a stone at her." We know they all went away and did not stone her because they were all guilty of sin, and their consciences wouldn't allow them to pass judgement on her this way. Jesus then turned to the woman and told her that her sinful ways must stop. He asked "Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again."
WOW! God forgives us that easily. He only asks that we don't sin again. It amazes me. I have sinned against God, and I have had trouble letting some of those sins go from my past, but Jesus doesn't give it another thought as long as we are sorry and we won't sin again. Don't dwell on the past and old sins, focus on the new life that Christ offers us.
I need to learn that lesson from Jesus, to forgive others, not to dwell on their sins. If God won't hold a grudge, why should I? Who am I to not let go?
Should we live our lives focused on past sins and death, or live with Jesus and the eternal life and happiness that comes with his love?
This week in Lent, let us focus on not sinning again. Let's plead for God's forgiveness, seek His Love He has for us, and follow his way as a true disciple. We are men, and we are fathers, and our families look to us as examples of how to be. As St. Joseph was Jesus' earthly father, showing him love, and Jesus showed a sinful woman Love, let's show our family love and forgiveness.
The Good News this Sunday is from John 8:1-11, and the familiar story of Jesus telling the Pharisees to go ahead and stone the adulterous woman if they are free from sin. We all know this story, how Jesus was put on the spot by the Pharisees trying to trick him into going against religious tradition in regards to this adulterous woman. Law dictates that this woman should be stoned to death for her sin. Jesus put it back on them by saying "Let him who is without sin among you, be the first to throw a stone at her." We know they all went away and did not stone her because they were all guilty of sin, and their consciences wouldn't allow them to pass judgement on her this way. Jesus then turned to the woman and told her that her sinful ways must stop. He asked "Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again."
WOW! God forgives us that easily. He only asks that we don't sin again. It amazes me. I have sinned against God, and I have had trouble letting some of those sins go from my past, but Jesus doesn't give it another thought as long as we are sorry and we won't sin again. Don't dwell on the past and old sins, focus on the new life that Christ offers us.
I need to learn that lesson from Jesus, to forgive others, not to dwell on their sins. If God won't hold a grudge, why should I? Who am I to not let go?
Should we live our lives focused on past sins and death, or live with Jesus and the eternal life and happiness that comes with his love?
This week in Lent, let us focus on not sinning again. Let's plead for God's forgiveness, seek His Love He has for us, and follow his way as a true disciple. We are men, and we are fathers, and our families look to us as examples of how to be. As St. Joseph was Jesus' earthly father, showing him love, and Jesus showed a sinful woman Love, let's show our family love and forgiveness.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Necessities: Story 2
By Ross Parrish, Mobile, Ala. - St. Ignatius
My fiancée and I were talking the other day and once again our Lenten sacrifices came up. Another one of my Lenten sacrifices I am doing is only allowing fruits and vegetables in between my normal three meals of the day. It’s not as if I am starving myself. I am still eating snacks in between three meals a day. If I were in a third world country, I would be royalty. And I, sinning as if trying to make the devil proud, started to complain that I am already tired of eating so many dang apples and bananas. Back to that in a minute…
Noah had forty days of rain, the Israelites had 40 years in the desert, and Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert. So too do we observe our 40 days of sacrifice. It is important to note that after 40 days of rain, God established the Covenant with Noah. Then again after 40 years in the desert the God fulfills his Covenant with Abraham as the Israelites reached the Promised Land. And after Jesus fasted for 40 days he was able to withstand the temptations of the devil and go on to perform his ministry. So too should we expect such great results from our Lenten sacrifices; I think our salvation through the passion and Resurrection of Jesus qualifies as a great result.
Yet, I could not go two weeks without complaining about my fruit (Mt 6:16-18) just as the Israelites complained about their manna (Numbers 11:4-6). So once again I illustrated my need to purge myself of MY necessities and realize GOD’S necessities for me. Learn a lesson from the Israelites and me. Or better yet learn a lesson from the “Our Father”. Jesus taught us a perfect prayer to our Father asking for “our daily bread", not our daily steak and lobster. Lent is a time for breaking down our lives to the bare necessities
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ogQ0uge06o ). Just as the fig tree is in need of pruning and tilling of the soil, this Lent is my time to examine my life and prune MY necessities. So cultivate away this Lent so we are not to cut down by OUR necessities.
My fiancée and I were talking the other day and once again our Lenten sacrifices came up. Another one of my Lenten sacrifices I am doing is only allowing fruits and vegetables in between my normal three meals of the day. It’s not as if I am starving myself. I am still eating snacks in between three meals a day. If I were in a third world country, I would be royalty. And I, sinning as if trying to make the devil proud, started to complain that I am already tired of eating so many dang apples and bananas. Back to that in a minute…
Noah had forty days of rain, the Israelites had 40 years in the desert, and Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert. So too do we observe our 40 days of sacrifice. It is important to note that after 40 days of rain, God established the Covenant with Noah. Then again after 40 years in the desert the God fulfills his Covenant with Abraham as the Israelites reached the Promised Land. And after Jesus fasted for 40 days he was able to withstand the temptations of the devil and go on to perform his ministry. So too should we expect such great results from our Lenten sacrifices; I think our salvation through the passion and Resurrection of Jesus qualifies as a great result.
Yet, I could not go two weeks without complaining about my fruit (Mt 6:16-18) just as the Israelites complained about their manna (Numbers 11:4-6). So once again I illustrated my need to purge myself of MY necessities and realize GOD’S necessities for me. Learn a lesson from the Israelites and me. Or better yet learn a lesson from the “Our Father”. Jesus taught us a perfect prayer to our Father asking for “our daily bread", not our daily steak and lobster. Lent is a time for breaking down our lives to the bare necessities
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ogQ0uge06o ). Just as the fig tree is in need of pruning and tilling of the soil, this Lent is my time to examine my life and prune MY necessities. So cultivate away this Lent so we are not to cut down by OUR necessities.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Studying our Patron - St. Joseph
By Bill Harkins, Mobile, Ala., - St. Ignatius
I picked up a copy of a great book about St. Joseph: True Devotion to St. Joseph and the Church, by Father Dominic De Domenico, OP.
The front inside cover of this book describes its purpose in a nutshell, it provides “The doctrinal basis and practice of Total Consecration through St. Joseph and the Church.”
This book is not a light read. At over 300 pages, it is a theological study of our Patron Saint, in detail, showing why he is held in such high esteem. The first half of the book provides the background of St. Joseph and his relationship to Jesus, Mary, the Church and all things Catholic. The second half presents background and guidance on actual devotion to St. Joseph, the Holy Family and the Church.
Let’s face it, Saint Joseph was challenged with an awesome task! He was the protector of the Messiah and the Mother of God in a time and place that was often hostile to them and their people. Remember Herod’s actions when he heard of Christ’s birth? Joseph’s saying “yes” to an angel in a dream when he is advised to move his family to Egypt is an echo of his blessed wife’s “yes” to the angel nine months or so earlier when asked if she would agree to bear the Child of God. Joseph continued to provide for the comfort and care of his special family for the rest of his life. He is ready to assist us if we ask. This simple man knows the pain involved in being the breadwinner for his loved ones when times are tough.
The first chapter of the book digs into the marriage of Joseph and Mary. Father Domenico presents a lesson on Jewish marriage 2,000 years ago. He describes how by Jewish law, they were actually already married when Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel. Joseph’s decision to bring his bride into his home, though she was pregnant, took great faith. This chapter also shows how this holy marriage was a necessary part of the Father’s plan. It allowed His Son, our Savior, to be born into a humble, fully human life. Through this marriage, Jesus was able to grow up with a family, not having to live with the stigma of a single parent family (especially harsh in those times).
As a married, working man, Joseph is a great model for us. We should not hesitate to turn to him, asking him and our Blessed Mother to intercede for us and our families. Surely, this Saint, who protected the most precious two lives that ever existed on this earth, can help protect us and our loved ones!
Joseph, Terror of Demons, Pray for us!
I picked up a copy of a great book about St. Joseph: True Devotion to St. Joseph and the Church, by Father Dominic De Domenico, OP.
The front inside cover of this book describes its purpose in a nutshell, it provides “The doctrinal basis and practice of Total Consecration through St. Joseph and the Church.”
This book is not a light read. At over 300 pages, it is a theological study of our Patron Saint, in detail, showing why he is held in such high esteem. The first half of the book provides the background of St. Joseph and his relationship to Jesus, Mary, the Church and all things Catholic. The second half presents background and guidance on actual devotion to St. Joseph, the Holy Family and the Church.
Let’s face it, Saint Joseph was challenged with an awesome task! He was the protector of the Messiah and the Mother of God in a time and place that was often hostile to them and their people. Remember Herod’s actions when he heard of Christ’s birth? Joseph’s saying “yes” to an angel in a dream when he is advised to move his family to Egypt is an echo of his blessed wife’s “yes” to the angel nine months or so earlier when asked if she would agree to bear the Child of God. Joseph continued to provide for the comfort and care of his special family for the rest of his life. He is ready to assist us if we ask. This simple man knows the pain involved in being the breadwinner for his loved ones when times are tough.
The first chapter of the book digs into the marriage of Joseph and Mary. Father Domenico presents a lesson on Jewish marriage 2,000 years ago. He describes how by Jewish law, they were actually already married when Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel. Joseph’s decision to bring his bride into his home, though she was pregnant, took great faith. This chapter also shows how this holy marriage was a necessary part of the Father’s plan. It allowed His Son, our Savior, to be born into a humble, fully human life. Through this marriage, Jesus was able to grow up with a family, not having to live with the stigma of a single parent family (especially harsh in those times).
As a married, working man, Joseph is a great model for us. We should not hesitate to turn to him, asking him and our Blessed Mother to intercede for us and our families. Surely, this Saint, who protected the most precious two lives that ever existed on this earth, can help protect us and our loved ones!
Joseph, Terror of Demons, Pray for us!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
My Two Cents on Tuesday’s Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35)
By Ross Parrish, Mobile, Ala. - St. Ignatius
In Tuesday’s gospel (Mt 18:21-35) we once again see the recurring theme of our call to forgive others and as always we must respond in a forgiving manner in order to receive forgiveness ourselves. I always blindly accepted this until recently when I started asking “Why?”
So why is this necessary? Why must I forgive others in order to receive forgiveness myself? After struggling with the concept for a while, I remembered how loving of a God we have. He wishes to rain his mercy, love, and forgiveness on everyone. WE ARE THE ONES WHO WILL NOT ACCEPT OUR FORGIVENESS!!!! Am I honestly to believe that God, who is Love (1 Jn 4:8), is holding back his love from me out of spite? No, I am rejecting His love.
Love is not something we can pick and choose who to bestow it upon and when to distribute it? To use one of my favorite clichés, “Go big or go home”. Love is one of the few things in life you can’t attack half-way. That is why we wake up at the crack of dawn to come to these meetings. We either reject God’s love or accept it, there is no gray area. To reject one smidgen of the smallest portion of love is to reject God (Mt 25:40). And to reject God is to reject forgiveness. And to reject forgiveness is to reject salvation. So for our own sake, let us be sure to remember that He will forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
In Tuesday’s gospel (Mt 18:21-35) we once again see the recurring theme of our call to forgive others and as always we must respond in a forgiving manner in order to receive forgiveness ourselves. I always blindly accepted this until recently when I started asking “Why?”
So why is this necessary? Why must I forgive others in order to receive forgiveness myself? After struggling with the concept for a while, I remembered how loving of a God we have. He wishes to rain his mercy, love, and forgiveness on everyone. WE ARE THE ONES WHO WILL NOT ACCEPT OUR FORGIVENESS!!!! Am I honestly to believe that God, who is Love (1 Jn 4:8), is holding back his love from me out of spite? No, I am rejecting His love.
Love is not something we can pick and choose who to bestow it upon and when to distribute it? To use one of my favorite clichés, “Go big or go home”. Love is one of the few things in life you can’t attack half-way. That is why we wake up at the crack of dawn to come to these meetings. We either reject God’s love or accept it, there is no gray area. To reject one smidgen of the smallest portion of love is to reject God (Mt 25:40). And to reject God is to reject forgiveness. And to reject forgiveness is to reject salvation. So for our own sake, let us be sure to remember that He will forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Necessities: Story 1
By Ross Parrish, Mobile, Ala. - St. Ignatius
Being recently graduated from the University of Alabama, I obviously was enthralled with this past season. I watched every game, went to about half of them and soaked up every bit of information I could find in the newspapers and the internet. My addiction of choice was BamaOnline.com. For those of you who don’t know, Bama Online is the most popular website for up to date news and recruiting info that you can find. I probably went to the site 5-10 times a day reading forums, looking at recruits, and reading recaps and stats from last week’s game. It only got worse as signing day approached. I amped up my Bama Online intake. So as Lent was approaching I decided that I needed to reevaluate my priorities. A good start was giving up that website. So that is one of the Lenten sacrifices I am doing.
About a week into lent I was talking to a friend about what each of us was doing to observe our Lenten sacrifice. I told him about my fast from Bama Online along with a few other things. He said, “There is no way I could do that!” and laughed it off. But it got me thinking, “what could I not do?” Sacrifice is not about doing something that is easy enough to still be comfortable. That is not sacrifice at all. Everyone knows the saying, “You don’t miss it, until it’s gone”. In other words, you can’t appreciate something until it is taken away. This is one of the functions of Lent. It’s a time for me to purge myself of MY necessities and cultivate GOD’S necessities for me. After giving up many of these things in Lent, we may find that we don’t miss them at all.
Being recently graduated from the University of Alabama, I obviously was enthralled with this past season. I watched every game, went to about half of them and soaked up every bit of information I could find in the newspapers and the internet. My addiction of choice was BamaOnline.com. For those of you who don’t know, Bama Online is the most popular website for up to date news and recruiting info that you can find. I probably went to the site 5-10 times a day reading forums, looking at recruits, and reading recaps and stats from last week’s game. It only got worse as signing day approached. I amped up my Bama Online intake. So as Lent was approaching I decided that I needed to reevaluate my priorities. A good start was giving up that website. So that is one of the Lenten sacrifices I am doing.
About a week into lent I was talking to a friend about what each of us was doing to observe our Lenten sacrifice. I told him about my fast from Bama Online along with a few other things. He said, “There is no way I could do that!” and laughed it off. But it got me thinking, “what could I not do?” Sacrifice is not about doing something that is easy enough to still be comfortable. That is not sacrifice at all. Everyone knows the saying, “You don’t miss it, until it’s gone”. In other words, you can’t appreciate something until it is taken away. This is one of the functions of Lent. It’s a time for me to purge myself of MY necessities and cultivate GOD’S necessities for me. After giving up many of these things in Lent, we may find that we don’t miss them at all.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Parable of the Fig Tree
This Sunday's gospel (Lk 13:1-9) we find Jesus being asked a question regarding the people of two separate events of recent deaths. One event is where Pilate had a group of Galileans slaughtered in Temple while making sacrifice. The other group is of 18 people being crushed to death when a tower unexpectedly collapsed. The crowd wanted to know which of the two groups were the worse sinners because of the way they died. Jesus answered them that neither were worse, but that if they themselves did not repent, they too would die.
Then to help, Jesus gives them a parable of a fig tree, the vineyard owner, and the vinedresser who takes care of the trees.
The fig tree has not given fruit for 3 years, the vineyard owner sees this and decided he wants to cut down the tree and plant a new one. The vinedresser steps in and pleads for one more year, he says he will take extra special care to fertilize it, and if after another year it does not bear fruit, then the owner can cut it down.
God is the Owner, Jesus the vinedresser, you and I are the fig tree. When we bear no fruit, God turns his eyes from us. It hurts Him to see us sin. Jesus steps in to intervene on our behalf, even though we don't rightly deserve His love. Even after years of sinning, and turning away from God, Jesus pleads to care for us and watch over us sinners. But if we don't repent, then eventually we will die, and perish, and not enjoy the fruits of Heaven and God's loving presence.
Only God knows when it is our time to go. Don't wait to repent for those sins, don't wait to turn away from out sinful ways, don't wait to return to God and accept his loving forgiveness. Take the time to say you are sorry. Be a man. God wants us to be guilt-free, and sin-free, to love one another, and to above all, Love thy Lord with all our hearts.
"Lord, creator and savior, you have given us all. Help us to appreciate your desire for us to be men of God, and to not waste any time to be in your good graces. Keep us free from all sin, and to do your will." Amen
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