Jesus is our model. He is the rule, not the exception, so when we see Him act, then we are called to act similarly.
How does Jesus face His temptations in the desert, shown to us in today's Gospel reading (Lk 4:1-13)? With Scripture. Jesus quoted from Scripture in the face of temptations and trials. Shouldn't you?
The Bible is a Catholic book, through and through. Paul, who we also hear quoting Scripture today (Rom 10:8-13), writes also that "(a)ll scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16). Scripture has divine authority, and when you read it, you are being taught or refuted or corrected or trained by God.
Today, work to commit a single, powerful passage of Scripture to memory. Many already know John 3:16 (at least, if you've been to a sporting event). What about Mat 19:26? If you doubt God's forgiveness and your salvation, consider memorizing Is 53:5 instead. For those struggling with addiction, learn 1 Cor 10:13. Those struggling with purity in particular can learn Ps 119:9-11 or 1 Cor 6:20. "All scripture is inspired by God and useful... for correction, and for training...".
February 21, 2010
February 17, 2010
Lent
There has always been a period of fasting before Easter in the Church, though the duration has varied quite a bit (Pohle, 1914).
Why 40 days?
The number is highly symbolic*. In the Bible, we find the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years. In the Gospel, we hear of Jesus spending 40 days in the desert (Mark 1:13) and, after the resurrection, 40 days with His disciples (Acts 1:3).
We do not fast on Sundays, so to make 40 days we combine 6 weeks before Easter (6 weeks x 6 days = 36 days) and half of the week prior (Ash Wednesday through Saturday = 4 days). Lent ends, then, on Holy Thursday evening.
What do we do?
The Catechism puts it this way: "By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert." [540] What did Jesus do in the desert? He prayed, growing in love of God the Father, and He fasted and battled temptation, growing in love of others and preparation for ministry (service).
We're to do the same two things. As Fr. John Hardon wrote, "(t)here are two guiding principles for the observance of Lent. During this season, the faithful are to grow in their love of Jesus Crucified, and they are to practice extra penance for their own and other people's sins." Again, we are to grow in love of God and love of others - which always leads back to God.
Daily reading is a great way to build your spiritual muscle - and grow in your love of God - during Lent. In this Year for Priests, it seems most appropriate to read from the patron saint of priests. Conveniently, Fr. Jerabek has put together a St. John Vianney reading plan.
If you prefer interacting with a group, Loyola Press has started their online retreat at Days of Deepening Prayer.
Finally, for parents, the Catechist's Journey blog offers 40 Ideas for 40 Days, so your children can get involved as well.
Looking ahead
We are all called to give the very best of ourselves - not only to God but to our spouses, our families, our Church, and the world. Lent is a wonderful time to consciously make an effort to develop virtue. [1803] There are three theological virtues, those that related *directly* to God: faith, hope, and charity (love).
Rooted in those theological virtues are the cardinal human virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Fr. Robert Barron (2001) refers to these "seven lively virtues" as the counters to the classic list of seven deadly (or mortal) sins.
Through Lent, we'll explore these virtues together - what the Church can tell us about them and how we can start flexing those virtuous muscles in our daily lives.
* Note that the word "symbolic" does not necessarily imply fictional. For example, Jesus' 40 days in the desert can be symbolic of the Israelite exile and really have happened over a forty-day period.
Barron, Robert. "Sermon 7 : The Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Lively Virtues." Available from http://wordonfire.org/WOF-Radio/Sermons/2001/Sermon-7---6th-Sunday-in-Ordinary-Time-----The-Sev.aspx. Internet ; accessed 10 Feb 2010.
Hardon, John. "Lent." Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Archives. Available from http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Lent/Lent_001.htm. Internet; accessed 17 Feb 2010.
Pohle, J. "Lent." The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1914. San Diego: Catholic Answers, 2007.
Why 40 days?
The number is highly symbolic*. In the Bible, we find the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years. In the Gospel, we hear of Jesus spending 40 days in the desert (Mark 1:13) and, after the resurrection, 40 days with His disciples (Acts 1:3).
We do not fast on Sundays, so to make 40 days we combine 6 weeks before Easter (6 weeks x 6 days = 36 days) and half of the week prior (Ash Wednesday through Saturday = 4 days). Lent ends, then, on Holy Thursday evening.
What do we do?
The Catechism puts it this way: "By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert." [540] What did Jesus do in the desert? He prayed, growing in love of God the Father, and He fasted and battled temptation, growing in love of others and preparation for ministry (service).
We're to do the same two things. As Fr. John Hardon wrote, "(t)here are two guiding principles for the observance of Lent. During this season, the faithful are to grow in their love of Jesus Crucified, and they are to practice extra penance for their own and other people's sins." Again, we are to grow in love of God and love of others - which always leads back to God.
Daily reading is a great way to build your spiritual muscle - and grow in your love of God - during Lent. In this Year for Priests, it seems most appropriate to read from the patron saint of priests. Conveniently, Fr. Jerabek has put together a St. John Vianney reading plan.
If you prefer interacting with a group, Loyola Press has started their online retreat at Days of Deepening Prayer.
Finally, for parents, the Catechist's Journey blog offers 40 Ideas for 40 Days, so your children can get involved as well.
Looking ahead
We are all called to give the very best of ourselves - not only to God but to our spouses, our families, our Church, and the world. Lent is a wonderful time to consciously make an effort to develop virtue. [1803] There are three theological virtues, those that related *directly* to God: faith, hope, and charity (love).
Rooted in those theological virtues are the cardinal human virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Fr. Robert Barron (2001) refers to these "seven lively virtues" as the counters to the classic list of seven deadly (or mortal) sins.
Through Lent, we'll explore these virtues together - what the Church can tell us about them and how we can start flexing those virtuous muscles in our daily lives.
* Note that the word "symbolic" does not necessarily imply fictional. For example, Jesus' 40 days in the desert can be symbolic of the Israelite exile and really have happened over a forty-day period.
Barron, Robert. "Sermon 7 : The Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Lively Virtues." Available from http://wordonfire.org/WOF-Radio/Sermons/2001/Sermon-7---6th-Sunday-in-Ordinary-Time-----The-Sev.aspx. Internet ; accessed 10 Feb 2010.
Hardon, John. "Lent." Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Archives. Available from http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Lent/Lent_001.htm. Internet; accessed 17 Feb 2010.
Pohle, J. "Lent." The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1914. San Diego: Catholic Answers, 2007.
February 14, 2010
Defend the faith, whatever the cost
Is it any surprise that we must be ready to defend our faith today? Only a short time after the resurrection, St. Paul was confronting doubters in Corinth (1 Cor 15:12, 16-20). Do you think that everyone receiving his letter changed their minds? Do you think they all treated Paul well?
We know that Paul had to write to Corinth several times. We know that he was persecuted, hunted, imprisoned, and ultimately killed. Many people don't like hearing the truth - not in Paul's day, and not today. We know from Paul's experience and the two thousand years of church history following it that this will happen. But we must not lose heart!
Christ tells us that we're blessed when people hate us, exclude or insult us. We should rejoice when our name is smeared or our character attacked (Lk 6:17, 20-26). Yes, "if Christ has not risen, your faith is in vain", but He is risen! Christ is risen and our faith in Him saves us, whatever may come.
Today, take the time to learn about one common argument against your faith. Learn how to defend yourself, to increase your own faith and to be able to offer a reasoned explanation to others. Select just one topic from Catholic Answers' collection of Faith Tracts or listen to a talk from the Bible Christian Society.
We know that Paul had to write to Corinth several times. We know that he was persecuted, hunted, imprisoned, and ultimately killed. Many people don't like hearing the truth - not in Paul's day, and not today. We know from Paul's experience and the two thousand years of church history following it that this will happen. But we must not lose heart!
Christ tells us that we're blessed when people hate us, exclude or insult us. We should rejoice when our name is smeared or our character attacked (Lk 6:17, 20-26). Yes, "if Christ has not risen, your faith is in vain", but He is risen! Christ is risen and our faith in Him saves us, whatever may come.
Today, take the time to learn about one common argument against your faith. Learn how to defend yourself, to increase your own faith and to be able to offer a reasoned explanation to others. Select just one topic from Catholic Answers' collection of Faith Tracts or listen to a talk from the Bible Christian Society.
February 07, 2010
Grace Freely Given
At the end of today's Gospel reading (Lk 5:1-11), Peter falls to his knees and declares himself a sinful man. Peter see in himself something that is true of all of us - none of us deserve Christ. None of us have merited God's grace.
The Catechism agrees, describing grace as "the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call". [1996] We draw our very breath because God wills it, because He has chosen to give us each life.
Thank God today for the gifts He has given you, however large or small they may be. None of us have earned the things we have, in truth, because everything comes ultimately from God. We can - and should - say with St. Paul that "by the grace of God I am what I am". (1 Cor 15:1-11)
The Catechism agrees, describing grace as "the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call". [1996] We draw our very breath because God wills it, because He has chosen to give us each life.
Thank God today for the gifts He has given you, however large or small they may be. None of us have earned the things we have, in truth, because everything comes ultimately from God. We can - and should - say with St. Paul that "by the grace of God I am what I am". (1 Cor 15:1-11)
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