Imagine what might happen if every Catholic in the world would pray a
Rosary
on the same day! We have an example in October of 1573, when
Europe was saved
from the invasion of the mighty Turkish fleet, by the
praying of the Rosary
by all Christians!
So, on Good Friday March 29,2013, let us all pray a
Rosary for peace
in the world and the return of moral values into our
communities.
Please pray for a great and Holy Pope. If possible, please pray
your
Rosary between Noon and 3:00 PM.
Also, please e-mail this message
to every Catholic on your address
list, and ask them to pass it along to
every Catholic on their lists.
Let's unite in praying one of the most
powerful prayers in existence,
for these intentions, on one of the holiest
days in our Church year.
God bless us all!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Comtemplating an Aspect of Good Friday . . .
As with everything in God's world, there is always a symbol and reason. Why was Jesus crucified on a wooden cross?
First,
Augustine observed that crucifixion is not only painful, it is painful and
public. The public nature of Christ's death inspires us to face death
heroically.
Second, Augustine observed that since Adam brought death through a tree, it was fitting that the New Adam destroy death by hanging on a tree.
Third,
John Chrysostom and Theophylact observed that by being lifted up on the cross,
Christ sanctified the air.
Fourth,
Athanasius observed that by being lifted up on the cross, Christ shows that He
has prepared the ascent into Heaven.
Fifth,
Gregory of Nyssa observed that the shape of the cross was fitting for because it
extends in the four directions and is therefore universal. Also, Athanasius
wrote that the one outstretched arm sanctified the those in the past and the
other arm as outstretched to the future. So we have both a spacial and temporal
universality signified in the crucifixion.
Sixth,
Augustine says the parts of the cross signifies the following:
Breadth – This pertains to Christ’s hands and
thus "good works"
Length – This pertains to the upright nature of
a tree and thus "longanimity".
Height – This pertains to the top and Christ’s
head and “the good hope” of the faithful.
Base – The base is the root and it is hidden,
thus it signifies “grace”.
from Saint
Thomas Aquinas Summa theologiae III q.
46, a. 4.
How low can we go?
If you can get arrested for hunting or fishing without a license, but not for being in the country illegally ...you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If you have to get your parents permission to go on a field trip or take an aspirin in school, but not to get an abortion ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If the only school curriculum allowed to explain how we got here is evolution, but the government stops a $15 million constructi on project to keep a rare spider from evolving to extinction ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If you have to show identification to board an airplane, cash a check, buy liquor or check out a library book, but not to vote who runs the government ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If the government wants to ban stable, law-abiding citizens from owning gun magazines with more than ten rounds, but gives 20 F-16 fighter jets to the crazy new leaders in Egypt ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If, in the largest city, you can buy two 16-ounce sodas, but not a 24-ounce soda because 24-ounces of a sugary drink might make you fat ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If an 80-year-old woman can be stripped searched by the TSA but a woman in a hijab is only subject to having her neck and head searched ... you might l ive in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If your government believes that the best way to eradicate trillions of dollars of debt is to spend trillions more ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If a seven year old boy can be thrown out of school for saying his teacher "cute," but hosting a sexual exploration or diversity class in grade school is perfectly acceptable ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If children are forcibly removed from parents who discipline them with spankings while children of addicts are left in filth and drug infested homes ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If hard work and success are met with higher taxes and more government intrusion, while not working is rewarded with EBT cards, WIC checks, Medicaid, subsidized housing and free cell phones ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If the government's plan for getting people back to work is to incentivize NOT working with 99 weeks of unemployment checks and no requirement to prove they applied but can t find work ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If being stripped of the ability to defend yourself makes you more "safe" according to the government ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If you have to get your parents permission to go on a field trip or take an aspirin in school, but not to get an abortion ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If the only school curriculum allowed to explain how we got here is evolution, but the government stops a $15 million constructi on project to keep a rare spider from evolving to extinction ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If you have to show identification to board an airplane, cash a check, buy liquor or check out a library book, but not to vote who runs the government ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If the government wants to ban stable, law-abiding citizens from owning gun magazines with more than ten rounds, but gives 20 F-16 fighter jets to the crazy new leaders in Egypt ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If, in the largest city, you can buy two 16-ounce sodas, but not a 24-ounce soda because 24-ounces of a sugary drink might make you fat ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If an 80-year-old woman can be stripped searched by the TSA but a woman in a hijab is only subject to having her neck and head searched ... you might l ive in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If your government believes that the best way to eradicate trillions of dollars of debt is to spend trillions more ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If a seven year old boy can be thrown out of school for saying his teacher "cute," but hosting a sexual exploration or diversity class in grade school is perfectly acceptable ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If children are forcibly removed from parents who discipline them with spankings while children of addicts are left in filth and drug infested homes ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If hard work and success are met with higher taxes and more government intrusion, while not working is rewarded with EBT cards, WIC checks, Medicaid, subsidized housing and free cell phones ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If the government's plan for getting people back to work is to incentivize NOT working with 99 weeks of unemployment checks and no requirement to prove they applied but can t find work ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If being stripped of the ability to defend yourself makes you more "safe" according to the government ... you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
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