The Season of Lent

[Darth Rinzler]

Hi I have been a practicing devout Catholic for 4 to 5 years and I find the season of Lent to be refreshing. Now I know that a lot of you probably don't know about Lent, and that is ok, but if you are interested I will be posting parables and information about specific Catholics and deeds they have done for the Lord and the greater good once a day. You will learn a thing or two even if your not interested in the Parables there historical events I will be posting here that you yourselves may find interesting.

This topic is not meant to start any fighting so please lets just respect each other.

The day before yesterday was the feast of St. Katharine Drewel, and American-born saint who died during the Eisenhower years. Katharine was born in 1858 into one of Philadelphia's wealthiest families. Her mother died when Katharine was young, and her father married Emma Bouvier, Katharine and her two sisters loved their new stepmother. Both parents taught them the need for prayer (their home had a "prayer place") and for assiting those in need.

When their parents died, the sisters received a $14 million trust, set up by their father to protect the young heiresses from fortune-hunters.

Katharine decided to use her money to help others. She endowed schools on Indian reservations and opened schools for the poor across the United States, including Xavier University in New Orleans. She donated her time, talent and a fortune of nearly $20 million to ministry fro African Americans and Native Americans.

In an 1887 audience with Pope Leo XIII, she begged the Holy Father to send priests to serve the Indians. The pope replied, Why not become a missionary yourself?" Uncomfortable with joining the convent, Katharine nevertherless took the pope's suggestion to heart. She joined the Sisters of Mercy in Pittsburgh, and then in 1891, Katharine founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and order devoted to helping African-Americans and Native Americans. She was advised on how to negotiate the Vatican red tape involved in establishing a religious community by another future saint, Mother Frances Cabrini.

Katharine died March 3, 1955 at the age of 96.

March 4th is "Paczki Day" in many parts of the United States.

Paczkis came to the United States from Poland around the turn of the 20th century. Polish Catholics were strict about their Lenten observance. So, in preparation fro Lenten fasting, they would use up their lard and eggs by making "paczkis" round, sugar-coated pastries often filled with jelly.

In recent years, the Polish custom of enjoying paczkis on the day before Lent has become popular among people of all cultures in the United States.

Matthew's passion account

Each Gospel has its own characteristics - a distinctive writing style, some content the others do not have, and differences in the order of the events.

Despite their differences, the four evangelists come closest together and have the most in common in the passion account. This is because the death of Jesus was a story told and re-told over and over agian, long before the evangelists put it in writing.

One characteristic of Matthew's Gospel is the frequent citation of Old Testament texts that relate to an event in the life of Jese. It is in Matthew that Jesus says at his arrest: "All this has come to pass so that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled."

It is Matthew who has Judas throw the 30 pieces of silver into the Temple and then hang himself, Pilate's wife intervene with a dream in the middle of the trial, and Pilate wash his hands in front of the crowd.

When Jesus dies, Matthew writes of an earthquake, and the dead rising from their tombs and entering Jerusalem. These are not told for their own sake, but to bring out a deeper meaning. Matthew wants us to realize that what is taking place affects the earth and the heavens, and affects both this life and life after death.


'God of tender mercy look on us with kindness as we prepare the ashes, which will mark the beginning of our lenten journey...' -Rite for Burning Palms

Burning palms for ashes

For many parishes, the ashes which are distributed today were made from old palm branches given out last year on Pal Sunday.

Some parishes hold special "palm burning" ceremonies in the weeks or days before Ash Wednesday. This practice is common in other countries, such as the Philippines when palms are burned on the day before Ash Wednesday.

The practice of using last year;s palms for this year's ashes may seem like a new ritual, but it actually dates back to the 12th century.

Passion according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples, "You know that in two day's time it will be Passover, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified," Then the chief priest and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and they consulted together to arrest Jesus by treachery and put him to death. But they said, "Not during the festival, that their may not be a riot among the people." (Mt 26:1-5)

In Matthew's chronology, it is Wednesday, and Friday will be Passover. Jesus will become the new Passover lamb, bringing to his people not freedom from slavery in Egypt, but freedom from the slavery of sin and the clutches of death.

At the beginning of Matthew's Gospel, when the Magi inquired about the newborn king, Herod assembled the religious leaders to help locate the child. He wanted to kill him. Herod failed. Now, at the end of the Gospel, the religious leaders assemble for the same purpose. They will not fail.

I survived the first fragile days of life after my conception (some don't), and I've survived through all the details, but I can foresee the fact. I shall die. And I shall go to God.

Does the way I am living my life take that into account? Lent is about more than losing weight.

'First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did not speak out. And when they came for me there was no one left to speak for me.'


Martin Niemoeller

On this day 30 years ago, a Lutheran pastor noted for his pacifism died at age 92.

Born January 14, 1892, in Germany, Martin Niemoeller was the son of a pastor. At 18, he joined the German navy and served as one of the most successful German U-boat commanders in World War 1. After the war, Niemoeller dabbled in politics before deciding to study theology, He was ordained a Lutheran minister in 1929.

Initially, Niemoeller was anti-Communist and supported Adolph Hitler. But he grew increasingly critical of Hitler in the years prior to World War II. With theologian Karl Barth and other pastors, he founded the Bekennede Kirche (the Confessional Church). As the Nazis' power grew, Niemoeller and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer formed the Pastors' Emergency League which criticized Hitler's religious policies.

Niemoeller's actions led to his arrest several times. In 1938, he was arrested again, and spent seven years in various concentration camps. He was liberated from Dachau by the Allies in 1945.

After the war, Niemoeller became a leader of the Evangelical Church in Germany, and a member fo the World Peace Movement which opposed nuclear weapons.

Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head while he was reclining at table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and said, "Why this waste? It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor." (Mt 26:6-9)

The perfumed oil would have been very expensive. Mark, in his Gospel, even estimates the price: "More than three hundred days' wages."

This unnamed woman's kind act toward Jesus sharply contrasts with the plot of the religious leaders to kill him.

In Matthew, her act is also in sharp contrast to the reaction of Jesus' disciples who are annoyed at her largesse. Some have suggested that Matthew notes this because the community for whom he wrote had many people of means. He was directing a message to those who were overly concerned about money.

The traditional Lenten practice of almsgiving nudges us to lavish our largesse upon the poor. What would happen if I took a large bite out of a week's paycheck and gave it to the poor? I can't do that every week, but, then again, this is Lent.

It wouldn't erase world poverty. But it would have a huge effect upon me, and remind me that all creation - including my possessions - belongs to God.

[Darth Rinzler]

World Day of Prayer

World Day of Prayer is held each year on the first Friday in March.

The day was the idea of Church Women United, an ecumenical Christian group of women who work for justice and peace. Each year, a women's group from a different part of the world writes a prayer service for the day.

For World Day of Prayer 2014 (which is celebrated today), women from Egypt prepared the prayer service, with the theme, "Streams in the Desert." As with other prayer services, planning actually begins three years in advance For the women from Egypt, that meant that they began planing this year's prayer service during the Arab Spring of 2011.


Jesus said to the disciples, "Why do you make trouble for the woman? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me. In pouring this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her." (Mt 26:10-13)

The words of Jesus, "The poor you will always have with you,"have sometimes been misunderstood. Jesus was not saying that poverty is inevitable so there's not much you can do about it.

Jesus was quoting from the Book of Deuteronomy where Moses is giving a speech to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Moses tells them that there will be abundance in the new land and thus there's no reason for poverty.

Then Moses recognizes, not in a complimentary way, that despite this abundance, "the poor you will always have with you." In other words, even though there is enough for everybody, it will probably not be distributed fairly.

Far from simply accepting poverty as "a fact of life," Jesus is quoting a passage that says that this should not be so.

In effect, he says: "Why do you worry over this woman's act of generosity, when you have accepted a system which leaves so many people in need?"

It's a good question to think about during Lent.

[Deathbearer]

While not religious myself I respect you for being so open about your beliefs.

[Darth Rinzler]

St. Philemon the actor

Today is the feast of St. Philemon the actor. St. Philemon is no the Philemon to whom St. Paul wrote his epistle. St. Philemon was a fourth-century actor in Egypt. It is said that he converted to Christianity, and was later martyred for his faith in 305 A.D., during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

He shares today's feast with St. Apollonius, the deacon who baptized Philemon and who was martyred alongside him.

Philemon is the patron saint of dancers.

One way to pray the Scripture is to 'take someone with you' and talk with them along the way. For example, Mary Magdalen, or Peter, or Mary the mother of Jesus, Or the Holy Trinity.

Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" They paid him 30 pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. (Mt 26:14-16)

"From that time on "Judas looks for a chance to hand Jesus over. Matthew used that phrase - "from the time on" - twice earlier in his Gospel, each time to mark an important shift.

The first was after Jesus' temptation in the desert: "From that time on Jesus began to preach..." It marked the beginning of his public life.

The second was when Jesus asked his disciples,"Who do you say that I am?" and Peter professed him to be the Son of God. "From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly..." It marked the beginning of the dark clouds on the horizon.

I now have the phrase used for the third time. It was another truing point, the moment when Judas, who must have been thinking about this for quite some time, decided to do it - to betray Jesus.

Looking back on my own life, what are the turning points that marked a shift for good or for ill...the miles-posts that I can look back to and say:"From that time on..."? Take a moment to think of some.

Now, go to the future. Years from now, looking back to Lent 2014, how would I like to be able to finish that sentence: "From that time on..."?

[Darth Rinzler]

Sinner Saint

'God, give me chastity and continence - but not just now.' - St. Augustine


St. Augustine of Hippo

St. Augustine of Hippo is one of the Church's great saints who helped to shape Catholic theology.

But in his early life (as he recounted in his book Confessions), Augustine was also one of its great sinners, much to the concern of his mother, St. Monica.

Born in modern-day Algeria, Augustine was a wild teenager, who drank excessively and lived a promiscuous life. But, although he had never been baptized, Augustine still claimed to be Christian.

He became a lawyer and moved to Italy where he met St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan. Ambrose so impressed Augustine that the young man decided to be baptized.

After his baptism by Ambrose in 387, Augustine returned to his home in North Africa. While visiting the city of Hippo, he was so well-received by the residents that he reluctantly agreed to their request that he be ordained.

Augustine later became bishop of Hippo where he died in 430 at the age of 76.

Today that Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba, Algeria, is located near the are where Augustine served.

Take a look at your life

Some thoughts about Lent...

Lent is a good time to do something specific in regard to personal spiritual renewal.

In order to be spiritually renewed, I have to experience conversion and reconciliation. From time to time I might think about conversion and reconciliation in general sense but that doesn't get me very far. The really hard work of Lent is turning away from specific sins or sinful attitudes and reconciling with the people who aren't at peace with me. It's not easy.

But when I try to do this difficult work of conversion and reconciliation during Lent, the renewal of my baptismal commitment at Easter is no longer routine. It truly becomes a celebration of new life in the risen Christ.

Indeed, the Gospel reading for the weekend before Ash Wednesday invited me to very specific self-examination. I usually have 20/20 vision when it comes to the faults of others, the "specks" in their eye. That vision often fails me when it comes to my own faults so that I miss the plank in my own eye. The Gospel wisely advises me to remove my own "plank" first before even thinking of telling others what to do.

The Catholic tradition has long recognized that this kind of specific self-examination is difficult. I need the support of prayer, the discipline of fasting and the help of a spiritual guide or friend in order to see my faults and attempt to remove them.

[KirklandSignature]

I gave religion up for lent...25 years ago.

[PVTDukeMorrison]

Just as long as your religion doesn't result in people getting beheaded on live TV I'm fine, keep doing what you do Darth

[Darth Rinzler]

'I'm going to hold steady on You, an' You've got to see me through.' - Harriet Tubman's prayer to God

Harriet Tubman

In 1978, Harriet Tubman was honored by the United States Postal Service when shw was featured on the fist collectible postage stamp in its Black Heritage Series.

Harriet Ross was born a slave in Maryland around 1819-1820. At 25, she married John Tibman, a free African-American. Five years later, fearing that she would be sold, she ran away. She made her way to Pennsylvania where she learned about the Underground Railroad, a well organized network of safe houses and supporters which helped slaves escape to Canada.

Over the years, Harriet would return 19 times to the South. She guided an estimated 300 slaves through the underground railroad to a safe house she worked at in St. Catharines, Ontario. Each trip was more dangerous than the last because her name became known to slave owners. A $40,000 reward was offered for her capture.

After the war, Harriet moved to New York. In 1908, she built a home for the poor and elderly. She died on this date in 1913.

Orthodox Lent begins today.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, "The teacher says, My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples'." The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.

In Matthew's story it is now Thursday, and the Passover will begin at sunset. Jesus says, "My appointed time draws near." Indeed it does. This young and healthy man from Nazareth is less than 24 hours away from death.

As each life is different, each death is different, and seldom follows the script we would have written. There are many causes and kinds of death - accidents, crimes, suicides, lingering illnesses. There is the sad death of a little child or a young parent. There is the bittersweet death of a very old or person who has been waiting to die.

The death of Jesus was sudden death. On Thursday he was a healthy young man. On Friday afternoon he was dead - executed as a criminal.

How shall I die?
How will my family and friends react?
What will it be like to meet the Lord?

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

How to 'go to confession'

*When you enter the Reconciliation Room, you may kneel before a screen, or walk around it to sit face-to-face with the priest.

*Normal greetings ("Good afternoon") are fine.

*After the Sign of the Cross, the priest will say a spontaneous prayer and then read a short passage from Scripture. (If you wish, you can bring along your own choice of a Scripture passage.)

*You are then invited to express your sins and place them before God for forgiveness and healing. This is best done in a conversational way, and the priest is part of the conversation.

*The priest then gives a "penance" which may be a prayer or a good work that will help bring healing.

*You are invited to express sorrow for your sins - a traditional Act of Contrition or one in your own words.

*The priest extends his hands over you and says the prayer of absolution to which you respond, "Amen."(You may remain seated or kneel.)

*Normal "good-byes" are fine as you leave.

On this day in 1975, the Vatican approved the English translation of the new rite of Penance.

When it was evening, Jesus reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said,"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me. "Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, "Surely it is not I, Lord?" (Mt 26:20-22)

Originally the Jewish people stood while they ate the Passover meal. But gradually they adopted the Greek custom of reclining at the bale on individual, low couches. Thus, "Jesus reclined at table with the Twelve."

The Passover meal was never eaten alone. It was a family-style gathering, something like our Thanksgiving dinner. A lamb was slain at the Temple and then eaten in a home setting. The meal was to include at least 10 people. Matthew's account has 13 people there - Jesus and the Twelve.

I can imagine the reaction of this small, close-kit group when Jesus says that one of them is going to betray him. Matthew says they were "deeply distressed." Actually, the Greek word conveys more a sense of sorrow, sadness. In this friendly setting they were quite sincere when on by one they asked the question, "Surely it is not I, Lord?"

I wonder if I should ask the Lord to tell me if I'm fooling myself?

Turn to the Lord ans ask, "Lord, how am I doing?"

[Darth Rinzler]

Canonizations in 1622

In perhaps one of the Church's most illustrious groups of holy people being canonized together, Pope Gregory XV proclaimed Teresa of Avila, Francis Xavier, Philip Neri, Isidore the Laborer, and Ignatius Loyola as saints on this day in 1622.

All five saints were contemporaries who lived during the 16th century, Four were members of religious communities.

Pope Gregory's action is thought to reflect his great respect for religious communities especially the Jesuits of which St. Ignatius was the founder, and of which Francis Xavier was perhaps the greatest missionary. St. Philip Neri founded the Oratorians, while St. Teresa was reformer of the Carmelites.

Jesus said in reply, "He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered,"You have said so." (Mt 26:23-25)

One gets the impression that Judas stayed quiet when the others disciples asked one after the other, "Surely it is not I, Lord?" It was only after Jesus responded to them that Judas asks if he is the one.

Jesus phrases his response in a way that is ambiguous. Though betrayed by Judas, Jesus doesn't betray Judas in front of the others. This is just between the two of them. Jesus knows what Judas is up to. Still, he loves him.

Some people think worse of me than I am, others better. But Jesus knows what I'm up to - good or bad. And he loves me.

If maligned for doing right, I can take courage. The Lord knows the truth.

If I get credit for things I don't deserve, I must take heed. The Lord knows the truth.

Either way, I'm safest with the Lord. He knows me better than anyone, and I know he knows. No need to fake it. And he loves me more than anyone.

  'I didn't want to live in the Apostolic Palace. I go there only to work and for audiences. I live in St. Martha's House, which is a boarding house... I am visible to people and I lead a normal life.' - Pope Francis

    Pope Francis

    On this day in 2013, Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio was elected pope.

    The new Holy Father quickly showed his individuality and willingness to break with tradition. Following his election, he chose to travel with his fellow cardinals on the bus from the Sistine Chapel back to the htel where they were staying...and then they next day, he returned to pay his own hotel bill at the place where he had stayed before the conclave. He eschewed the ornate papal garb for a simpler style and chose to live not in the papal apartments but rather in the Domus Sanctae Marthae (a questhouse located on the edge of Vatican City), where he eats dinner with lower-ranking priests and visitors.

    Another tradition was also broken with the election of this new pope. After previous papal elections, Vatican employees received a bonus marking the election of a new Holy Father. Citing financial austerity, a donation was instead given to charity.

    ROMA

    WHILE THEY WERE EATING, JESUS TOOK BREAD, SAID THE BLESSING, BROKE IT, AND GIVING IT TO HIS DISCIPLES SAID, "TAKE AND EAST; THIS IS MY BODY." THEN HE TOOK A CUP, GAVE THANKS, AND GAVE IT TO THEM, SAYING, "DRINK FROM IT, ALL OF YOU, FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE SHED ON BEHALF OF MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. I TELL YOU, FROM NOW ON i SHALL NOT DRINK THIS FRUIT OF THE VINE UNTIL THE DAY WHEN I DRINK IT WITH YOU NEW IN THE KINGDOM OF MY FATHER." (Mt 26:26-29)

    Jesus came to take away our sins. Matthew emphasizes this in the words of Jesus over the cup. While Mark and Luke have Jesus speak of his blood "shed on behalf of many,"Matthew adds: "for the forgiveness of sins."

    At the beginning of Matthew's Gospel the angel says to Joseph: "You are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. "Now, toward the end of the Gospel, Jesus holds the cup and talks about the forgiveness of sins.

    We are all sinners. There are times when I've seriously sinned and I need the sacrament of penance. But most of the time, even though I haven't broken my relationship with the Lord, I've still failed here and there. I've sinned.

    Why come to Mass? For one thing, I come to have my everyday sins forgiven. The forgiveness of sins is one of its main purposes. That is a comforting thought, and it needs more emphasis.

    Spend some quiet time with the Lord

[maledoro]

[KirklandSignature]

The angelic return of Mr. Maledoro.....

[maledoro]

"Angelic"? No, I don't resemble any of those weird-looking things as described in the Bible. As for "return", I'm just popping in to see if there's anything new.

Ta.

[KirklandSignature]

"Angelic"? No, I don't resemble any of those weird-looking things as described in the Bible. As for "return", I'm just popping in to see if there's anything new.

Ta.

But I heard a chorus of angels when you came in through the door?


It's okay, you're fine, ambition's not a crime

[Darth Rinzler]

Olive Tree

The Mount of Olives was so named because of its many olive trees, though they are not as plentiful today.

Toward the bottom of its slope is a place with some very old olive trees, and from the fourth century this has been honored as the site of Gethsemane.

Though none of these trees would go back to the time of Jesus, new olive trees sometimes grow from the roots of those whose trunk has fallen. Thus, the trees there could be "connected" with the trees that were there during the agony in the garden.

Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives, Then Jesus said to them, "This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written:

'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed.' But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee." (Mt 26:30-32)

Jesus undoubtedly sang many times, but this is the only time it is mentioned in the Gospels - on the night before his death.

The conversation on the way to the Mount of Olives gets heavy. Jesus tells them that before this night ends, all of them will have their faith in him shaken.

At times my faith is shaken too. It comes down to the fundamental probelm that God doesn't live up to my expectations. The true God should:

*prevent natural disasters 9r.g. tornadoes, earthquakes),

*quickly straighten out injustices,

*eliminate sickness and suffering,

*protect everyone from accidents, especially children.

If God is all-powerful, and God is good, then evil should not be. But evil does exist - everywhere.

I'll never figure it out this side of the grave. All I can do is look at the cross - as evil and ugly a thing as we could think of - and say, "God, help me to trust as Jesus did, that you can bring goodness out of evil."

However if God did do all these things for everyone then no one could be judged by their character. It is our job that God has given us to take care of the sick, the dying, the weak, the poor, the innocent. It is our job to genuinely care for are fellow humans and creatures that we live with on this world no matter the creed.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

[Darth Rinzler]

Who may hear confessions?

Once upon a time, confessing one's sins to another lay person or monks or persons who were not priests was quite common.

That changed with the Council of Trent (1545 - 1563).
The council decreed that only confession to a bishop or priest fulfills the requirements for the sacrament of reconciliation.

The Council of Trent was originally scheduled to begin on this day in 1545. But, due to political tensions, the council was delayed until December 13. The council would continue for 18 years in the midst of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. In 1551, the council defined penance as a sacrament for the purpose of reconciling the sinner to God after baptism.

Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be." Jesus said to him, "Amen, I say to you, this very night before the **** crows, you will deny me three times." Peter said to him, "Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you." And all the disciples spoke likewise. (Mt 26:33-35)

Peter cannot even allow for the possibility that he would let the Lord down. "Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be." Then all the other disciples chime in with the same assurance.

The Book of Proverbs warns, "Pride goes before disaster." There is about to be a disaster here. These disciples are only a few hours away from doing exactly what they said they wouldn't do.

I've done things "I'd never do."

The best approach to sin is to look it straight in the eye. The best approach to sin is to look it straight in the eye. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus is especially hard on hypocrites who pretend they have no sins. He calls them "whitewashed tombs which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones."

It's not just a question of my individual sins. It's my sinfulness itself, the flaw in my system that only God's grace can mend. Paul is dead honest about this: "For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I don not want...It is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me."

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me a sinner." Try saying that slowly 10 times. It can have a very good effect.