Church of the Visitation, Ein Karem, Israel ...

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Scripture cannot be influenced by simply a feeling derived by an objective. You cannot simply find a verse and apply it to something without taking into consideration the intent of the author. You cannot ignore one aspect of scripture in order to confirm something else that you want to except as truth when your acceptance creates contradiction. It has to be a seamless fabric and it cannot deny the faith of those who lived it even before the Bible was put together. This must be taken into consideration.

With this in mind, define the laver of regeneration, define how it saves, define why, after we have been saved by the laver of regeneration we must be careful to excel in good works?

Not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost; 6Whom he hath poured forth upon us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior: 7That, being justified by his grace, we may be heirs, according to hope of life everlasting. 8It is a faithful saying: and these things I will have thee affirm constantly: that they, who believe in God, may be careful to excel in good works.
Titus 3

25Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it: 26That he might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life:

Ephesians 5

19Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into the holies by the blood of Christ; 20A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, 21And a high priest over the house of God: 22Let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with clean water.

Hebrews 10

8For if these things be with you and abound, they will make you to be neither empty nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For he that hath not these things with him, is blind, and groping, having forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10Wherefore, brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election.

2 Peter 1

0Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.21Whereunto baptism being of the like form, now saveth you also.

1 Peter 3

Augustine Exposition on the Psalms (136)
Baptism

9. “Who brought out Israel from the midst of them” Psalm 135:11. He brought out also His saints and faithful ones from the midst of the wicked. “With a mighty Hand and stretched-out Arm” Psalm 135:12. What more powerful, what more out-stretched, than that of which is said “To whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed?” Isaiah 53:1 “Who divided the Red Sea in two parts” Psalm 135:13. He divided also in such wise, that the same baptism should be to some unto life, to others unto death. “And brought out Israel through the midst of it” Psalm 135:14. So too He brings out His renewed people through the laver of regeneration. “And overthrew Pharaoh and his power in the Red Sea” Psalm 135:15. He quickly destroys both the sin of His people and the guilt thereof by baptism.

Hippolytus

"The Father of immortality sent the immortal Son and Word into the world, who came to man in order to wash him with water and the Spirit; and he, begetting us again to incorruption of soul and body, breathed into us the Spirit of life, and endued us with an incorruptible panoply. If, therefore, man has become immortal, he will also be God. And if he is made God by water and the Holy Spirit after the regeneration of the laver he is found to be also joint-heir with Christ after the resurrection from the dead. Wherefore I preach to this effect: Come, all ye kindreds of the nations, to the immortality of the baptism" (Discourse on the Holy Theophany 8 [A.D. 217]).

17And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:18Thou shalt make also a brazen laver with its foot, to wash in: and thou shalt set it between the tabernacle of the testimony and the altar. And water being put into it, 19Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and feet in it:20When they are going into the tabernacle of the testimony, and when they are to come to the altar, to offer on it incense to the Lord, 21Lest perhaps they die.

Exodus 30

Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

John 3

And there are three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one. 8And there are three that give testimony on earth: the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three are one.

1 John 5

How do those outside the church create a legitimate defense against the authority of the church and its deeper mysteries, if Sola Scriptura is not biblical and persecution had a major impact on what was written down, how it was written and or whether or not it was written down; a church that purposely veiled many scriptures? “Do not give what is holy to the dogs, do not cast your pearls before the swine or they will tear you”. Why was the symbol of the fish and the three legged table created, what was the purpose of the catacombs, what were the images painted on the walls mean, why did the earliest churches have altars?

“But thou hast FULLY KNOWN MY DOCTRINE, manner of life, PURPOSE, FAITH, longsuffering, CHARITY, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and ALL THAT WILL LIVE GODLY IN CHRIST JESUS SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION. 13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and BEING DECEIVED. 14But CONTINUE THOU IN THE THINGS WHICH THOU HAST LEARNED and HAST BEEN ASSURED OF, KNOWING OF WHOM THOU HAST LEARNED THEM; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, for reproof, for CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: 17That the man of God (minister in the church) may be PERFECT, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”

2 Timothy 3:10-17 KJV

“And the brethren (Sent by the Church) immediately sent away PAUL AND SILAS BY NIGHT UNTO BEREA: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11THESE WERE MORE NOBLE THAN THOSE IN THESSALONICA, in that THEY RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL READINESS OF MIND, (Humility) and searched the scriptures daily, whether THOSE THINGS WERE SO.” (Whether or not what they were taught by the church was true)

Acts 17:10 KJV

To Titus my beloved son, according to the COMMON FAITH, GRACE AND PEACE FROM GOD THE FATHER, and from Christ Jesus our Saviour.5 For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and shouldest ORDAIN PRIESTS in every city, as I also appointed thee:

Titus 1:4 DRB

Timothy was a bishop in the church in the same way Titus was. Both were put in place by Paul. Titus was Bishop of Crete, Timothy was bishop of Ephesus. John placed Polycarp as bishop of Smyrna, Peter placed Ignatius as bishop of Antioch. Timothy like the Bereans was open to the instruction through humility and grace, he fully knew Paul’s doctrines which was the church’s doctrine, and understood it through grace. Paul was a member of the church God established; a church that sent ambassadors out into the world to teach the gospel that was taught to them by Christ. Timothy as a bishop would also ordain priests as Paul ordained Titus as bishop to do. Timothy would use the scripture which he had “known of” since he was young (as also the Pharisees did), scripture that was “opened” to him in grace through the church God established. (“And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and OPENED TO US THE SCRIPTURES? Luke 24:32 But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God; for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot understand, because it is SPIRITUALLY EXAMINED.1 Corinthians 2:14 )Timothy would use the Old Testament scripture for “DOCTRINE, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” of the flock he had been given to raise in righteousness.

A few Key words to look at in the proof text.

1.The Greek word ophelimos ("profitable") used in verse 16 means "useful" not "sufficient." Scripture is useful for doctrine…all Catholic agree.

2.The Greek word pasa, which is often rendered as "all," actually means "every," and it has the sense of referring to each and every one of the class denoted by the noun connected with it. If you were to interpret this in the way protestants do then we would have Sola Gospel of Mark, sola Gospel of John, sola 1 Timothy 3:15……that one has a nice ring to it.

4.That a man of God may be perfect? The Greek word artios, here translated "perfect," cannot imply that it is scripture alone that can make one perfect it is also referring to one who holds an office of instruction in the church. This is self-explainable; Faith worketh through charity . Galatians 5:6 Christ will come and judge everyone according to their works. Romans 2:6 I will come and judge everyone according to their works. Revelations 22:12 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. Titus 1:16 The wages of sin is death Romans 6:23.

So what is this church (“I will build my church”) put in place by God himself from whom ambassadors are sent out into the world to teach the gospel from, who put in place Bishops, Priests, and Deacons around the world?

The disciples of the apostles even explained that Satan created paganism to keep you from it; (Justin 1st apology) a supernatural deception that continues to this day.

EPPHATHA!

And many people shall go, and say: Come and let us go up to the MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and HE WILL TEACH US HIS WAYS, AND WE WILL WALK IN HIS PATHS: FOR THE LAW SHALL COME FORTH FROM SION, and the word of the Lord from JERUSALEM.

Isaiah 2:3 DRB

BUT YOU ARE COME TO MOUNT SION, and to the CITY of the living God, the HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, and to the company of many thousands of angels,23 And to the CHURCH of the firstborn, who are written in the heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood which speaketh better than that of Abel.

Hebrews 12:22 DRB

FOR THE LAW SHALL COME FORTH FROM SION

I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I praise thee.

Psalms 22:22 DRB

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliacim the son of Helcias,21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and will strengthen him with thy girdle, and will give thy power into his hand: and he shall be as a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Juda.22 And I WILL LAY THE KEY OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID UPON HIS SHOULDER: and he shall open, and none shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open.

Isaiah 22:20

GIVE ear to me, you that follow THAT WHICH IS JUST, and you that seek the Lord: look unto THE ROCK whence you are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you are dug out. Look unto Abraham your father.

Isaiah 51:1 DRB

And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looking upon him, said: Thou art Simon the son of Jona: THOU SHALT BE CALLED CEPHAS, which is interpreted Peter.

John 1:42 DRB

And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and UPON THIS ROCK (Which is Just) I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and the gates of hell SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT. And I will GIVE TO THEE THE KEYS of the kingdom of heaven. And WHATSOEVER THOU SHALT BIND UPON EARTH, IT SHALL BE BOUND ALSO IN HEAVEN: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

Matthew 16:19 DRB

Simon hath declared (Decree Dogma) how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out from them a people for His name.15 And to this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written:16 ‘After this I will return, and WILL BUILD AGAIN THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID, which has fallen down. AND I WILL BUILD AGAIN the ruins thereof, AND I WILL SET IT UP,17 that the residue of men might SEEK AFTER THE LORD, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord who doeth all these things.’18 Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.

Acts 15:14 KJV

You are the light of the world. A city seated ON A MOUNTAIN CANNOT BE HID.

Matthew 5:14 DRB

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou ought to behave thyself in THE HOUSE OF GOD, which is THE CHURCH of the living God, the PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH.

1 Timothy 3:15 DRB

And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. Amen I say to you, WHATSOEVER YOU SHALL BIND UPON EARTH, SHALL BE BOUND ALSO IN HEAVEN; and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven.

Matthew 18:17 DRB

And HOW SHALL THEY PREACH UNLESS THEY BE SENT, (By the Mountain of the Lord, Mount Sion which will teach the ways of God and is bound on heaven and earth) as it is written: How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, of them that bring glad tidings of good things!

Romans 10:15 DRB

ARISE, arise, put on thy strength, O SION, put on the GARMENTS OF THY GLORY, (Where your wedding garment; Baptism) O JERUSALEM, (Where the sacrifices are made. “We have an altar at which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat of”) the city of the Holy One (I will proclaim my name in the church, A City on a mountain cannot be hidden) for henceforth the uncircumcised, and unclean shall no more pass through thee.(Baptism now saves you. Repent and be baptized and your sins will be forgiven) 2Shake thyself from the dust, arise, sit up, O Jerusalem: loose the bonds from off thy neck, (I know longer call you servants but friends) O captive daughter of Sion. 3For thus saith the Lord: You were sold gratis, and you shall be redeemed without money. 4For thus saith the Lord God: My people went down into Egypt at the beginning to sojourn there: and the Assyrian hath oppressed them WITHOUT ANY CAUSE at all.(Sin is separation from God. The wages of sin is death. I was born into iniquities in my mothers womb not OF MY OWN CAUSE, who can make unclean seed clean?) 5And now what have I here, saith the Lord: for my people is taken away gratis. They that rule over them treat them unjustly, saith the Lord, and my name is continually blasphemed all the day long. 6Therefore my people shall know my name in that day: for I myself that spoke, BEHOLD I AM HERE. 7HOW BEAUTIFUL UPON THE MOUNTAINS ARE THE FEET

You prove truth by continuity with the early church. You cannot go to scripture interpretations because thousands and thousands of denominations all believe they have the one truth. This makes the process illogical.

The church of the apostles was dedicated to the doctrine and the breaking of the bread and the prayers living according to one Lord one faith one baptism in which Paul calls us to obedience to the faith in charity in a church that as a sign of unity God told Peter to feed His sheep.

From the beginning of Christianity, the church defended these truths, defining them exactly as the CATHOLIC church does today.

They believed as James explained in Acts 15, that the church is the re established kingdom of David on earth and had the authority that this truth implies. The Catholic Church would have never have put the Bible together without believing from the beginning they had the authority to do so. An authority that established the Bible over 350 years after Christianity began.

The church from the beginning was adamant about keeping one doctrine. If it did not keep one doctrine then it would never have been able to defend the faith against heresy hundreds of years before the Bible was formed.

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you; but that you be perfect in the same mind, and in the same judgment.

Those who did not live by this one truth are those who did not conform to sound doctrine.

For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears:

The unifying spiritual bond of this sound doctrine was belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
This IS my body.

“Then, having sanctified ourselves by these spiritual hymns, we beseech the merciful God to send forth his Holy Spirit upon the gifts lying before him, that he may make the bread the body of Christ and the wine the blood of Christ, for whatsoever the Holy Spirit has touched is surely sanctified and changed. Then, upon the completion of the spiritual sacrifice, the bloodless worship, over that propitiatory victim we call upon God for the common peace of the churches, for the welfare of the world, for kings, for soldiers and allies, for the sick, for the afflicted; and in summary, we all pray and offer this sacrifice for all who are in need ( Cyril Catechetical Lectures 23:7-8 [A.D. 350]).

Ireneus disciple of Polycarp who was a disciple of John the apostle.
For when the Greeks, having arrested the slaves of Christian catechumens, then used force against them, in order to learn from them some secret thing [practised] among Christians, these slaves, having nothing to say that would meet the wishes of their tormentors, except that they had heard from their masters that the divine communion was the body and blood of Christ, and imagining that it was actually flesh and blood, gave their inquisitors answer to that effect. Then these latter, assuming such to be the case with regard to the practices of Christians, gave information regarding it to other Greeks, and sought to compel the martyrs Sanctus and Blandina to confess, under the influence of torture, [that the allegation was correct]. To these men Blandina replied very admirably in these words: How should those persons endure such [accusations], who, for the sake of the practice [of piety], did not avail themselves even of the flesh that was permitted [them to eat]?

Justin (150AD) in his Dialog with Trypho explained: “Accordingly, God, anticipating all the sacrifices which we offer through this name, and which Jesus the Christ enjoined us to offer, i.e., in the Eucharist of the bread and the cup, and which are presented by Christians in all places throughout the world, bears witness that they are well-pleasing to Him.”[Diialog with Trypho the Jew Ch 117]

Those who did not live by the sound doctrine who separated themselves from the church separated themselves from what Paul referred to as obedience to the faith.

Ignatius of Antioch

"Now, therefore, it has been my privilege to see you in the person of your God-inspired bishop, Damas; and in the persons of your worthy presbyters, Bassus and Apollonius; and my fellow-servant, the deacon, Zotion. What a delight is his company! For he is subject to the bishop as to the grace of God, and to the presbytery as to the law of Jesus Christ" (Letter to the Magnesians 2 [A.D. 110]).

"Take care to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place of God, and with the presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles, and with the deacons, who are most dear to me, entrusted with the business of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father from the beginning and is at last made manifest" (ibid., 6:1).

"Take care, therefore, to be confirmed in the decrees of the Lord and of the apostles, in order that in everything you do, you may prosper in body and in soul, in faith and in love, in Son and in Father and in Spirit, in beginning and in end, together with your most reverend bishop; and with that fittingly woven spiritual crown, the presbytery; and with the deacons, men of God. Be subject to the bishop and to one another as Jesus Christ was subject to the Father, and the apostles were subject to Christ and to the Father; so that there may be unity in both body and spirit" (ibid., 13:1–2).

"Indeed, when you submit to the bishop as you would to Jesus Christ, it is clear to me that you are living not in the manner of men but as Jesus Christ, who died for us, that through faith in his death you might escape dying. It is necessary, therefore—and such is your practice that you do nothing without the bishop, and that you be subject also to the presbytery, as to the apostles of Jesus Christ our hope, in whom we shall be found, if we live in him. It is necessary also that the deacons, the dispensers of the mysteries [sacraments] of Jesus Christ, be in every way pleasing to all men. For they are not the deacons of food and drink, but servants of the Church of God. They must therefore guard against blame as against fire" (Letter to the Trallians 2:1–3 [A.D. 110]).

"In like manner let everyone respect the deacons as they would respect Jesus Christ, and just as they respect the bishop as a type of the Father, and the presbyters as the council of God and college of the apostles. Without these, it cannot be called a church. I am confident that you accept this, for I have received the exemplar of your love and have it with me in the person of your bishop. His very demeanor is a great lesson and his meekness is his strength. I believe that even the godless do respect him" (ibid., 3:1–2).

"He that is within the sanctuary is pure; but he that is outside the sanctuary is not pure. In other words, anyone who acts without the bishop and the presbytery and the deacons does not have a clear conscience" (ibid., 7:2).

"I cried out while I was in your midst, I spoke with a loud voice, the voice of God: ‘Give heed to the bishop and the presbytery and the deacons.’ Some suspect me of saying this because I had previous knowledge of the division certain persons had caused; but he for whom I am in chains is my witness that I had no knowledge of this from any man. It was the Spirit who kept preaching these words, ‘Do nothing without the bishop, keep your body as the temple of God, love unity, flee from divisions, be imitators of Jesus Christ, as he was imitator of the Father’" (Letter to the Philadelphians 7:1–2 [A.D. 110]).


Obey your prelates who have the rule over you for they watch over your souls.

The meek shall inherit the earth.

Ascension Day - May 05, 2016

Don't forget brothers and sisters, it is a day of obligation! See you at Mass! God Bless!!

Saturday, April 30, 2016
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Holy Gospel according to:
"" John 15:18-21 ""

Jesus said to his disciples:

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”

MAY 1, ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER. DON’T FORGET THAT YOUR WORK AND DAILY NOBLE ORDINARY TASKS ARE A PATH TO HOLINESS!



As we prepare to celebrate May 1’s feast, St. Joseph the Worker (preceded by the 6th Sunday of Easter), during which the entire world celebrates the human activity of work, let us remind ourselves that WORK HAS A DIVINE, SANCITFYING VALUE AS WELL, FOR WORK AND OTHER ORDINARY TASKS OF OUR DAILY LIFE ARE A PATH TOWARDS HOLINESS, TOWARDS SANCTITY.

As Pope Francis said:

“We are all called to become saints...BE A SAINT BY CARRYING OUT YOUR WORK WITH HONESTY AND COMPETENCE AND BY OFFERING TIME IN THE SERVICE OF YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. “But, father, I work in a factory; I work as an accountant, only with numbers; you can’t be a saint there...”. “Yes, yes you can! There, where you work, you can become a saint. God gives you the grace to become holy. God communicates himself to you”. ALWAYS, IN EVERY PLACE, ONE CAN BECOME A SAINT, THAT IS, ONE CAN OPEN ONESELF UP TO THIS GRACE, WHICH WORKS INSIDE US AND LEADS US TO HOLINESS.

WHEN THE LORD INVITES US TO BECOME SAINTS, he doesn’t call us to something heavy, sad... quite the contrary! IT’S AN INVITATION TO SHARE IN HIS JOY, TO LIVE AND TO OFFER WITH JOY EVERY MOMENT OF OUR LIFE, BY MAKING IT BECOME AT THE SAME TIME A GIFT OF LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE AROUND US. IF WE UNDERSTAND THIS, EVERYTHING CHANGES AND TAKES ON NEW MEANING, A BEAUTIFUL MEANING, A MEANING THAT BEGINS WITH LITTLE EVERYDAY THINGS (General Audience, November 19, 2014).”

Let us ask the intercession of St. Joseph so that like him, we may seek, find and love God in our work and ordinary duties of each day by working well to the best of our capabilities, living the virtues and offering it to Our Lord.

St. Joseph, pray for all of us, workers in the world and for those who are seeking for a job.

Coca-Cola endorses Pro-Life? Who'd have thunk eh? ...

Wakakakaka!

Practical Lessons from St. Athanasius
Source: Constance T. Hull



Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Athanasius of Alexandria who is a Doctor of the Church, as well as a great theologian who united the Eastern and Western Churches. A great deal of his work and mission was responding to the Arian heresy running rampant in his day. In fact, the Arian heresy has proved to be one of the most virulent heresies and can be seen in various forms even in our own day.

He was born around 300 AD in Alexandria, Egypt. After receiving a quality education, he became a deacon and secretary to the Bishop of Alexandria. He worked closely with the Bishop and attended the first Ecumenical Council at Nicaea in 325 AD. This Council focused primarily on the divinity of Christ in response to the Arian heresy which had been advanced through the Alexandrian priest Arius.

Arianism greatly threatens an authentic understanding of Jesus Christ. It teaches that “the Logos was not a true God but a created God, a creature “halfway” between God and man who hence remained forever inaccessible to us” (Pope Benedict XVI, Doctors of the Church, 14). It was at Nicaea where the Creed incorporated Greek term homoousios, which means “of the same substance” as the Father. It was the first and only term to be added with no theological or biblical link, and it pointed to the Church’s willingness to integrate philosophy and theology together into the Faith.

Shortly after the Council in 328 AD, the Bishop of Alexandria died and St. Athanasius was elevated to Bishop. Even though the Church had firmly and unequivocally affirmed the divinity of Christ, the Arian heresy raged on creating painful and destructive divisions within the Church. St. Athanasius fought hard against the heresy and created powerful enemies in the process. He spent 17 years in exile. He continued to spread the Faith in the West, as well as monasticism which he had learned from the hermit, St. Anthony, during his time in exile. After many years of suffering for the authentic and true Faith, St. Athanasius returned to Alexandria to finish out his days. He died on May 2, 373.

The greatest doctrinal writing of St. Athanasius is De Incarnatione (On the Incarnation). Today we take the Christological developments of the Church for granted since they were largely resolved in the first 700 years of the Church and expounded upon in the Middle Ages, but in the beginning there were intense battles in theological circles as they deciphered who Jesus Christ is. De Incarnatione is significant because it focuses on the Word of God becoming man, which was of profound interest to the Early Church Fathers. In fact, the Church Fathers saw the Incarnation as the path by which we our divinized. St. Athanasius says: “[Word of God] was made man so that we might be made God; and he manifested himself through a body so that we might receive the idea of the unseen Father; and he endured the insolence of men that might inherit immortality” (De Incarnatione, 54, 3). Pope Benedict XVI points out that St. Athanasius’ teaching shows how “with his Resurrection, in fact, the Lord banished death from us like “straw from the fire” (Doctors of the Church, 16).

The reason St. Athanasius’ teaching is so important is because far too many heresies create a great divide and distance between God and mankind. Even though Christ came and dwelt among us, many heresies ignore the closeness we now share with God. Christ’s mission was twofold: He came to die for our sins and to restore communion with mankind so that we can enter into communion with the Most Holy Trinity. Any heresy which ignores the reality of the Incarnation distorts our relationship with God after the Incarnation and in light of the Paschal Mystery.

In reading Church History, especially the exile inflicted on so many orthodox Bishops, theologians, and defenders of truth, we can only understand their suffering and fortitude through the lens of their great love of God and truth. St. Athanasius endured immense suffering through his exile. He was separated from his homeland and his flock, but that did not deter him in his mission. He continued to spread the Good News in the foreign lands where he lived during that time. What does this teach us about our own journey of faith?

We must be willing to defend the truth.
The Western world has become almost completely secularized. There is an increase in attacks on Catholics who submit to the Church over the world. Other countries throughout the world face persecution and martyrdom for the Faith due to conflicting agendas, religions, politics, corruption, and poverty. No matter where we live we are called to defend the Faith in truth and charity. This is not easy and we face the prospect of losing material stability, friends, family, freedom, or our very lives. Even with this knowledge we know that we belong to Jesus Christ and as St. Paul tells us:

The necessity of fostering a prayer life.
In order to stand up for our faith when the time comes, we must be steeped in prayer. All of us are in different stages in developing a prayer life. I feel like a perpetual beginner. No matter how we begin this prayer life, it is absolutely necessary for us so that we have the grace and strength we need when we are called to defend our Faith. It is also a grounding factor, along with the Sacraments and the Liturgy, in our call to holiness and sainthood. St. Athanasius learned a great deal about monastic living and their prayer life through St. Anthony. He understood how foundational prayer is in following Jesus. We too must focus on strengthening our prayer lives whether it be through Scripture, the Rosary, the Divine Office, or other devotions or forms of prayer. Prayer needs to be a central part of our day.

God wants us to be in communion with Him.
This is also connected with the previous two lessons. Prayer is one of the ways we commune with God, but it is important to remember that God desires for us to be in communion with him. It is one of the primary reasons he came to die for us. It can be difficult to remember this fact in periods of suffering, or it can be a struggle based on life experience. I was amazed the other day by how different our life experiences can be, even living in the same town. A friend and I stopped to help a stranded car, which was full of people who were older. I asked them if they were okay and what they needed. They did not have the means to get a tow or have anyone to help them. I offered to give them a ride home, but I had to first run home to put all of the seats back in my van. They were out because we helped someone move earlier in the week. I told them to stay put and I would be back in a few minutes. As I was about to leave one of the women in the back seat asked if I was going to charge them for the help. I was flabbergasted, not because I was offended, rather I was saddened that her experience of other people was based on payment instead of charity. I smiled and told them absolutely not. It took me a few minutes to get back and by then they were gone. Thankfully, it appears they got their car started or someone else helped them out. The point is, many people also have different views of God based on their experience. Perhaps it was a domineering parent, an addiction, divorce, abandonment, or other struggle which has distorted our view. These experiences can impede us in the spiritual life. St. Athanasius battled hard to share the depth of God’s love, goodness, and desire to be close to us.

St. Athanasius was a great defender of the Faith. He devoted his entire life to bringing people into communion with the Blessed Trinity. Through his example we too can learn to defend the truth of Catholicism no matter the cost. It is through prayer and the Sacraments that we are given the grace and strength to persevere and to grow closer to God. God is calling us to him. We must be willing to listen to his call and trust in where he leads us, because it is for our ultimate good. St. Athanasius, ora pro nobis.

Source: http://catholicexchange.com/practical-less..._eid=6396f20ec0

A MUST VIEW for all concerned Malaysian Catholics.
An in-depth look at the upcoming gathering of clergies, religious and lay faithful that will chart the direction of our Malaysian Church for next ten years!

Towards the 4th Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention (PMPC VI). 2nd-5th October, 2016 @ MAJODI Centre, Plentong.



Blessed Ascension Thursday!

Sunday, May 8, 2016
Seventh Sunday of Easter

Holy Gospel according to:
"" John 17:20-26 ""

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

“God showered his blessings & miracles, always on you & your beautiful family; Amen †”


This post has been edited by khool: May 8 2016, 05:40 PM

LET’S PREPARE OURSELVES FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY! HERE ARE SOME PRACTICAL TIPS



It is a beautiful long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church to interiorly prepare one’s self for Pentecost Sunday during which the Church commemorates the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, fulfilling thus what Our Lord promised before ascending into heaven that He will send us the “Paraclete”, “Consoler” or the “Advocate”. Usually, the 10-day preparation begins on the Ascension Thursday (in some countries, Ascension is celebrated during this day, while in others on the 7th Sunday of Easter).

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE THIRD PERSON OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY and He is the LOVE WHICH “PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON.” He is the SANCTIFIER, the One who makes us holy, shapes Our Lord Jesus Christ’s image and life in us if we are faithful and obedient to His grace.

This is the reason why WE MUST ALSO LEARN TO HAVE AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM BEING DOCILE TO THE INSPIRATIONS HE SENDS US MANY TIMES DURING THE DAY SO AS TO STAY ON THE PATH OF LOVE FOR GOD, THE PATH TOWARDS HOLINESS, which is nothing but OUR IDENTIFICATION WITH CHRIST, “TO BE OTHER CHRIST’S, CHRIST HIMSELF (ALTER CHRISTUS, IPSE CHRISTUS – St. Josemaria) ”.

HOW CAN WE PREPARE OURSELVES FOR PENTECOST? Here are some practical tips

1. Seek a PERSONAL and LOVING FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT all throughout the day making use of “HUMAN DEVICES” to REMIND YOURSELF OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, PRAY TO HIM AND INVOKE HIM.

• An example of a human device is the following: whenever you see a DOVE, a BIRD or any FLYING CREATURE for that matter (all these creatures were created by God and thus are good), say an aspiration like “COME, HOLY SPIRIT, FILL THE HEARTS OF YOUR FAITHFUL”; “GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, LORD, THE GIVER OF LIFE, COME AND REST IN MY SOUL”; “COME HOLY SPIRIT, HELP ME BE DOCILE TO YOUR INSPIRATIONS” etc.

2. LEARN A PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT and pray it everyday whenever you want (when you wake up, when you start working, before giving a talk, class, conversation or meeting, before doing your daily examination of conscience at night…)

3. Be DOCILE to the many inspirations He whispers to your ear in your personal prayer, encouraging you to do what is good and avoid what is harmful or evil, or what can offend God or other people.

Dear friends, as St. Josemaria said, the Holy Spirit is the “Great Unknown” for among the Three Persons of the Most Blessed Trinity, He is the least dealt with. During these days, may we get to know Him, deal with Him more, in a loving and intimate friendship, convinced that WE ARE NOT ALONE... THE HOLY SPIRIT, LIVING IN OUR SOUL IN GRACE — GOD WITH US, — IS GIVING A SUPERNATURAL TONE TO ALL OUR THOUGHTS, DESIRES AND ACTIONS (cfr. St. Josemaria, “The Way,” n. 273)

Source: Catholics striving for Holiness