On Not Pronouncing "The Name of God"

Well, I did not know this, and so perhaps you don't either.  In June of 2008 there went forth a letter from the  Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship, Cardinal Arinze, to the effect that we should refrain from pronouncing the divine tetragrammaton [YHWH].  This should be done as  the sacred tetragrammaton was never pronounced in Christian contexts, from the earliest times, nor was it left untranslated in amy Biblical translation (always another honorific was substituted for the proper Name of God--i.e. Dominus, Kyrios, LORD).

Now that I have seen this instruction, I will, of course, obey it.  And now that it is shown to me I must admit that it makes perfect sense.

Here is a link to a pdf of the letter from Cardinal Arinze

Called to Prayer and Penance

The spiritual man who has been thus illumined does not limp or leave the path, but bears all things. Glimpsing our true country from afar, he puts up with adversities; he is not saddened by the things of time, but finds his strength in God.

from a Sermon by John the Serene, from today's Office of Readings

I am watching EWTN Live this morning. The topic is abortion. the reference to not being saddened by the things of time struck a chord with me. lately I have been thinking that it is urgent to kick up the penitential aspect of my life several notches. I am so full of sorrow for all that we do to offend God, and to sin against Him. We need the help and healing that only repentance can bring. So many of us are so far from even realizing that we might remotely have a need to do that. The prayer and penance of those of us who do see the need are urgently required to help to bring this Light to those who so desperately need it.

The beautiful phot above is from Hoyasmeg's photos on Flickr. Light piercing the edicule through the dome of the Church of the Holy sepulchre.

Furor Over the Holy Father's Latest Steps Toward Unity

While I renew with affection the expression of my full and unquestionable solidarity with our brothers receivers of the First Covenant, I hope that the memory of the Shoah leads mankind to reflect on the unpredictable power of evil when it conquers the heart of man.

May the Shoah be for all a warning against forgetfulness, against denial or reductionism, because the violence against a single human being is violence against all. No man is an island, a famous poet write. The Shoah particularly teaches, both old an the new generations, that only the tiresome path of listening and dialogue, of love and of forgiveness lead the peoples, the cultures, and the religions of the world to the hoped-for goal of fraternity and peace in truth. May violence never again crush the dignity of man!

From the Holy Father's weekly audience today.

Fr. Zuhlsdorf has an excellent commentary on today's nonsense from some in the Jewish community over the Holy Father's lifting of excommunication for Bp. Williamson. One would hope that reasonably intelligent people could apply reasonable, rational thought to the issues and understand that the excommunication was neither incurred nor lifted over any issues relating to the holocaust.

Responding with reasoned charity leads one toward unity--responding with a lack of same leads away from it. Illustrated.

The Holy Father has (and needs) broad shoulders. Let's now, more than ever, pray for and support our Papa Benedict

"Also the Animals Possess a Soul"

"When Pope John Paul II declared in a public audience in 1990 that 'also the

animals possess a soul and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren'

some people must have thought this was a new teaching, unaware of the Holy Father's

scholarly familiarity with the authentic Hebrew texts. When he went on to state that all

animals are 'fruit of the creative action of the Holy Spirit and merit respect' and that

they are 'as near to God as men are', animal lovers in the audience were ecstatic! The

Pope mentions the special relationship of mankind with God as being created in His image

and likeness. 'However,' he goes on 'other texts state that animals have the breath of

life and were given it by God. In this respect, man, created by the hand of God, is

identical with all other living creatures. And so in Psalm 104 there is no distinction

between man and beasts when it reads, addressing God: " … Thou hidest thy face,

they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou

sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth."

The existence therefore,' the Holy Father reminds us, 'of all living creatures depends on

the living spirit/breath of God that not only creates but also sustains and renews the

face of the earth.'

This discourse caused a stir around the world, and was especially encouraging to

Catholic animal welfare groups which had begun to despair that anything 'animal friendly'

would ever be heard in Rome. The then professor of theology and dogma at the University of

Urbino, Carlo Molari, called it 'very important and significant. It is a "sign of the

times" because it demonstrates the Church's desire and deep concern to clarify

present confused thinking and attitudes towards the animal kingdom. There should be no

need, but the Pontiff, in reiterating that animals came into being because of the direct

action of the "breath" of God, wanted to say that also these creatures, as well

as man, are possessed of the divine spark of life and that living quality that is the

soul. And are therefore not inferior beings or only of a purely material reality.' "

I would like to discover which audience this is from, as the topic is of lively interest to me.

I am delighted to find all-creatures.org, a Catholic pro-animal website and resource.

Incredibly Inspiring

Thanks to Matthew Warner for this. Yesterday i was feeling rather tempted to feeling overwhelmed, possibly discouraged, wondering if--as I do sometimes--I was planning to tackle more than was prudent. Well, so much for that!

Lately my prayer has been: "Lord give me the grace to witness for you in how I carry out my daily duties." Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Ohhh, This Just makes Me So Irritable!

You’re St. Jerome! You’re a passionate Christian, fiercely devoted to Jesus Christ and his Church. You are willing to labor long hours in the Lord’s vineyard, and you have little patience with those who are less willing or able to work as you do. Your passions often carry you into temptation zones of wrath, lust, and pride. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

I Had No Idea

Cool Mom Picks: Save Handmade

"We're all for strengthening the safety standards of mass-produced toys,
clothes, and accessories made in China, and banning toxins like
phthalates and lead. But this year, congress passed the ill-conceived Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act,
a law which goes into effect in two months and will absolutely decimate
the small toy manufacturers, independent artisans, and crafters who
have already earned the public trust."

Go to the page at Cool Mom Picks to learn what you can do to stop this from happening.

The Mystery of the Headship of Christ

I had wanted to quote for you some of Our Holy Father's Wednesday audience, but with Benedict it is sohard to know where to begin!  Is it just me, or can it be positively heady to listen to or to read his discourses?  This one, on the "twin letters" of Colossians and Ephesians, is no exception.  The main topic is actually the headship of Christ and its ramifications for the Church and for her members.

Head over to Zenit for the full text.

There is also a special concept that is typical of these two letters, and it is the concept of "mystery." Once the "mystery of the will" of God is spoken of (Ephesians 1:9) and other times, the "mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4; Colossians 4:3), or even the "mystery of God, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:2-3).

This makes reference to the inscrutable divine design over the destiny of man, of peoples and of the world. With this language, the two epistles tell us that it is in Christ where the fulfillment of this mystery is found. If we are with Christ, even though we cannot intellectually understand everything, we know that we are in the nucleus and on the path of truth. He is in his totality, and not only one aspect of his person or one moment of his existence, he who gathers in himself the plenitude of the unsearchable divine plan of salvation.

In him takes shape what is called the "manifold wisdom of God" (Ephesians 3:10), since in him "dwells the whole fullness of the deity bodily" (Colossians 2:9). From now on, then, it is not possible to think of and adore the approval of God, his sovereign disposition, without confronting ourselves personally with Christ in person, in whom the "mystery" is incarnate and can be tangibly perceived. Thus one comes to contemplate "the inscrutable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8), which is beyond all human understanding.

It is not that God has not left the mark of his passing, since Christ himself is the footprint of God, his maximum mark, but rather that one realizes "what is the breadth and length and height and depth" of this mystery "that surpasses knowledge" (Ephesians 3:18-19). Mere intellectual categories here prove insufficient, and recognizing that many things are beyond our rational capacities, we should trust in the humble and joyful contemplation, not just of the mind, but also of the heart. The fathers of the Church, on the other hand, tell us that love understands much more than reason alone.

Our Lady Defender of the Innocents

Our
Lady of Guadalupe, we turn to you who are the protectress
of unborn children and ask that you intercede for us, so
that we may more firmly resolve to join you in protecting
all human life. Let our prayers be united to your
perpetual motherly intercession on behalf of those whose
lives are threatened, be they in the womb of their
mother, on the bed of infirmity, or in the latter years
of their life. May our prayers also be coupled with
peaceful action, which witnesses to the goodness and
dignity of all human life, so that our firmness of
purpose may give courage to those who are fearful and
bring light to those who are blinded by sin. Encourage
those who will be involved in the March for Life; help
them to walk closely with God and to give voice to the
cry of the oppressed, in order to remind our nation of
its commitment to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness for all people. O Virgin Mother of God, present
our petitions to your Son and ask Him to bless us with
abundant life. Amen

Video - Fr Angelo - Standing Fast #26: The Church Militant; or Impotent?

Another in this excellent series. I am thinking now, of course, of our duty to proclaim saving Truth.

Video - Fr Angelo - Standing Fast #26: The Church Militant … or Impotent?

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Video - Fr Angelo - Standing Fast #27: Let Death Be Your Guide

On the topic of standing up for what we profess, here is Fr. Angelo.

Video - Fr Angelo - Standing Fast #27: Let Death Be Your Guide

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Novena of Reparation for Roe vs. Wade

The following novena is from Priests for Life.
This novena begins today, and is prayed in reparation for Roe vs. Wade, ending on the anniversary of the passage of that woeful law.  January 22nd is a day of special prayer, fasting and recollection to end the abomination of abortion.

Prayer of Reparation

God and Father of Life,
You have created every human person,
and have opened the way for each to have eternal life.

We live in the shadow of death.
Tens of millions of your children have been killed
thanks to the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Father, have mercy on us.
Heal our land
 and accept our offering of prayer and penance.
In your love for us,
turn back the scourge of abortion.

May each of us exult in hearts full of hope,
and hands full of mercy,
and work together to build a culture of life.

We pray through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Abortion -This is a Dismemberment Abortion

4th Day of Novena to Stop FOCA

In the forums area at Phatmass is an excellent complete explanation of the novena to stop FOCA.  Hey even if you are a straggler (I am, I didn't hear about it until the third day) just chime in!  God honors our prayers and our efforts in this battle for life.  So much is at stake.  We must educate ourselves, and we must make a stand.

Among the important components of this novena is fasting.  It is suggested to fast for at least two days during the course of the novena.  Pray very much.  Fast. Contact your legislators.  this must be stopped.

Here is a link where you can obtain the contact information for your legislators.