An opportunity...
Zenit.org
Benedict XVI is offering the opportunity to gain a plenary indulgence to those who participate in the events surrounding the May 24 World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.
In a notice to parishes, the Hong Kong Diocese announced May 9 that at the request of Cardinal Joseph Zen, bishop of Hong Kong, the Pope is making a plenary indulgence available to the faithful.
To receive the plenary indulgence, the faithful should participate in one of the solemn functions to be held May 15-25 in the diocese, as well as fulfilling the customary conditions.
Those who are unable to participate due to sickness or other grave reasons can also obtain the indulgence by uniting themselves spiritually with those present at the celebrations, offering their prayers and sufferings to the God of mercy for the Church in China.
"It is the wish of the Holy Father that the faithful will more and more yearn for and put into practice the supernatural virtues, especially faith, hope and charity, and that they will strengthen their communion with the Roman Pontiff, who is the visible foundation of the unity of the whole Catholic Church," the diocese said.
Benedict XVI proclaimed May 24, memorial of Our Lady, Help of Christians, a World Day of Prayer for the Church in China in his May 27, 2007, letter to Chinese Catholics.
Indulgences (The Orignal Catholic Encyclopedia - all 18 volumns)
WHAT AN INDULGENCE is.—An indulgence is the extra-sacramental remission of the temporal punishment due, in God's justice, to sin that has been forgiven, which remission is granted by the Church in the exercise of the power of the keys, through the application of the superabundant merits of Christ and of the saints, and for some just and reasonable motive. Regarding this definition, the following points are to be noted: (I) In the Sacrament of Baptism not only is the guilt of sin remitted, but also all the penalties attached to sin. In the Sacrament of Penance the guilt of sin is removed, and with it the eternal punishment due to mortal sin; but there still remains the temporal punishment required by Divine justice, and this requirement must be fulfilled either in the present life or in the world to come, i.e., in Purgatory.
An indulgence offers the penitent sinner the means of discharging this debt during his life on earth. (2) Some writs of indulgence—none of them, however, issued by any pope or council (Pesch, Tr. Dogm., VII, 196, §464)—contain the expression, "indulgentia a culpa et a paena", i.e. release from guilt and from punishment; and this has occasioned considerable misunderstanding (cf. Lea, "History" etc. III, 54 sqq.). The real meaning of the formula is that, indulgences presupposing the Sacrament of Penance, the penitent, after receiving sacramental absolution from the guilt of sin, is afterwards freed from the temporal penalty by the indulgence (Bellarmine, "De Indulg"., I, 7). In other words, sin is fully pardoned, i.e. its effects entirely obliterated, only when complete reparation, and consequently release from penalty as well as from guilt, has been made. Hence Clement V (1305-1314) condemned the practice of those purveyors of indulgences who pretended to absolve "a culpa et a poena" (Clement, I, v, tit. 9, c. ii); the Council of Constance (1418) revoked (Sess. XLII, n. 14) all indulgences containing the said formula; Benedict XIV (1740-1758) treats them as spurious indulgences granted in this form, which he ascribes to the illicit practices of the "quaestores" or purveyors (De Syn. diceces., VIII, viii. 7). (3) The satisfaction, usually called the "penance", imposed by the confessor when he gives absolution is an integral part of the Sacrament of Penance; an indulgence is extra-sacramental; it presupposes the effects obtained by confession, contrition, and sacramental satisfaction. It differs also from the penitential works undertaken of his own accord by the repentant sinner—prayer, fasting, alms-giving in that these are personal and get their value from the merit of him who performs them, whereas an indulgence places at the penitent's disposal the merits of Christ and of the saints, which form the "Treasury" of the Church. (4) An indulgence is valid both in the tribunal of the Church and in the tribunal of God. This means that it not only releases the penitent from his indebtedness to the Church or from the obligation of performing canonical penance, but also from the temporal punishment which he has incurred in the sight of God and which, without the indulgence, he would have to undergo in order to satisfy Divine justice. This, however, does not imply that the Church pretends to set aside the claim of God's justice or that she allows the sinner to repudiate his debt. As St. Thomas says (Suppl., xxv. a. 1 ad Dim), " He who gains indulgences is not thereby released outright from what he owes as penalty, but is provided with the means of paying it." The Church therefore neither leaves the penitent helplessly in debt nor ac-quits him of all further accounting; she enables him to meet his obligations. (5) In granting an indulgence, the grantor (pope or bishop) does not offer his personal merits in lieu of what God demands from the sinner. He acts in his official capacity as having jurisdiction in the Church, from whose spiritual treasury he draws the means wherewith payment is to be made. The Church herself is not the absolute owner, but simply the administratrix, of the superabundant merits which that treasury contains. In applying them, she keeps in view both the design of God's mercy and the demands of God's justice. She therefore determines the amount of each concession, as well as the conditions which the penitent must fulfill if he would gain the indulgence.
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Purgatory
Purgatory (Lat., purgare, to make clean, to purify) in accordance with Catholic teaching is a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace, are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions. The faith of the Church concerning purgatory is clearly expressed in the Decree of Union drawn up by the Council of Florence (Mansi, t. XXXI, col. 1031), and in the decree of the Council of Trent which (Sess. XXV) defined: "Whereas the Catholic Church, instructed by the Holy Ghost, has from the Sacred Scriptures and the ancient tradition of the Fathers taught in Councils and very recently in this ecumenical synod (Sess. VI, cap. xxx; Sess. XXII, cap. ii, iii) that there is a purgatory, and that the souls therein detained are helped by the suffrages of the faithful, but principally by the acceptable Sacrifice of the Altar; the Holy Synod enjoins on the Bishops that they diligently endeavor to have the sound doctrine of the Fathers in Councils regarding purgatory everywhere taught and preached, held and believed by the faithful" (Denzinger, "Enchiridion", 983). Further than this the definitions of the Church do not go, but the tradition of the Fathers and the Schoolmen must be consulted to explain the teaching of the councils, and to make clear the belief and the practices of the faithful.
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Myths about Indulgences
Myth 1: A person can buy his way out of hell with indulgences.
This is a common misunderstanding, one that anti-Catholic commentators take advantage of, relying on the ignorance of both Catholics and non-Catholics. But the charge is without foundation. Since indulgences remit only temporal penalties, they cannot remit the eternal penalty of hell. Once a person is in hell, no amount of indulgences will ever change that fact. The only way to avoid hell is by appealing to God's eternal mercy while still alive. After death, one's eternal fate is set (Heb. 9:27).
Myth 2: A person can buy indulgences for sins not yet committed.
The Church has always taught that indulgences do not apply to sins not yet committed. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes, "[An indulgence] is not a permission to commit sin, nor a pardon of future sin; neither could be granted by any power."
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How To Gain An Indulgence
To gain any indulgence you must be a Catholic in a state of grace. You must be a Catholic in order to be under the Church's jurisdiction, and you must be in a state of grace because apart from God's grace none of your actions are fundamentally pleasing to God (meritorious). You also must have at least the habitual intention of gaining an indulgence by the act performed.
To gain a partial indulgence, you must perform with a contrite heart the act to which the indulgence is attached.
To gain a plenary indulgence you must perform the act with a contrite heart, plus you must go to confession (one confession may suffice for several plenary indulgences), receive Holy Communion, and pray for the pope's intentions. (An Our Father and a Hail Mary said for the pope's intentions are sufficient, although you are free to substitute other prayers of your own choosing.) The final condition is that you must be free from all attachment to sin, including venial sin.
Because of the extreme difficulty in meeting the final condition, plenary indulgences are rarely obtained. If you attempt to receive a plenary indulgence, but are unable to meet the last condition, a partial indulgence is received instead. Below are indulgences listed in the Handbook of Indulgences (New York: Catholic Book Publishing, 1991). Note that there is an indulgence for Bible reading. So, rather than discouraging Bible reading, the Catholic Church promotes it by giving indulgences for it! (This was the case long before Vatican II.)
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Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Altering Human Embryo's...Babies
It all amounts to human experientation to me... very sad.
News that scientists have for the first time genetically altered a human embryo is drawing fire from some watchdog groups that say it's a step toward creating "designer babies."
But an author of the study says the work was focused on stem cells. He notes that the researchers used an abnormal embryo that could never have developed into a baby anyway.
"None of us wants to make designer babies," said Dr. Zev Rosenwaks, director of the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
The idea of designer babies is that someday, scientists may insert particular genes into embryos to produce babies with desired traits like intelligence or athletic ability. Some people find that notion repugnant, saying it turns children into designed objects, and would create an unequal society where some people are genetically enriched while others would be considered inferior.
READ MORE
The study appears to be the first report of genetically modifying a human embryo. It was presented last fall at a meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, but didn't draw widespread public attention then. The result was reported over the weekend by The Sunday Times of London, which said British authorities highlighted the work in a recent report.
News that scientists have for the first time genetically altered a human embryo is drawing fire from some watchdog groups that say it's a step toward creating "designer babies."
But an author of the study says the work was focused on stem cells. He notes that the researchers used an abnormal embryo that could never have developed into a baby anyway.
"None of us wants to make designer babies," said Dr. Zev Rosenwaks, director of the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
The idea of designer babies is that someday, scientists may insert particular genes into embryos to produce babies with desired traits like intelligence or athletic ability. Some people find that notion repugnant, saying it turns children into designed objects, and would create an unequal society where some people are genetically enriched while others would be considered inferior.
READ MORE
The study appears to be the first report of genetically modifying a human embryo. It was presented last fall at a meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, but didn't draw widespread public attention then. The result was reported over the weekend by The Sunday Times of London, which said British authorities highlighted the work in a recent report.
Einstein's Letter
A letter from Albert Einstein up for auction reads:
"The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.
"No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this," he wrote in the letter written on January 3, 1954 to the philosopher Eric Gutkind, cited by The Guardian newspaper.
...and
"For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions," he said.
"And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people."
He is previously quoted as saying:
"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind"
Story Here
"The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.
"No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this," he wrote in the letter written on January 3, 1954 to the philosopher Eric Gutkind, cited by The Guardian newspaper.
...and
"For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions," he said.
"And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people."
He is previously quoted as saying:
"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind"
Story Here
Sunday, May 04, 2008
In God We Still Trust
I was cleaning up my desktop before I go to Mass this morning and I came across this video I forgot I had.
IN GOD WE STILL TRUST By Diamond Rio
IN GOD WE STILL TRUST By Diamond Rio
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Carl of InsightScoop has a post on this new Disney Picture, "Prince Caspian". He has a link to C.S. Lewis Society of California website with more new on a private showing of the movie.
Here's a link to the trailer: Narniaweb
Released: May 16th
Here's a link to the trailer: Narniaweb
Released: May 16th
Benedict's US Visit: A deeper look
Michael Barber of Singin In The Reign has a cool posting on B16 resent visit.
Benedict's US Visit: What You Haven't Heard
... another on the Ascension of the Lord
Five Reasons the Ascension Was Necesary
Benedict's US Visit: What You Haven't Heard
... another on the Ascension of the Lord
Five Reasons the Ascension Was Necesary
Monday, April 28, 2008
Politicians Received Communion during B16 Visit
Great post and a follow-up to previous post on pro-abortion politicians receiving communion.
Insight Scoop: Was it Benedict's fault that pro-abort politicians received Communion?
Insight Scoop: Was it Benedict's fault that pro-abort politicians received Communion?
NY Cardinal blast Giuliani
This from Cardinal Edward Egan:
Egan says he had "an understanding" with the former presidential candidate and New York mayor that he is not to receive the Eucharist. The Catholic church opposes abortion.
The cardinal said Monday that Giuliani broke that understanding when he received the Eucharist during Pope Benedict XVI's visit.
Egan says he will be seeking a meeting with Giuliani "to insist that he abide by our understanding."
Hmmmmmmmm.
Egan says he had "an understanding" with the former presidential candidate and New York mayor that he is not to receive the Eucharist. The Catholic church opposes abortion.
The cardinal said Monday that Giuliani broke that understanding when he received the Eucharist during Pope Benedict XVI's visit.
Egan says he will be seeking a meeting with Giuliani "to insist that he abide by our understanding."
Hmmmmmmmm.
Rev. Wright Speech
Just heard the good reverend Wright’s speech on the way into work this morning. I know this will generate a lot of analysis from the experts. An expert I’m not, however I just can’t keep from sharing these thoughts on the speech.
1) First of all I think the resemblance in Rev Wright’s speech presentation and Senator Osama’s is like… well, father and son.
2) Every articulate, with a hint of injected points of humor. Delivered like a Dave Lettermen punch line, funny at the cost of a mischaracterization of another.
3) He referred to the “Black Theology” of his church as something “…just different”. What does that mean? Is radical Islam and the Jihadist, just different? Is the off-shoot Mormon Polygamist Cult just different? Are we expected to just accept that not discern?
4) Rev. Wright tries to trace his religion back to the time of “the Prophet Jesus”. I thought that was most peculiar. The prophet Jesus?
No, how about Our Lord and God Jesus! I don’t think that Jesus taught Black liberation theology or White liberation theology or Jewish liberation theology. Jesus came for ALL.
5) It seems to me his surface description of “everyone is equal” is not what he is preaching at all. All whites are not of the KKK. And I do believe that Blacks have come a long way from the days of slavery. I see very successful Black in all positions of life. Los Angeles is one of the most diverse places to live in America. That’s what I like most of L.A. We most certainly have our problems; however for the most part if you’re seeking a great mix of multi-culture, L.A. is the place to see it.
6) I still don’t understand how politics can be interjected in certain churches while others are threatened with IRS repercussions if the word Republican or Democrat are mentioned during the homily once too many times.
7) Was it me or was the whole speech about race?
Personally I think this going to hurt Sen. Obama. I believe it’s going to alienate those supporters that are going to feel offended about the good Reverends speech and tie it in with the Senator.
Then again this may place some artificial guilt complex which says, “I’m so ashamed of the past that I’m going to vote a certain way to make up for it”.
More thoughts later...
1) First of all I think the resemblance in Rev Wright’s speech presentation and Senator Osama’s is like… well, father and son.
2) Every articulate, with a hint of injected points of humor. Delivered like a Dave Lettermen punch line, funny at the cost of a mischaracterization of another.
3) He referred to the “Black Theology” of his church as something “…just different”. What does that mean? Is radical Islam and the Jihadist, just different? Is the off-shoot Mormon Polygamist Cult just different? Are we expected to just accept that not discern?
4) Rev. Wright tries to trace his religion back to the time of “the Prophet Jesus”. I thought that was most peculiar. The prophet Jesus?
No, how about Our Lord and God Jesus! I don’t think that Jesus taught Black liberation theology or White liberation theology or Jewish liberation theology. Jesus came for ALL.
5) It seems to me his surface description of “everyone is equal” is not what he is preaching at all. All whites are not of the KKK. And I do believe that Blacks have come a long way from the days of slavery. I see very successful Black in all positions of life. Los Angeles is one of the most diverse places to live in America. That’s what I like most of L.A. We most certainly have our problems; however for the most part if you’re seeking a great mix of multi-culture, L.A. is the place to see it.
6) I still don’t understand how politics can be interjected in certain churches while others are threatened with IRS repercussions if the word Republican or Democrat are mentioned during the homily once too many times.
7) Was it me or was the whole speech about race?
Personally I think this going to hurt Sen. Obama. I believe it’s going to alienate those supporters that are going to feel offended about the good Reverends speech and tie it in with the Senator.
Then again this may place some artificial guilt complex which says, “I’m so ashamed of the past that I’m going to vote a certain way to make up for it”.
More thoughts later...
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
"Jesus Was Son of Mary and Roman Rapist"
Paul Verhoeven, Dutch director of the such movies as 'Basic Instinct' and 'Showgirls', who also holds a Ph.D in mathematics and physics, oh and is Catholic, says that Jesus our Lord is the son of Mary and of a Romans soldier who raped her.
.... and he wants to make a movie about his theory.
WHAT?
In his upcoming biography of Jesus, "Basic Instinct" director Paul Verhoeven will say that Jesus was probably the son of Mary and a Roman soldier who raped her during the Jewish uprising in Galilee, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Verhoeven also claims that Christ was not betrayed by Judas Iscariot.
The director, who also directed "Showgirls," claims to portray Jesus in the most realistic way in his book, co-written by his biographer, Rob van Scheers, and due in September.
MORE...
Still MORE...
One of his conclusions deals with the fact that Jesus was probably the son of Mary and a Roman soldier who raped her during the Jewish uprising in Galilee. Verhoeven also claims that Christ was not betrayed by Judas Iscariot.
He says these ideas are a result of 20 years of research.
Well, we have 2000 years of teachings of the Church.
.... and he wants to make a movie about his theory.
WHAT?
In his upcoming biography of Jesus, "Basic Instinct" director Paul Verhoeven will say that Jesus was probably the son of Mary and a Roman soldier who raped her during the Jewish uprising in Galilee, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Verhoeven also claims that Christ was not betrayed by Judas Iscariot.
The director, who also directed "Showgirls," claims to portray Jesus in the most realistic way in his book, co-written by his biographer, Rob van Scheers, and due in September.
MORE...
Still MORE...
One of his conclusions deals with the fact that Jesus was probably the son of Mary and a Roman soldier who raped her during the Jewish uprising in Galilee. Verhoeven also claims that Christ was not betrayed by Judas Iscariot.
He says these ideas are a result of 20 years of research.
Well, we have 2000 years of teachings of the Church.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Gospel for Today
Reading the Gospel for today I was caught by it's message and related it to the visit of B16.
Gospel Jn 12:44-50
Jesus cried out and said,
“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,and whoever sees me
sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
Gospel Jn 12:44-50
Jesus cried out and said,
“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,and whoever sees me
sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Aboard: Shepherd One
This is interesting.... aboard Shepherd One with B16:
Pope Benedict is now on a plane. Some have called it “Shepherd One”, but in fact, it is an ordinary “Alitalia” plane. It does not belong to the Vatican. The tradition has been for Alitalia—Italy’s national carrier—to transport the pope, his entourage, and reporters on his first leg of an international trip and for an airline of the host country to do the return trip. This time, the pope will travel round-trip on Alitalia. Maybe he was afraid of getting his flight canceled if he were on an American carrier?! Probably not.
I am waiting in New York to do color commentary on set for Shepard Smith who will do live coverage of the 4:00pm (US Eastern) touchdown. Word is already out about the five questions reporters have asked the Holy Father on the plane. One of them was about the sexual abuse scandal in the United States. Since the questions had been previously reviewed and accepted by the Vatican’s communication department, the fact the pope answered this question in particular means he wanted to tackle the issue right from the start.
Keep in mind, before he became pope, Pope Benedict was in charge of the Vatican department responsible for reviewing the files of priests who had been accused of abuse. He knows from the inside the terrible nature of abuse. Listen to what he said this morning on the plane, as reported by the Associated Press. Note that when he says “Church” he is referring to all of its members, including the victims.
MORE...
This going to be interesting to see how the MSM is going to cover B16's visit. No doubt they will spin this into something negative. Maybe try to protray the Pope as out of touch... we'll see.
Pope Benedict is now on a plane. Some have called it “Shepherd One”, but in fact, it is an ordinary “Alitalia” plane. It does not belong to the Vatican. The tradition has been for Alitalia—Italy’s national carrier—to transport the pope, his entourage, and reporters on his first leg of an international trip and for an airline of the host country to do the return trip. This time, the pope will travel round-trip on Alitalia. Maybe he was afraid of getting his flight canceled if he were on an American carrier?! Probably not.
I am waiting in New York to do color commentary on set for Shepard Smith who will do live coverage of the 4:00pm (US Eastern) touchdown. Word is already out about the five questions reporters have asked the Holy Father on the plane. One of them was about the sexual abuse scandal in the United States. Since the questions had been previously reviewed and accepted by the Vatican’s communication department, the fact the pope answered this question in particular means he wanted to tackle the issue right from the start.
Keep in mind, before he became pope, Pope Benedict was in charge of the Vatican department responsible for reviewing the files of priests who had been accused of abuse. He knows from the inside the terrible nature of abuse. Listen to what he said this morning on the plane, as reported by the Associated Press. Note that when he says “Church” he is referring to all of its members, including the victims.
MORE...
This going to be interesting to see how the MSM is going to cover B16's visit. No doubt they will spin this into something negative. Maybe try to protray the Pope as out of touch... we'll see.
Monday, April 14, 2008
B16 - He's Coming to America
He's on his way... lots' on the Holy Father today:
Special Audio Reports from John L. Allen, National Catholci Reporter
Benedict to the UN: In Defense of Natural Law
McCain and the Pope
Pope Benedict request prayers for "spiritual renewal" in U.S. visit
AP Report: Pope Instrodueces Himself to U.S. This Week
Chiesa: The America of Benedict XVI, a Model for Catholic Europe
Total EWTN Coverage
National Cathlic Register: 5 Key Issues of Benedict the Rock
InsightScoop: USA TODAY continues its pathetic, Stereotypical "coverage" of B16
Fr. Jonathan Morris: Covering Pope Benedict's Visit
Zenit: U.S. Envoy: Pope and Bush to Discuss Fatih and Reason
Just added:
George Weigel: How Benedict XVI Will Make History
Raymond Arroyo: A Papal Pilgrimage
Special Audio Reports from John L. Allen, National Catholci Reporter
Benedict to the UN: In Defense of Natural Law
McCain and the Pope
Pope Benedict request prayers for "spiritual renewal" in U.S. visit
AP Report: Pope Instrodueces Himself to U.S. This Week
Chiesa: The America of Benedict XVI, a Model for Catholic Europe
Total EWTN Coverage
National Cathlic Register: 5 Key Issues of Benedict the Rock
InsightScoop: USA TODAY continues its pathetic, Stereotypical "coverage" of B16
Fr. Jonathan Morris: Covering Pope Benedict's Visit
Zenit: U.S. Envoy: Pope and Bush to Discuss Fatih and Reason
Just added:
George Weigel: How Benedict XVI Will Make History
Raymond Arroyo: A Papal Pilgrimage
Friday, April 11, 2008
Pascal's Wager
Great article on "Pascal's Wager" by Dinesh D'Souza, author of "What's So Great About Christianity"
The Power of Pascal's Wager:
Skeptics say that we cannot know whether God exists, and in a sense they are right. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1 that faith is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." If the believer knew, there would be no question of faith. Consider this: I don't have faith that my daughter is in the seventh grade; I know my daughter is in the seventh grade. I haven't been to heaven, and so I cannot say that I know there is such a place. But I believe that there is. Faith is a statement of trust in what we do not know for sure.
But is such faith reasonable or is it, as the atheists frequently allege, "blind faith"? This central human conundrum is the subject of Pascal's famous wager. Pascal did not invent the wager. It was offered by the Muslim theologian Abu Hamid al-Ghazzali in his medieval work The Alchemy of Happiness. Pascal was familiar with Ghazzali and probably derived the argument from him. But Pascal gave the wager its current classic expression, and in doing so he places an unavoidable choice before all believers and unbelievers.
Pascal argues in his Pensees that in life we have to gamble. Let's say you are offered a new job that may take your career to new heights. It looks extremely promising, but of course there are risks. There is no way in advance to know how things will turn out. You have to decide if you will go for it. Or you are in love with a woman. You have been dating for a while, yet you cannot be certain what marriage to her is going to be like for the next several decades. You proceed on the basis of what you know, but what you know is, by the nature of the matter, inadequate. Yet you have to make a decision. You cannot keep saying, "I will remain agnostic until I know for sure." If you wait too long, she will marry someone else, or both of you will be dead.
In the same way, Pascal argues that in making our decision about God, we will never understand everything in advance. No amount of rational investigation can produce definitive answers, since what comes after death remains unknown. Therefore we have to examine the options, and we have to make our wager. But what are the alternatives, and how should we weigh the odds? Pascal argues that we have two basic choices, and either way we must consider the risk of being wrong.
MORE>>>
The Power of Pascal's Wager:
Skeptics say that we cannot know whether God exists, and in a sense they are right. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1 that faith is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." If the believer knew, there would be no question of faith. Consider this: I don't have faith that my daughter is in the seventh grade; I know my daughter is in the seventh grade. I haven't been to heaven, and so I cannot say that I know there is such a place. But I believe that there is. Faith is a statement of trust in what we do not know for sure.
But is such faith reasonable or is it, as the atheists frequently allege, "blind faith"? This central human conundrum is the subject of Pascal's famous wager. Pascal did not invent the wager. It was offered by the Muslim theologian Abu Hamid al-Ghazzali in his medieval work The Alchemy of Happiness. Pascal was familiar with Ghazzali and probably derived the argument from him. But Pascal gave the wager its current classic expression, and in doing so he places an unavoidable choice before all believers and unbelievers.
Pascal argues in his Pensees that in life we have to gamble. Let's say you are offered a new job that may take your career to new heights. It looks extremely promising, but of course there are risks. There is no way in advance to know how things will turn out. You have to decide if you will go for it. Or you are in love with a woman. You have been dating for a while, yet you cannot be certain what marriage to her is going to be like for the next several decades. You proceed on the basis of what you know, but what you know is, by the nature of the matter, inadequate. Yet you have to make a decision. You cannot keep saying, "I will remain agnostic until I know for sure." If you wait too long, she will marry someone else, or both of you will be dead.
In the same way, Pascal argues that in making our decision about God, we will never understand everything in advance. No amount of rational investigation can produce definitive answers, since what comes after death remains unknown. Therefore we have to examine the options, and we have to make our wager. But what are the alternatives, and how should we weigh the odds? Pascal argues that we have two basic choices, and either way we must consider the risk of being wrong.
MORE>>>
5 New U.S. Bishops
B16 has appointed 5 new Sheperds of the faith.
Pope Benedict XVI has named five new bishops for the United States, the largest number of prelates named in a single instance by a Pope during the last 10 years. The new bishops are Bishop Richard Edmund Pates of Des Moines, Bishop Anthony Basil Taylor of Little Rock, Auxiliary Bishop James Douglas Conley of Denver, Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantu of San Antonio and Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice of San Francisco.
Pray for our Sheperds...
Pope Benedict XVI has named five new bishops for the United States, the largest number of prelates named in a single instance by a Pope during the last 10 years. The new bishops are Bishop Richard Edmund Pates of Des Moines, Bishop Anthony Basil Taylor of Little Rock, Auxiliary Bishop James Douglas Conley of Denver, Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantu of San Antonio and Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice of San Francisco.
Pray for our Sheperds...
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Chance Or Purpose
Just picked up my copy of Chance Or Purpose: Creation, Evolution, and Rational Faith by Christoph Cardinal Schonborn.
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn’s article on evolution and creation in The New York Times launched an international controversy. Critics charged him with biblical literalism and “creationism”.
In this book, Cardinal Schönborn responds to his critics by tackling the hard questions with a carefully reasoned "theology of creation". Can we still speak intelligently of the world as “creation” and affirm the existence of the Creator, or is God a “delusion”? How should an informed believer read Genesis? If God exists, why is there so much injustice and suffering? Are human beings a part of nature or elevated above it? What is man's destiny? Is everything a matter of chance or can we discern purpose in human existence?
In his treatment of evolution, Cardinal Schönborn distinguishes the biological theory from “evolutionism”, the ideology that tries to reduce all of reality to mindless, meaningless processes. He argues that science and a rationally grounded faith are not at odds and that what many people represent as “science” is really a set of philosophical positions that will not withstand critical scrutiny.
Chance or Purpose? directly raises the philosophical and theological issues many scientists today overlook or ignore. The result is a vigorous, frank dialogue that acknowledges the respective insights of the philosopher, the theologian and the scientist, but which calls on them to listen and to learn from each another.
"Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn's 2005 essay in the New York Times, which seemingly condemned Darwin's scientific theory of evolution, ignited a firestorm of controversy. Yet the hasty responses did not look deeply enough into the Cardinal's words. Rather than the science of Darwin, it is the philosophical claims made in its name that the prelate upbraided. Science cannot speak of ultimate purpose, and scientists who do so are outside of their authority. In Chance or Purpose? the Cardinal shows that the data of biology, when properly examined by reason and philosophy, strongly point to a purposeful world."—Michael Behe Author, Darwin’s Black Box
“Cardinal Schoenborn writes with masterful simplicity on profound theological issues. I, as a scientist and Christian outside the Catholic tradition, welcome his wisdom. He argues effectively that there are multiple approaches to reality, and he states clearly that while intelligent design is worthy of human reflection, from a scientific perspective the evolutionary model is the true story.”—Owen Gingerich, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and History of Science, Harvard University. Author of God's Universe
“Intellectual curiosity is here joined with precision of reason and vibrancy of faith. The result is a wondrously instructive guide to one of the most controverted questions of our time by one of the most influential leaders of the Church.” —Richard John Neuhaus Editor, First Things
“Anyone reading this sentence knows that eyes are meant for seeing. Yet in today's debates over evolution, the question of meaning ranks among the most controversial (even if obvious) features of our world. In the din of this muddled debate, Cardinal Schoenborn speaks as a true teacher of the Catholic faith, unafraid to apply the core wisdom of the Bible to the two Top Questions that haunt us all: where do we come from and where are we headed? Any attempt to answer these two tormenting mysteries will either begin here or never find their resolution.”—Edward T. Oakes, S.J., University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein, Illinois.
Link to offical website: Chance or Purpose
Ben Stein: EXPELLED!
I saw the trailer on this new documentary with Ben Stein. Yes, that’s Ben Stein the former teacher turn political analyst.(I remember first seeing him on the TV show ‘Wonder Years’…he played… you guessed it… the teacher)
The movie has been described as “Michael Moore on truth serum”.
The Documentary is about the down right hostile resistance to Intelligent Design (not Creationism). Mostly a denial of God as Creator. (yes, evolution is involved)
The trailer doesn’t look like your average documentary… it actually looks quite entertaining and the subject matter is in my opinion very important.
View the Trailer: EXPELLED
Here’s also some tech material on the subject from a couple of professors mentioned in the movie.
Intelligent Design: the Origin of Biological Information and the Higher Taxonomic Categories by Stephen C. Meyer
Carl of InsightScoop has an interview with the producer of the movie. Very interesting.
The film opens Friday, April 18th 2008 in select theaters in your area: Theater Locator
Got to see it!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Cannondale F7 - Mountain Bike
This is a picture of the new member to my family (except in Grey). I just picked it up this weekend and promptly headed to the nearest trail.
Now this is an entry level mountain bike, for an entry level mountain biker. But I'm looking forward to breaking it in... hopefully not the other way around.
(Cannondale F7)
Monday, April 07, 2008
B16 in America
Two weeks to go until Pope Benedict XVI visit to America. Phil Lawler of CWNews weighs in:
Apr. 4, 2008 (CWNews.com) - With a papal visit less than two weeks away, American readers can anticipate a spate of "analysis" stories, assessing the health of US Catholicism and predicting the content of the Pope's message to America. Be forewarned: most of this coverage will be grossly inaccurate.
MORE
Apr. 4, 2008 (CWNews.com) - With a papal visit less than two weeks away, American readers can anticipate a spate of "analysis" stories, assessing the health of US Catholicism and predicting the content of the Pope's message to America. Be forewarned: most of this coverage will be grossly inaccurate.
MORE
Orthodox Priest murdered in Baghdad
More bad news as another priest murdered in Iraq.
Father Yusef Adel was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in the Iraqi capital. The killing occurred than 3weeks after the death after Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Faraj Raho was found dead, after having been kidnapped from outside his cathedral in Mosul.
Syrian Orthodox Bishop Matti Shaba Matoka presided at the funeral for Father Adel, with Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly and the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Francis Chulikatt, representing the city's Catholic leadership.
Prayers or the Church in Iraq....
Father Yusef Adel was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in the Iraqi capital. The killing occurred than 3weeks after the death after Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Faraj Raho was found dead, after having been kidnapped from outside his cathedral in Mosul.
Syrian Orthodox Bishop Matti Shaba Matoka presided at the funeral for Father Adel, with Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly and the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Francis Chulikatt, representing the city's Catholic leadership.
Prayers or the Church in Iraq....
Smallest 15 yr Old Girl ....in the World
Cool Story.
God Bless all 1ft 11 inches of her....sound like her heart is 10x as big.
I love her attitude...
Ben Hur - Dead at 84
Charlton Heston dead at 84 yrs. One of my favorite actors. He's best know for his "10 Commandments" and "Ben-Hur", but I also like his "Solant Green".
Heston, who died Saturday night at 84, was a towering figure both in his politics and on screen, where his characters had the ear of God (Moses in "The Ten Commandments"), survived apocalyptic plagues ("The Omega Man") and endured one of Hollywood's most-grueling action sequences (the chariot race in "Ben-Hur," which earned him the best- actor Academy Award).
He will be missed.
My prayers to his family and friends.
WCC +<><
Heston, who died Saturday night at 84, was a towering figure both in his politics and on screen, where his characters had the ear of God (Moses in "The Ten Commandments"), survived apocalyptic plagues ("The Omega Man") and endured one of Hollywood's most-grueling action sequences (the chariot race in "Ben-Hur," which earned him the best- actor Academy Award).
He will be missed.
My prayers to his family and friends.
WCC +<><
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
April Fool's Day - Origin
Happy April Fool's Day!
I found this and I thought I'd pass it on...
The History of April Fool's Day... Us Catholics always fooling with the calendar...
April Fool's Day Origin
Also some famous April Fool's Day Hoax's
... my favorite's the 'Left Handed Whooper'...
CNN has some video's up as well...
I found this and I thought I'd pass it on...
The History of April Fool's Day... Us Catholics always fooling with the calendar...
April Fool's Day Origin
Also some famous April Fool's Day Hoax's
... my favorite's the 'Left Handed Whooper'...
CNN has some video's up as well...
Monday, March 31, 2008
B16 in America
Carl of Insightscoop has a good post on the up coming visit of Pope Benedict:
I'm agreeing (gulp!) with The New York Times (gasp!) about Benedict's visit
I'm agreeing (gulp!) with The New York Times (gasp!) about Benedict's visit
The Fifth Marian Dogma
On this day of the "Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord", this was an interesting article.
Cardinals Lead - Time fro Us to Follow
March 30, 2008
Over the course of the last few weeks, several events have taken place which one could rightly interpret as significant steps leading towards a potential definition of a fifth Marian Dogma of the Spiritual Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On January 11, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI released his 2008 World Day of the Sick Address for February 11, in which he presented his strongest teaching to date on Our Lady's coredemptive role with Jesus at Calvary. The Holy Father states:
For this reason, Mary is a model of total self-abandonment to God's will: she received in her heart the eternal Word and she conceived it in her virginal womb; she trusted in God and, with her soul pierced by a sword (cf. Lk 2:35), she did not hesitate to share the Passion of her Son, renewing on Calvary at the foot of the Cross her "yes" of the Annunciation. ... Associated with the Sacrifice of Christ, Mary, Mater Dolorosa, who at the foot of the Cross suffers with her divine Son, is felt to be especially near by the Christian community, which gathers around its suffering members who bear the signs of the passion of the Lord. Mary suffers with those who are in affliction, with them she hopes, and she is their comfort, supporting them with her maternal help. And is it not perhaps true that the spiritual experience of very many sick people leads us to understand increasingly that "the Divine Redeemer wishes to penetrate the soul of every sufferer through the heart of his holy Mother, the first and the most exalted of all the redeemed"? (John Paul II, Salvifici Doloris, n. 26)
On February 8, 2008, five cardinals release a press statement regarding their January 1, 2008 letter to every cardinal and bishop of the world, in which they invite the world's prelates to join them in their petition to Pope Benedict XVI to solemnly define as dogma the role of the blessed Virgin Mary as the Spiritual Mother of humanity under its three essential roles as Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces and Advocate. These five cardinals — their Eminences Telesphore Cardinal Toppo, Luis Cardinal Aponte MartÃnez, Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, and Ernesto Cardinal Corripio Ahumada — enclosed the following votum (or petition) and invited each cardinal and bishop to sign and to forward to the Holy Father:
Your Holiness, Benedict XVI, ... MORE...
Cardinals Lead - Time fro Us to Follow
March 30, 2008
Over the course of the last few weeks, several events have taken place which one could rightly interpret as significant steps leading towards a potential definition of a fifth Marian Dogma of the Spiritual Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On January 11, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI released his 2008 World Day of the Sick Address for February 11, in which he presented his strongest teaching to date on Our Lady's coredemptive role with Jesus at Calvary. The Holy Father states:
For this reason, Mary is a model of total self-abandonment to God's will: she received in her heart the eternal Word and she conceived it in her virginal womb; she trusted in God and, with her soul pierced by a sword (cf. Lk 2:35), she did not hesitate to share the Passion of her Son, renewing on Calvary at the foot of the Cross her "yes" of the Annunciation. ... Associated with the Sacrifice of Christ, Mary, Mater Dolorosa, who at the foot of the Cross suffers with her divine Son, is felt to be especially near by the Christian community, which gathers around its suffering members who bear the signs of the passion of the Lord. Mary suffers with those who are in affliction, with them she hopes, and she is their comfort, supporting them with her maternal help. And is it not perhaps true that the spiritual experience of very many sick people leads us to understand increasingly that "the Divine Redeemer wishes to penetrate the soul of every sufferer through the heart of his holy Mother, the first and the most exalted of all the redeemed"? (John Paul II, Salvifici Doloris, n. 26)
On February 8, 2008, five cardinals release a press statement regarding their January 1, 2008 letter to every cardinal and bishop of the world, in which they invite the world's prelates to join them in their petition to Pope Benedict XVI to solemnly define as dogma the role of the blessed Virgin Mary as the Spiritual Mother of humanity under its three essential roles as Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces and Advocate. These five cardinals — their Eminences Telesphore Cardinal Toppo, Luis Cardinal Aponte MartÃnez, Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, and Ernesto Cardinal Corripio Ahumada — enclosed the following votum (or petition) and invited each cardinal and bishop to sign and to forward to the Holy Father:
Your Holiness, Benedict XVI, ... MORE...
Pope Benedict XVI message to the youth:
Pope B16 Urges Youth to Form Friendship With Christ
Benedict XVI greeted university students gathered for an annual conference sponsored by Opus Dei, and encouraged them to foster a personal relationship with Christ so as to be able to respond to the great questions of our time.
The Pope greeted in three languages the 3,000 participants of the international UNIV congress, gathered today in St. Peter's Basilica. He then gave the traditional catechesis during his weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall.
"I offer a cordial welcome to all of you who have come to Rome from various countries and universities to celebrate Holy Week together, and to take part in the International UNIV Congress," the Holy Father told the youth. "In this way, you will be able to benefit from moments of common prayer, cultural enrichment and a helpful exchange of the experiences gained from your association with the centers and activities of Christian formation sponsored by the Prelature of Opus Dei in your respective cities and nations."
The conference this year, which ends Easter Sunday, is focused on the theme "Being, Appearing, and Communicating: Entertainment and Happiness in a Multi-Medial Society."
The Pontiff reminded the youth that with a "serious personal commitment, inspired by the Gospel values, it is possible to respond adequately to the great questions of our time.'
Pope B16 Urges Youth to Form Friendship With Christ
Benedict XVI greeted university students gathered for an annual conference sponsored by Opus Dei, and encouraged them to foster a personal relationship with Christ so as to be able to respond to the great questions of our time.
The Pope greeted in three languages the 3,000 participants of the international UNIV congress, gathered today in St. Peter's Basilica. He then gave the traditional catechesis during his weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall.
"I offer a cordial welcome to all of you who have come to Rome from various countries and universities to celebrate Holy Week together, and to take part in the International UNIV Congress," the Holy Father told the youth. "In this way, you will be able to benefit from moments of common prayer, cultural enrichment and a helpful exchange of the experiences gained from your association with the centers and activities of Christian formation sponsored by the Prelature of Opus Dei in your respective cities and nations."
The conference this year, which ends Easter Sunday, is focused on the theme "Being, Appearing, and Communicating: Entertainment and Happiness in a Multi-Medial Society."
The Pontiff reminded the youth that with a "serious personal commitment, inspired by the Gospel values, it is possible to respond adequately to the great questions of our time.'
"The Christian knows that there is an inseparable link between the truth, ethics and responsibility," he said. "Every authentic cultural expression contributes to form the conscience and encourage the person to better himself with the end of bettering society. In this way one feels responsible before the truth, at the service of which, one must put one's own personal liberty."
A commitment
Benedict XVI said this implies "a mission requiring commitment." And to fulfill this commitment, he affirmed, "the Christian is called to follow Jesus, cultivating an intense friendship with him through prayer and contemplation."
"To be friends of Christ, and to give testimony of him wherever we are, demands, furthermore, the strength to go against the grain, remembering the words of the Lord: You are in the world but not of the world," he added.
The Pope encouraged the youth: "Do not be afraid, then, to be nonconformists when it is necessary; at your university, school and in all places."
"Dear young people of UNIV, be leaven of hope in the world that desires to meet Jesus, often without knowing it," he urged. "To better the world, make an effort above all to change yourselves through an intense sacramental life, especially through approaching the sacrament of penance, and participating assiduously in the celebration of the Eucharist."
The UNIV conferences began in 1968, inspired and encouraged by Opus Dei's founder, Monsignor JosemarÃa Escrivá, who was canonized in 2002.
Young Adult Catholics
Young Adults are the future of the Church, that's a given. But where are they? Are they staying with the faith or leaving. Why are they staying or leave.
This article introduces a new book on the subject:
Evangelizing Youth in a Secularized World
Pope Urges Youth to Form Friendship With Christ
This article introduces a new book on the subject:
Evangelizing Youth in a Secularized World
ROME, MARCH 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- With the July date for World Youth Day approaching, the event brings to the fore again the question of how best the Church can convey the Gospel message to young men and women.
Speaking to the bishops of Japan last Dec. 17 during their five-yearly visit to Rome, Benedict XVI warned how young people risk being deceived by modern secular culture.
"If their youthful energy and enthusiasm can be directed toward the things of God, which alone are sufficient to satisfy their deepest longings, more young people will be inspired to commit their lives to Christ," the Pope commented.
Achieving this, of course, is far from easy. A useful analysis of the prevailing culture and mentality among young people came in the recently published book, "After the Baby Boomers: How Twenty- and Thirty-Somethings are Shaping the Future of American Religion" (Princeton University Press).
Authored by Robert Wuthnow, professor of sociology and director of the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University, the book starts by noting that younger adults number more than 100 million in the United States.
Pope Benedict's XVI message to the youth:Pope Urges Youth to Form Friendship With Christ
Catholics 2nd in Numbers
Interesting.... but I'm not alarmed. It's not about numbers per say. It's about following Christ's true Church.
Here's the article
Muslims more numerous than Catholics: Vatican
Here's the article
Muslims more numerous than Catholics: Vatican
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Islam has overtaken Roman Catholicism as the biggest single religious denomination in the world, the Vatican said on Sunday.
Monsignor Vittorio Formenti, who compiled the Vatican's newly-released 2008 yearbook of statistics, said Muslims made up 19.2 percent of the world's population and Catholics 17.4 percent.
"For the first time in history we are no longer at the top: the Muslims have overtaken us," Formenti told Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano in an interview, saying the data referred to 2006.
He said that if all Christian groups were considered, including Orthodox churches, Anglicans and Protestants, then Christians made up 33 percent of the world's population -- or about 2 billion people.
The Vatican recently put the number of Catholics in the world at 1.13 billion people. It did not provide a figure for Muslims, generally estimated at around 1.3 billion.
MORE...Sunday, March 30, 2008
So Cal - In-depth Bible Study at JPII University
If you're in the area of the new John Paul II the Great University on Wednesday nights, stop by and partake of the in-depth bible study held by Michael Barber of Singing in the Reign
For those of you living in southern California, I want to invite you the free Bible study I'm leading at John Paul the Great Catholic University on Wednesday nights at 7pm.
...
This is a very detailed study--we're going through about a chapter or a half of a chapter a session. Each night participants get a packet of handouts that contains outlines, summaries, and a ton of footnotes with bibliographic information for further study. We're looking at all kinds of elements and issues attached with the Gospel--historical, apologetic, theological, pastoral, etc. The effort is made to appeal to both a popular and more academically inclined audiences. We're going through everything from Catholic magisterial teaching to the Dead Sea Scrolls, the early fathers, contemporary scholarship, Pope Benedict's new book on Jesus, etc.
After we are through with Luke we will take up Acts of the Apostles.
Some of the issues we are discussing include:
--Whether the Gospel of Luke is historically reliable
--Why Jesus called himself "the Son of Man
--How the Dead Sea Scrolls relate to our understanding of Jesus and the Judaism of his day
--Why Mary is likely a source for Luke's knowledge of Jesus
--Why there are differences in the Gospel accounts of episodes and teachings of Jesus
--How Luke's Gospel is related to Paul's Epistles
--How Old Testament hopes are fulfilled in Jesus and his ministry
--Why the Apostles are described by Luke as priests of the messianic age
--How Daniel's prophecy of 490 years (cf. Dan 9) is related to Jesus' ministry
--How Jesus is presented as a new Adam, Isaac, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, etc.
--What contemporary scholarship is saying about the various Gospel episodes and the historical Jesus
--How the early Church interpreted Jesus' teachings
--and much, much more...
Next week: As we move into Luke 7, we will discuss:
--Jesus' role as the new Elisha
--miracles and historical research
--Why John the Baptist, who had leaped in his mother's womb at the Visitation and had baptized Jesus, sent messengers to Jesus with the question, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (cf. Lk 7:19).
--and much more...
MORE...
For those of you living in southern California, I want to invite you the free Bible study I'm leading at John Paul the Great Catholic University on Wednesday nights at 7pm.
...
This is a very detailed study--we're going through about a chapter or a half of a chapter a session. Each night participants get a packet of handouts that contains outlines, summaries, and a ton of footnotes with bibliographic information for further study. We're looking at all kinds of elements and issues attached with the Gospel--historical, apologetic, theological, pastoral, etc. The effort is made to appeal to both a popular and more academically inclined audiences. We're going through everything from Catholic magisterial teaching to the Dead Sea Scrolls, the early fathers, contemporary scholarship, Pope Benedict's new book on Jesus, etc.
After we are through with Luke we will take up Acts of the Apostles.
Some of the issues we are discussing include:
--Whether the Gospel of Luke is historically reliable
--Why Jesus called himself "the Son of Man
--How the Dead Sea Scrolls relate to our understanding of Jesus and the Judaism of his day
--Why Mary is likely a source for Luke's knowledge of Jesus
--Why there are differences in the Gospel accounts of episodes and teachings of Jesus
--How Luke's Gospel is related to Paul's Epistles
--How Old Testament hopes are fulfilled in Jesus and his ministry
--Why the Apostles are described by Luke as priests of the messianic age
--How Daniel's prophecy of 490 years (cf. Dan 9) is related to Jesus' ministry
--How Jesus is presented as a new Adam, Isaac, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, etc.
--What contemporary scholarship is saying about the various Gospel episodes and the historical Jesus
--How the early Church interpreted Jesus' teachings
--and much, much more...
Next week: As we move into Luke 7, we will discuss:
--Jesus' role as the new Elisha
--miracles and historical research
--Why John the Baptist, who had leaped in his mother's womb at the Visitation and had baptized Jesus, sent messengers to Jesus with the question, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (cf. Lk 7:19).
--and much more...
MORE...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Tibet...Things are getting ugly
I've been following the events in Tibet and I don't have a good feeling about this. The Chinese government crack down is brutal to say the least. Now there's violence on both sides but lets face it, it's a one sided beating.
The Tibetian peoples have been battling for their independance for years and it's not going to get any easier for them.
Even with the Olympics in August, it doesn't seem the Chinese government is aiming to take care of this protest the same zeal as Tiananmen Square.
My prayers are with the Tibetians...
Paramilitary police opened fire on hundreds of monks, nuns and Tibetans who tried to march on a local government office in western China yesterday to demand the return of the Dalai Lama.
Residents of Luhuo said that a monk and a farmer appeared to have been killed and about a dozen people wounded in the latest violence in Tibetan areas of China. Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, said that one officer was killed when police confronted a “lawless mob” in Luhuo.
The demonstration began at 4pm when about 200 nuns from Woge nunnery and a similar number of monks from Jueri monastery marched towards the Luhuo Third District government office. They were joined by several hundred farmers and nomads, witnesses said.
Shouting “Long Live the Dalai Lama” and “Tibet belongs to Tibetans”, they approached the office. The paramilitary People’s Armed Police appeared and ordered the crowd to turn back. Witnesses said that shots were fired and two people appeared to have died. They identified one as Congun Dengzhu, a farmer, and the second as an unknown monk.
MORE...
The Tibetian peoples have been battling for their independance for years and it's not going to get any easier for them.
Even with the Olympics in August, it doesn't seem the Chinese government is aiming to take care of this protest the same zeal as Tiananmen Square.
My prayers are with the Tibetians...
Paramilitary police opened fire on hundreds of monks, nuns and Tibetans who tried to march on a local government office in western China yesterday to demand the return of the Dalai Lama.
Residents of Luhuo said that a monk and a farmer appeared to have been killed and about a dozen people wounded in the latest violence in Tibetan areas of China. Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, said that one officer was killed when police confronted a “lawless mob” in Luhuo.
The demonstration began at 4pm when about 200 nuns from Woge nunnery and a similar number of monks from Jueri monastery marched towards the Luhuo Third District government office. They were joined by several hundred farmers and nomads, witnesses said.
Shouting “Long Live the Dalai Lama” and “Tibet belongs to Tibetans”, they approached the office. The paramilitary People’s Armed Police appeared and ordered the crowd to turn back. Witnesses said that shots were fired and two people appeared to have died. They identified one as Congun Dengzhu, a farmer, and the second as an unknown monk.
MORE...
SiriusXM
Finally some news on this proposed merger. Seems yesterday they've cleared one more hurdle in this long drawn out transaction.
To tell you the truth, I don't know all the ramifications of this merger are, good or bad. All I know is that I'm paying for both and I only want to pay for one.
I've been a Sirius sub for quite a few years already, and now with the purchase of my new Civic, which comes with XM only, I've been paying for both. They don't sell a conversion kit for my Navigation unit in my Civic. Not yet anyway.
I like Sirius because it has EWTN Catholic radio, while XM doesn't.
.... you can keep Howard Stern.
Anyway here's the news:
Sirius Satellite Radio's $4.59 billion purchase of rival XM Satellite Radio was given antitrust clearance on Monday as the Justice Department concluded consumers have many alternatives, including mobile phones and personal audio players.
Investors sent shares of both companies sharply higher even though the Federal Communications Commission must still approve the combination of the only two U.S. providers of satellite radio, a deal first announced in February 2007.
In a victory for Sirius Chief Executive Mel Karmazin, who lobbied hard for the deal, the Justice Department agreed the satellite radio companies face stiff competition from traditional AM/FM radio, high-definition radio, MP3 players and programming delivered by mobile phones.
MORE...
Sounds like a wave of new products too.
To tell you the truth, I don't know all the ramifications of this merger are, good or bad. All I know is that I'm paying for both and I only want to pay for one.
I've been a Sirius sub for quite a few years already, and now with the purchase of my new Civic, which comes with XM only, I've been paying for both. They don't sell a conversion kit for my Navigation unit in my Civic. Not yet anyway.
I like Sirius because it has EWTN Catholic radio, while XM doesn't.
.... you can keep Howard Stern.
Anyway here's the news:
Sirius Satellite Radio's $4.59 billion purchase of rival XM Satellite Radio was given antitrust clearance on Monday as the Justice Department concluded consumers have many alternatives, including mobile phones and personal audio players.
Investors sent shares of both companies sharply higher even though the Federal Communications Commission must still approve the combination of the only two U.S. providers of satellite radio, a deal first announced in February 2007.
In a victory for Sirius Chief Executive Mel Karmazin, who lobbied hard for the deal, the Justice Department agreed the satellite radio companies face stiff competition from traditional AM/FM radio, high-definition radio, MP3 players and programming delivered by mobile phones.
MORE...
Sounds like a wave of new products too.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter Vigil - Vatican
Saturday's Easter Vigil is usually a time when the catechumens are welcomed into the Church. They are Baptized, Confirmed, and receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time.
It's a time of joy and celebration. The Mass is usually about 2 to 3 hours long. My wife entered the Church in this manner and I remember it well.
The Vatican held its Easter Vigil Mass as well and among the catechumens this year was a prominent Muslim journalist.
That would be cool to attend the Vigil Mass at the Vatican.
This morning on the way into work, the different news agencies were trying to make this joyous event into a political story. Stoking the fires between Islam and Christianity.
One reporter was describing the welcoming of the Muslim journalist into the faith as a “slap in the face of Islam”.
What????
B16 has been working hard to further relations with Muslim leaders. He’s held meetings with them this past month.
Here’s the story…
Zenit News:
The day Magdi Allam became a Catholic was a beautiful one, according to the Muslim journalist who was baptized by Benedict XVI at Saturday's Easter Vigil Mass.
Allam, who is originally from Egypt, was one of the seven people -- five women and two men -- the Pope baptized at St. Peter's Basilica.The Holy Father also administered the sacraments of the Eucharist and confirmation to the seven catechumens from five countries: Italy, Cameroon, China, the United States and Peru.Allam, deputy director of Corriere della Sera, one of Italy’s largest and oldest newspapers, has lived in Italy for almost 35 years.
Explaining what led the Pope to administer baptism to the journalist, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said, “For the Catholic Church, every person who asks to receive baptism after a deep personal search, a completely free choice and adequate preparation, has the right to receive it.” MORE...
MSN side:
Muslim baptized by pope says life in danger
It's a time of joy and celebration. The Mass is usually about 2 to 3 hours long. My wife entered the Church in this manner and I remember it well.
The Vatican held its Easter Vigil Mass as well and among the catechumens this year was a prominent Muslim journalist.
That would be cool to attend the Vigil Mass at the Vatican.
This morning on the way into work, the different news agencies were trying to make this joyous event into a political story. Stoking the fires between Islam and Christianity.
One reporter was describing the welcoming of the Muslim journalist into the faith as a “slap in the face of Islam”.
What????
B16 has been working hard to further relations with Muslim leaders. He’s held meetings with them this past month.
Here’s the story…
Zenit News:
The day Magdi Allam became a Catholic was a beautiful one, according to the Muslim journalist who was baptized by Benedict XVI at Saturday's Easter Vigil Mass.
Allam, who is originally from Egypt, was one of the seven people -- five women and two men -- the Pope baptized at St. Peter's Basilica.The Holy Father also administered the sacraments of the Eucharist and confirmation to the seven catechumens from five countries: Italy, Cameroon, China, the United States and Peru.Allam, deputy director of Corriere della Sera, one of Italy’s largest and oldest newspapers, has lived in Italy for almost 35 years.
Explaining what led the Pope to administer baptism to the journalist, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said, “For the Catholic Church, every person who asks to receive baptism after a deep personal search, a completely free choice and adequate preparation, has the right to receive it.” MORE...
MSN side:
Muslim baptized by pope says life in danger
Friday, March 21, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Christians at War...With Each Other!
Christians are at war!
… with each other! …I didn’t know this?!
Did massive Protestant mobs sack the Vatican?
Did Rome launch new Inquisition Trials?
OH …I get it. The MSM is at it again. Let’s make something out of nothing.
This article reminds me of the “7 deadly sins article” (see previous post). I mean, there’s some interesting points here, however calling it a war is a bit of a stretch.
Catholics celebrate Sunday’s as the day of worship because that’s when Jesus rose from the dead. Easter is always on a Friday….no….Saturday…no… one more guess.
SUNDAY! Bingo!
Okay, that being said, read on.
'Deception': Christians war over worship dayCenturies-old clash continues over disputed commandment
Two thousand years after Jesus walked the Earth, Christians are at war with each other concerning – as strange as it may sound – a day of the week mentioned in the Ten Commandments.
The issue boils down to: "When is God's Sabbath?" In other words, what is His holy day of rest?
Most Christians today think it's Sunday, when the majority of churches hold services.
But others confidently say it's Saturday, calling Sunday worship "the most flagrant error of mainstream Christianity," believing Sunday-keepers are victims of clever deception. MORE
From Sabbath to Sunday
Sabbath
Sunday
… with each other! …I didn’t know this?!
Did massive Protestant mobs sack the Vatican?
Did Rome launch new Inquisition Trials?
OH …I get it. The MSM is at it again. Let’s make something out of nothing.
This article reminds me of the “7 deadly sins article” (see previous post). I mean, there’s some interesting points here, however calling it a war is a bit of a stretch.
Catholics celebrate Sunday’s as the day of worship because that’s when Jesus rose from the dead. Easter is always on a Friday….no….Saturday…no… one more guess.
SUNDAY! Bingo!
Okay, that being said, read on.
'Deception': Christians war over worship dayCenturies-old clash continues over disputed commandment
Two thousand years after Jesus walked the Earth, Christians are at war with each other concerning – as strange as it may sound – a day of the week mentioned in the Ten Commandments.
The issue boils down to: "When is God's Sabbath?" In other words, what is His holy day of rest?
Most Christians today think it's Sunday, when the majority of churches hold services.
But others confidently say it's Saturday, calling Sunday worship "the most flagrant error of mainstream Christianity," believing Sunday-keepers are victims of clever deception. MORE
From Sabbath to Sunday
Sabbath
Sunday
Saturday, March 15, 2008
UPDATE: 7 Deadly Sins
The MSM... don't believe everything they say. Go to the source.
Littering Not New "Deadly Sin," Bishops Clarify, Say Vatican Didn't Publish List of 7 Modern Misdeeds (Zenit.org)
LONDON, MARCH 11, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Reports that the Vatican has published a new list of the seven deadly sins of modern times that includes littering and economic inequality is simply not true, affirmed the episcopal conference of England and Wales.
The conference released a statement today clarifying that an interview published Sunday by L'Osservatore Romano with Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, regent of the tribunal of he Apostolic Penitentiary, was misinterpreted in the media as an official Vatican update to the seven deadly sins, laid out by Pope Gregory the Great in the sixth century.
"The Vatican has not published a new list of seven deadly sins; this is not a new Vatican edict," said the conference. "The story originated from an interview that Bishop Gianfranco Girotti gave to the L'Osservatore Romano in which he was questioned about new forms of social sins in this age of globalization."
The Vatican newspaper interviewed the bishop at the conclusion of a course that took place last week on the "internal forum" -- questions of conscience -- organized by the tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary to strengthen the training of priests in administering the sacrament of confession.
In the interview titled "Le Nuove Forme del Peccato Sociale" (The New Forms of Social Sin), journalist Nicola Gori asked the prelate what he thought are the new sins of the modern era.
Bishop Girotti responded: "There are various areas in which today we can see sinful attitudes in relation to individual and social rights.
"Above all in the area of bioethics, in which we cannot fail to denounce certain violations of the fundamental rights of human nature, by way of experiments, genetic manipulation, the effects of which are difficult to prevent and control."
"Another area, a social issue, is the issue of drug use, which debilitates the psyche and darkens the intelligence, leaving many youth outside the ecclesial circuit."
The bishop also mentioned social inequality, "by which the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer, feeding an unsustainable social injustice," and the "area of ecology."
Littering Not New "Deadly Sin," Bishops Clarify, Say Vatican Didn't Publish List of 7 Modern Misdeeds (Zenit.org)
LONDON, MARCH 11, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Reports that the Vatican has published a new list of the seven deadly sins of modern times that includes littering and economic inequality is simply not true, affirmed the episcopal conference of England and Wales.
The conference released a statement today clarifying that an interview published Sunday by L'Osservatore Romano with Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, regent of the tribunal of he Apostolic Penitentiary, was misinterpreted in the media as an official Vatican update to the seven deadly sins, laid out by Pope Gregory the Great in the sixth century.
"The Vatican has not published a new list of seven deadly sins; this is not a new Vatican edict," said the conference. "The story originated from an interview that Bishop Gianfranco Girotti gave to the L'Osservatore Romano in which he was questioned about new forms of social sins in this age of globalization."
The Vatican newspaper interviewed the bishop at the conclusion of a course that took place last week on the "internal forum" -- questions of conscience -- organized by the tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary to strengthen the training of priests in administering the sacrament of confession.
In the interview titled "Le Nuove Forme del Peccato Sociale" (The New Forms of Social Sin), journalist Nicola Gori asked the prelate what he thought are the new sins of the modern era.
Bishop Girotti responded: "There are various areas in which today we can see sinful attitudes in relation to individual and social rights.
"Above all in the area of bioethics, in which we cannot fail to denounce certain violations of the fundamental rights of human nature, by way of experiments, genetic manipulation, the effects of which are difficult to prevent and control."
"Another area, a social issue, is the issue of drug use, which debilitates the psyche and darkens the intelligence, leaving many youth outside the ecclesial circuit."
The bishop also mentioned social inequality, "by which the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer, feeding an unsustainable social injustice," and the "area of ecology."
Friday, March 14, 2008
Satan - Do you believe he exist?
There was a song by 'Blood Sweat and tears' in the 70's that has a line in the lyrics that goes something like this. “….I swear there ain’t no heaven and I pray there ain’t no hell….”
Satan wonders the world, seeking the ruin of souls, as the saying goes and his usual motive operandi is to entice, to appear that what is Sin is anything but.
Then there are times when he rears his ugly head in a manner most obvious. One may think of Hollywood’s attempt to portray this in movies like ‘Poltergeist’ or even scarier ‘The Exorcist’.
Here’s an article out of ‘New Oxford Review – February’ that brings home a recent case in point.
Amid widespread confusion and skepticism about the subject, the chief goal of this article is to document a contemporary and clear-cut case of demonic possession. Even those who doubt such a phenomenon exists may find the following example rather persuasive. For clergy, or indeed anyone involved in the spiritual or psychological care of others, it is equally critical, however, to recognize the many and infinitely more common "counterfeits" (i.e., false assignations) of demonic influence or attack as well.
This need for caution and precision is especially important at a time when untrained laymen or, worse, public ministries may unfortunately mislead or even exploit the faithful in this area. One has only to turn on a television to witness obvious abuses -- for instance, televangelists' dunning their audience for cash as they conduct exhibitionist ceremonies before large assemblies of the overly credulous. Sharp distinctions -- long known to traditional theologians, but now often ignored -- need to be drawn.
Possession is only one and not the most common type of demonic attack. Possession is very rare, though not as exceedingly so as many imagine. So-called "oppression," or "infestation," is less rare, though hardly frequent either, and sometimes more difficult to discern accurately.1 For our purposes here, a truly "possessed" individual exhibits so massive and unequivocal an assault that we will use it as the paradigmatic example of a genuine demonic attack. This case will be contrasted not to the many lesser degrees of demonic assault, but rather to the varied kinds of purported demonic involvement -- often psychotic conditions -- that turn out to have a purely natural explanation.2 These states should be more widely recognized as such by religious practitioners. This need is especially great among the many laymen now in deliverance ministries, a rapidly growing worldwide phenomenon.3
The Case of a Modern-Day Demoniac
To show, first, that the devil, however rarely, may indeed "attack" by possessing an individual, I present here a detailed summary of a present-day demonic possession. It is truly an obvious example of a genuine attack, at least to an objective observer.
Each case of possession (as well as oppression) is, in one sense, unique. What makes this example especially singular -- but also particularly and powerfully convincing -- is that the woman involved not only exhibited, in a highly dramatic fashion, the classic signs of possession but, having been an avowed and prominent Satanist in her life, also seemed to display "special occult powers" even outside her trance states, not infrequently in a quite open manner to anyone who came in close contact with her.
All the facts presented here are true and verifiable by the multiple and highly credible individuals involved in her care. For reasons of confidentiality, we will identify our subject with a pseudonym (she agreed to have her story published if she were not identified), and little incidental material is included.
"Julia" is a middle-aged, self-supporting Caucasian woman who lives in the U.S. She first approached her local clergy on her own, and was soon referred to an official priest-exorcist (who collaborated on this article) to explore getting help. She herself was quite convinced from the start that she was being "attacked" in some way by a demon or Satan. During the course of her lengthy and thorough evaluation, she was eventually seen by this writer, a board-certified academic psychiatrist, who was asked to provide a medical and psychiatric opinion.
Julia revealed a long, disturbing history of involvement with explicitly Satanic groups (an obvious, historical antecedent to her then-present condition and to her accompanying "psychic" abilities, as they might be characterized). Though raised a Catholic, she no longer practiced the Faith. But, with considerable ambivalence, she stated she might need the Catholic Rite of Exorcism.
Julia was not the typical type of individual who frequently importunes the Church for help but who is really in need of psychiatric or other medical intervention. She was in no way psychotic; in fact, she was consistently logical, highly intelligent, and even quite engaging at times, despite her obvious turmoil.
Periodically, in our presence, Julia would go into a trance state of a recurring nature. Mentally troubled individuals often "dissociate,"4 but Julia's trances were accompanied by an unusual phenomenon: Out of her mouth would come various threats, taunts, and scatological language, phrases like "Leave her alone, you idiot," "She's ours," "Leave, you imbecile priest," or just "Leave." The tone of this voice differed markedly from Julia's own, and it varied, sometimes sounding guttural and vaguely masculine, at other points high pitched. Most of her comments during these "trances," or at the subsequent exorcisms, displayed a marked contempt for anything religious or sacred.
When Julia came out of these trances, she strongly professed no recollection of these remarks or of having said anything at all. An experienced psychiatrist might well conclude that we were probably, therefore, dealing with a dissociated personality or, more precisely, even Dissociative Identity Disorder (elaborated on later). What quickly made this understandable hypothesis implausible, however, were several other peculiar though obviously related phenomena, but a sampling of which is covered here.
Because of the complexity of this case, we assembled a team to assist. At varying points, this group comprised several qualified mental-health personnel, at least four Catholic priests, a deacon and his wife, two nuns (both nurses, one psychiatric), and several lay volunteers. We made a number of phone calls to arrange gathering together to help Julia. Julia herself was not in on these phone discussions; she was far from the area at the time. Astonishingly, Julia's "other" voice -- again sometimes deep, sometimes high pitched -- would actually interrupt the telephone conversations and somehow come in over the phone line! The voice(s) would espouse the same messages: "Leave her alone," "Leave, you idiots," "Get away from her," "She's ours." Julia, again, said later that she was unaware of any such conversation. And yet this speech was heard distinctly by several of the team on a number of occasions.
MORE…
Sometimes it takes the 'obvious' to slap us back to reality. It could be something as simple as viewing those red lights in our rear view miror as we get pulled over for speeding, to make us realize we are driving stupidly, recklessly, dangerously. We seem to drive a little more cautiously, at least for a short time, before we proceed to revert back to our old deadly driving ways. Next time (God forebit) it may lead to a fender bender...or worse.
This is why I decided to post this. Not for the gratification of viewing a scary movie or for posting a bizzare read where once we're done we then go on to the next news article or post. I did it to hopefully snap one to attention, a cold shower reminder that Evil is out there in his subtle ways and not so subtle ways.
We see it in the news everyday. With stories of the New York Govenor, the ongoing war, the murder of our Bishops, even in our elections with Abortion, and all the social issues.
Our souls are eternal, and in this Lenten season it's good to be reminded of our need to care for them. The readings of the Temptation in the desert, the raising of Lazerus, as they lead to Holy Week and the Passion.
We have hope though. We know the outcome. We know who wins.
We have Christ and the Resurrection on Easter!
We can share in his glory, if we keep our wits about us... and fight the good fight.
Additonal articles:
The Death of Satan - First Things
Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?
...I'll add more later
WCC+<><
Satan wonders the world, seeking the ruin of souls, as the saying goes and his usual motive operandi is to entice, to appear that what is Sin is anything but.
Then there are times when he rears his ugly head in a manner most obvious. One may think of Hollywood’s attempt to portray this in movies like ‘Poltergeist’ or even scarier ‘The Exorcist’.
Here’s an article out of ‘New Oxford Review – February’ that brings home a recent case in point.
Amid widespread confusion and skepticism about the subject, the chief goal of this article is to document a contemporary and clear-cut case of demonic possession. Even those who doubt such a phenomenon exists may find the following example rather persuasive. For clergy, or indeed anyone involved in the spiritual or psychological care of others, it is equally critical, however, to recognize the many and infinitely more common "counterfeits" (i.e., false assignations) of demonic influence or attack as well.
This need for caution and precision is especially important at a time when untrained laymen or, worse, public ministries may unfortunately mislead or even exploit the faithful in this area. One has only to turn on a television to witness obvious abuses -- for instance, televangelists' dunning their audience for cash as they conduct exhibitionist ceremonies before large assemblies of the overly credulous. Sharp distinctions -- long known to traditional theologians, but now often ignored -- need to be drawn.
Possession is only one and not the most common type of demonic attack. Possession is very rare, though not as exceedingly so as many imagine. So-called "oppression," or "infestation," is less rare, though hardly frequent either, and sometimes more difficult to discern accurately.1 For our purposes here, a truly "possessed" individual exhibits so massive and unequivocal an assault that we will use it as the paradigmatic example of a genuine demonic attack. This case will be contrasted not to the many lesser degrees of demonic assault, but rather to the varied kinds of purported demonic involvement -- often psychotic conditions -- that turn out to have a purely natural explanation.2 These states should be more widely recognized as such by religious practitioners. This need is especially great among the many laymen now in deliverance ministries, a rapidly growing worldwide phenomenon.3
The Case of a Modern-Day Demoniac
To show, first, that the devil, however rarely, may indeed "attack" by possessing an individual, I present here a detailed summary of a present-day demonic possession. It is truly an obvious example of a genuine attack, at least to an objective observer.
Each case of possession (as well as oppression) is, in one sense, unique. What makes this example especially singular -- but also particularly and powerfully convincing -- is that the woman involved not only exhibited, in a highly dramatic fashion, the classic signs of possession but, having been an avowed and prominent Satanist in her life, also seemed to display "special occult powers" even outside her trance states, not infrequently in a quite open manner to anyone who came in close contact with her.
All the facts presented here are true and verifiable by the multiple and highly credible individuals involved in her care. For reasons of confidentiality, we will identify our subject with a pseudonym (she agreed to have her story published if she were not identified), and little incidental material is included.
"Julia" is a middle-aged, self-supporting Caucasian woman who lives in the U.S. She first approached her local clergy on her own, and was soon referred to an official priest-exorcist (who collaborated on this article) to explore getting help. She herself was quite convinced from the start that she was being "attacked" in some way by a demon or Satan. During the course of her lengthy and thorough evaluation, she was eventually seen by this writer, a board-certified academic psychiatrist, who was asked to provide a medical and psychiatric opinion.
Julia revealed a long, disturbing history of involvement with explicitly Satanic groups (an obvious, historical antecedent to her then-present condition and to her accompanying "psychic" abilities, as they might be characterized). Though raised a Catholic, she no longer practiced the Faith. But, with considerable ambivalence, she stated she might need the Catholic Rite of Exorcism.
Julia was not the typical type of individual who frequently importunes the Church for help but who is really in need of psychiatric or other medical intervention. She was in no way psychotic; in fact, she was consistently logical, highly intelligent, and even quite engaging at times, despite her obvious turmoil.
Periodically, in our presence, Julia would go into a trance state of a recurring nature. Mentally troubled individuals often "dissociate,"4 but Julia's trances were accompanied by an unusual phenomenon: Out of her mouth would come various threats, taunts, and scatological language, phrases like "Leave her alone, you idiot," "She's ours," "Leave, you imbecile priest," or just "Leave." The tone of this voice differed markedly from Julia's own, and it varied, sometimes sounding guttural and vaguely masculine, at other points high pitched. Most of her comments during these "trances," or at the subsequent exorcisms, displayed a marked contempt for anything religious or sacred.
When Julia came out of these trances, she strongly professed no recollection of these remarks or of having said anything at all. An experienced psychiatrist might well conclude that we were probably, therefore, dealing with a dissociated personality or, more precisely, even Dissociative Identity Disorder (elaborated on later). What quickly made this understandable hypothesis implausible, however, were several other peculiar though obviously related phenomena, but a sampling of which is covered here.
Because of the complexity of this case, we assembled a team to assist. At varying points, this group comprised several qualified mental-health personnel, at least four Catholic priests, a deacon and his wife, two nuns (both nurses, one psychiatric), and several lay volunteers. We made a number of phone calls to arrange gathering together to help Julia. Julia herself was not in on these phone discussions; she was far from the area at the time. Astonishingly, Julia's "other" voice -- again sometimes deep, sometimes high pitched -- would actually interrupt the telephone conversations and somehow come in over the phone line! The voice(s) would espouse the same messages: "Leave her alone," "Leave, you idiots," "Get away from her," "She's ours." Julia, again, said later that she was unaware of any such conversation. And yet this speech was heard distinctly by several of the team on a number of occasions.
MORE…
Sometimes it takes the 'obvious' to slap us back to reality. It could be something as simple as viewing those red lights in our rear view miror as we get pulled over for speeding, to make us realize we are driving stupidly, recklessly, dangerously. We seem to drive a little more cautiously, at least for a short time, before we proceed to revert back to our old deadly driving ways. Next time (God forebit) it may lead to a fender bender...or worse.
This is why I decided to post this. Not for the gratification of viewing a scary movie or for posting a bizzare read where once we're done we then go on to the next news article or post. I did it to hopefully snap one to attention, a cold shower reminder that Evil is out there in his subtle ways and not so subtle ways.
We see it in the news everyday. With stories of the New York Govenor, the ongoing war, the murder of our Bishops, even in our elections with Abortion, and all the social issues.
Our souls are eternal, and in this Lenten season it's good to be reminded of our need to care for them. The readings of the Temptation in the desert, the raising of Lazerus, as they lead to Holy Week and the Passion.
We have hope though. We know the outcome. We know who wins.
We have Christ and the Resurrection on Easter!
We can share in his glory, if we keep our wits about us... and fight the good fight.
Additonal articles:
The Death of Satan - First Things
Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?
...I'll add more later
WCC+<><
Thursday, March 13, 2008
A Martyr for God: Archbishop Paulos Faraj
I just read the news of the death of Archbishop Paulos Faraj of Iraq.
Mosul, Mar. 13, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Archbishop Bishop Paulos Faraj Raho of Mosul, the Iraqi prelate who was kidnapped by gunmen on February 29, is dead.
Mosul, Mar. 13, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Archbishop Bishop Paulos Faraj Raho of Mosul, the Iraqi prelate who was kidnapped by gunmen on February 29, is dead.
Prayers the Archbishop - - - RIP
WCC +<><
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Hulu, TiVo & Youtube
There's a new video streaming service, or at least new to me call Hulu. You can view (stream) old episodes of your favorit TV shows and some old movies....for free.
...now nothing is for free. You have to view commercials, however you can view the show of your choice uninterrupted if you see the commercials in one sitting.
Great way to see your favorite Simpson episodes (Warning: R rated movies... always be aware of what you view)
Then...
This news from TiVo and Youtube
TiVo to put bring YouTube videos to TV screens
NEW YORK (Reuters) - TiVo Inc said on Wednesday that it would deliver videos from Google Inc's popular Web site YouTube directly to television screens via its digital video recorders.
TiVo said the service would be available later this year for high-speed Internet subscribers who have TiVo Series3 DVRs. It said that users would be able to log onto their YouTube accounts directly from their TiVo boxes.
...now nothing is for free. You have to view commercials, however you can view the show of your choice uninterrupted if you see the commercials in one sitting.
Great way to see your favorite Simpson episodes (Warning: R rated movies... always be aware of what you view)
Then...
This news from TiVo and Youtube
TiVo to put bring YouTube videos to TV screens
NEW YORK (Reuters) - TiVo Inc said on Wednesday that it would deliver videos from Google Inc's popular Web site YouTube directly to television screens via its digital video recorders.
TiVo said the service would be available later this year for high-speed Internet subscribers who have TiVo Series3 DVRs. It said that users would be able to log onto their YouTube accounts directly from their TiVo boxes.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Why are Catholics leaving?
Insidecatholic has a very eye opening read.
Kind of a mini symposium of prominent Catholics who share there thoughts on this topic:
"Why Are They Leaving?"
Last week the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released a study on the changing religious habits of Americans. Among many things, the researchers found that the Catholic Church has experienced the greatest net loss in membership.
We asked 32 prominent Catholics from various backgrounds to answer the question, "Why Are So Many Leaving the Catholic Church?"
Their responses follow. MORE
Kind of a mini symposium of prominent Catholics who share there thoughts on this topic:
"Why Are They Leaving?"
Last week the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released a study on the changing religious habits of Americans. Among many things, the researchers found that the Catholic Church has experienced the greatest net loss in membership.
We asked 32 prominent Catholics from various backgrounds to answer the question, "Why Are So Many Leaving the Catholic Church?"
Their responses follow. MORE
WWII Airman found on California Glacier
Cool story and closer for a family who lost a son, a brother.
Frozen remains of WWII airman identified.
(CNN) -- The U.S. military has identified frozen remains found atop a California glacier as those of a World War II era airman who vanished more than half a century ago.
Ernest G. Munn had been missing since his training flight disappeared over the Sierra Nevada mountain range on November 18, 1942, the U.S. military said Monday. He was 23 at the time.
Last year, two hikers found the frozen remains of a man with blond, wavy hair in a remote area of Kings Canyon, east of Fresno, California. A tattered sweater still clung to the body, and an unopened parachute lay nearby, said Peter Sketel, one of the hikers who made the discovery.
DNA analysis confirmed that the remains were Munn's, the Department of Defense said Monday. The military has notified his family in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
"You don't often have an opportunity in life to provide people with the answers to questions that they have always wanted to know the answer to," Sketel told CNN Tuesday. "Having the ability to supply that information just makes me really happy." More...
Frozen remains of WWII airman identified.
(CNN) -- The U.S. military has identified frozen remains found atop a California glacier as those of a World War II era airman who vanished more than half a century ago.
Ernest G. Munn had been missing since his training flight disappeared over the Sierra Nevada mountain range on November 18, 1942, the U.S. military said Monday. He was 23 at the time.
Last year, two hikers found the frozen remains of a man with blond, wavy hair in a remote area of Kings Canyon, east of Fresno, California. A tattered sweater still clung to the body, and an unopened parachute lay nearby, said Peter Sketel, one of the hikers who made the discovery.
DNA analysis confirmed that the remains were Munn's, the Department of Defense said Monday. The military has notified his family in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
"You don't often have an opportunity in life to provide people with the answers to questions that they have always wanted to know the answer to," Sketel told CNN Tuesday. "Having the ability to supply that information just makes me really happy." More...
Monday, March 10, 2008
Lenten Confession....
With Easter just around, Confession should have our Lenten attention. Most parishes will have a communal penence service. I know mine has about 20 priest attending and the lines are still quite long?
That's good news..
B16 talks on the Confession:
Confession brings us the joy of God’s forgiveness, says the Holy Father
Vatican City, Mar 7, 2008 / 11:25 am (CNA).- In one of several audiences today, Pope Benedict XVI addressed members of the Apostolic Penitentiary on the state of Confession and lamented that today the world “is losing the notion of sin”.
The Pope made his remarks to a group of prelates that is participating in a week-long seminar on the “internal forum”, that is to say, questions of conscience.
“What is needed today is to ensure that people who confess experience that divine tenderness for penitent sinners which so many Gospel episodes express with intense emotion", he told the priests.
That's good news..
B16 talks on the Confession:
Confession brings us the joy of God’s forgiveness, says the Holy Father
Vatican City, Mar 7, 2008 / 11:25 am (CNA).- In one of several audiences today, Pope Benedict XVI addressed members of the Apostolic Penitentiary on the state of Confession and lamented that today the world “is losing the notion of sin”.
The Pope made his remarks to a group of prelates that is participating in a week-long seminar on the “internal forum”, that is to say, questions of conscience.
“What is needed today is to ensure that people who confess experience that divine tenderness for penitent sinners which so many Gospel episodes express with intense emotion", he told the priests.
7 New Deadly Sins?
The MSM is haveing a field day with this. They're tying to sell this like the Vatican is adding more things NOT to do.
Actually, there are no new deadly sins. The are the same one's with only an emphasis on how to recognize them in today's terms.
Vatican lists "new sins," including pollution
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Thou shall not pollute the Earth. Thou shall beware genetic manipulation. Modern times bring with them modern sins. So the Vatican has told the faithful that they should be aware of "new" sins such as causing environmental blight.
The guidance came at the weekend when Archbishop Gianfranco Girotti, the Vatican's number two man in the sometimes murky area of sins and penance, spoke of modern evils.
Asked what he believed were today's "new sins," he told the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano that the greatest danger zone for the modern soul was the largely uncharted world of bioethics.
"(Within bioethics) there are areas where we absolutely must denounce some violations of the fundamental rights of human nature through experiments and genetic manipulation whose outcome is difficult to predict and control," he said.
The Vatican opposes stem cell research that involves destruction of embryos and has warned against the prospect of human cloning.
UPDATE:
So what are the 7 deadly sins?
Actually, there are no new deadly sins. The are the same one's with only an emphasis on how to recognize them in today's terms.
Vatican lists "new sins," including pollution
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Thou shall not pollute the Earth. Thou shall beware genetic manipulation. Modern times bring with them modern sins. So the Vatican has told the faithful that they should be aware of "new" sins such as causing environmental blight.
The guidance came at the weekend when Archbishop Gianfranco Girotti, the Vatican's number two man in the sometimes murky area of sins and penance, spoke of modern evils.
Asked what he believed were today's "new sins," he told the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano that the greatest danger zone for the modern soul was the largely uncharted world of bioethics.
"(Within bioethics) there are areas where we absolutely must denounce some violations of the fundamental rights of human nature through experiments and genetic manipulation whose outcome is difficult to predict and control," he said.
The Vatican opposes stem cell research that involves destruction of embryos and has warned against the prospect of human cloning.
UPDATE:
So what are the 7 deadly sins?
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Obama "Inexperience is a good thing...what does he mean?
Second half of my burrito lunch read....
Obama's Non Sequitur
Barack Obama has some genuine strengths: He is good looking, he is unusually serene for a man so young, and he seems decent and straight-talking for a politician. Also he is a man comfortable in his own skin, which is refreshing coming after people like Bill Clinton and Al Gore who are still "growing up" in their fifties.
Obama's weakness is that he is inexperienced. This shows in his numerous naive and inane statements which I will be blogging about in the months to come. But what intrigues me is Obama's insinuation that experience doesn't matter. Whever Hillary chides Obama with inexperience Obama basically replies, "Look where experience has gotten us."
There is some truth in this. Abraham Lincoln had no experience and yet he became America's greatest president. Nixon was experienced and yet his presidency ended in disgrace. Reagan had limited experience and yet his two terms were a triumph. Hillary's own experience is mainly in screwing up.
But this historical record cuts both ways. Eisenhower's experience in foreign policy contributed to American power and prosperity in the 1950s. Jimmy Carter's inexperience resulted in American abandonment of the Shah of Iran and brought us the Ayatollah Khomeini. George H. W. Bush's experience helped assemble an international coalition that won the Gulf War. His son's inexperience led to some serious mistakes in the early period of the Iraq war.
burp....
Back to work.
Obama's Non Sequitur
Barack Obama has some genuine strengths: He is good looking, he is unusually serene for a man so young, and he seems decent and straight-talking for a politician. Also he is a man comfortable in his own skin, which is refreshing coming after people like Bill Clinton and Al Gore who are still "growing up" in their fifties.
Obama's weakness is that he is inexperienced. This shows in his numerous naive and inane statements which I will be blogging about in the months to come. But what intrigues me is Obama's insinuation that experience doesn't matter. Whever Hillary chides Obama with inexperience Obama basically replies, "Look where experience has gotten us."
There is some truth in this. Abraham Lincoln had no experience and yet he became America's greatest president. Nixon was experienced and yet his presidency ended in disgrace. Reagan had limited experience and yet his two terms were a triumph. Hillary's own experience is mainly in screwing up.
But this historical record cuts both ways. Eisenhower's experience in foreign policy contributed to American power and prosperity in the 1950s. Jimmy Carter's inexperience resulted in American abandonment of the Shah of Iran and brought us the Ayatollah Khomeini. George H. W. Bush's experience helped assemble an international coalition that won the Gulf War. His son's inexperience led to some serious mistakes in the early period of the Iraq war.
burp....
Back to work.
Flying in Circles
Read this during my lunch break. It's pretty good and I wanted to pass it on...
Trying to Fly with One Wing, Part 16: Arguing in Circles
I had just become Catholic and was intent on producing the grand television documentary that would reveal once and for all the great misunderstandings that had separated Protestants and Catholics for centuries.
To be fair, I figured we'd let both sides tell their stories, and so I set out to interview, on camera, some of the leading Protestant theologians in the area. One was Rev. P.Z., a theologian and apologist for the Reformed Presbyterian Church. If "Reformed Presbyterian" sounds redundant to you, it wasn't to them. Indeed, this denomination didn't believe contemporary Presbyterianism, which they claimed had drifted from the "ideal" of John Calvin's teachings, was sufficiently Protestant. So they "resurrected" a theology that Reformed the Presbyterians. I had no idea what I was in for.
In my interview, I wanted to allow my guest sufficient time and latitude to explain what I could never figure out — how the authority of the Bible could provide answers about life's vexing questions, when so many Christian leaders seemed to disagree about what the Bible said. In short, this is how the interview went:
Me: In your denomination, when members have a theological disagreement between them, how do you resolve the difference?
PZ: We go to the Bible. It's the final authority in everything, about everything, for all time.
Me: So, what do you do when these members are both looking at the same verse in the Bible, and they're disagreeing about its interpretation?
PZ: Well, like I said they look to the Bible for the answer. The Bible interprets itself.
Me: But, that's what these two guys just did. They're looking at verses in the Bible about baptism, and to one guy one passage says you have to do this and the other guy clings to a another passage that says you have to do that. Who decides what is right?
PZ: In that case the church elders get together and decide.
Me: Sorry, I forgot to tell you that these guys that are disagreeing, are the elders.
PZ: Ah. Well, again, we'd look to the Bible, our final authority.
Me: But that's where we started.
PZ: Actually, our pastor would be over the elders, and he would decide.
Me: So, what if the elders disagree with the pastor and want to start their own church?
PZ: They wouldn't likely do that.
Me: Yet, there are over 20,000 different denominations that have. Is that what the leaders of all of those have done, all gone to the Bible?
PZ: Well, ah... yes.
Me: ?
Do you see the problem?
I've got to read Parts 1-15...
Well, I skipped the gym today and cheated with a beans and cheese burrito from 'Baja Fresh'. I thought the 'Fresh' part would justify the gym break (you know, fresh, ...healthy... it seemed logical at the time).
Beautiful weather in L.A. (Manhatten Beach specifically)
Enjoy the read...
WCC+<><
Trying to Fly with One Wing, Part 16: Arguing in Circles
I had just become Catholic and was intent on producing the grand television documentary that would reveal once and for all the great misunderstandings that had separated Protestants and Catholics for centuries.
To be fair, I figured we'd let both sides tell their stories, and so I set out to interview, on camera, some of the leading Protestant theologians in the area. One was Rev. P.Z., a theologian and apologist for the Reformed Presbyterian Church. If "Reformed Presbyterian" sounds redundant to you, it wasn't to them. Indeed, this denomination didn't believe contemporary Presbyterianism, which they claimed had drifted from the "ideal" of John Calvin's teachings, was sufficiently Protestant. So they "resurrected" a theology that Reformed the Presbyterians. I had no idea what I was in for.
In my interview, I wanted to allow my guest sufficient time and latitude to explain what I could never figure out — how the authority of the Bible could provide answers about life's vexing questions, when so many Christian leaders seemed to disagree about what the Bible said. In short, this is how the interview went:
Me: In your denomination, when members have a theological disagreement between them, how do you resolve the difference?
PZ: We go to the Bible. It's the final authority in everything, about everything, for all time.
Me: So, what do you do when these members are both looking at the same verse in the Bible, and they're disagreeing about its interpretation?
PZ: Well, like I said they look to the Bible for the answer. The Bible interprets itself.
Me: But, that's what these two guys just did. They're looking at verses in the Bible about baptism, and to one guy one passage says you have to do this and the other guy clings to a another passage that says you have to do that. Who decides what is right?
PZ: In that case the church elders get together and decide.
Me: Sorry, I forgot to tell you that these guys that are disagreeing, are the elders.
PZ: Ah. Well, again, we'd look to the Bible, our final authority.
Me: But that's where we started.
PZ: Actually, our pastor would be over the elders, and he would decide.
Me: So, what if the elders disagree with the pastor and want to start their own church?
PZ: They wouldn't likely do that.
Me: Yet, there are over 20,000 different denominations that have. Is that what the leaders of all of those have done, all gone to the Bible?
PZ: Well, ah... yes.
Me: ?
Do you see the problem?
I've got to read Parts 1-15...
Well, I skipped the gym today and cheated with a beans and cheese burrito from 'Baja Fresh'. I thought the 'Fresh' part would justify the gym break (you know, fresh, ...healthy... it seemed logical at the time).
Beautiful weather in L.A. (Manhatten Beach specifically)
Enjoy the read...
WCC+<><
Moses on Drugs?
O' Brother
Now I've heard everything.
Moses and the Israelites were on drugs, says Benny Shanon, an Israeli professor of cognitive philosophy.
Writing in the British Journal Time and Mind, he claims Moses was probably on psychedelic drugs when he received the Ten Commandments from God.
The assertions give a whole new meaning to Moses being "high" on Mount Sinai.
According to Shanon, a professor at Hebrew University, two naturally existing plants in the Sinai Peninsula have the same psychoactive components as ones found in the Amazon jungle and are well-known for their mind-altering capabilities. The drugs are usually combined in a drink called ayahuasca.
This is scholarship? Some guy get high on some plant that he says was around in the time of Moses and he figures " That's why Moses saw the burning bush"
Explaining God away... and this professor is going to teach this stuff.
Now I've heard everything.
Moses and the Israelites were on drugs, says Benny Shanon, an Israeli professor of cognitive philosophy.
Writing in the British Journal Time and Mind, he claims Moses was probably on psychedelic drugs when he received the Ten Commandments from God.
The assertions give a whole new meaning to Moses being "high" on Mount Sinai.
According to Shanon, a professor at Hebrew University, two naturally existing plants in the Sinai Peninsula have the same psychoactive components as ones found in the Amazon jungle and are well-known for their mind-altering capabilities. The drugs are usually combined in a drink called ayahuasca.
This is scholarship? Some guy get high on some plant that he says was around in the time of Moses and he figures " That's why Moses saw the burning bush"
Explaining God away... and this professor is going to teach this stuff.
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