The human touch can be the most direct healing that we will ever experience. Babies have been know to die if they are not touched by their moms. TOUCHING AND BEING TOUCHED is perhaps the greatest experience of our lives. This touching and being touched is on five levels of our lives and being:
We can touch and be touched:
1) Physically, 2) Emotionally, 3) Psychologically, 4) Spiritually, and 5) Cordially (in the heart: deepest core of our being.)
1) Physically:
We all remember touches that are tender, kind and loving. The caress is perhaps the most tender of touches.
These touches can be between husband and wife, between parents and child, between brother and sister to assure support, between beauty and the beholder.
2) Emotionally:
Have we not had an emotional reaction while watching a very moving fild? For example, when I see something that is truly beautiful and poetic on the screen, I have an emotional reaction. Sometimes, I feel myself kind of making shaking movements as being about to cry. I can feel tears well up in my eyes. These scenes that are very moving are particularly always the same: one of great relief, wonder and too good to be true. I can show you this best by someone you have seen yourself. IN the movie, Jesus of Nazareth, Mary Magdalene is there when Jesus is confronted with 5000 people to feed. She senses this and concerned too; but then she sees the disciples distributing fish and bread in great abundance. She starts to shake and has tears of joy in her eyes. She is smiling and she is crying all at once. Perhaps you have seen this scene in the Movie: Jesus of Nazareth. Well, that is exactly how I feel when in Ben Hur blood is coming down the Hill of Calvary and heals his mother and sister of leprosy. That made me shake and tear up. The point is that we can be TOUCHED even by a movie that truly depicts something that is both true and beautiful and awesome and miraclulous. I fel this also while watching the "Song of Bernadette." Being emotionally touched by God's love for you can cause tearful feelings of great JOY.
We all have been touched by "falling in love" - personally - or when seen in a romantic novel or movie or just seeing a couple in love. Once, I was at a gathering called "Engagement Encounter" - a three day/weekend retreat just for engaged couples preparing for soon to be exchange of marriage vows. I was struck by something very unususal: something I had never seen before in the movies or in real life. It ws this incredible electric charge of love in the air. I was in a room of 17 coulples - all of whom you could see and sense were in love! This love just filled the room with an intense warmth that cannot be really described unless I could in some way give you a subjective experience of this synergism of love experience where I could place all these "burning logs" of heart-to-heart relationships into your fireplace. Since I cannot do this, I can only tell you how I felt. It was no other feeling I had ever had or ever was to have. The "heart of the matter" - the synergism - was this: All these couples were being touched by their beloved's love which was kind of a spiral upwards or crescendo of love that not only affected the individual couples but actually was a perfect and emotionally charge community of love where the love of each couple for each other increased their love by the proximity of the loving couples around them. This phenomenon is really a picture of heaven where every one will be in love with every one else and everyone will be in love with God and God in love with everyone in heaven. There will be an eternal crescendo of love that keeps on increasing forever.
3) Psychologically:
In completing my MA in Psychology, I took a post-graduate course in Psychopathology - which I took as a very serious, in-depth study of pathology (sickness) of the psychic (mind/soul). My getting an A in this course was not because I did all the requirements for the class, but because I wanted to enter sympatheically and as deeply as I could into the pathology of those of those who have been adversely touched by others. All psycholpathology is caused by the lack of having a loving touch: physically and emotionally or spiritually. Yet, psycholopathology is also a freely chosen state as well. People with psychosis are essentiall still free people to chose how they wish to respond to negative touching of others in their lives.
Here is an example for Charles Dicken's "Great Expectations": Miss Hamersheim has a psychosis - but one that has been freely chosen. She did have a trauma of being UNtuched! Her wedding was all scheduled and prepared for to take place in her great mansion or manor. All the guests were there. All the food prepared. The minister was there waiting for the ceremony to begin. The groom never showed up. The embarassment and heart break for Miss Hamersheim was both interior and exterior: The rejection touched her heart deeply and caused a pain that never went away. The guests did try to comfort her; but she knew that publicly she was proven to be "unloveable" - the greatest fear of any young lade to have. All her imagination of the love of her wedding night - the free caressing - all went out the window of her life. All her imagination of her children to be born was gone. Her hope to touch and be touched by the love of her husband and by the love of her future children and her taking her place in society as a married lady: all vanished!
What of her response? She never took off her wedding dress for the next 40 years. She grew old wearing it. She closed all the blinds in that room and never opened them to the sunshine again. The cake on the table was still there 40 years later. This psychosis was caused by trauma but was chosen and embraced as her way of reminding that man of his evil discourtesy. Her response was to get public sympathy and to hurt that gentelman who spurned her. She now fell in love with her own hurt and got pleasure from it. She chose not to get over it or to date some other man who would have given her the greatest healing touch of all: his love and his making her a mother and a respectable wife in her community. She was touched by trauma but conntinued to touch other with her bitterness. Her redemption partly comes from the love of a 10 year old boy who is so innocent that he approaches her with his own sense of love and wonder. She actually was TOUCHED by Pip's love and respect for her and most of all by his love for Estella - a perfect and pure love that totally the opposite of the man who did love her. But Pip's faith in love begins to hear her. Her healing continues even as Pip grows up and who was always in love with Miss Hamersheim's neice Estella. Pip's persistent love of Estella even when she spurns him and marries Drummen, moves Miss Hamersheim because he never gave up in his love for Estella while Miss Hamersheim did give up on love totally for her or anyone. In the end, Pip does marry Estella. After Miss Hamersheim dies in a fire while Pio tried to hard to save her, Estella enherited the estate. He and Estella go in and he rips down all the drapes and lets the sun in the banquet room. The very last line of the book is Pip telling his audience: us - these lovely words after so much agony of seaching and winning her: "And I saw no shadow of serparation from her again."
ON the positve side: There is great psychological healing in the loving touch of others. I know a woman who was abused by her uncle during her early teen years. To protect herself, she grew in personal armor by gaining weight: 470 pounds. When I met her, she was in a double-wide wheel chair and looked very sad and unable to walk: she was actually physically and mentally dying. I boldly walked up to her out of the blue and without any introduction said this to her (instinctively because her very person told me her whole story) :
"You are beautiful!"
Her reply was: "I don't think so."
I said: "You are beautiful, and I can prove it."
She said: "How can you prove that I am beautiful?"
I said: "I am an artist. Just remain in your chair still; and I will sketch you."
She remained silent during the sketch that took about 12 minutes. I took a side view of her because a side view does not show any weight. I gave her the sketch for her to keep. She took the sketch and really looked at it intently and said:
"Maybe I am beautiful!"
I said: "Of course you are! Would you like to come with me to RCIA class to learn about becoming Catholic?"
She said: "I am a happy Baptist. Why should I become Catholic?"
I said: "Why don't 'come and see!'"
She did come and did become Catholic. On Easter Saturday night, she received her first Holy Communion which TOUCHED her deeply. She said:
"I never felt such a joy in all my life. I wanted to go running down the street waving my arms in 'Alleluia".
She had been touched by the Lord deeply. She did not know it at the time; but actually Jesus - with His total Physical Presence - healed her of reasons for her over eating. She now weighs 220 pounds: down from 470 pounds. She told me that if she had not met me she would have died; she was dying. She is now a very dynamic Catholic who came with me to an abortion clinic. She boldly went in and sat with the ladies waiting to abort their babies. She talked one out of aborting by showing other options and by speaking with a loving heart. She who had been touched and healed by Jesus in Holy Communion formed a communion with this scared teenage mother and touched this little mother's heart and saved a baby's life. Those who have allowed themselves to be touched by others and by Jesus in others and by Jesus directly in the Sacraments - become- touchers and healers of others! When I met this woman in her double wide wheel chair, God saw us saving this child's life from abortion. He plans how we are to be touched by others and how we touch others.
There is one more time this woman touched someone deeply: she came with me to minister to an acoholic man named Alex. When we arrived at his appartment, we found him inebriated and laying in his own feces.
What she did was truly Christ in action: she is a big woman, bigger than Alex for sure. She litterally picked him up off the ground and carried him into the shower. She stripped him naked and put him under the shower water full blast. While scrubbing him down, she sang songs to him to keep him calm and peaceful. She gave me a command, too. She is a no-nonsense woman. She said to me: "Take his clothes in this garbarge bag and throw them out; they are not washable!" Just please picture what she was doing for Alex. She was Christ washing him of all his sins and addiction with a scrubbing touch accompanied by singing. Her voice still rings in my ears...such a loving and kind and healing tone. Healing is passed on by those who have been healed through TOUCH! Please understand that you may think this should be under the category of spiritual healing rather than psychological healing; but remember the root word of Psychology, the "psy" in Greek means "spirit". Psychological means actually being touched both in the mind and the spirit - all at once because we are not separate bodies and souls. Our souls are so closely related to our minds and our body that what goes on in our minds changes our bodies: the psychosomatic (spirit-body) interaction is so strong that the mind can give us ulcers, can cause cancer (resentment can cause cancer), depression and even cause a bone to break.
If one's mind is abused by guilt feelings, this can hurt the body as well. Guilt does more harm to the body than stress does. Guilt does no good; but sorrow over evil actions can lead to repentnance and forgiveness from God and others in our life that has a great effect on our health. So, now let us turn to a discussion on "Spiritually".
4) Spiritually:
According to Aristotle, the spirit is where we have the capability of abstraction. He saw that we were able to understand and come up with a definition of all trees by abstracting the essential characteristics of a tree and making a universal definition to cover all trees possible. So for this end, we see that spiritual if non-physical phenomenon. Aristotle said that the soul is a simple entity and had to parts and therefore could not fall apart and is eternal and can live outside the body. When communion with the Divine, he said a sitting posture is best. This ability to commune with the divine comes from the core of one's being - the soul. When we hear that someone will say: "I am not religious but spiritual", what do they mean exactly? "Religio" - means a 'relationship with God. So, if they are spiritual and not religious, with whom do they have a relationship with? Religion is our faith in God; and our Spirituality is how we commune with God. For Catholics, their Spirituality is Sacraments as being touched by God; and the soul's allowing God to touch their soul.
All that being said, for our discussion, the term "Spiritually" means being touched in our souls by something that is perceived spiritually: for example, Beethovan, Chopin, Chaikowski - all - can touch us spiritually in our souls. A beautiful painting, sculpture or our spouse's beauty can touch us deeply spiritually - as manifestations of the Divine Beauty that we are capable of experiencing because we are spiritual - that is - we have a spirit that can be touched. The Beauty of this world, the Universe, the face of our child, the flowing wheat field in the sunlight that looks like the movement of the sea: all of these things can and do TOUCH the soul - if we are open.
Cordially:
The Latin word for "heart" is "cors - cordis". We get the word "courage" from this. What is the difference between the spirit and the heart? I believe that the "heart" is a term that connotes the most inner or center of the soul: the placae we meet God.....the place or source of our love for anyone or everyone that God has given into our lives to love.
The Psalmist says: 37: 3-7 - "Delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of the heart." The word "heart" seems to mean the very center of who we are: the executor of our whole being.
Jesus says: "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." In both of these two examples of the use of "heart" in Holy Scripture, the word "soul" does not quite perfectly fit as a substitute. Perhaps the word "heart" is a perfect metaphor for the whole of the most inner-sanctum of our being. When I write, I write from this center - the heart - of my being. I feel this is a form of prayer because to write is to encounter the Holy Spirit within me. "Know you not that you are temples of the Holy Spirit?"
When from someone's heart, this person says to you: "I love you", your heart can easily resonnate and feel and express "I love you back." Why? Because the heart can be moved by love and moved to love.
There are songs on the natural level that speak of this kind of love: "What the world needs now is love, sweet love; because the world has so little of.." Also another song: "O sweet mystery of love at last I have found you.." And another: "You are nobody until somebody loves you." All these natural feelings about love and feelings of love can TOUCH the world and be TOUCHED by love because Love touches the Heart which is created for love.
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Now let us look at these 5 above categories not merely from the natural side but from the "supernatural" side. What is supernatural? Well, here are a few natural and supernatural virtues to illustrate the difference between the Natural and the Supernatural: We need natural faith to want to go to school: we must have faith that the institution is accredited and has good teachers. We need faith to believe that our chosen career will bear fruit in our lives and others lives. We need faith that our car will start and get us to class. We have to have faith even that the sun will come up tomorrow. We also have to have hope that we will graduate, hope that we will have the health to finish school, and the hope that we can do well in our chosen career. Likewise we need love or devotion to our studies, and love for the people we will serve in our medical, or sociological, or educational, or legal career. a musician must have a love for music to excell. Love for our career, our art, our expressions in music and literature - all - compel us forward and upward. To love is to have "enthusiam: - a Greek word that mean "en-theos - "to be caught up in God." So, all these examples are examples of Natural virtues.
The Supernatural virtues of Faith, Hope and Love are very different because what we have Faith, Hope and Love IN is not ourselves but IN God!
Therefore, Supernatural Faith means the ability to believe and trust in God. This ability is not natural but a gift from God that is Supernatural because the origin of this gift of Faith comes from Baptism - a gift from the Holy Spirit.
Likewise, Suprnatural Hope - a gift of the Holy Spirit at our Baptism - is as St. Paul puts it: "The substance of things hoped for that appear not." If they could be seen, then we would not have hope but possession. But HOPE is a kind of spiritual possession of the things we hope for. Hope outstreaches the hands of our soul to receive the gifts we hope for from God.
Supernatural Love - Charity - is the gift from the Holy Spirit at our baptism that gives us the ability to love God and love His children for God. How do I know that all these gifts do come from baptism? Well, the best proof is that of my own children who were baptized at infancy. When my daughter Cynthia (literally: "with-God") was only five years old, she told me: "Daddy, God is speaking to me!" I said, "Of course God is speaking to you; your name means 'with-God'." And off she went as content and happy as she could be. she and all of my children had a relationship with God from earliest childhood. Infant baptism is very very good.
Ok,...now we understand the difference between Natural and Supernatural. So, let us look at the 5 above categories of TOUCHING AND BEING TOUCHED SUPERNATUALLY:
1) Physically, 2) Emotionally, 3) Psychologially, 4) Spiritually, 5) Cordially:
1) Physically:
At Lourdes in France, there have been documented miracles since 1860 to the present. These devout people are Touched by God and cured usually when or at the time the the priest blesses them with the Most Blessed Sacrament: The Eucharistic Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Fr. Joseph Chricop was there when such a miracle took place in the 1980's. He said there was an Methodist Christian man there who was a paraplegic and only went to Lourdes because all his friends told him to do so. While there he was healed in front of every one. Father Joe said that all the people clapped like this man had just made a touchdown. There was a fundamental joy that everyone felt for this man and for the Power and Love of God. This man allowed himself to be supernaturally TOUCHED by God.
2) Emotionally:
Jesus was so amazed at the lack of faith in Nazareth, that he could not work any wonders there. But when the Centurian said: "I am not worthy that you should come under my roof; but just say the word and my servant shall be healed," then Jesus was amazed again and said: "I have not found this faith in all of Israel."
So, Jesus is touched by faith or the lack of faith. He is touched emotionally - is "amazed" to find: "I have not found such faith in all of Israel" and is "amazed to find such lack of faith in Nazareth." Also, when asked by the Pharisees a trick-up question, Jesus "looked around in anger." Thus these examples are Supernatural touching by events or attitudes as they relate to God and the economy of Salvation.
So we know that Jesus had emotions and was touched by the death of His friend Lazarus. This is a short sentence in the Gospels: "Jesus wept." But does God the Father have emotions, too? If so, does the Father ever show His emotions? He sure does: When Jonas was told to tell the Ninevites that in 40 days the City would be destroyed, the people repented. And God seeing this "repented of His sentence against the people of Ninevey and did not carry it out." Also, when Jonas was so angry over the loss of a gord plant that died and now did not shade him, the Father said to Jonas: "Are you angry?" Jonas replied: "I am angry enough to die." Then the Lord said to Jonas, "You want me to destroy all of the Ninevites who do not know their left hand from their right..not to meation all the cattle and sheep. But you are worried over this plant that you did not plant. Jonas, you have no reason to be angry." This shows a very calm God the Father in the face of His creature who is full of emotion. God the Father shows loving kindness to Jonas teaching him to understand that if Jonas cares for his dear plant, so God must care for His dear people.
But please let me tell you of two personal experiences with the emotional responses of God the Father. The first one is told in detail in Proverb #142: "Epiphany....paragraph #6. In that account, the Father reacted to my simple prayers that I was only saying casually. But His response was one of an eternal display of His powerful emotion. His response was from an Eternal Being, Himself, to me a tiny creature. I thought I would die...and waited..about 12 minutes to see if He were taking me home to Himself. Please read the whole account in Proverb 142. Thank you. This account was an "infused contemplative experience" where God has access to my soul and shared His own thoughts and emotions with me. This then was a true Supernatural "emotional" experience.
The second experience of the emotions of the Father was a tremendous display of Fatherly emotional love. The whole account of it is in Proverb 37: "Getting a High Five from God." That response from God was truly emotional. I gave God a high five by jumping two feet in the air to slap Him a high five of joyful thanks for answering my prayer. Now, you would think that would just give God a smile. Well, maybe God never got such a "high five" before from someone off the ground. Now, what would you do if your child slapped you a high five out of love? Would you not give your child a high five back? Well, God did exactly and literally that very things. Please see Proverb 37. Thank you.
3) Psychologically:
The demoniac in the Gospel "lives among the tombs and bruises himslef with stones." In psychology today, there are studies of people who cut themselves or hurt themselves driven by guilt or self hatred or introjection of their hatred of others unto themselves. This is both a pathology and sometimes a sign of possession. But still Jesus is Lord of the Mind and cures this demoniac; and the Gospel says: "They found him (demoniac) in his right mind." In this miracle, Jesus cures both mind and spirit Supernaturally by His miraculous TOUCH of Power. If Jesus can command the wind and the sea so that these obey Him, how much more can Jesus calm the storms of the spirit and the MIND. Jesus is Lord of all that we are...if we let Him TOUCH our lives.
4) Spiritually:
All the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church are Supernatual Signs of Grace. These Sacraments are visible TOUCHINGS from God, the HOLY SPIRIT. These Sacramental signs can be seen, touched, tasted and sometimes smelled (Holy Oils). But the most important aspects of these Seven Sacraments of the Church is that they are Supernatural and Spiritual encounters with Jesus Christ. These Sacraments are Ritual Signs that DO what they SIGNIFY. Bapstism has the pouring of water while the priest says: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." This visible washing DOES actually cleanse the soul. The Sign does what it signifies! This Sacrament takes away original sin and makes the person a child of God.
All the Seven Sacraments are Supernatural TOUCHES from Jesus Christ through the Sanctifying action of the Holy Spirit.
But the most important and greatest Sacrament comes within the context of the Mass: Jesus' Paschal Mystery: His sufferings, His death and Resurrection - all - take place in the Mass. Does this mean as the Protestants say that we recruciby Christ every day in the Mass. That understanding is fallacious and without understanding. What happens at Mass is that Christ TRANSCENDS time and place to be PRESENT to us in His whole Paschal Mystery. We are - at every Mass - transported to the Hill of Calvary and witness the one-time sufferings and death and Resurrection of Jesus. Jesus is PRESENT to us in all these events in His life - NOW - in the Mass. Jesus died once; but we can go to that Hill of Calvary every day to see Him die and rise from the dead. For example from human life: When couples in marriage celebrate their love fully and sexually, are they celebrating a new found love? Yes, in the sense that their love is growing; but in reality it is the same love they have had at their wedding day. The vows they exchanged on their wedding day is re-presented to each other in their celebration of love. IN the same way, Jesus's Redemptinve Love for us is RE-PRESENTED to us every day in the Mass - that same one event that took place 2000 years ago is re-presented not as a new love but that VERY LOVE is giving to us NOW in the Mass. That is what we Receive in Holy Communion: the suffered-died-resurrected Chrsit! We are not only present on the Hill of Calvary, we can receive Jesus into our souls - really and actually - His Body and Blood and Soul and Divinity! That is why just one Holy Communion can make us a Saint. Jesus said, "Whoever eats my body and drinks my blood, I shall raise him (her) up on the last day." He said that because when we receive Holy Communion, we are being TOUCHED BY A RESURRECTED BODY: we have to be raised up by His word and by our having touched His Body and His having touched ours. For example: the Pheocian woman said: "If I but TOUCH the hem of his garment, I shall be saved." She was right; and when healing went out of Jesus' Body, he turned and said: "Who touched me!" But the whole crowd had touhced Him; but they did not let themselves be touched by Jesus. This women did! There are millions who know of Jesus and can profess faith in Him.....but do not let Him touch them. This is why Jesus will say to them on the last day: "I do not know you!"...."Away with you evildoers!" But they said: "We ate with you...walked with you in the streets....." But Jesus will say to them: "I do not know you." It is not enough to believe in Jesus or to study him or to talk or write about Him: we must let HIM TOUCH us!
The reason why Adam and Eve were told not to partake of the fruit of good and evil lest they would die, was that God knew the closeness between the body and the soul. Only God knew of how the soul can effect the body. If a mortal/original sin is committed, then the death of life in the soul causes the soul to begin to die as well. God did not tell Adam and Eve not to eat of the fruit of good and evil because He would punish them by causing them to die. Absolutely not. God did not ever plan or create DEATH. That was created by sin. When Adam and Eve lost God's Grace (His Life, the Holy Spirit in them), then their bodies began to die that very second. According to the Bible, Adam lived nearly 1000 years. His body was so perfect and was made so as to never die, that it took that long for his body to fully die. But Jesus was the promised Redeemer who by dying in our stead gave Him the power to raise us all up in the Resurrection. Jesus said: "I am the Resurrection and the Life!" Do you see how powerful that statement is? Jesus undid the sin of Adam and Eve and all the sins of humankind past, present and future. Jesus brings us all to Life forever. That is why He said: "Whoever eats my body and drinks my blood, I will raise him (her) up on the last day. People who continue in sin....negate their own paid-for-by-Christ Resurrection. They reject their own redemption. But those who continually repent and confess to the Lord let the Mercy of Christ to TOUCH their souls and bodies with His own Resurrected Health and Life..now and forever!
"Cordially:
The great Saints like St. Teresa of Avila spoke of a Supernatural Spiritual Marriage between her heart and the Heart of Jesus Christ. This is called the Unitive Way: the joy of being married to Jesus Christ now and in eternity. St. John of the Cross used language from the Song of Songs to describe his soul's relationship to Jesus Christ. These two Saints are mystics who have fallen in love with Jesus Christ. St. Mary Margaret gave the world in the late 19th century the Devotioni to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. And St. Faustina gave us the devotion to the Merciful Heart of Christ: "O blood and water that gushed forth from the Heart of Christ as a fountain of Mercy, I trust in You." Jesus' Merciful Heart wants every sinner no matter how big or small to come to His Merciful Heart. He loves the sinner and has already suffered on the cross for every person's sins. If a sinner does not come to Jesus for forgiveness and Mercy, then Christ's sufferings for that person were in vain. If Jesus HAS already paid the price for our sins, we should go the Fountain of Mercy: His Sacred Heart.
Does God the Father have a Heart? Well, regarding David, the Lord said: "Here is a man after My Own Heart." In turn, David loved God: in Srach 47: 2-11, we read: "With his whole heart, he love his maker." Also, Enoch walked with God; and he was no more, because God took him." God really loved Enoch!
Jesus gave us the most perfect accont of God the Father's Heart-felt love for us, His Prodigal Sons and Daughters: "The Father saw His son from a far way off, ran to him, embraced him and kissed him." In this story of the Father who looked to the road every day to see if His son/daughter would come home, is the Truest picture and exposition of the Heart of God the Father ever told. The Prodigal Son Story is the most perfect TOUCHING of God the Father of all of us. There is no story in all of human history that more beautifully tells how TOUCHED the Father is by us..and how He TOUCHES us - if we allow Him to.
Charity: our ability to Love God and love all others for and in God is a supernatural power. We receive this gift at our baptism from the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the first commandment of the Law says: "Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God with your whole heart and soul and strength and will." And the second is like unto it: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as yourself." Jesus was giving us the HEART of the Law. But Jesus also said: "A new commandment I give to you: Love one another as I have loved you." Jesus had earlier said: "As the Father has loved me, so I love you." Also, after Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love Me?" three times, Jesus said, "Feed my sheep..feed my lambs." Jesus wanted to show us that love of Him has to be connected to love of Jesus' sheep. Love of God without loving our neighbor is like one had trying to clap. It cannot be done.
Well, there you have the whole story of TOUCHING AND BEING TOUCHED both naturally and Supernarually. I hope and PRAY that you and I will be more open to being Touched by God and by those whom He sends into our lives to TOUCH us so that we can be healed, loved and readied for Heaven - our full Redemption so that God can embrace and kiss us for all eternity. Amen.
Love, Pio
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Pio's Proverb 157: ALIENS on three possible worlds!
Philosphically, Aristotle thought that there could not be many worlds because (as St. Thomas also argued) this would be less perfect than a single, unitary universe produced by and ordered to God - the uniq;ue First Cause of everything else. But in 1277 Bishop Etienne Tempier condemned Aristotle's and Thomas' way of thinking because it "puts God in a box, limiting his power in ways that reveal truth does not justify." And, of course, this Aristotelian "limiting" of God's power for the sake of a "unitary universe"--would have direct bearing on the possibility of alien life. But really St. Thomas was referring to multiple universes not multiple worlds. St. Thomas did not say there could not be multiple worlds. Bishop Tempier and St. Thomas were really on the same page...and looking through the same intellectual telescope.
OK....now that we can plausibly agree that there are other possible worlds as the Keppler inter-gallactic tellescope is seeking to find in its looking at just one quadrant of space...WHAT kind of worlds could there be out there containing intelligent life?
With the telescope of Theological eyes - "Theo-physics" would declare only three possible kind of worlds:
Given the right distance from the sun in their own solar system, these three possible worlds can only fall into these three types of worlds contingent on these worlds containing intelligent life. None intelligent biological life forms can be on millions of kinds of worlds. But intelligent, self-reflective beings with body and souls can only inhabit three specific ikinds of worlds which are as follows:
1) FALLEN AND REDEEMED:
There can be other worldx like ours varying in size but capable of sustaining life. We know for certain of this type of world can exist because our world has this most distinquishing aspect or limiting quality: We are a world of people who have fallen from grace by disobeying God's explicit wish/grace to remain in His grace: to remain with Him. Humans on this planet have fallen from grace/sinned BUT HAVE been REDEEMED by Christ. Thus our world is one that is "fallen and redeemed".
2) FALLEN AND NOT REDEEMED:
There can be a world like our in the cosmos with intelligent life that has fallen from grace but not redeemed: that is a world that has not only rejected God's wishes but also has rejected God's redemptive attempt. Jesus actually implicitly mentioned such a world or situation in his parable of the vinyard planted by the Father and leased to tenants who refused to give Landlord's share of harvest. But the Landlord sent other servants to try and bring back the fruit to the Landlord. But these servants (prophets) were beaten and killed. Then the Landlord sent his only son thinking they would honor the son. But the tenants killed the son, too. Of course, this story fits the Pharisees and religious leaders of the time who had rejected the prophets sent by God and kiling them and then killing His only begotten Son, Jesus. However, this story is a perfect story of REJECTION OF REDEMPTION. In this scenario, these aliens would be "prodigal sons" that never came home...or if they came home did not accept God's forgiveness and love. It is possible for an alien who has never shown love or forgiveness for others will not in turn not be able to receive forgiveness or accept love of a REDEEMER because of harness of heart. In this kind of world, there would be ordered evil. This world would be a mini-model of hell: an exploitive society without God feeding on one another.
3) AN UNFALLEN WORLD IN THE STATE OF ORIGINAL JUSTICE:
This is a world as God, the Creator, intended our to be. This world is one where the created beings made the right choices to remain humbly with God. This would be incredibly advance socient - not advanced in medicine beause there would be no death. After being here for a designated time, they would be taken like Enoch into heaven - body and soul. These beings would have advanced in knowledge of the sciences to be able to feed an enormous populations: 300,000,000,000 with ease - no matter these size of the planet. Even our own planet could do the same if we spent no monies on war or defense or self-indulgence. Technologically we could irrigate and populate the deserts and farm the seas; but we do not have the love for each other to do this. Governments seek to rule the world...not to feed the world. Thus a world in habited by beings in the state of original justice would be a perfect "Theocracy" - Rule by the Love of God. These people would be beautiful beyond our imagination. These beings would surely have the capability of inter-gallactic space travel. They would have a natural scientific curiosity. They would come here but I doubt they would land here. You would land in quicksand would you. These beings would see our planet as containing a great and deadly virus: sin. And if we ever reached their world, I doubt that we would be allowed to land...and if so...we would be greatly quaranteened But the fact is that we do not have to look for this world, it would find us first and never land - lest they be infected with death - a disease they do not want and have avoided by loving God. These beings have probably been here many times but just passing over. These creatures are so far advanced as to possibly conquered space travel at speeds surpassing the speed of light. As we know, the universe is accelerating right now in speeds exceeding the speed of light. If space can travel faster than the speed of light, so can these creatures. They might even have found a way to transport molecules - themselves - accross space - along with expanding space - riding space's own energy or power. They may even be able to do waht angels do: transport them selves in and by the speed of thought.
Now as to our question of aliens on other planets: I deeply believe that it is an impossibility that aliens do not exist. How do they fit into the salvation history? If another world like ours - fallen and redeemed - comes here to land, our aim would be just as Pope John Paul II's top astronomer said: that the Church would welcome and even baptize intelligent extraterrestrials -- "no matter how many tentacles." But these beings may have already been touched by Christ's redemption because Jesus said in John's Gospel (10:16):
"I HAVE OTHER SHEEP TOO, THAT ARE NOT OF THIS SHEEPFOLD. I MUST BRING THEM ALSO. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd."
Therefore, Jesus' prayer: "Father, that they may be one just as You and I are one; that they may be one is in us" takes on a deeper and broader meaning. In heaven we will see all these aliens...and guess what: don't be surprised if they look very similar to us because God's design is God's design no matter where you go in the Universe. Stars are very similar and have the stages of development. So, why would intelligent life be so different than us on other worlds. Therefore, it is very likely that we will meet another world like our own and exchange advances in science, social order, medicine and space travel - as well as - knowledge of a most merciful and wonferful God.
Father, Creator of the Universe and all the peoples You have planted in it, grant that we may marvel at Your Creation on other worlds so as to see Your Beauty and Goodness all the more. Bring us those who need to yet find Jesus Christ...and bring us alien Saints who can teach us of You and give us a jump start in medi-scientific, social, and space-travel advance. Let us be a blessing to them and they a blessing to us. This we ask in Jesus' Name through Mary. Amen.
Peace and love,
Pio, a terrestrial.
OK....now that we can plausibly agree that there are other possible worlds as the Keppler inter-gallactic tellescope is seeking to find in its looking at just one quadrant of space...WHAT kind of worlds could there be out there containing intelligent life?
With the telescope of Theological eyes - "Theo-physics" would declare only three possible kind of worlds:
Given the right distance from the sun in their own solar system, these three possible worlds can only fall into these three types of worlds contingent on these worlds containing intelligent life. None intelligent biological life forms can be on millions of kinds of worlds. But intelligent, self-reflective beings with body and souls can only inhabit three specific ikinds of worlds which are as follows:
1) FALLEN AND REDEEMED:
There can be other worldx like ours varying in size but capable of sustaining life. We know for certain of this type of world can exist because our world has this most distinquishing aspect or limiting quality: We are a world of people who have fallen from grace by disobeying God's explicit wish/grace to remain in His grace: to remain with Him. Humans on this planet have fallen from grace/sinned BUT HAVE been REDEEMED by Christ. Thus our world is one that is "fallen and redeemed".
2) FALLEN AND NOT REDEEMED:
There can be a world like our in the cosmos with intelligent life that has fallen from grace but not redeemed: that is a world that has not only rejected God's wishes but also has rejected God's redemptive attempt. Jesus actually implicitly mentioned such a world or situation in his parable of the vinyard planted by the Father and leased to tenants who refused to give Landlord's share of harvest. But the Landlord sent other servants to try and bring back the fruit to the Landlord. But these servants (prophets) were beaten and killed. Then the Landlord sent his only son thinking they would honor the son. But the tenants killed the son, too. Of course, this story fits the Pharisees and religious leaders of the time who had rejected the prophets sent by God and kiling them and then killing His only begotten Son, Jesus. However, this story is a perfect story of REJECTION OF REDEMPTION. In this scenario, these aliens would be "prodigal sons" that never came home...or if they came home did not accept God's forgiveness and love. It is possible for an alien who has never shown love or forgiveness for others will not in turn not be able to receive forgiveness or accept love of a REDEEMER because of harness of heart. In this kind of world, there would be ordered evil. This world would be a mini-model of hell: an exploitive society without God feeding on one another.
3) AN UNFALLEN WORLD IN THE STATE OF ORIGINAL JUSTICE:
This is a world as God, the Creator, intended our to be. This world is one where the created beings made the right choices to remain humbly with God. This would be incredibly advance socient - not advanced in medicine beause there would be no death. After being here for a designated time, they would be taken like Enoch into heaven - body and soul. These beings would have advanced in knowledge of the sciences to be able to feed an enormous populations: 300,000,000,000 with ease - no matter these size of the planet. Even our own planet could do the same if we spent no monies on war or defense or self-indulgence. Technologically we could irrigate and populate the deserts and farm the seas; but we do not have the love for each other to do this. Governments seek to rule the world...not to feed the world. Thus a world in habited by beings in the state of original justice would be a perfect "Theocracy" - Rule by the Love of God. These people would be beautiful beyond our imagination. These beings would surely have the capability of inter-gallactic space travel. They would have a natural scientific curiosity. They would come here but I doubt they would land here. You would land in quicksand would you. These beings would see our planet as containing a great and deadly virus: sin. And if we ever reached their world, I doubt that we would be allowed to land...and if so...we would be greatly quaranteened But the fact is that we do not have to look for this world, it would find us first and never land - lest they be infected with death - a disease they do not want and have avoided by loving God. These beings have probably been here many times but just passing over. These creatures are so far advanced as to possibly conquered space travel at speeds surpassing the speed of light. As we know, the universe is accelerating right now in speeds exceeding the speed of light. If space can travel faster than the speed of light, so can these creatures. They might even have found a way to transport molecules - themselves - accross space - along with expanding space - riding space's own energy or power. They may even be able to do waht angels do: transport them selves in and by the speed of thought.
Now as to our question of aliens on other planets: I deeply believe that it is an impossibility that aliens do not exist. How do they fit into the salvation history? If another world like ours - fallen and redeemed - comes here to land, our aim would be just as Pope John Paul II's top astronomer said: that the Church would welcome and even baptize intelligent extraterrestrials -- "no matter how many tentacles." But these beings may have already been touched by Christ's redemption because Jesus said in John's Gospel (10:16):
"I HAVE OTHER SHEEP TOO, THAT ARE NOT OF THIS SHEEPFOLD. I MUST BRING THEM ALSO. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd."
Therefore, Jesus' prayer: "Father, that they may be one just as You and I are one; that they may be one is in us" takes on a deeper and broader meaning. In heaven we will see all these aliens...and guess what: don't be surprised if they look very similar to us because God's design is God's design no matter where you go in the Universe. Stars are very similar and have the stages of development. So, why would intelligent life be so different than us on other worlds. Therefore, it is very likely that we will meet another world like our own and exchange advances in science, social order, medicine and space travel - as well as - knowledge of a most merciful and wonferful God.
Father, Creator of the Universe and all the peoples You have planted in it, grant that we may marvel at Your Creation on other worlds so as to see Your Beauty and Goodness all the more. Bring us those who need to yet find Jesus Christ...and bring us alien Saints who can teach us of You and give us a jump start in medi-scientific, social, and space-travel advance. Let us be a blessing to them and they a blessing to us. This we ask in Jesus' Name through Mary. Amen.
Peace and love,
Pio, a terrestrial.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Pio's Proverb 156: Duck Horizon
Today was/is a most unusual day - here - where I live just 110 feet from Lake St. Clare. It has snowed all day which has made the landscape and trees a glorious white wonderland.
I made three trips to the Lake today to see the light reflections of color variations at different times through out the sun's arcing course.
What I saw on the Lake's horizon was wondrous and surprising: at least 1200 ducks flocking together in a duck convention that I have never seen in all my 14 years of living here.
What was even more remarkable was that all of these ducks were following one duck who was not only in the lead but was was leading all of these other ducks due west on the horizon.
When coming back later, I saw these ducks very close to shore; but when I took out my camera, they saw this instrument and quickly went to the middle of the Lake. I look like a hunter with a gun to them.
Here is my conclusion of this whole duck convention in these open waters with very little ice:
First: All these ducks congregated to celebrate some great solidarity of the whole duck population - celebrating the fact that "duck season" was over because they know from memory when the danger time is during late fall or early winter. They are aware of gunfire and the decrease in their numbers. During this danger zone of time they are rightly fearful. But when "duck season" is over, they sense this - especially when they hear the welcome silence of shotgun cessation - that silence that tells them that all is clear. I deeply believe that this was a call to congregation to celebrate or to get a sense of the size of their entire population. They were very very aware of each other. And all those 1200 ducks were pointed and moving in the same direction as the head lead duck. There is truly a duck instinctual and cooperative interaction of mutual aid - enjoyed between them that is a "duckian" harmonious government.
Secondly this convention was also for fun and comraderi that only innocent and simple life forms enjoy.
My whole impression is that nature teaches us how simple it can be to get along and be safe and have natural organization. Just see in contrast to all the primary races for party nominations and hoopla there is in the 2012 bid for the presidency. There is so much adhominem arguments against one another. There is no cooperation or sense of security.
The duck population do not elect a leader...nor do they appoint one...nor does any duck run for the office of head duck.
You know, the whole political machine going on today needs to go out to the Lake and see how it's all done!
Love, Pio, "a duckian" at heart.
I made three trips to the Lake today to see the light reflections of color variations at different times through out the sun's arcing course.
What I saw on the Lake's horizon was wondrous and surprising: at least 1200 ducks flocking together in a duck convention that I have never seen in all my 14 years of living here.
What was even more remarkable was that all of these ducks were following one duck who was not only in the lead but was was leading all of these other ducks due west on the horizon.
When coming back later, I saw these ducks very close to shore; but when I took out my camera, they saw this instrument and quickly went to the middle of the Lake. I look like a hunter with a gun to them.
Here is my conclusion of this whole duck convention in these open waters with very little ice:
First: All these ducks congregated to celebrate some great solidarity of the whole duck population - celebrating the fact that "duck season" was over because they know from memory when the danger time is during late fall or early winter. They are aware of gunfire and the decrease in their numbers. During this danger zone of time they are rightly fearful. But when "duck season" is over, they sense this - especially when they hear the welcome silence of shotgun cessation - that silence that tells them that all is clear. I deeply believe that this was a call to congregation to celebrate or to get a sense of the size of their entire population. They were very very aware of each other. And all those 1200 ducks were pointed and moving in the same direction as the head lead duck. There is truly a duck instinctual and cooperative interaction of mutual aid - enjoyed between them that is a "duckian" harmonious government.
Secondly this convention was also for fun and comraderi that only innocent and simple life forms enjoy.
My whole impression is that nature teaches us how simple it can be to get along and be safe and have natural organization. Just see in contrast to all the primary races for party nominations and hoopla there is in the 2012 bid for the presidency. There is so much adhominem arguments against one another. There is no cooperation or sense of security.
The duck population do not elect a leader...nor do they appoint one...nor does any duck run for the office of head duck.
You know, the whole political machine going on today needs to go out to the Lake and see how it's all done!
Love, Pio, "a duckian" at heart.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Pio's Proverb 155: JOY from the Holy Spirit: What is it and how does it come?
Dearest you,
I have a sense of "something more wonderful" than I can explain in words; but need to share it nonetheless so that you can be encouraged because God only gives consolations for the good of the community not just for individuals alone. This is like "Peace" - a mystical "infused contemplative" experience:
It all started subtley by the Spirit by giving me a "subjective" (present-emotional-reliving) memory that is not like an "objective" memory that is merely a recalling to mind a past event. A "subjective" memory (from the understanding of Jacques Maritain's "Existence and Existent") is one that we will all have in heaven when we "re-experience" a loving event - as if we were really there again!
Well, that is how my Joy from the Spirit began: a joy that came to me over the re-living memry of a past even that was most loving and joyful in itself: a very happy and loving event. Then the memory goes away; and only the Joy remains - by itself - sustained by the Holy Spirit, Himself as a gift of grace: the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Still, there was something that proceded the Joyful memory and sustained Joy by the Spirit. It was a deep understanding and realization and conviction that God the Father is loving me. Now, the new dimension is added: that the then past joyful/loving memory WAS God LOVING me THEN in that past event and is NOW loving me just as much. It was God's LOVE that caused the past loving joyful event; and it God who is telling me that His LOVE for there for me in that EVENT even though I did not know it at the TIME but God wants me to know now that HE was THERE - He was loving me there - and is loving me now. This all pervasive LOVE is wonderful beyond telling.
As a summary, this I wrote this in my journal 15 minutes ago:
"JOY is an unexplained feeling that can begin with a memory of joy over a past event. Then that event is removed; and only the joy remains as God has initiated an experince of joy and happiness that also follows a certainty of being love by God. So, first comes a deep understanding of a 'present in-love-ness between you and God' --- Then God reveals one of His most joyful events in your life to show you now what God's love was for you then. Then there is a joyful convicton of being so loved by God - a closeness to the Father - like Enoch felt for God, his Father."
Father, You continue to surprise me every day with something new about You! Prayer is ongoing all day long with us because it is merely Your grace to me of my bieng open to Your Love, the Holy Spirit! What an adventure is being with You, Father!
"I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart..because You have heard the words of my...heart." Psalm: 138.
Peace and Love and Joy,
Pio xo
I have a sense of "something more wonderful" than I can explain in words; but need to share it nonetheless so that you can be encouraged because God only gives consolations for the good of the community not just for individuals alone. This is like "Peace" - a mystical "infused contemplative" experience:
It all started subtley by the Spirit by giving me a "subjective" (present-emotional-reliving) memory that is not like an "objective" memory that is merely a recalling to mind a past event. A "subjective" memory (from the understanding of Jacques Maritain's "Existence and Existent") is one that we will all have in heaven when we "re-experience" a loving event - as if we were really there again!
Well, that is how my Joy from the Spirit began: a joy that came to me over the re-living memry of a past even that was most loving and joyful in itself: a very happy and loving event. Then the memory goes away; and only the Joy remains - by itself - sustained by the Holy Spirit, Himself as a gift of grace: the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Still, there was something that proceded the Joyful memory and sustained Joy by the Spirit. It was a deep understanding and realization and conviction that God the Father is loving me. Now, the new dimension is added: that the then past joyful/loving memory WAS God LOVING me THEN in that past event and is NOW loving me just as much. It was God's LOVE that caused the past loving joyful event; and it God who is telling me that His LOVE for there for me in that EVENT even though I did not know it at the TIME but God wants me to know now that HE was THERE - He was loving me there - and is loving me now. This all pervasive LOVE is wonderful beyond telling.
As a summary, this I wrote this in my journal 15 minutes ago:
"JOY is an unexplained feeling that can begin with a memory of joy over a past event. Then that event is removed; and only the joy remains as God has initiated an experince of joy and happiness that also follows a certainty of being love by God. So, first comes a deep understanding of a 'present in-love-ness between you and God' --- Then God reveals one of His most joyful events in your life to show you now what God's love was for you then. Then there is a joyful convicton of being so loved by God - a closeness to the Father - like Enoch felt for God, his Father."
Father, You continue to surprise me every day with something new about You! Prayer is ongoing all day long with us because it is merely Your grace to me of my bieng open to Your Love, the Holy Spirit! What an adventure is being with You, Father!
"I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart..because You have heard the words of my...heart." Psalm: 138.
Peace and Love and Joy,
Pio xo
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Pio's Proverb 154: Babe Ruth's Conversion Story!
"The Babe", "Babino", "The Home Run King" are only a few of George Herman Ruth, Jr.'s nick names. He deserved them all!
Out of the 100 best baseball players in the history of the game, Babe Ruth is number one!
How did it all happen? Well, born on February 6, 1895 in Baltimore, Maryland to parents who ran a saloon, little George ran the streets of Baltimore and spent his formative years in the saloon being educated in the seamy side of life. He became unruly and "incorrible" - the name that his parents gave him when they sent him at age seven to the nearest reform school: "St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys". There he remained till age 19! Those 12 years fashioned his life.
First of all, he had a gradual conversion of being "incorrigible" to "encourageable". The main force of the encouragement was the Prefect of Discipline, Brother Matthias, a 6'6"- no-nonsense-brother and "manager" of his life and talent. Brother could see that George loved the game and was a natural on the ball field; but he needed to fine-tune that natural talent to an unprecended new high for the game of baseball. Originally, George was a pitcher; but Brother Matthias showed his little ball player how to really hit the ball. With left hand, Brother threw the ball up in the air and with right hand hit the ball 350 feet with ease. George could see that it could be done. Knowing it could be done is "already half done."
It was Brother Matthias' kindness, devotion and great skills that changed George into "The Babe" we know today. This kind brother attracted George to a closer walk with God and with the grace of the Sacraments of the Chruch. George was gradually converted to become a good Catholic Christian. St. Paul's conversion was dramatic with a great light and voice from Jesus. But George's conversion was gradual and slow and fine tuned by the good example of Brother Matthias - the most important man ever to come into the life of Babe Ruth! God often sends into our lives a person or persons who reflect God in their lives to attract us to Himself. This man was Brother Matthias (who was the same size as Golliah: 6'6") for Babe Ruth.
How did the Babe get his name? There was a scout called Dunn who recruited George, age 19. When George showed up the next day for practice, the staff called out: "Here is one of Dunnie's babes!" That name stayed with the to be "home-run king" and champion all his life.
Here are just some of the reasons why Babe Ruth was the best there ever was:
1) Piched 29 innings in a row without anyone scoring: first ever in a World Series.
2) Hit 29 home runs in one season in 1919, a record for 43 years.
3) Hit 54 home runs in one season in 1920.
4) Hit 59 home runs in one season in 1921.
5) Hit 60 home runs in one season in 1927, a record for 34 years.
6) Hit a 714 career amount of home runs by March 25, 1935.
7) Was inducted into the newly formed Hall of Fame: one of only three men at that time.
8) Played for the Baltimore Orieols, Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. While with the New York Yankees, they won 7 Pennants and 4 World Series.
He remained with his wife, Helen, until she died; then soon married again.
His religious beliefs: he was Roman Catholic all his life. He aways had a soft spot for sick kids and visited them often in the hospitals. He said that some may say that "when one strays from the Church, then that means that religion didn't take; but once religion sinks in, we won't fail because there is a little chapel deep down in us." Babe's Faith did not fail...he was Catholic to the end:
While the Babe was awaiting surgery in a hospital in 1946, his friend, Paul Carrey, said to him: "Don't you think you should put your house in order?" Paul called for the priest chaplain who heard his confession and said to Babe that he would come in the morning to give him Holy Communion. A year and a half later, Babe Ruth died on August 16, 1948 at age 53.
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In a person letter written by Babe Ruth, we get a lot of insight into his heart. Here are some of the quotes as best as I can remember them:
1) "Bad boy Ruth that was me...I had a rotten start..and I do not think I knew right from wrong. I was taken to St. Mary's, an orphanage and reform schood. I was 'an incorrible'..I guess I was. I would have stayed that way except for Brother Matthias - the greatest man I ever knew."
2) I had the grace of conversion - from a Power over and above man: The Power of God. God had an eye out for me - as He does for you. God was not only just but merciful."
3) "I have seen a lot of 'he-men' in my baseball career but no one like Brother Matthias. He was 260 pound and 6 foot 6 inces. He saw I could throw and catch, but in 1902, he would hit the ball 350 feet; and I just stood bugg-eyed. He could have been successful at anything, but he chose the Church."
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Please note that there were four people in Babe's life that were instrumental in bringing the Babe closer to God:
1) The first was the love and care of Brother Matthias who was the most instrumental in the Babe's conversion.
2) The second was a little boy named Mike from the 7th grade who sent the Babe a Miraculous Medal and told the Babe: You should wear it; and it would help you to get better." The Babe pinned it to his shirt and said: "I will wear it to my grave"; and he did.
3) The third was the priest chaplain who was so loving and kind to the Babe and made it easy for him to confess and go to Holy Communion. The priest even told Babe he did not have to fast. But the Babe did anyways. He wanted to do all he could to show his love for Jesus.
4) The fourth was Paul Carrey who urged the Babe to go to confession and Communion in order to put his "house in order". Paul said to Babe, "You are having an operation tommow. Don't you think you should put your house in order." The Babe consented and said: "Yes, I will because death might strike me out."
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These four people above show us that we, too, can be an instrument of conversion for others by our love and caring. Even if we do not see the fruits of our efforts, there will be fruits nonetheless.
We can also be open to see the things that will deepen our own conversion.
We all have a role to play. Look at St. Steven who prayed for those who were killing him. His prayers were heard because Saul who was approving of St. Steven's death was converted and became the great St. Paul.
"The History of the Chruch is the History of Conversions."
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FATHER in Heaven, You created both Babe Ruth and Baseball - as a perfect pair - made for each other. Babe Ruth loved the game and was estatic to have been paid for playing the game he loved.
Father, You did make us all to play before You just as we love to see our kids playing before us. The game of baseball is holy in the sense that it is based on fair play and clean fun.
Bless our National game of baseball and keep it from becoming too commercialized. Please keep that spiritual-physical invigorating fun within the game...and within the fans.
One day let us all have eternal fun as we play forever before Your Throne when You will call out to all of us: "PLAY BALL!" In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Love, Pio
Out of the 100 best baseball players in the history of the game, Babe Ruth is number one!
How did it all happen? Well, born on February 6, 1895 in Baltimore, Maryland to parents who ran a saloon, little George ran the streets of Baltimore and spent his formative years in the saloon being educated in the seamy side of life. He became unruly and "incorrible" - the name that his parents gave him when they sent him at age seven to the nearest reform school: "St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys". There he remained till age 19! Those 12 years fashioned his life.
First of all, he had a gradual conversion of being "incorrigible" to "encourageable". The main force of the encouragement was the Prefect of Discipline, Brother Matthias, a 6'6"- no-nonsense-brother and "manager" of his life and talent. Brother could see that George loved the game and was a natural on the ball field; but he needed to fine-tune that natural talent to an unprecended new high for the game of baseball. Originally, George was a pitcher; but Brother Matthias showed his little ball player how to really hit the ball. With left hand, Brother threw the ball up in the air and with right hand hit the ball 350 feet with ease. George could see that it could be done. Knowing it could be done is "already half done."
It was Brother Matthias' kindness, devotion and great skills that changed George into "The Babe" we know today. This kind brother attracted George to a closer walk with God and with the grace of the Sacraments of the Chruch. George was gradually converted to become a good Catholic Christian. St. Paul's conversion was dramatic with a great light and voice from Jesus. But George's conversion was gradual and slow and fine tuned by the good example of Brother Matthias - the most important man ever to come into the life of Babe Ruth! God often sends into our lives a person or persons who reflect God in their lives to attract us to Himself. This man was Brother Matthias (who was the same size as Golliah: 6'6") for Babe Ruth.
How did the Babe get his name? There was a scout called Dunn who recruited George, age 19. When George showed up the next day for practice, the staff called out: "Here is one of Dunnie's babes!" That name stayed with the to be "home-run king" and champion all his life.
Here are just some of the reasons why Babe Ruth was the best there ever was:
1) Piched 29 innings in a row without anyone scoring: first ever in a World Series.
2) Hit 29 home runs in one season in 1919, a record for 43 years.
3) Hit 54 home runs in one season in 1920.
4) Hit 59 home runs in one season in 1921.
5) Hit 60 home runs in one season in 1927, a record for 34 years.
6) Hit a 714 career amount of home runs by March 25, 1935.
7) Was inducted into the newly formed Hall of Fame: one of only three men at that time.
8) Played for the Baltimore Orieols, Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. While with the New York Yankees, they won 7 Pennants and 4 World Series.
He remained with his wife, Helen, until she died; then soon married again.
His religious beliefs: he was Roman Catholic all his life. He aways had a soft spot for sick kids and visited them often in the hospitals. He said that some may say that "when one strays from the Church, then that means that religion didn't take; but once religion sinks in, we won't fail because there is a little chapel deep down in us." Babe's Faith did not fail...he was Catholic to the end:
While the Babe was awaiting surgery in a hospital in 1946, his friend, Paul Carrey, said to him: "Don't you think you should put your house in order?" Paul called for the priest chaplain who heard his confession and said to Babe that he would come in the morning to give him Holy Communion. A year and a half later, Babe Ruth died on August 16, 1948 at age 53.
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In a person letter written by Babe Ruth, we get a lot of insight into his heart. Here are some of the quotes as best as I can remember them:
1) "Bad boy Ruth that was me...I had a rotten start..and I do not think I knew right from wrong. I was taken to St. Mary's, an orphanage and reform schood. I was 'an incorrible'..I guess I was. I would have stayed that way except for Brother Matthias - the greatest man I ever knew."
2) I had the grace of conversion - from a Power over and above man: The Power of God. God had an eye out for me - as He does for you. God was not only just but merciful."
3) "I have seen a lot of 'he-men' in my baseball career but no one like Brother Matthias. He was 260 pound and 6 foot 6 inces. He saw I could throw and catch, but in 1902, he would hit the ball 350 feet; and I just stood bugg-eyed. He could have been successful at anything, but he chose the Church."
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Please note that there were four people in Babe's life that were instrumental in bringing the Babe closer to God:
1) The first was the love and care of Brother Matthias who was the most instrumental in the Babe's conversion.
2) The second was a little boy named Mike from the 7th grade who sent the Babe a Miraculous Medal and told the Babe: You should wear it; and it would help you to get better." The Babe pinned it to his shirt and said: "I will wear it to my grave"; and he did.
3) The third was the priest chaplain who was so loving and kind to the Babe and made it easy for him to confess and go to Holy Communion. The priest even told Babe he did not have to fast. But the Babe did anyways. He wanted to do all he could to show his love for Jesus.
4) The fourth was Paul Carrey who urged the Babe to go to confession and Communion in order to put his "house in order". Paul said to Babe, "You are having an operation tommow. Don't you think you should put your house in order." The Babe consented and said: "Yes, I will because death might strike me out."
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These four people above show us that we, too, can be an instrument of conversion for others by our love and caring. Even if we do not see the fruits of our efforts, there will be fruits nonetheless.
We can also be open to see the things that will deepen our own conversion.
We all have a role to play. Look at St. Steven who prayed for those who were killing him. His prayers were heard because Saul who was approving of St. Steven's death was converted and became the great St. Paul.
"The History of the Chruch is the History of Conversions."
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FATHER in Heaven, You created both Babe Ruth and Baseball - as a perfect pair - made for each other. Babe Ruth loved the game and was estatic to have been paid for playing the game he loved.
Father, You did make us all to play before You just as we love to see our kids playing before us. The game of baseball is holy in the sense that it is based on fair play and clean fun.
Bless our National game of baseball and keep it from becoming too commercialized. Please keep that spiritual-physical invigorating fun within the game...and within the fans.
One day let us all have eternal fun as we play forever before Your Throne when You will call out to all of us: "PLAY BALL!" In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Love, Pio
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
PIo's Proverb 153: PEACE: What does it really mean?
Peace: What does it really mean. Nationally and Internationally, we may think it means cessation of war. But we do not have an open declaration of war with China; but nonetheless we are at cold war with China because China wants to be the greatest world power and sees the US as an abstacle to that Chinese Empire.
Peace for some means being at balance with nature, with collective minds and mutual sociological desires. But peace means much more than this harmony.
Peace is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit. What does that mean? It cannot be explained adequately by philosophy, psychology or even theology - although Thomas Aquinas surely has defined it well.
But the PEACE as the Fruit of the Holy Spirit is an EXPERIENCE - mystical in nature and being.
Actually this Peace is "ipso facto" and intrinsically an emotional and spiritual communication from God who has total access to our souls. It is "infused contemplation" - a sharing in the Divine Life of Peace.
What does it feel like or experience like?
Please allow me to try to explain my own personal experience of God's Peace in my soul:
1) I was just writing in my bed and doing my journal to collect my thoughts to thank God for the surprises in the day - all that had come Him. As I was doing this, a profound soul-filled Peace permeated my whole being.
2) I felt all was finished and completed in my life. I had nothing yet to achieve...or even do...all was done.
3) This was an all totally new event in my soul and was not experienced in the same way ever before.
4) This Peace was a sharing in God's Peace within my own limited way in space and time.
5) The feeling of Peace was joyful and fulfilling and most calming in every way: a healing of the soul by the Holy Spirit.
6) This experience was sudden - totally unexpected and not shakeable: extremely pleasant.
7) This gift is totally gratutious, unmerited, and initiated by God who is drawing the soul closer to Himself.
8) This grace lasted about ten minutes - a time of bliss in soul and body. I was very grateful to God for this intimate and loving time with Him. There is an element of deep security: of being saved eternally.
9) For the first time I understood what "Rest in Peace" really means: Resting in Peace can begin here on earth; and in heaven, this Peace will be a resting for all eternity in God's Peace - as much as He can pour into our souls. For God is a God of Peace....and wishes us to do what Jesus said: "Remain in My Peace."
P-e-a-c-e and love,
Pio xo
Peace for some means being at balance with nature, with collective minds and mutual sociological desires. But peace means much more than this harmony.
Peace is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit. What does that mean? It cannot be explained adequately by philosophy, psychology or even theology - although Thomas Aquinas surely has defined it well.
But the PEACE as the Fruit of the Holy Spirit is an EXPERIENCE - mystical in nature and being.
Actually this Peace is "ipso facto" and intrinsically an emotional and spiritual communication from God who has total access to our souls. It is "infused contemplation" - a sharing in the Divine Life of Peace.
What does it feel like or experience like?
Please allow me to try to explain my own personal experience of God's Peace in my soul:
1) I was just writing in my bed and doing my journal to collect my thoughts to thank God for the surprises in the day - all that had come Him. As I was doing this, a profound soul-filled Peace permeated my whole being.
2) I felt all was finished and completed in my life. I had nothing yet to achieve...or even do...all was done.
3) This was an all totally new event in my soul and was not experienced in the same way ever before.
4) This Peace was a sharing in God's Peace within my own limited way in space and time.
5) The feeling of Peace was joyful and fulfilling and most calming in every way: a healing of the soul by the Holy Spirit.
6) This experience was sudden - totally unexpected and not shakeable: extremely pleasant.
7) This gift is totally gratutious, unmerited, and initiated by God who is drawing the soul closer to Himself.
8) This grace lasted about ten minutes - a time of bliss in soul and body. I was very grateful to God for this intimate and loving time with Him. There is an element of deep security: of being saved eternally.
9) For the first time I understood what "Rest in Peace" really means: Resting in Peace can begin here on earth; and in heaven, this Peace will be a resting for all eternity in God's Peace - as much as He can pour into our souls. For God is a God of Peace....and wishes us to do what Jesus said: "Remain in My Peace."
P-e-a-c-e and love,
Pio xo
Pio's Proverb 152: PREDESTINATION: to Heaven or Hell?
To understand PREDISTINATION, let us look at three men who theologically-interacted and had influence on one another's thought though they never met each other. These men are:
1) Martin Luther, born in Germany on November 10, 1483 and died on Febraury 18, 1546.
2) John Calvin, born in France on July 10, 1509 and died in Geneva on May 27, 1564.
3) St. Francis De Sales, Bishop of Geneva, born August 21, 1567 and died on December 28, 1622.
His Feast Day in the Church is on January 24. He is declared a Doctor of the Universal Church.
4) St. Thomas Aquinas, "Angelic Doctor", born in Naples in 1225, died in Fossa Nuova, March 7, 1274.
His Feast Day in the Church is on January 28. He is declared a Doctor of the Universal Chruch.
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1) Martin Luther was a scrupulous Catholic priest/monk who came to the all-pervasive conclusion that we are saved by grace and faith alone...and not by works or even by our own efforts to holiness or lack of it. This inability of man to reach God by our own spiritual desires but only by the grace of God and our faith in Him has some validity: This is true in that "All Salvivic Action" begins with God. Grace does come before anything. However, in James Gospel, he writes "Not by faith alone....." and "Faith without works is dead." Jesus on the last day will say to every member of the human race: "I was hungry and you gave to me to eat....Whatever you did for the least of my brethern, you did to me." And to those who are condemned, He will say: "For I was hungry and you gave me no food.....Whatever you did not do to the least of my breathen, you did not do to Me." Jesus also said: "Not those who say, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but those who did the will of my Father."
The conclusion is clear: we all will be judged on what the free gift of Faith given to us - what it has produced: "fruit that will remain" or our not using that Faith to minister to Christ in our fellowman. According to what we do with this free gift of Faith will determine our etenal destiny. God does not "pre-destined" what we will do with the Faith He gives us and the Grace He gives EVERYONE to be saved. We determine what we do with God's grace and gift of Faith. We are not puppets of God; we are persons of God - ALL made in His own image and likeness. And that Image and Likeness of God is our FREEDOM to choose.
The Scripture says: "I place life and death before you; choose life." The Holy Word also has these marvelous words that God is saying to ALL of creation without exception: "I will that all men be saved and that none be lost." Therefore God gives to every person sufficient grace to be saved and be happy with Him in heaven."
Martin Luther - once separated from the One, Holy, Catholic Church - soon fell into heresy. When confronted by James gospel, Martin said: "O that gospel of straw!" So when Scripture refutes a heretic, he just gives an "ad hominem" argument against Holy Writ: "that gospel of straw." So by making James a writer of straw, then the words of James do not have any more validity. Heresy is so blind.
Martin also fell into another heresy: In stead of understanding Transubstantiation that the whole substance of bread is changed into the whole substance of the Body of Christ, Martin believed in Consubstantiation that there is still bread there but Jesus's Body is there, too. Both occupy the same substance. Well, philosphically not even theologically, Martin has left the universe of reason. Aristotle would have chided him and tell him that two substances cannot occupy the same place at the same time: that would be ontologically an impossibility. In the Eucharist only Christ is present; there is no substance of bread present.
There is two phenomenon about a heretic: the believe in a delusion (false belief - even if they have to contradict Scripture to maintain it.) and they feel compelled to teach other their erros. This was true of the priest Jansen who taught that Jesus in not God - not comsubstantial with the Father or the Holy Spirit. He taught many; and now in our present day we have the same heresy of the Jehovah Witnesses who change Scripture to read: "In the beginning was the word. The word was with God, and the word was a god." Whereas, John wrote: "In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God...and the Word became flesh.." But Holy Scripture says this: "Woe to anyone who adds or subtracts for the Scritures." Placing the article "a" before god and using lower case for god instead of God is truly changing the Word of God. In Greek and Latin, there is no word for "a", so where do the Jehovah Witnesses get this article? Heresy then is always: illogical, a falsification, and a rationalization. What are the results of heresy: Well, if you go into to any Lutheran church, you will not find the Holy Eucharist in the tabernacle with a red sanctuary light to remind us the Christ is present in the church Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of Catholic Faith; but the Eucharist is no longer adored in the tabernacles of all these Lutheran churches. Without Jesus Eucharistically present, these Lutheran churchs are religious gathering places instead of the House of God - with a sanctuary of the Holy of Holies: God Himself.
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2) John Calvin was the son of a lawyer and was trained in the humanities. He very much relied on the writings and theology of Martin Luther. For 37 years both Martin Luther and John Calvin were living on this earth at the same time. Germany was not that far from France; yet these two men never made the effort to meet. But John read a lot of Martin and fundamentally agreed with him about grace. Martin's enphasis on "grace" and "faith" alone became for Calvin the very fundamental basis of his doctrine of Predestination. The doctrine of Predestination preached by John Calvin convinced many French Catholics to embrace Protestantism. What exactly John Calvin preached was not recorded; but there is a way to possibly look into the fruit of what he taught about Predestination by a few quotes from "CalvinCorner" website. Such a website would not bear Calvin's name if it did not have some basis in Calvin doctrine and thought. Remember John Calvin did believe that man's will was so sinful that no man was capable to even respond to grace. Man was not capable of choosing God...and not responsible for not choosing God. Man was just not free to choose because of his sinfulness. Given the chance to choose, man would always choose sin..not God. Therefore, God saved those whom He wills and lets the others to go to hell because they cannot choose God. God only gives grace to some to be saved. They do not merit heaven; God just saves them. Others He does not. Man's will is so sinful that it cannot choose God. That was the crux of John Calvin's teaching which he built on Martin Luther's thought. Both of these men's teachings are heretical because they do contradict the Holy Word of God. God is TRUTH. Heresy is a sophisticated LIE. When we speak the TRUTH, we mirror God to others. When we speak the LIE, we manifest the "father of lies" - Satan. Now Satan can quote Scripture as he did when tempting Christ. But when speaking the truth of Scripture, Satan does so for his own twisted purpose. Jesus counters Satan's quotes with His own quotes that clarify the issue at hand and smash Satan's logic. The same is what Heresy: Heritical doctrine often quotes from Scripture but with a personal interpretation that is not merited from the text or a twisting of the text to fit one's own beliefs or even by an outright denial of the Scripture. For example, Predestination proponents when confronted with the Scripture: "I will that all men be saved and none be lost," merely say that "all" means "all Christians" not all men. This solopsistic interpretation of the word, "all" distorts the meaning and intent of the Holy Spirit. This distortion has to be for the Predestinationist because he believes that only those are saved whom God wills to be; and that God according to the Predestinationist doesn't will everyone to be saved. So to keep their doctrine in tact, these men distort Scripture to mean what they want it to mean. When Scripture says: "All have sinned and come short of the glory of the Lord." Does "all" here mean only Christians? It means "all" of the human race.
Let's understand something about Heresy and Satan: Satan is a diabolical chief shepherd who gives to his souls pastures of fire and brimstone. He twists the Gospel to win souls for himself. Heresy is the best way to get believers into Hell with him. Satan knows he cannot really suppress the Word of God or the Church. So, he does the next best thing: twist the Word and flood Christiandom with 50,000 denominations - all who claim to be able to interpret Scripture correctly. Jesus said: You are Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church." He did not say "churches" - so the fact that there are 50,000 different churches, shows that Satan has tried to make the ONE TRUE CHURCH unrecognizable. He's clever. He told Eve: "God knows you will not die but will be like Him knowing good and evil." So, Satan contradicts God's mandate not to eat of the fruit by appealing to Eve to become like God...and determine for herself what is good and bad. Satan is a liar...the "father of lies" and actually cannot tell the truth because the truth is not in him. So when confronted with Heresy - Predestination - you will see a lot of Satan's editorializing of Scripture and reason and rationalizations to try to make things consistent that are impossible to be consistent. It takes sometimes a hundren lies to cover up one lie. Heresy is a mini-universe of convoluted lies.
With that introduction, here are some contemporary thoughts from The Calvin Corner which you can seek out for complete coverage. But these quotes are the essential understanding of John Calvin and mirror quite well John Calvin's thought. Please understand as a theologian, John Calvin is second only to St. Augustine in his influence on Christianity. So, nothing here is unimportant. We should try to follow the logic if any to understand our Protestant brothers and sisters:
1) "Predestination is the doctrine that God alone chooses (elects) who is saved. God makes His choice independent of the quality and condition in sinful man. He does not look in a person and recognize good and bad. He does not look into the future to see who would choose Him."
[My comment: How God chooses who will be saved or not is clearly explained in the Gospels: Jesus said: "I was hungry and you gave me to eat..naked and you clothed me...in prison and you came to visit me..Come enter into my Father's Kingdom. (and to those on his left: He said: "I was hungry and you did not give me food. I was naked and you did not clothe me...in prison and you did not visit me. ...Go away from me you evil doers..." So the Criterion Jesus uses is simply how we all minister to Him in our life. Note that all men of all faiths will hear these words. Jesus will not be talking to just Christians. In this criterion, Jesus Himself believes in the free choice of man to do good or neglect good. God choice is absolutely not independent of the good or bad He sees in man. It is absolutely what He sees in man's soul that determines his eternal destiny. Man thus choose heaven or hell based on his ministering to Christ in all the poor. Jesus is talking to all men of all faiths. At the Last Judgment he will again reiterate what He has said: "Not those who say, 'Lord, Lord' but those who do the will of my Father." Also, when Jesus says "Whatever you did for the least of my brethren you did to me..." - both of these words: "do" and "did" imply a free choice. If we were not free to choose, then He could not reward or condemn. God is just.]
2) "God elects people to salvation purely on the basis of His good pleasure. Those not elected are those not saved. He does this because He is sovereign. He has the right to elect some to salvation and let all the rest go their natural way: to hell. This is predestination."
[My comments: The above theology of God is truly heretical because it does not square with God's revelation of Himself. Satan would like you to believe paragraph 2 because "that God" would be an unloveable and unjust God. Satan here is attacking more than doctrines; he is attacking the very nature and essence of God. Satan is trying to create God in Satan's own image and likeness: unjust and unloveable.]
3) "Man's free will: many believe that man has free will, something that resides in him...is completely able to independently accept or reject God. Man's free will is sinful. What will a sinful free will choose? Sin! His free will would never allow him to reach out to God. Free will is the ability to choose according to one's desires. ..Since man is full of sin, no goodness he chooses can undo his sinfulness. What will a sinful free will choose? Sin!"
[My comments: the above quote mis-defines free will and then set out to refute free will as it is thus mis-defined. No where does any theologian or scripture say that "man can independently accept or reject God." That is not what free will is! This above quote is convoluted and illogical. Free will is man's very capability for acceptance or rejection of God's Grace. We are dependent on God's grace and can accept or reject it. The predestinationist says that so-called free will cannot choose anything but sin. That very statement contradicts the vert essebce if what the grace of God really is: grace is the life of God within us. If we have to choose sin, then we cannot choose to accept God's grace. That would make man not human but a robot of some sort that has to act according to one's programming. But man is not programmed to do evil. He can by God's grace accept God's grace. God gave man to be in the image and likeness of God: freedom. God is essentially free. God can Know and Love. So therefore we who are in the image and likeness of God are free and can know and love. Man's freedom is his being like God: in the image and likeness of God. The predestinaionist essentially negates who man is: whom God made man to be for His honor and glory. Man is free to accept or reject God's grace because man is like God - free to choose. Thus, the predestinastionist argument is circular and redefines not only man but God Himself. Of course, that is Satan's plan completely. The predestinationist without knowing it is working tooth and nail for Satan's grand plan. Debase man and thus debase man's perception of God.]
4) Predestinationist: "But I actually did choose to accept God. That's right. You did so only because God first regenerated you, freed your will from sin, and then therefore allowed you to be able to choose Him. Regeneratin precedes Faith. The regenerated person is no longer a slave..to sin and is then able to accept God. He then does choose God."
[My comments: What is so false about that statment 4) is that even when God allows some to freely choose Him, He does not give this regenerative power to all men equally. If God does not offer this grace of regeneration to everyone, then God is not "good" but a God of caprice. Thus statement 4) is the most subtle of all because it sounds so true. But the ring you hear is not the ring of truth but a ring of rationalization to prove that God is "good" because He saves some people. The the predestinationist argues that without Predestination, no one would be saved at all! But that argument of God's saving a few as thus saving God from being "bad" does not follow logically because the major premise: God only gives the grace of choose Him to a few is a false statement based on positing as a statement about God as true when it is that very statement that one is setting out to prove. Thus the predestinationist is confusing "de facto" (from the fact) with "ipso facto" (the very fact).
It is just possible to posit a "good" God when he creates a soul that is destined for hell. If God does not offer salvation to everyone, then He is definitely committing the sin of double predestination: ordering some to heaven and some to hell..without anyone's free choice involved. O yes, we must understand that God does give some "free will" to freely choose Him; but He does not give this free will to others. The predestinationist worldview or heavenview is a God who is sovereign but not caring: not Fatherly. Actually, the God of the Muslems fit that kind of God: What happens is because "Allah wills it!" That phrase is essentially a negation of God's gift of free will.
Therefore, Predestination is a false doctrine: a heresy because it defines God as essentally a non-God because if God is not "good", then He is not God. Scripture says: "I will that all men be saved and none be lost," the predestinationist-heretic has to re-define "all" as meaning just Christians, because when Scripture refutes a heretic, he just changes the meaning of Scripture to fit his rationalization Because if God saves the few, He is not good. But the predestinationist says "God is merciful to even save a few and is not constrained to save anyone." "Bonum est diffusivum sui" - "Goodness has a tendency to go out of itself." God radiates goodness when He creates us. When God created Adam and Eve, they were "good" and not sinful. They were free. They did not have to sin. Adam and Eve's nature was essentially GOOD. It was the lies of Satan who tempted them to sin. And Satan is still tempting the predestinationist to sin by changeing God's nature and man's nature. God did not create a sinful nature in man. Man freely chose to reject God's counsel and to try and be like God. Satan is the Father of Lies. Heresy is Satan's loud-speaker!]
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3) Saint Francis De Sales:
Just three years after John Calvin died in Geneva in1564, Francis De Sales was born in Geneva in 1567.
When Francis was growing up, predestination as taught be John Calvin was rappant in France. Whole districts of Catholics were won over by Calvinist missionaries who taught predestination vigorously.
Francis was consecrated Bishop of Geneva by the choice of Pope Clement VII in 1602. The very first thing Bishop De Sales did was to make a catechetical institute for the old and the young. Remember, the Prostestant Reformation spearheaded by Martin Lugther and John Calvin has won over many Catholics; and the Bishop knew that this was because of poor catechesis in the docrines of the Catholic Church. He wrote pamphlets and gave many talks - even outside his diocese. He won back whole districts of the faithful back to the Catholic Church and true doctrine. He was so successful that there were two assassination attempts on his life. Heresy does not like to be denounced. Some heretics thought that if you kill the messenger, the message will die with him. That was not the case however; because the Bishop's courage in the face of martyrdom only became stronger. In fighting the heresy of predestination, he went to the Seat of Wisdom: Our Lady and received much healing from her and the wisdom to refute the errors of Calvanism.
In 1622, Bishop Francis De Sales died and was Beatified in 1661. He was cCannozied a Saint by Pope Alexander VII, in 1665. He was declared a Doctor of the Universal Church.
It is interesting that Martin Luther and John Calvin were not declared "Saints"...because as Jesus said: "He who teaches all that I have given you shall be great in the kingdom of God; those who do not teach all that I have given you will be called least in the kingdom of God."
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4) Saint Thomas Aquinas:
St. Thomas was a philosopher, theologian, Doctor of the Church and is considered patron of Catholic universities and schools. His life could be summed up as devoted to praying, preaching, teaching, writing and journeying. He surpassed everyone of his day in accuracy, lucidity, brevity and power of exposition. and most of all in universality of knowledge which was eclectic: it was Aristotelian, Platonic, Socatic; it was inductive and deductive, analytic and synthetic. He was holy, as well: after having completed a treatise on the Eucharist, he was lifted up in ectasy, and his bretheren heard a voice coming from the crucifix on the altar saying: "Thou has written well of Me. Thomas, what reward will thou have?" Thomas replied: "None other than Thyself, Lord."
St. Thomas' "Summa Theologica" - the greatest theological work ever written in the Church - contains 38 treatises, 612 questions subdivided into 3120 articles in which 10,000 objections are proposed and answered. Even so, this work was never completed because three months before Thomas died, God gave Thomas such a great revelation of Himself to Thomas that Thomas could not even put it into word. In fact, Thomas did not speak during those months until God took him hom to Himself. I am convinced that only in dialogue with God - in spirit and truth - can any true knowledge be attained. It is what we hear in our loving conversation with God that we learn about God. We can only write what God reveals to us and the Holy Spirit recalls to minds and lucidates even more as we write or talk about God. EVERYTHING good comes from the Holy Spirit. A piano key is nothing unless a master plays upon it. Without the Master, The Holy Spirit we remain a silent and inert piano key which has no knowledge of Beethoven or Bach.
Now, a to the question of Free Will and Grace, let us turn to Saint Thomas Aquinas. Martin Luther and John Calvin surely had access to the writings of Saint Thomas, a Doctor of the Universal Church. In this quote I am about to give you, please notice how closely St.Thomas anticipated the twisting of "grace" and "free will" of Calvin, almost using the very terms that Calvin would use two hundred years in the future: Saint Thomas wrote:
"Since a man cannot be directed to his ultimate end except by the help of divine grace, someone might think a man should not be blamed if he lacks these things, especially since he cannot merit the help of divine grace or turn to God unless God turns him. But..many unsuitable thins obviously follow..he would not be worthy of punishment...To solve this problem we must notice that although a man by the movement of free will can neither merit nor obtain grace, yet he can block himself from receiving it...But they alone are deprived of grace who set up in themselves an impediment to grace, just when the sun shines on the world, he deserves blame who shuts his eyes."
In this passage, St. Thomas says: "they alone are deprived of grace who set up in themselves an impediment to grace" which implies that man has a free will to reject grace and only those who freely reject grace are those who will be blamed. Yes, it is true that Grace is gratutous from God. Faith is gratuitous. But God's gratutious gifts are blocked not by God but by man's free rejection of grace. Predestination says that some are predestined to heaven or hell. But St. Thomas Aquinas' flow of logical theology presupposes that God offers ALL men the sufficient grace to be saved. If someone is not saved, it is not God's fault or will. It is the person's free choice to reject Grace and Salvation. Predestination actually is false because it rejects the caupability of man for the loss of his salvation. Man is caupable. God has said: "I will that all men be saved and none be lost." That shows that the gratitous gift of God is offered to all men.
Regarding God's most gratitous Gift of all: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life." John 3:16. PREDESTINATION NULLIFIES THIS GIFT FROM THE FATHER. Predestination makes the Paschal Mystery: Christ's suffering, death and resurrection - null and void because Predestination says that Jesus only died for a few and not for all.
Make no mistake: Predestination actually make null and void the Incarnation of Jesus Christ because Christ came to die for ALL men that ALL men may be saved. Predestination is therefore an attack upon God, Himself, Jesus Christ....who with His Free WIll chose not to do what He wanted but to do the Will of the Father who sent Him: Father, if possible let this chalice pass from me but not as I will but as You will." Therefore, it is by our free will that we can give up what we want and do the will of God - in chastity of heart - that is having a pure love for God that the Holy Spirit enables us to have. Freedom of Will is not freedom to do as we wish but freedom to choose to do what is right and good. That free will makes us like Jesus and especially like our Father in Heaven who called us ALL into existence to be happy with Him now and in Heaven eternally.
Father, God of Love and Truth, be merciful and forgiving to all those who teach and preach Predestination and grant them the Holy Spirit of Truth to speak to their hearts so that they would truly come to know You and the One You sent so that they can be saved and come to the community of the Saints - now and forever.
All this we ask humbly in Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
Peace and love,
Pio
(248-991-5593)
1) Martin Luther, born in Germany on November 10, 1483 and died on Febraury 18, 1546.
2) John Calvin, born in France on July 10, 1509 and died in Geneva on May 27, 1564.
3) St. Francis De Sales, Bishop of Geneva, born August 21, 1567 and died on December 28, 1622.
His Feast Day in the Church is on January 24. He is declared a Doctor of the Universal Church.
4) St. Thomas Aquinas, "Angelic Doctor", born in Naples in 1225, died in Fossa Nuova, March 7, 1274.
His Feast Day in the Church is on January 28. He is declared a Doctor of the Universal Chruch.
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1) Martin Luther was a scrupulous Catholic priest/monk who came to the all-pervasive conclusion that we are saved by grace and faith alone...and not by works or even by our own efforts to holiness or lack of it. This inability of man to reach God by our own spiritual desires but only by the grace of God and our faith in Him has some validity: This is true in that "All Salvivic Action" begins with God. Grace does come before anything. However, in James Gospel, he writes "Not by faith alone....." and "Faith without works is dead." Jesus on the last day will say to every member of the human race: "I was hungry and you gave to me to eat....Whatever you did for the least of my brethern, you did to me." And to those who are condemned, He will say: "For I was hungry and you gave me no food.....Whatever you did not do to the least of my breathen, you did not do to Me." Jesus also said: "Not those who say, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but those who did the will of my Father."
The conclusion is clear: we all will be judged on what the free gift of Faith given to us - what it has produced: "fruit that will remain" or our not using that Faith to minister to Christ in our fellowman. According to what we do with this free gift of Faith will determine our etenal destiny. God does not "pre-destined" what we will do with the Faith He gives us and the Grace He gives EVERYONE to be saved. We determine what we do with God's grace and gift of Faith. We are not puppets of God; we are persons of God - ALL made in His own image and likeness. And that Image and Likeness of God is our FREEDOM to choose.
The Scripture says: "I place life and death before you; choose life." The Holy Word also has these marvelous words that God is saying to ALL of creation without exception: "I will that all men be saved and that none be lost." Therefore God gives to every person sufficient grace to be saved and be happy with Him in heaven."
Martin Luther - once separated from the One, Holy, Catholic Church - soon fell into heresy. When confronted by James gospel, Martin said: "O that gospel of straw!" So when Scripture refutes a heretic, he just gives an "ad hominem" argument against Holy Writ: "that gospel of straw." So by making James a writer of straw, then the words of James do not have any more validity. Heresy is so blind.
Martin also fell into another heresy: In stead of understanding Transubstantiation that the whole substance of bread is changed into the whole substance of the Body of Christ, Martin believed in Consubstantiation that there is still bread there but Jesus's Body is there, too. Both occupy the same substance. Well, philosphically not even theologically, Martin has left the universe of reason. Aristotle would have chided him and tell him that two substances cannot occupy the same place at the same time: that would be ontologically an impossibility. In the Eucharist only Christ is present; there is no substance of bread present.
There is two phenomenon about a heretic: the believe in a delusion (false belief - even if they have to contradict Scripture to maintain it.) and they feel compelled to teach other their erros. This was true of the priest Jansen who taught that Jesus in not God - not comsubstantial with the Father or the Holy Spirit. He taught many; and now in our present day we have the same heresy of the Jehovah Witnesses who change Scripture to read: "In the beginning was the word. The word was with God, and the word was a god." Whereas, John wrote: "In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God...and the Word became flesh.." But Holy Scripture says this: "Woe to anyone who adds or subtracts for the Scritures." Placing the article "a" before god and using lower case for god instead of God is truly changing the Word of God. In Greek and Latin, there is no word for "a", so where do the Jehovah Witnesses get this article? Heresy then is always: illogical, a falsification, and a rationalization. What are the results of heresy: Well, if you go into to any Lutheran church, you will not find the Holy Eucharist in the tabernacle with a red sanctuary light to remind us the Christ is present in the church Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of Catholic Faith; but the Eucharist is no longer adored in the tabernacles of all these Lutheran churches. Without Jesus Eucharistically present, these Lutheran churchs are religious gathering places instead of the House of God - with a sanctuary of the Holy of Holies: God Himself.
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2) John Calvin was the son of a lawyer and was trained in the humanities. He very much relied on the writings and theology of Martin Luther. For 37 years both Martin Luther and John Calvin were living on this earth at the same time. Germany was not that far from France; yet these two men never made the effort to meet. But John read a lot of Martin and fundamentally agreed with him about grace. Martin's enphasis on "grace" and "faith" alone became for Calvin the very fundamental basis of his doctrine of Predestination. The doctrine of Predestination preached by John Calvin convinced many French Catholics to embrace Protestantism. What exactly John Calvin preached was not recorded; but there is a way to possibly look into the fruit of what he taught about Predestination by a few quotes from "CalvinCorner" website. Such a website would not bear Calvin's name if it did not have some basis in Calvin doctrine and thought. Remember John Calvin did believe that man's will was so sinful that no man was capable to even respond to grace. Man was not capable of choosing God...and not responsible for not choosing God. Man was just not free to choose because of his sinfulness. Given the chance to choose, man would always choose sin..not God. Therefore, God saved those whom He wills and lets the others to go to hell because they cannot choose God. God only gives grace to some to be saved. They do not merit heaven; God just saves them. Others He does not. Man's will is so sinful that it cannot choose God. That was the crux of John Calvin's teaching which he built on Martin Luther's thought. Both of these men's teachings are heretical because they do contradict the Holy Word of God. God is TRUTH. Heresy is a sophisticated LIE. When we speak the TRUTH, we mirror God to others. When we speak the LIE, we manifest the "father of lies" - Satan. Now Satan can quote Scripture as he did when tempting Christ. But when speaking the truth of Scripture, Satan does so for his own twisted purpose. Jesus counters Satan's quotes with His own quotes that clarify the issue at hand and smash Satan's logic. The same is what Heresy: Heritical doctrine often quotes from Scripture but with a personal interpretation that is not merited from the text or a twisting of the text to fit one's own beliefs or even by an outright denial of the Scripture. For example, Predestination proponents when confronted with the Scripture: "I will that all men be saved and none be lost," merely say that "all" means "all Christians" not all men. This solopsistic interpretation of the word, "all" distorts the meaning and intent of the Holy Spirit. This distortion has to be for the Predestinationist because he believes that only those are saved whom God wills to be; and that God according to the Predestinationist doesn't will everyone to be saved. So to keep their doctrine in tact, these men distort Scripture to mean what they want it to mean. When Scripture says: "All have sinned and come short of the glory of the Lord." Does "all" here mean only Christians? It means "all" of the human race.
Let's understand something about Heresy and Satan: Satan is a diabolical chief shepherd who gives to his souls pastures of fire and brimstone. He twists the Gospel to win souls for himself. Heresy is the best way to get believers into Hell with him. Satan knows he cannot really suppress the Word of God or the Church. So, he does the next best thing: twist the Word and flood Christiandom with 50,000 denominations - all who claim to be able to interpret Scripture correctly. Jesus said: You are Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church." He did not say "churches" - so the fact that there are 50,000 different churches, shows that Satan has tried to make the ONE TRUE CHURCH unrecognizable. He's clever. He told Eve: "God knows you will not die but will be like Him knowing good and evil." So, Satan contradicts God's mandate not to eat of the fruit by appealing to Eve to become like God...and determine for herself what is good and bad. Satan is a liar...the "father of lies" and actually cannot tell the truth because the truth is not in him. So when confronted with Heresy - Predestination - you will see a lot of Satan's editorializing of Scripture and reason and rationalizations to try to make things consistent that are impossible to be consistent. It takes sometimes a hundren lies to cover up one lie. Heresy is a mini-universe of convoluted lies.
With that introduction, here are some contemporary thoughts from The Calvin Corner which you can seek out for complete coverage. But these quotes are the essential understanding of John Calvin and mirror quite well John Calvin's thought. Please understand as a theologian, John Calvin is second only to St. Augustine in his influence on Christianity. So, nothing here is unimportant. We should try to follow the logic if any to understand our Protestant brothers and sisters:
1) "Predestination is the doctrine that God alone chooses (elects) who is saved. God makes His choice independent of the quality and condition in sinful man. He does not look in a person and recognize good and bad. He does not look into the future to see who would choose Him."
[My comment: How God chooses who will be saved or not is clearly explained in the Gospels: Jesus said: "I was hungry and you gave me to eat..naked and you clothed me...in prison and you came to visit me..Come enter into my Father's Kingdom. (and to those on his left: He said: "I was hungry and you did not give me food. I was naked and you did not clothe me...in prison and you did not visit me. ...Go away from me you evil doers..." So the Criterion Jesus uses is simply how we all minister to Him in our life. Note that all men of all faiths will hear these words. Jesus will not be talking to just Christians. In this criterion, Jesus Himself believes in the free choice of man to do good or neglect good. God choice is absolutely not independent of the good or bad He sees in man. It is absolutely what He sees in man's soul that determines his eternal destiny. Man thus choose heaven or hell based on his ministering to Christ in all the poor. Jesus is talking to all men of all faiths. At the Last Judgment he will again reiterate what He has said: "Not those who say, 'Lord, Lord' but those who do the will of my Father." Also, when Jesus says "Whatever you did for the least of my brethren you did to me..." - both of these words: "do" and "did" imply a free choice. If we were not free to choose, then He could not reward or condemn. God is just.]
2) "God elects people to salvation purely on the basis of His good pleasure. Those not elected are those not saved. He does this because He is sovereign. He has the right to elect some to salvation and let all the rest go their natural way: to hell. This is predestination."
[My comments: The above theology of God is truly heretical because it does not square with God's revelation of Himself. Satan would like you to believe paragraph 2 because "that God" would be an unloveable and unjust God. Satan here is attacking more than doctrines; he is attacking the very nature and essence of God. Satan is trying to create God in Satan's own image and likeness: unjust and unloveable.]
3) "Man's free will: many believe that man has free will, something that resides in him...is completely able to independently accept or reject God. Man's free will is sinful. What will a sinful free will choose? Sin! His free will would never allow him to reach out to God. Free will is the ability to choose according to one's desires. ..Since man is full of sin, no goodness he chooses can undo his sinfulness. What will a sinful free will choose? Sin!"
[My comments: the above quote mis-defines free will and then set out to refute free will as it is thus mis-defined. No where does any theologian or scripture say that "man can independently accept or reject God." That is not what free will is! This above quote is convoluted and illogical. Free will is man's very capability for acceptance or rejection of God's Grace. We are dependent on God's grace and can accept or reject it. The predestinationist says that so-called free will cannot choose anything but sin. That very statement contradicts the vert essebce if what the grace of God really is: grace is the life of God within us. If we have to choose sin, then we cannot choose to accept God's grace. That would make man not human but a robot of some sort that has to act according to one's programming. But man is not programmed to do evil. He can by God's grace accept God's grace. God gave man to be in the image and likeness of God: freedom. God is essentially free. God can Know and Love. So therefore we who are in the image and likeness of God are free and can know and love. Man's freedom is his being like God: in the image and likeness of God. The predestinaionist essentially negates who man is: whom God made man to be for His honor and glory. Man is free to accept or reject God's grace because man is like God - free to choose. Thus, the predestinastionist argument is circular and redefines not only man but God Himself. Of course, that is Satan's plan completely. The predestinationist without knowing it is working tooth and nail for Satan's grand plan. Debase man and thus debase man's perception of God.]
4) Predestinationist: "But I actually did choose to accept God. That's right. You did so only because God first regenerated you, freed your will from sin, and then therefore allowed you to be able to choose Him. Regeneratin precedes Faith. The regenerated person is no longer a slave..to sin and is then able to accept God. He then does choose God."
[My comments: What is so false about that statment 4) is that even when God allows some to freely choose Him, He does not give this regenerative power to all men equally. If God does not offer this grace of regeneration to everyone, then God is not "good" but a God of caprice. Thus statement 4) is the most subtle of all because it sounds so true. But the ring you hear is not the ring of truth but a ring of rationalization to prove that God is "good" because He saves some people. The the predestinationist argues that without Predestination, no one would be saved at all! But that argument of God's saving a few as thus saving God from being "bad" does not follow logically because the major premise: God only gives the grace of choose Him to a few is a false statement based on positing as a statement about God as true when it is that very statement that one is setting out to prove. Thus the predestinationist is confusing "de facto" (from the fact) with "ipso facto" (the very fact).
It is just possible to posit a "good" God when he creates a soul that is destined for hell. If God does not offer salvation to everyone, then He is definitely committing the sin of double predestination: ordering some to heaven and some to hell..without anyone's free choice involved. O yes, we must understand that God does give some "free will" to freely choose Him; but He does not give this free will to others. The predestinationist worldview or heavenview is a God who is sovereign but not caring: not Fatherly. Actually, the God of the Muslems fit that kind of God: What happens is because "Allah wills it!" That phrase is essentially a negation of God's gift of free will.
Therefore, Predestination is a false doctrine: a heresy because it defines God as essentally a non-God because if God is not "good", then He is not God. Scripture says: "I will that all men be saved and none be lost," the predestinationist-heretic has to re-define "all" as meaning just Christians, because when Scripture refutes a heretic, he just changes the meaning of Scripture to fit his rationalization Because if God saves the few, He is not good. But the predestinationist says "God is merciful to even save a few and is not constrained to save anyone." "Bonum est diffusivum sui" - "Goodness has a tendency to go out of itself." God radiates goodness when He creates us. When God created Adam and Eve, they were "good" and not sinful. They were free. They did not have to sin. Adam and Eve's nature was essentially GOOD. It was the lies of Satan who tempted them to sin. And Satan is still tempting the predestinationist to sin by changeing God's nature and man's nature. God did not create a sinful nature in man. Man freely chose to reject God's counsel and to try and be like God. Satan is the Father of Lies. Heresy is Satan's loud-speaker!]
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3) Saint Francis De Sales:
Just three years after John Calvin died in Geneva in1564, Francis De Sales was born in Geneva in 1567.
When Francis was growing up, predestination as taught be John Calvin was rappant in France. Whole districts of Catholics were won over by Calvinist missionaries who taught predestination vigorously.
Francis was consecrated Bishop of Geneva by the choice of Pope Clement VII in 1602. The very first thing Bishop De Sales did was to make a catechetical institute for the old and the young. Remember, the Prostestant Reformation spearheaded by Martin Lugther and John Calvin has won over many Catholics; and the Bishop knew that this was because of poor catechesis in the docrines of the Catholic Church. He wrote pamphlets and gave many talks - even outside his diocese. He won back whole districts of the faithful back to the Catholic Church and true doctrine. He was so successful that there were two assassination attempts on his life. Heresy does not like to be denounced. Some heretics thought that if you kill the messenger, the message will die with him. That was not the case however; because the Bishop's courage in the face of martyrdom only became stronger. In fighting the heresy of predestination, he went to the Seat of Wisdom: Our Lady and received much healing from her and the wisdom to refute the errors of Calvanism.
In 1622, Bishop Francis De Sales died and was Beatified in 1661. He was cCannozied a Saint by Pope Alexander VII, in 1665. He was declared a Doctor of the Universal Church.
It is interesting that Martin Luther and John Calvin were not declared "Saints"...because as Jesus said: "He who teaches all that I have given you shall be great in the kingdom of God; those who do not teach all that I have given you will be called least in the kingdom of God."
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4) Saint Thomas Aquinas:
St. Thomas was a philosopher, theologian, Doctor of the Church and is considered patron of Catholic universities and schools. His life could be summed up as devoted to praying, preaching, teaching, writing and journeying. He surpassed everyone of his day in accuracy, lucidity, brevity and power of exposition. and most of all in universality of knowledge which was eclectic: it was Aristotelian, Platonic, Socatic; it was inductive and deductive, analytic and synthetic. He was holy, as well: after having completed a treatise on the Eucharist, he was lifted up in ectasy, and his bretheren heard a voice coming from the crucifix on the altar saying: "Thou has written well of Me. Thomas, what reward will thou have?" Thomas replied: "None other than Thyself, Lord."
St. Thomas' "Summa Theologica" - the greatest theological work ever written in the Church - contains 38 treatises, 612 questions subdivided into 3120 articles in which 10,000 objections are proposed and answered. Even so, this work was never completed because three months before Thomas died, God gave Thomas such a great revelation of Himself to Thomas that Thomas could not even put it into word. In fact, Thomas did not speak during those months until God took him hom to Himself. I am convinced that only in dialogue with God - in spirit and truth - can any true knowledge be attained. It is what we hear in our loving conversation with God that we learn about God. We can only write what God reveals to us and the Holy Spirit recalls to minds and lucidates even more as we write or talk about God. EVERYTHING good comes from the Holy Spirit. A piano key is nothing unless a master plays upon it. Without the Master, The Holy Spirit we remain a silent and inert piano key which has no knowledge of Beethoven or Bach.
Now, a to the question of Free Will and Grace, let us turn to Saint Thomas Aquinas. Martin Luther and John Calvin surely had access to the writings of Saint Thomas, a Doctor of the Universal Church. In this quote I am about to give you, please notice how closely St.Thomas anticipated the twisting of "grace" and "free will" of Calvin, almost using the very terms that Calvin would use two hundred years in the future: Saint Thomas wrote:
"Since a man cannot be directed to his ultimate end except by the help of divine grace, someone might think a man should not be blamed if he lacks these things, especially since he cannot merit the help of divine grace or turn to God unless God turns him. But..many unsuitable thins obviously follow..he would not be worthy of punishment...To solve this problem we must notice that although a man by the movement of free will can neither merit nor obtain grace, yet he can block himself from receiving it...But they alone are deprived of grace who set up in themselves an impediment to grace, just when the sun shines on the world, he deserves blame who shuts his eyes."
In this passage, St. Thomas says: "they alone are deprived of grace who set up in themselves an impediment to grace" which implies that man has a free will to reject grace and only those who freely reject grace are those who will be blamed. Yes, it is true that Grace is gratutous from God. Faith is gratuitous. But God's gratutious gifts are blocked not by God but by man's free rejection of grace. Predestination says that some are predestined to heaven or hell. But St. Thomas Aquinas' flow of logical theology presupposes that God offers ALL men the sufficient grace to be saved. If someone is not saved, it is not God's fault or will. It is the person's free choice to reject Grace and Salvation. Predestination actually is false because it rejects the caupability of man for the loss of his salvation. Man is caupable. God has said: "I will that all men be saved and none be lost." That shows that the gratitous gift of God is offered to all men.
Regarding God's most gratitous Gift of all: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life." John 3:16. PREDESTINATION NULLIFIES THIS GIFT FROM THE FATHER. Predestination makes the Paschal Mystery: Christ's suffering, death and resurrection - null and void because Predestination says that Jesus only died for a few and not for all.
Make no mistake: Predestination actually make null and void the Incarnation of Jesus Christ because Christ came to die for ALL men that ALL men may be saved. Predestination is therefore an attack upon God, Himself, Jesus Christ....who with His Free WIll chose not to do what He wanted but to do the Will of the Father who sent Him: Father, if possible let this chalice pass from me but not as I will but as You will." Therefore, it is by our free will that we can give up what we want and do the will of God - in chastity of heart - that is having a pure love for God that the Holy Spirit enables us to have. Freedom of Will is not freedom to do as we wish but freedom to choose to do what is right and good. That free will makes us like Jesus and especially like our Father in Heaven who called us ALL into existence to be happy with Him now and in Heaven eternally.
Father, God of Love and Truth, be merciful and forgiving to all those who teach and preach Predestination and grant them the Holy Spirit of Truth to speak to their hearts so that they would truly come to know You and the One You sent so that they can be saved and come to the community of the Saints - now and forever.
All this we ask humbly in Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
Peace and love,
Pio
(248-991-5593)
Monday, January 23, 2012
Pio's Proverb 151: MOTHERHOOD: An Invitation to Love.
Today is January 23, 2012, the 39th years after the Roe v. Wade decision that allowed abortion of human beings up to and including the last day of pregnancy of 9 months.
MOTHERHOOD is such a mystery. It is an invitationi to love...love from the mother, from the father, from the family, from God who created this child in the womb.
When Our Lady said to the Angel said "yes", the Word, the Son of God, became Flesh. Jesus immediately upon her "Yes" was Present in her womb. She was from that moment on to have Holy Communion with Jesus for 9 months. She was invited by the Holy Spirit through the Angel to LOVE.
Mary is the most perfect model for all mothers down the ages how motherhood is the invitation to Love.
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Three modern examples of HEROIC MOTHERHOOD:
1) Saint Gianna Beretta Molla who lived from 1922 to 1962: She was a doctor when she met and married Pietro Molla in 1955. She had 3 children. When pregnant with her 4th child, she was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst. She was advised to have the fetus/baby aborted and the cyst removed along with the uterus. But she refused and tried natural childbirth. It was unsuccessful. They baby was taken by cesarian section. Before the operation, she told her husband, Pietro: Please save the baby. Make sure the baby lives; and if it comes between me and the baby, choose the baby to live." She died 7 days after the birth of her 4th child who grew up and became a doctor like her mother and very active in pro-life. Never in the history of the Catholic Church has a husband and daughter been present when a wife and mother was cannonized. Gianna was Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1994 and cannonized in St. Peter's in Rome in 2004. St. Gianna refused an abortion to save her own life and gave her own life so that her baby would live. This is heroic virtue and fully accepting of her Invitation from God to love as only a Mother could. St.Gianna is the patron of pregnant women and against abortion. St. Gianna, pray for all pregnant women, now and always. Amen.
2) Jeni Stepanek, Ph.D: All of her beautiful children died as children due to the same illness. Jeni, too, has oxigen and uses a motorized wheelchair. Her most famous child was Matti (Matthew) who was on the Oprah Show and who - even when only 7 years old - had permission from the local bishop to teach catechism to old kids. His wisdom is incredible and told his mom that he would continue in heaven to do good/his mission begun here on earth. There is a 26 acre Peace Park with a statue of Matti which Jeni can see from her home window. Matti's cause for cannonization has begun because of his heroic virtue in the face of a terminal illness. I have heard Matti speak. He had the holiness and coaurage of a true martyr who was giving his life for Christ each day. Jeni misses him but is consoled when she sees from her window all the kids playing in her son's Peace Park. Jeni is courageous and passed that courage on to her 4 children. She is a heroic mom. She truly accepted God's invitation to love.
3) The third heroic woman is your mom who gave birth to you. She did not abort you. She gave birth, loved you and nourished you to become the man and women you are today. She did not take the easy way out. She took the loving way out: giving you life. God bless your and my mom, now and forever. Amen.
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So, when a woman gets an abortion, she declines this invitation to love.
Deciding to abort the child in the womb is the ultimate act of rejecting to love.
[But what of those women who have already had abortions and are sad about it? Here is mos loving HELP and most compasionate support and caring for them: I believe that only God can heal; but He uses women to heal women. This loving community of women of Project Rachel and Rachel's Vinyard are composed of women who have been healed from their abortions and have found forgivenes and healing from God.
1) Locally: Project Rachel: 1-888-722-4355, and http://www.hopeafterabortion.com/ and http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/ and Right to LIfe Central Macomb Affiliate: http://www.rticentralmacomb.org/ and right to LIfe of MI http://www.rtl.org/ and American United for Life http://www.aul.org/
2) Nationally: 1-888-456-HOPE (4673). And Rachel's Vinyard: weekend retreats for women who have had abortions...or for doctors who have done abortions: 1-877-HOPE-4-me and http://www.rachelvinyard.org/ .
And what of women who are pregnant and need help NOW? Let them come for help NOW with all trust in the love God has for them and the love we have for them:
3) Locally: Abigalye Ministeries (sheltering home) 586-323-1411 at 12313 Nineteen Mi. Rd. Sternling Hgts, MI 480313 and Birthright of Macomb 586-254-5930 45464 Van Dyke, Utica, MI 48317 and Compassion Pregnancy Center 586-783-2229 and Imago Dei Crisis Pregnancy Center 586-751-3550 30521 Schoenherr, Warren MI 48088 and Right to LIfe of Michigan, Crisis Hot-Line 1-800-57-WOMAN (1-800-579-6626 Please let these women come for help. They will be welcomed with open arms and love.]
4) Nationally: Crisis Center: 1-800-395-HELP open 24/7.]
Please consider a few issues that the Founder of Project Rachel, Victoria Thorn, has to say. She can be reached on http://www.hopeafterabortion.com/ Here is what she has to say:
1) Women who have had abortions need to experience three events:
a) A relationship with God and His Personal forgiveness; b) spiritual and human healing by grieving over their loss of their baby/ies; and c) forgiveness of of their self. The first thing a women wants when she comes to Project Rachel is to go to confession.
2) Some women remain in denial for a long time, but something "triggers" their incredible sense of loss.
3) Even after going to confession to a priest or to God and receiving His loving mercy, there is still a psychological healing that is needed. This can come by nameing the baby, writing a letter to the baby, greiving over the loss of someone not something.
4) Some women do have a pathological response to their abortions and need deep counseling and loving support from the women of Project Rachel. Deep depression needs to be treated clinically not only spiritually.
5) 70% of marriages do not survive an abortion because it not only effects the living room but also the bedroom.
6) Women healed from Abortion become great healers in their home and in the heart of others.
7) Some post-abortive women turn totally pro-life; but there are some who only become more pro-abortion to try and explain their feelings away of guilt/loss and in order to project this on to other as well as multi more abortions to re-live the traumatic first abortion to heal it by re-living, re-experiering it again - multiple times - to draw out the pain to heal it and process the pain.
8) Many post-abortive women go into drugs, alcohol and promiscuity or go into silent suffering in order to try and not to face their greatest fear: facing oneself.
9) Women who have had an abortion feel a great pain inside them - a sense of great loss - especially if the nurse makes a mistake to let the mother see her aborted child in a jar - which has happened.
10) Post-abortive women feel unworthy to have another child; it is always a great healing when these women do have another child because they see this as a sign that God has forgiven them. And when a child is born to these women, they have a great sense of wonder and beauty of that child which is healing, itself.
11) Men who have been involved in the abortion decision also need healing as do the women. There are three kinds of men: a) those who did not want the abortion [These men have to deal with not being able to protect the child and rage and grief]; b) those who forced the abortion; and those who did not even know about the abortion till later.
When men get to gether in Project Rachel groups, they really call one another to accountability. Those who forced abortions have done so even as much as 7 times.
Men need to be healed just as much as the women do..but in a different way. Just like in Project Rachel "women heal women", so, too, in Project Rachel, "men heal men." The goal in Project Rachel for men is this: to enable men to reclaim their fatherhood.
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I pray that Senator Rand Paul's proposal of "Life at Conception Act" is passed by 2/3rd's majority of Congress.. This act was predicted by the Supreme Court Justice who decided Roe v. Wade who said: "If the suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant's (Roe) case completely collapses for the fetus' right to life would be protected by the 14th Amendment." which states: "No State may deprive any person of the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness except by due process of law."
"The Life at Conception Act" declares all fetuses in the womb to be legal human persons protected by the 14th Amendment. This Act is the greatest hope for children in the womb in the last 39 years.
King David faught and won against Golliah because he God was with him to give him strength by the Arm of God. Abortion is the Golliath of today. We will win because God is with us...and will strengthen us and give us victory to save the unborn from being killed.
We are starting the 40th year since Roe v. Wade. This is the year that the great giant of abortion will be put to death just as Golliah was. This legislation is the stone in the sling of David.
We who work in Pro-life will see the giant fall this year. The Phillistines were dumbfounded to see David kill their chapion. So will pro-abortionist be awed and confounded to see all abortion become illegal from coast to coast.
We praise and thank You, Father, for this end to abortion and for raising up a champion: Senator Rand Paul to fling the death-stone that will kill abortion by raising up the ideals and moral values intrinsic to the 14th Amendment.....the "right to light." Please, Father, let it be! - "Fiat!" All this we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Love, Pio xo
MOTHERHOOD is such a mystery. It is an invitationi to love...love from the mother, from the father, from the family, from God who created this child in the womb.
When Our Lady said to the Angel said "yes", the Word, the Son of God, became Flesh. Jesus immediately upon her "Yes" was Present in her womb. She was from that moment on to have Holy Communion with Jesus for 9 months. She was invited by the Holy Spirit through the Angel to LOVE.
Mary is the most perfect model for all mothers down the ages how motherhood is the invitation to Love.
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Three modern examples of HEROIC MOTHERHOOD:
1) Saint Gianna Beretta Molla who lived from 1922 to 1962: She was a doctor when she met and married Pietro Molla in 1955. She had 3 children. When pregnant with her 4th child, she was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst. She was advised to have the fetus/baby aborted and the cyst removed along with the uterus. But she refused and tried natural childbirth. It was unsuccessful. They baby was taken by cesarian section. Before the operation, she told her husband, Pietro: Please save the baby. Make sure the baby lives; and if it comes between me and the baby, choose the baby to live." She died 7 days after the birth of her 4th child who grew up and became a doctor like her mother and very active in pro-life. Never in the history of the Catholic Church has a husband and daughter been present when a wife and mother was cannonized. Gianna was Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1994 and cannonized in St. Peter's in Rome in 2004. St. Gianna refused an abortion to save her own life and gave her own life so that her baby would live. This is heroic virtue and fully accepting of her Invitation from God to love as only a Mother could. St.Gianna is the patron of pregnant women and against abortion. St. Gianna, pray for all pregnant women, now and always. Amen.
2) Jeni Stepanek, Ph.D: All of her beautiful children died as children due to the same illness. Jeni, too, has oxigen and uses a motorized wheelchair. Her most famous child was Matti (Matthew) who was on the Oprah Show and who - even when only 7 years old - had permission from the local bishop to teach catechism to old kids. His wisdom is incredible and told his mom that he would continue in heaven to do good/his mission begun here on earth. There is a 26 acre Peace Park with a statue of Matti which Jeni can see from her home window. Matti's cause for cannonization has begun because of his heroic virtue in the face of a terminal illness. I have heard Matti speak. He had the holiness and coaurage of a true martyr who was giving his life for Christ each day. Jeni misses him but is consoled when she sees from her window all the kids playing in her son's Peace Park. Jeni is courageous and passed that courage on to her 4 children. She is a heroic mom. She truly accepted God's invitation to love.
3) The third heroic woman is your mom who gave birth to you. She did not abort you. She gave birth, loved you and nourished you to become the man and women you are today. She did not take the easy way out. She took the loving way out: giving you life. God bless your and my mom, now and forever. Amen.
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So, when a woman gets an abortion, she declines this invitation to love.
Deciding to abort the child in the womb is the ultimate act of rejecting to love.
[But what of those women who have already had abortions and are sad about it? Here is mos loving HELP and most compasionate support and caring for them: I believe that only God can heal; but He uses women to heal women. This loving community of women of Project Rachel and Rachel's Vinyard are composed of women who have been healed from their abortions and have found forgivenes and healing from God.
1) Locally: Project Rachel: 1-888-722-4355, and http://www.hopeafterabortion.com/ and http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/ and Right to LIfe Central Macomb Affiliate: http://www.rticentralmacomb.org/ and right to LIfe of MI http://www.rtl.org/ and American United for Life http://www.aul.org/
2) Nationally: 1-888-456-HOPE (4673). And Rachel's Vinyard: weekend retreats for women who have had abortions...or for doctors who have done abortions: 1-877-HOPE-4-me and http://www.rachelvinyard.org/ .
And what of women who are pregnant and need help NOW? Let them come for help NOW with all trust in the love God has for them and the love we have for them:
3) Locally: Abigalye Ministeries (sheltering home) 586-323-1411 at 12313 Nineteen Mi. Rd. Sternling Hgts, MI 480313 and Birthright of Macomb 586-254-5930 45464 Van Dyke, Utica, MI 48317 and Compassion Pregnancy Center 586-783-2229 and Imago Dei Crisis Pregnancy Center 586-751-3550 30521 Schoenherr, Warren MI 48088 and Right to LIfe of Michigan, Crisis Hot-Line 1-800-57-WOMAN (1-800-579-6626 Please let these women come for help. They will be welcomed with open arms and love.]
4) Nationally: Crisis Center: 1-800-395-HELP open 24/7.]
Please consider a few issues that the Founder of Project Rachel, Victoria Thorn, has to say. She can be reached on http://www.hopeafterabortion.com/ Here is what she has to say:
1) Women who have had abortions need to experience three events:
a) A relationship with God and His Personal forgiveness; b) spiritual and human healing by grieving over their loss of their baby/ies; and c) forgiveness of of their self. The first thing a women wants when she comes to Project Rachel is to go to confession.
2) Some women remain in denial for a long time, but something "triggers" their incredible sense of loss.
3) Even after going to confession to a priest or to God and receiving His loving mercy, there is still a psychological healing that is needed. This can come by nameing the baby, writing a letter to the baby, greiving over the loss of someone not something.
4) Some women do have a pathological response to their abortions and need deep counseling and loving support from the women of Project Rachel. Deep depression needs to be treated clinically not only spiritually.
5) 70% of marriages do not survive an abortion because it not only effects the living room but also the bedroom.
6) Women healed from Abortion become great healers in their home and in the heart of others.
7) Some post-abortive women turn totally pro-life; but there are some who only become more pro-abortion to try and explain their feelings away of guilt/loss and in order to project this on to other as well as multi more abortions to re-live the traumatic first abortion to heal it by re-living, re-experiering it again - multiple times - to draw out the pain to heal it and process the pain.
8) Many post-abortive women go into drugs, alcohol and promiscuity or go into silent suffering in order to try and not to face their greatest fear: facing oneself.
9) Women who have had an abortion feel a great pain inside them - a sense of great loss - especially if the nurse makes a mistake to let the mother see her aborted child in a jar - which has happened.
10) Post-abortive women feel unworthy to have another child; it is always a great healing when these women do have another child because they see this as a sign that God has forgiven them. And when a child is born to these women, they have a great sense of wonder and beauty of that child which is healing, itself.
11) Men who have been involved in the abortion decision also need healing as do the women. There are three kinds of men: a) those who did not want the abortion [These men have to deal with not being able to protect the child and rage and grief]; b) those who forced the abortion; and those who did not even know about the abortion till later.
When men get to gether in Project Rachel groups, they really call one another to accountability. Those who forced abortions have done so even as much as 7 times.
Men need to be healed just as much as the women do..but in a different way. Just like in Project Rachel "women heal women", so, too, in Project Rachel, "men heal men." The goal in Project Rachel for men is this: to enable men to reclaim their fatherhood.
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I pray that Senator Rand Paul's proposal of "Life at Conception Act" is passed by 2/3rd's majority of Congress.. This act was predicted by the Supreme Court Justice who decided Roe v. Wade who said: "If the suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant's (Roe) case completely collapses for the fetus' right to life would be protected by the 14th Amendment." which states: "No State may deprive any person of the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness except by due process of law."
"The Life at Conception Act" declares all fetuses in the womb to be legal human persons protected by the 14th Amendment. This Act is the greatest hope for children in the womb in the last 39 years.
King David faught and won against Golliah because he God was with him to give him strength by the Arm of God. Abortion is the Golliath of today. We will win because God is with us...and will strengthen us and give us victory to save the unborn from being killed.
We are starting the 40th year since Roe v. Wade. This is the year that the great giant of abortion will be put to death just as Golliah was. This legislation is the stone in the sling of David.
We who work in Pro-life will see the giant fall this year. The Phillistines were dumbfounded to see David kill their chapion. So will pro-abortionist be awed and confounded to see all abortion become illegal from coast to coast.
We praise and thank You, Father, for this end to abortion and for raising up a champion: Senator Rand Paul to fling the death-stone that will kill abortion by raising up the ideals and moral values intrinsic to the 14th Amendment.....the "right to light." Please, Father, let it be! - "Fiat!" All this we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Love, Pio xo
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Pio's Proverb 150: "PIETY and Your Moral Beauty"
When I looked into my dad's top drawer our of curiosity since I was only 11 at the time, I saw surprised to find right on top my own baptismal certificate dated April 17, 1938 which was just 6 days after I was born.
My parents beleived in getting their children baptized as soon as possible. Well, what surprised me was my full name: Pius Peter Carl George Zammit. The Maltese love to give lots of names. But "Pius"! Now that threw me for a loop because I was never known by any other name but "Peter". Where did "Pius" come from? Well, turns out that my grandfather on my mother's side was "Piu Azzopardi." My Dad thought I would be teased in school with a name like "Piu", so he changed it to the Latin name: "Pius". When I went to the Seminary at age 13, the Precious Blood Priests at Brunnerdale Seminary just loved to call out my name loud and clear...perhaps because at the time, Pope Pius XII was live and well sitting on St. Peter's Chair in Rome. (He was a pope that recent research has uncovered that he saved thousands of Jews..even hiding many in the Vatican. Vatican Radio - best in the world at the time - helped to tract refuges and re-unite families and oppose Hitler. Hitler retaliated by killing 2300 priests.)
Well, I say all the above to let you know that the name, "Pius" is very sacred to me. In Roman history, the adjective "pius" meant "loyal to Rome" and "devoted" and "loving". Thus "Pius Marcus" meant that "good citizen Marcus who was loyal to Rome."
Thus today many popes have taken the name "Pius" to mean "Loyal to God and His Kingdom" - to be "devoted to God" to be "a lover of God."
That is where we get the VIRTUE OF PIETY! What is this virtue? It is the virtue of putting God first in your life: to be totally devoted to God and to His will...to love God with all one's heart.
Now a perfect example of the Virtue of Piety is David's loyalty to God. God said of David: "He is a man after My own Heart." God said this because David did not erect altars to false gods as did Solomon, his son; but rather David relied on God to give him victory over Goliath. David said to the Philistine Goliath: "God will deliever you into my hands, and I will deliver your body up to the birds of the air and the beasts of the fields." That was an accurate statement made by David; God did exactly that. With Goliath own sword, David cut off the head of Goliath.
But there was trouble abrewing between Saul, the King. When Saul heard the women singing David's praises that "Saul has killed his thousands and David has killed his tens of thousands", Saul became jealous and envious. And from then on decided to kill David. ENVY is like a cancer on the soul. It eats away its host.
Let us define ENVY so as to understand what was happening to Saul. First of all, Saul should have rejoiced in the talents of David who has made Saul's throne more secure from the Philistines. Rejoicing in the talents and accomplishments of others is a virtue of HUMILITY; but Saul did not have that virtue. Rather was Saul had was the vice of ENVY: "The sadness that one's feels for the good abilities and accomplishments of another because of the delusion that those talents and goods and abilities and accomplishments of another takes away from one's own and actually are believed to belong to oneself and not that other person." So, Saul decided to seek to KILL David. But Jonathon, son of Saul, and best friend of David warned David and told him to seek refuge and hiding in a cave outside the City. Jonathon intercedes for David and shows his father, Saul, that David is innocent of all wrongdoing and actually has done great deeds for Saul; and that Saul had rejoiced in the slaining of Goliah by David. So, Saul relents for a time and lets David come home. But again the evil spirit enters Saul who thinks that all is lacking to David is the Kingship. Saul remains jealous of David even when David is the best subject Saul has in the Kingdom. David is loyal to Saul and does not at all seek the Kingship. All this is only in the imagination of Saul. ENVY is a lying to oneself about another person. But to rejoice with the goodness and abilities of another is the result of humility because HUMILITY never puts oneself at the center of things.
David tried again and again to win back the good graces of Saul. Once, when David had the opportunity to kill Saul, he just left his spear and water jug at the head of Saul who was sleeping outside because Saul was seeking to find and kill David. But when the King awoke, he knew that David had been there and could have easily killed Saul. Saul did try to repent of his jealously and envy of David; but the evil spirit had entered him; and Saul did not want to give up his desire to kill David because the King thought that if he killed David, then Saul alone would be the greatest in Israel. Killing David, he thought, was the solution to David's having stolen Saul's fame. Of course, ENVY is a kind of spiritual and emotional insanity because it is based on illusion and delusions. Finally, Saul was killed by the Philistines and David was anointed King. Again, this is a perfect example of "The meek shall inherit the earth." Meekness is having power but not exercising it." Jesus could have blown the Pharisees away with thousands of legions of angel; but Jesus was meek and did not show His power. Even before Pilate, Jesus did not command legions of angels to overrule Pilate. This not only shows Jesus' MEEKNESS; it also showed Jesus' PIETY. Jesus recognizes the legitmate authority of Pilate and respects it. Jesus explicitly tells Pilate: "You would have no authority over me unless it was given to you from Above." The virtue of Piety means we respect all authority that comes from God.
But let us look at David's Virtue of PIETY: David was so "pius" that his loyalty to God and the King (Saul) made him to not hurt Saul even when Saul was out to kill David. David respects God and all God's appointed rulers. David recognized Saul as God's anointed one. All Piety respects God and all those God has placed in legitimate authority. David always remains loyal to God as to worhipping Yahweh as the One True God of Israel. David never left the faith. And after David sinned with Bethsheba, he wrote the most beautiful act of Contrition in the History of humankind: Psalm 151: "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me according to Your great mercy....a clean heart create in me, O Lord, and do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me." David knew that the strings of the harp cannot play of themselves. He has to pluck them. Well, David knew that he was th strings of the harp, and only the Holy Spirit can pluck them. Without the Holy Spirit, David would just remain silent; we would have no Psalms of David. I know, too, that to be a writer is like being a piano key. It is the Holy Spirit who presses the right keys in me to write to you. If the Holy Spirit did not play me, this and all my blogs/books would be blank...and non-existent. When I sit down to right, the Holy Spirit comes and speaks to me in the very center of me where God dwells. Only God has access to this center; even I do not have access to this center of me....but it is where prayers inspired by God come from. In that understanding, all good in us and all that we do are only a grace from God. "All salvivic action begins in God." Even when we ask God for something and think we are doing it, it is God doing it in us because He thought to give us this gift we want first and then asks us to ask Him for it.
David knew that all the Psalms he had written were by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. When David wrote and sang those Psalms while playing the harp, there was a beauty in his face. The BEAUTY was the result of his MORAL BEAUTY. The beauty of one's soul does show on one's face. Have you seen the U.S postage stamp of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. I have purchased about $100 of those stamps to be used when I send out pro-life letters to abortion clinics - especially Planned Parenthood which is the number one killer of babies in the womb in the United States. Well, this stamp is very interesting. It was taken from a photo of her....and is perhaps the best photo of her ever taken. What is so interesting to me as an artist is that her face is by no mean "pretty"; but her face is RADIANTLY BEAUTIFUL! Why? Because her face shows her saintly soul. Her Moral Beauty makes her the most beautiful woman on the planet. The more Moral Beauty we have is due to the fact that Moral Beauty is a reflection of God's Beauty. We begin to resemble God in our very person: body and soul.
Well, David had this moral beauty. Even the giant Goliah saw that David was handsome and ruddy. But that handsomeness was not just physical. David had those piercing eyes of grace and goodness.
You know of course the famous and fierce figure of a man called "Attillla the Hun" who came to sack Rome and take it by the might and ferocity of his army. Atilla had come across the Alps with his elephants to take Rome and had full intent to do so UNTIL he had seen in a dream an old man meeting him at the gates of Rome. That old man was the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. That little holy man so impressed Attilla that the mighty worrior did not take Rome and returned home. What was it that the old man had? He had a radiant Moral Beauty.
Can we ever sin against the Virtue of PIETY? Yes, we can even when we think we are in the right. For example, what is our parents do something wrong? We know that the Fouth Commandment says: "Honor thy father and thy mother." It is the virtue of Piety that causes us to respect and honor them. But what if we see our parents do something that is seriouly wrong? Can we and should we correct them? Absolutely NOT!
Why not? Here's why not: our parents before God are placed in authority over us and are answerable to God for our instruction in the Faith and doing the right thing in all that is required of us. BUT WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO GOD FOR THEIR MORAL CONDUCT. Our parents are responsible for us to God and will have to answer if they do not correct us when we do wrong. There is an Old Testament quote that has always impressed me. God was speaking to the father of a family and says to him: "I have this against you: that you no longer correct your sons!" Also, Padre Pio told a woman who came to confession to think about her life and come back in 3 weeks. She came back and said she could not think of any sins she had committed except the one she has already mentioned to him. But he said to her: "When you came in for confessions, I saw two of your children in the fires of hell because you DID NOT CORREDT them." So, parents are directly responsible to God for correcting their children; but we children are NOT responsible for the moral conduct of our parents. We have not been appointed to be the rulers of our parents. We do not have responsibility for them. We can pray for them and make sacrifices for them. BUT we cannot correct them. If we correct them in a serious matter, then we would be committing a serious MORTAL SIN against the Virtue of Piety.
So in summary, the Virtue of PIETY keeps our eyes on the Lord..not on ourselves...but on the Lord who has given us all our talents to be used for God. Even our education which we have diligently studied to obtain, all that diligence which seems to come from the naural virtues in us was given to us by God to obtain so that we can be better able to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All is GRACE and GOODNESS from God. Look at Our Lady! He exalted her above all women of the earth. All was grace for her. The Angel Gabriel got it right when he called her "Full of Grace." - "Gratia Plena" (Latin) - "Fully Graced" (Greek).
Yes, Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man; but God has willed and created Mary that all graces given to us must first pass through her hands. Jesus said to John from the cross: "John behold thy mother. Mother behold thy son." She was given to be our mother - all of us - from all ages till now. She is mediatrix of all graces in that all graces given to us are given into her hands. This is seen perfectly when she told Jesus simply at the Wedding Feast of Cana: "They have no wine." She says that to Jesus for all of us now. She knows what we need and tells Jesus. If we go directly to talk to Jesus; that is ok...but we should end our prayer: "Through Mary". When we are in heaven, we will see this Queen of Heaven and Earth..the person whose MORAL BEAUTY exceeds all the BEAUTY of all the angels and saints combined!
Lord, Please give us the gift of Piety as Mary has and as You will us to have. In Jesus' Name we pray, through Mary, Our Mother and His..Amen.
Love, Pio who is grateful to God for my name, my life, my talents, my joys and sorrows and any suffering He has given me to win souls for Christ. Help us all to depend on You and keep our eyes on You as to not envy anyone else. Help us to see the many talents you have given us that would take many life-times to thank you for. We cannot waste time envying anyone because that would mean we have taken our eyes off of You and placed it on ourselves. So, Dearest Father, how can I THANK You for all that you have given me and for all that You have given to my brothers and sisters and friends. THANKS You, Father, for all the surprises and love You have in store for me today. But no gifts are greater than You, Yourself, and Your Son Jesus in the Holy Spirit. I thank You for all in Jesus' Name through Mary who is the most beautiful creature You have ever made. She shows gratitude to You, Father, in her beautiful person that resembles You and mirrors You. Make us beautiful, too, and how to learn from her to become beautiful as she is and does by her resembling You, O God! If You have made Mary to be the most Beautiful of all your creatures You have made, help us to be as Beautiful as You wish us to be and planned for us to be from all eternity. Make us Beautiful, Father, as You are Beautiful in our own little finite way; but still as Beautiful as You can make us to be so that for all eternity You can enjoy looking upon us with Love and we can look with awe and love upon You. Amen. Amen in Jesus' Name.
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Love, Pio xoxo
("Pio" is the ablative case of the Latin word: "Pius." So "Pio" and "Pius" are basically the same word.)
My parents beleived in getting their children baptized as soon as possible. Well, what surprised me was my full name: Pius Peter Carl George Zammit. The Maltese love to give lots of names. But "Pius"! Now that threw me for a loop because I was never known by any other name but "Peter". Where did "Pius" come from? Well, turns out that my grandfather on my mother's side was "Piu Azzopardi." My Dad thought I would be teased in school with a name like "Piu", so he changed it to the Latin name: "Pius". When I went to the Seminary at age 13, the Precious Blood Priests at Brunnerdale Seminary just loved to call out my name loud and clear...perhaps because at the time, Pope Pius XII was live and well sitting on St. Peter's Chair in Rome. (He was a pope that recent research has uncovered that he saved thousands of Jews..even hiding many in the Vatican. Vatican Radio - best in the world at the time - helped to tract refuges and re-unite families and oppose Hitler. Hitler retaliated by killing 2300 priests.)
Well, I say all the above to let you know that the name, "Pius" is very sacred to me. In Roman history, the adjective "pius" meant "loyal to Rome" and "devoted" and "loving". Thus "Pius Marcus" meant that "good citizen Marcus who was loyal to Rome."
Thus today many popes have taken the name "Pius" to mean "Loyal to God and His Kingdom" - to be "devoted to God" to be "a lover of God."
That is where we get the VIRTUE OF PIETY! What is this virtue? It is the virtue of putting God first in your life: to be totally devoted to God and to His will...to love God with all one's heart.
Now a perfect example of the Virtue of Piety is David's loyalty to God. God said of David: "He is a man after My own Heart." God said this because David did not erect altars to false gods as did Solomon, his son; but rather David relied on God to give him victory over Goliath. David said to the Philistine Goliath: "God will deliever you into my hands, and I will deliver your body up to the birds of the air and the beasts of the fields." That was an accurate statement made by David; God did exactly that. With Goliath own sword, David cut off the head of Goliath.
But there was trouble abrewing between Saul, the King. When Saul heard the women singing David's praises that "Saul has killed his thousands and David has killed his tens of thousands", Saul became jealous and envious. And from then on decided to kill David. ENVY is like a cancer on the soul. It eats away its host.
Let us define ENVY so as to understand what was happening to Saul. First of all, Saul should have rejoiced in the talents of David who has made Saul's throne more secure from the Philistines. Rejoicing in the talents and accomplishments of others is a virtue of HUMILITY; but Saul did not have that virtue. Rather was Saul had was the vice of ENVY: "The sadness that one's feels for the good abilities and accomplishments of another because of the delusion that those talents and goods and abilities and accomplishments of another takes away from one's own and actually are believed to belong to oneself and not that other person." So, Saul decided to seek to KILL David. But Jonathon, son of Saul, and best friend of David warned David and told him to seek refuge and hiding in a cave outside the City. Jonathon intercedes for David and shows his father, Saul, that David is innocent of all wrongdoing and actually has done great deeds for Saul; and that Saul had rejoiced in the slaining of Goliah by David. So, Saul relents for a time and lets David come home. But again the evil spirit enters Saul who thinks that all is lacking to David is the Kingship. Saul remains jealous of David even when David is the best subject Saul has in the Kingdom. David is loyal to Saul and does not at all seek the Kingship. All this is only in the imagination of Saul. ENVY is a lying to oneself about another person. But to rejoice with the goodness and abilities of another is the result of humility because HUMILITY never puts oneself at the center of things.
David tried again and again to win back the good graces of Saul. Once, when David had the opportunity to kill Saul, he just left his spear and water jug at the head of Saul who was sleeping outside because Saul was seeking to find and kill David. But when the King awoke, he knew that David had been there and could have easily killed Saul. Saul did try to repent of his jealously and envy of David; but the evil spirit had entered him; and Saul did not want to give up his desire to kill David because the King thought that if he killed David, then Saul alone would be the greatest in Israel. Killing David, he thought, was the solution to David's having stolen Saul's fame. Of course, ENVY is a kind of spiritual and emotional insanity because it is based on illusion and delusions. Finally, Saul was killed by the Philistines and David was anointed King. Again, this is a perfect example of "The meek shall inherit the earth." Meekness is having power but not exercising it." Jesus could have blown the Pharisees away with thousands of legions of angel; but Jesus was meek and did not show His power. Even before Pilate, Jesus did not command legions of angels to overrule Pilate. This not only shows Jesus' MEEKNESS; it also showed Jesus' PIETY. Jesus recognizes the legitmate authority of Pilate and respects it. Jesus explicitly tells Pilate: "You would have no authority over me unless it was given to you from Above." The virtue of Piety means we respect all authority that comes from God.
But let us look at David's Virtue of PIETY: David was so "pius" that his loyalty to God and the King (Saul) made him to not hurt Saul even when Saul was out to kill David. David respects God and all God's appointed rulers. David recognized Saul as God's anointed one. All Piety respects God and all those God has placed in legitimate authority. David always remains loyal to God as to worhipping Yahweh as the One True God of Israel. David never left the faith. And after David sinned with Bethsheba, he wrote the most beautiful act of Contrition in the History of humankind: Psalm 151: "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me according to Your great mercy....a clean heart create in me, O Lord, and do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me." David knew that the strings of the harp cannot play of themselves. He has to pluck them. Well, David knew that he was th strings of the harp, and only the Holy Spirit can pluck them. Without the Holy Spirit, David would just remain silent; we would have no Psalms of David. I know, too, that to be a writer is like being a piano key. It is the Holy Spirit who presses the right keys in me to write to you. If the Holy Spirit did not play me, this and all my blogs/books would be blank...and non-existent. When I sit down to right, the Holy Spirit comes and speaks to me in the very center of me where God dwells. Only God has access to this center; even I do not have access to this center of me....but it is where prayers inspired by God come from. In that understanding, all good in us and all that we do are only a grace from God. "All salvivic action begins in God." Even when we ask God for something and think we are doing it, it is God doing it in us because He thought to give us this gift we want first and then asks us to ask Him for it.
David knew that all the Psalms he had written were by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. When David wrote and sang those Psalms while playing the harp, there was a beauty in his face. The BEAUTY was the result of his MORAL BEAUTY. The beauty of one's soul does show on one's face. Have you seen the U.S postage stamp of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. I have purchased about $100 of those stamps to be used when I send out pro-life letters to abortion clinics - especially Planned Parenthood which is the number one killer of babies in the womb in the United States. Well, this stamp is very interesting. It was taken from a photo of her....and is perhaps the best photo of her ever taken. What is so interesting to me as an artist is that her face is by no mean "pretty"; but her face is RADIANTLY BEAUTIFUL! Why? Because her face shows her saintly soul. Her Moral Beauty makes her the most beautiful woman on the planet. The more Moral Beauty we have is due to the fact that Moral Beauty is a reflection of God's Beauty. We begin to resemble God in our very person: body and soul.
Well, David had this moral beauty. Even the giant Goliah saw that David was handsome and ruddy. But that handsomeness was not just physical. David had those piercing eyes of grace and goodness.
You know of course the famous and fierce figure of a man called "Attillla the Hun" who came to sack Rome and take it by the might and ferocity of his army. Atilla had come across the Alps with his elephants to take Rome and had full intent to do so UNTIL he had seen in a dream an old man meeting him at the gates of Rome. That old man was the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. That little holy man so impressed Attilla that the mighty worrior did not take Rome and returned home. What was it that the old man had? He had a radiant Moral Beauty.
Can we ever sin against the Virtue of PIETY? Yes, we can even when we think we are in the right. For example, what is our parents do something wrong? We know that the Fouth Commandment says: "Honor thy father and thy mother." It is the virtue of Piety that causes us to respect and honor them. But what if we see our parents do something that is seriouly wrong? Can we and should we correct them? Absolutely NOT!
Why not? Here's why not: our parents before God are placed in authority over us and are answerable to God for our instruction in the Faith and doing the right thing in all that is required of us. BUT WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO GOD FOR THEIR MORAL CONDUCT. Our parents are responsible for us to God and will have to answer if they do not correct us when we do wrong. There is an Old Testament quote that has always impressed me. God was speaking to the father of a family and says to him: "I have this against you: that you no longer correct your sons!" Also, Padre Pio told a woman who came to confession to think about her life and come back in 3 weeks. She came back and said she could not think of any sins she had committed except the one she has already mentioned to him. But he said to her: "When you came in for confessions, I saw two of your children in the fires of hell because you DID NOT CORREDT them." So, parents are directly responsible to God for correcting their children; but we children are NOT responsible for the moral conduct of our parents. We have not been appointed to be the rulers of our parents. We do not have responsibility for them. We can pray for them and make sacrifices for them. BUT we cannot correct them. If we correct them in a serious matter, then we would be committing a serious MORTAL SIN against the Virtue of Piety.
So in summary, the Virtue of PIETY keeps our eyes on the Lord..not on ourselves...but on the Lord who has given us all our talents to be used for God. Even our education which we have diligently studied to obtain, all that diligence which seems to come from the naural virtues in us was given to us by God to obtain so that we can be better able to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All is GRACE and GOODNESS from God. Look at Our Lady! He exalted her above all women of the earth. All was grace for her. The Angel Gabriel got it right when he called her "Full of Grace." - "Gratia Plena" (Latin) - "Fully Graced" (Greek).
Yes, Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man; but God has willed and created Mary that all graces given to us must first pass through her hands. Jesus said to John from the cross: "John behold thy mother. Mother behold thy son." She was given to be our mother - all of us - from all ages till now. She is mediatrix of all graces in that all graces given to us are given into her hands. This is seen perfectly when she told Jesus simply at the Wedding Feast of Cana: "They have no wine." She says that to Jesus for all of us now. She knows what we need and tells Jesus. If we go directly to talk to Jesus; that is ok...but we should end our prayer: "Through Mary". When we are in heaven, we will see this Queen of Heaven and Earth..the person whose MORAL BEAUTY exceeds all the BEAUTY of all the angels and saints combined!
Lord, Please give us the gift of Piety as Mary has and as You will us to have. In Jesus' Name we pray, through Mary, Our Mother and His..Amen.
Love, Pio who is grateful to God for my name, my life, my talents, my joys and sorrows and any suffering He has given me to win souls for Christ. Help us all to depend on You and keep our eyes on You as to not envy anyone else. Help us to see the many talents you have given us that would take many life-times to thank you for. We cannot waste time envying anyone because that would mean we have taken our eyes off of You and placed it on ourselves. So, Dearest Father, how can I THANK You for all that you have given me and for all that You have given to my brothers and sisters and friends. THANKS You, Father, for all the surprises and love You have in store for me today. But no gifts are greater than You, Yourself, and Your Son Jesus in the Holy Spirit. I thank You for all in Jesus' Name through Mary who is the most beautiful creature You have ever made. She shows gratitude to You, Father, in her beautiful person that resembles You and mirrors You. Make us beautiful, too, and how to learn from her to become beautiful as she is and does by her resembling You, O God! If You have made Mary to be the most Beautiful of all your creatures You have made, help us to be as Beautiful as You wish us to be and planned for us to be from all eternity. Make us Beautiful, Father, as You are Beautiful in our own little finite way; but still as Beautiful as You can make us to be so that for all eternity You can enjoy looking upon us with Love and we can look with awe and love upon You. Amen. Amen in Jesus' Name.
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Love, Pio xoxo
("Pio" is the ablative case of the Latin word: "Pius." So "Pio" and "Pius" are basically the same word.)
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