Snowstorm

In Virginia?  But I thought the Earth was getting to warm for it to snow anywhere?  XD

OK, now that that's out of the way, yes, it has snowed here in Virginia Beach for the first time in many years.  In fact, we got at least six or seven inches of it.  Looks like school's going to be out for the kids for at least a couple of days.

I wonder if the Sunday obligation is dispensed for this?

Wake up Catholics, Orthodox, and all Christian dominations: The World is Changing by Victor Delta Kitsune

This is Victor Delta Kitsune speaking. Most of you may have heard of me through my fanfics in the Lilo and Stitch fandom, mostly the ExpTales saga and some other works. I am here to spread a message to all of you, a wake up call on behalf of my friend and  sending this message to the Maronite Catholics, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Nestorians, Greek Orthodox, and other Christians of any Catholic or Orthodox Rite living in the Middle East such as Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria.


Right now, we live in a world without morals or ethics, we live in a world that will soon change so fast we will realize it's too late to stop it. But what I am exactly talking about? And what do we have to stop? The answer? Islam. Yes, that's right. It's Islam that must be stopped because right now, as we speak, the Muslim population in Western and Eastern Europe, to the former USSR nations, even here in America will begin to grow and turn the tide. We live in a world were we have allowed things such as birth control, condoms, and other products allow us to not worry and give a fuck about getting the girl pregnant. And abortion? Yes, the new thing that's sweeping the Western world. There are controversies surrounding it and people, we need to stop being amazed by birth control and abortion and I'll tell you why.


Personally, I have nothing against Islam, I have nothing against it but seeing how the world is changing, and the fastest growing religion is a religion founded by a man who used the sword to spread it.  As I stated, I have nothing against it but now, we have to wake up and realize that Catholicism and Orthodoxy along with other denominations will cease to exist in Europe due to Islamic immigration. Why am I making a big fuzz about it? Let's see the facts:


1. There are more mosques in France than churches and in 39 years, France will be a Islamic Republic, sorry ladies who dream of having a French man for a husband, the reality will be you'll be be stuck with a man who will beat you up and treat you like property by the time you're a sexy young woman.

2. For a culture to maintain itself for 25 years it needs to have a birth rate of 2.11 children per family, anything less, the culture will die out. The rate of 1.3% will be impossible to reverse, it will take 80 to 100 years to fix the mistake. If Western population shrinks, the culture will die out.

3. Look at England, Spain, Russia, and those countries, the Christian population is declining and will be extinct in 20-50 years and all of Europe will be replaced with Islamic governments like Islamic Republics, Sheikhdoms, Sultantes, and any other thing...



The Islamic immigration is becoming a serious threat to our cultures, our values, our honor. They are invading our countries and their objective is the complete destruction of Western culture. Britain's Christian population is going down while the Muslim population is growing like mad. We as Christians, regardless of our denomination must do two things: Reproduce and have more kids or pull out our Bibles and start thumping Muslims, preach them the Truth. God himself does not want bloodshed or death, God wants fruitful lives and prosperity for all but Muslims, they portray God as a angry dictator, a madman who demands bloodshed of anyone who refuses to convert to the "true religion". Is Islam just a religion? It's more than a religion, it's a plan of the complete destruction of Christianity and Western civilization.

What will happen when the Muslim population increases? There will be no more videogames, no more cartoons, no more werewolf or vampire stories, no more science fiction stories, no more of the good entertainment. Instead, everything will be replaced with broadcasts of Quranic recitals, and there will bloodshed of the remaining Christians because the Quran says that anything that is not Islamic must be purged because God says so. And worse of all, belly dancing will be banned. That's right, to anyone who loves belly dancing, that will be completely banned. That beautiful feminine dance, were women move those hips in that elegant and fluid manner will be completely destroyed and purged.


We must say no to the Islamic takeover. Christians of the globe, Christ needs you to preserve the True Word of God. Catholics and Orthodox, cease your hatred and differences and unite to combat the one enemy that wishes to destroy the cultures of the faithful. To the Copts of Egypt, to the Maronite Catholics, the Melkites, the Syriacs, the Nestorians, Chaldeans, and all Eastern Churches: Help us reclaim the lands we lost by expanding your populations in Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Algeria, the whole Middle East, help your fellow Arab Christians regain their ground and the courage to stand up spiritually to the Muslim overlords. Show them no fear, for whoever persecutes Christians, persecutes Christ and God.

To the Russian Orthodox Church and all the Orthodox Churches in the Former Socialist Republics: Your motherlands need you. Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Crimea, all of you do your part and increase your population by filling it or preach to the Muslims in your area, show them no fear, show them no hate or bitterness, reproduce or preach and preserve your traditions, your heritage, your past, present, and future.


To the Eastern Orthodox Churches of Europe: Put the past behind you and join with the Catholic Church, we need you to fight this spiritual Crusade, preach to all Turks, your enemies, forgive them for what they have done to you during Ottoman years and bring the Turks to the light, to the truth.


To the American People: Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, look at what's happening, our country is being slowly taken over by Muslims. Mosques here in the US now preach hatred and intolerance, the Muslim will preach their so called faith by manipulating the media, our newspapers,our politics, they seek to destroy what we value. Stop abortions, for every kid you kill, you have given the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, the Saudis, and the Iranians the chance to infiltrate our country and reproduce like rabbits, madly and with no control.


Save our cultures! Save our way of life! Save the Middle East! Save Israel! Save belly dancing!  Save the World! And save the Christian Faith.  Preach to the Muslims and bring them to the light, reproduce and keep the culture alive and flowing.




This is Victor Delta Kitsune signing off.

Deficit Goes Up, Jobs Go Down

The Washington Times, one of the few decent newspapers left in this country, carried an article this morning entitled "Stimulus price tag soars as jobless rate rises".  To quote from the article;

The economic stimulus bill's price tag has risen to $862 billion, the Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday — a $75 billion jump that's a result in part to the fact that, despite the spending, joblessness has risen and the government is paying out more than expected on unemployment benefits.

The CBO, in a new report, also said spending in fiscal 2010 will push the deficit to more than $1.3 trillion, or nearly the record $1.4 trillion deficit recorded in 2009.

That's $862 billion dollars of our money, and it's money we don't have.  Yet the Obama administration continues its policy of reckless, out of control spending.  The only bright spot is that the tax-you-to-death health care "reform" bill looks like it's DOA.

I'm sorry my liberal friends, spending like this isn't going to stimulate anything, or create new jobs.  What creates new jobs is healthy free markets.  Deficit spending kills them.

You can't have economic prosperity if you're spending yourself into oblivion, and that's all there is to it.

Prayer for the Conversion of Schismatics

Especially schismatic Traditionalist groups (SSPX, sedevacantists, etc.).

MOST Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the conversion of those who willingly separate themselves from your Church, whether by pride or by ignorance, I pray. Lord Jesus Christ, you rejoice over the recovery of those lost sheep. Give us the strength to present the truth to the schismatics. Shower your tender mercy on them, and grant them the grace to see the truth that is presented to them. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for them.

Pax Christi.

Blurb From the March For Life

I found this via Human Events; a speech given by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), co-chairmen of the House Pro-Life Caucus.

“President Obama, is it really so hard to understand that abortion is violence against children, a pernicious form of child abuse, falsely marketed as choice, a human right, health care and safe?  Abortion isn't health care.  There is nothing whatsoever benign, healing or nurturing about abortion.

“Safe? Certainly not for the 52 million babies who have been dismembered or chemically poisoned or starved to death since 1973.  And certainly not for women, who have been hurt physically and psychologically, and the medical data strongly suggests abortion even causes prematurity in a significant percentage of children born to women who have undergone abortion.

“Safe for women?  At least 102 studies show significant psychological harm, major depression and even higher incidences of suicide in women who abort. This has been covered up.

“Safe for women? At least 28 studies -- including three in 2009 -- show that an abortion increases the risk of breast cancer by some 30-40 percent or more, yet the abortion industry has largely succeeded here as well in suppressing those facts.

“Nevertheless, according to the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, 2009 was a pivotal year in the debate about the abortion breast cancer link.  Three studies were published from Turkey, China and the United States which matter-of-factly demonstrate the abortion breast cancer link as one of many breast cancer risk factors.

“For example, the recent U.S. study by Jessice Dolle of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center demonstrated that abortion raises breast cancer risk by 40%.  Study co-authors included Janet Daling and Louise Brinton.  Amazingly, Brinton was a chief organizer of the 2003 National Cancer Institute (NCI) workshop denying the link.  Now a study she co-authored reiterates the link and reports them as consistent with earlier studies that found induced abortion to be a risk factor for breast cancer.

“Abortion, safe?  Not for subsequent children of women who have had an abortion. At least 113 studies show a dramatic association between abortion and preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies--36% after one abortion, a staggering 93% after two.  In like manner, abortion causes lower birth weights in subsequent children.  Prematurity and low birth weight are leading causes of disability in children.

“Abortion is a serious human rights abuse, Mr. President."

Thank you Rep. Smith.  We'll keep up the good fight.

Mass Readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading:  Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the the seventh month.  And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.  And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden pulpit which they  had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithi'ah, Shema, Anai'ah, Uri'ah, Hilki'ah, and Ma-asei'ah on his right hand; and Pedai'ah, Mish'a-el, Malchi'jah, Hashum, Hash-bad'danah, Zechari'ah, and Meshul'lam on his left hand.  And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people; and when he opened it all the people stood.  And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God; and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands; and they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.  And they read from the book, from the law of God, clearly; and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.  And Nehemi'ah, who was governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep."  For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.  The he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Psalm:  Psalm 19:8-10, 15
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the hear; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether
More to be desired they are than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:12-30
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free -- and all were made to drink of one Spirit.  For the body does not consist of one member but of many.  If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body.  And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing?  If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?  But as it is, God arrange the organs in the body, each one of them, as he chose.  If all were a single organ, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.  The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."  On the contrary, the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are indispensable, and these parts of the body which we think less honorable we invest with greater honor, and our unrepresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require.  But God has so composed the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, that there many be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.  Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues.  Are all apostles?  Are all prophets?  Are all teachers?  Do all work miracles?  Do all possess gifts of healing?  Do all speak with tongues?  Do all interpret?

Gospel:  Luke 1:1-4
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those from the beginning were eye witnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent The-oph'ilus, that you may know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed.

VERBUM DOMINI

Please Pray for My Friend

My friend Nicole, aka Vetrina, has to have heart surgery to repair a hole in the septum of her heart.  The procedure sounds fairly routine, but she's scared and needs our help and our prayers to get through this.  Please offer yours in the comments section of this post.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, hear the prayers of your servants for Nicole, my friend, who is facing surgery on her own heart.  Give her your healing grace and protect her as she undergoes vital surgery to repair her heart.  Amen.

Obama Pick Supports Stifling Religious Belief

I came across this little gem while surfing around CNSNews.com

(CNSNews.com) - Chai Feldblum, the Georgetown University law professor nominated by President Obama to serve on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, has written that society should “not tolerate” any “private beliefs,” including religious beliefs, that may negatively affect homosexual “equality.”

Feldblum, whose nomination was advanced in a closed session of the Senate Health Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on December 12, published an article entitled “Moral Conflict and Liberty: Gay Rights and Religion” in the Brooklyn Law Review in 2006.

Lovely eh?  Apparently, in the words of this extreme liberal pick by Obama, people don't have the right to hold their private religious views if they offend somebody.  I bring this up because it's just another example of the extreme secular liberalism that is infecting the Obama administration, and indeed society as a whole.

Feeling buyer's remorse yet, Catholic Obama voters?

Memorial of St. Agnes, Martyr

From CatholicCulture.org:

St. Agnes (c. 304) like St. Cecilia, is to be numbered among the most famous martyrs of Rome. When the Diocletian persecution was at its height, and when priests as well as laymen were apostatizing from the faith, Agnes, a girl of twelve, freely chose to die for Christ. When she was commanded to offer incense to false gods, she raised her hand to Christ and made the Sign of the Cross. When the heathens threatened to bind her hand and foot, she herself hastened to the place of torture as a bride to her wedding feast. Pain had no terror for her—although the fetters slipped from her small hands while even the pagan bystanders were moved to tears.

When the son of the Roman prefect offered to marry her, she replied: "The one to whom I am betrothed is Christ Whom the angels serve." When the executioner, who was to behead her, hesitated, she encouraged him with the words: "Strike, without fear, for the bride does her Spouse an injury if she makes Him wait". The name of "Agnes" means "lamb-life," and hence the lamb is the symbol of the modesty and innocence of the virgin-martyr.

Prayer
Let us gain courage for our own battle by honoring the martyrdom of the glorious virgin Agnes. St. Agnes, vessel of honor, flower of unfading fragrance, beloved of the choirs of Angels, you are an example to the worth of virtue and chastity. O you who wear a Martyr's palm and a virgin's wreath, pray for us that, though unworthy of a special crown, we may have our names written in the list of Saints.

All: Alleluia

New Laptop

Recently, my old laptop crapped out and stopped working.  I've lost just about all my Word files, which is a pain in the tuckus because now I'll have to restart all the stories that I had saved on it.

But now I've gotten a Dell Inspiron and have it all set up.  Now if I could just find my flash drive so I could back everything up XD.

I'll also be saying a Sacred Heart novena for the people of Haiti.  Please join me in this.  You can find the novena here

God Bless.

Coakley Says "No" to Conscience Clauses

A little blurb from the Senatorial race in Massachussetts.  Democratic candidate Martha Coakley was asked in a media interview 3 days ago about whether or not she supported conscience clauses for health care workers.  These clauses protect them from being forced to perform medical procedures that they have a moral objection to.  Martha's response?  A resounding NO.

She even went as far as to say that emergency room workers who object to performing procedures such as abortions "shouldn't work in the emergency room."  Translation:  You don't want to perform procedures you object to, you should find another job.

I'm not really surprised.  A quick visit to the "Equal Rights and Opportunities" section of her issues page shows she intends to protect "reproductive rights"; in other words, work in the interests of the abortion industry, which doesn't like the idea of conscience clauses one bit.

Poll after poll shows the American people support conscience clauses.  Even President Obama himself supports them, so I've been told.  Yet Mrs. Coakley doesn't seem to care.  To the people of Massachussetts; do you really want this woman as your Senate representative?

Hits the Nail on the Head

http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/secular_stampede/ this article from the National Catholic Register does.

Indeed, the biggest threat to religious liberty nowadays is a rampant secularism that sees faith as some sort of dangerous influence or even a disease (no joke, I've heard atheists suggest religious belief should be treated as a public health hazard).  Our society needs round the clock prayer to drive it back.

Are you game?

Please Pray for the People of Haiti

The nation of Haiti has been hit by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake.  Thousands are feared dead, and even more have been left homeless and injured and without power and other basic necessities.

These people need our prayers.  Please post your prayers in the comment box.

Read This....

[link]

Well written Catholic World Report article about why same-sex "marriage" failed in Maine.

Primer: Ordinary Time

In order to keep this blog focused on things relating to the faith, I'm going to start a series of primers on the seasons of the liturgical year.  I'll start with Ordinary Time and end with Advent and Christmastide.  I'll keep these primers simple, with a Q&A format.

Alright then, let's go.  =)

Q:  What is Ordinary Time?
A:  Ordinary Time (also called Tempus per annum, or "Time throught the year") is a season of the Christian (especially Catholic) liturgical year for the time period that does not fall during one of the "Great Seasons" (Advent, Christmastide, Lent, Easter)

Q:  Why is it called "Ordinary Time"?
A:  It is called Ordinary Time because it does not fall during Advent, Christmas, Lent or Easter.  It doesn't mean we get a break from the liturgical year; rather, we emphasize "the mystery of Christ in all its aspects".

Q:  What does Ordinary Time symbolize or celebrate?
A:  Ordinary Time celebrates/symbolizes the Holy Trinity.  The readings at Mass for Ordinary Time also focus on Christ's earthly ministry.

Q:  When is Ordinary Time and how long is it?
Ordinary Time is actually divided up into two periods; the first period begins after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (January 6) and ends on Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of Lent.  The second period begins after Pentecost and continues until the first Sunday of Advent.  In total, Ordinary Time lasts 33 to 34 weeks.

Q:  Are there any feasts associated with Ordinary Time?
A:  There are several Sundays during Ordinary Time that have feast days attached to them.  These include; Trinity Sunday (May 30 in 2010), Corpus Christi (Thursday after Trinity Sunday), All Saints Day (November 1), the Assumption of Mary (August 15) and Christ the King (November 21st in 2010)

Q:  What are the liturgical colors associated with Ordinary Time?
A:   The most common liturgical color associated with Ordinary Time is green, but different colors are used on feast days, the main one being white.

Q:  Are there any prayers/devotions associated with Ordinary Time?
A:  There are numerous prayers of various themes associated with Ordinary Time; the best ones are assigned to the various feast days, including; The Litany to the Most Holy Trinity (Trinity Sunday) , The Litany of the Saints (All Saints Day), and the Domine Iesu Christe, Rex gloriae and Domine Deus Omnipotens Rex Regum for Christ the King.

Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Taking a break from the poison of eco-terrorism and "whales first, humans last" nonsense, I present this novena.

I. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request)


Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.


II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of.......(here name your request) Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be To the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.


III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of.....(here name your request) Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.

Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

I'll certainly be saying this one for all my fellow sinners, SSCS included.

Animal Planet and Sea Shepherd: A Marriage that Needs Annulment

In the "it's-a-little-bit-too-late-because-it's-already-hit-the-fan" department, Animal Planet has issued a belated "statement" regarding the recent collision between the Sea Shepherd batboat Ady Gil and the Japanese whaler Shonan Maru.

(January 6, 2010) – On Wednesday, January 6, 2010 in the Southern Ocean, an ancillary vessel from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the Ady Gil, and the Japanese security ship, the Shonan Maru No. 2, physically collided, leaving the much smaller Ady Gil sinking and unsalvageable.  According to the Sea Shepherd, the Japanese vessel rammed the Ady Gil while the Ady Gil was motionless.  However, Japan’s Institute for Cetacean Research reports that the Ady Gil collided with the Shonan Maru No. 2.
Sea Shepherd has reported that all on the Ady Gil have been safely transported to their newest ship, the Bob Barker.  Of the six crew on the Ady Gil, one cameraman, Simeon Houtman of New Zealand, was part of the production crew hired by Animal Planet to document the activities of the Seas Shepherds in the series WHALE WARS.  He sustained minor injuries during the collision.  In total, the production crew has 16 members currently embedded on the Bob Barker and the Sea Shepherd’s primary vessel, the Steve Irwin.
Said Animal Planet president and general manager Marjorie Kaplan, of the engagement at sea, “We’re very concerned that all of the players – on both sides of the “war” – should come out of this conflict unharmed.  It’s indicative of how critical this conservation story is that these individuals are willing to risk their lives for what they believe.”

Collision?  Some collision, as video taken from the Shonan Maru clearly shows a wake forming behind the Ady Gil seconds before the whaler hits it.  

And even if it were true that the whaler rammed the Ady Gil, I doubt I can place much blame on them, even if I very much disagree with such an action.  Before the collision, the batboat had been criss-crossing in front of the whaler's bow, shining a laser device into the eyes of the crew which causes temporary blindness.  Non-lethal perhaps, but certainly dangerous at sea.  And, as well publicized, SSCS ships routinely ram the Japanese whaling vessels, so any complaints about being rammed in retaliation, as wrong as it is, are hypocritical.

SSCS is unlikely to ever change its tactics though.  Their insane "whales first, humans last" philosophy naturally leads them to take an "anything goes" approach, include antagonistic and frankly terroristic actions.

I'm going to say it right now; Animal Planet must cancel the show "Whale Wars" and sever all ties with this evil group.  I ask everyone reading this post to write to and petition the network heads of both Animal Planet and Discovery Networks, which owns it, to cancel the show.  Eco-terrorism does not belong on prime-time TV.

In addition, we must pray for these misguided souls.  They are in sore need of God's mercy and blessing, that they might find the real truth and see the error of their ways.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.


God, our Father in heaven, you are the hope of all the lost.  We ask you to pour our your mercy on the misguided souls of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.  We ask you to put the grace of repentance in their hearts, that they will abandon their sinful methods of protest and seek to defeat the things they stand against with love and mercy in their hearts.  Amen



Mary, Mother of God, pray for them.  Amen.

Please Pray for These Souls

http://www.newsday.com/news/world/us-mother-baby-girl-killed-by-elephant-in-kenya-1.1686478?qr=1

For Sharon and Margaux Brown;

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  
May they rest in peace.
Amen.

Sea Shepherd Ship Damaged in Collision

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34722032/ns/world_news-world_environment/?gt1=43001

According to this article, Sea Shepherd's fancy batboat the Ady Gil, was damanged in a collision with a Japanese whaling ship, the Shonan Maru.  Sea Shepherd, per it's modus operandi, was out in the south ocean with their pirate ships harassing the Japanese fleet and putting the lives of their sailors at risk.

Of course, the group is crying that the Japanese deliberately rammed their ship.  I don't know what the Japanese did, but I take this claim with a grain of salt, simply because of this group's "anything goes" philosophy (which explains their terrorist tactics like throwing acid on decks and even ramming "enemy" boats), I wouldn't put it past them to deliberately park their boat in the way so it will get hit and they have more propaganda to sell to their deluded followers and supporters.

This is a group that holds to an immoral philosophy that denies the sanctity of human life and man's God-given stewardship over the earth.  This is a group that resorts to piratical, terroristic tactics in order to get it's message across.  This is an organization that deserves none of our moral support, and even less of our dollars.

May they come to realize the foolishness of their ideals.

Call No Man Father?

Protestants love to quote Matthew 23:9 in their attacks against the Catholic priesthood.

"And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven."

Catholics call their priests "father".  Therefore, they are disobeying Jesus, they say.  Some even go as far as to say we deify priests by calling them "Father".

But is that the case?  Let's see what else the Bible has to say.

Let's look at Matthew 23:8;

But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master; and all you are brethren.

 Jesus here commands  us not to call anyone "rabbi" either.  "Rabbi" basically means "teacher".  But don't Protestants call their teachers "teacher", in a pinch calling them "rabbi"?  If Protestants are going to argue that we shouldn't call anyone "Father" then they should also argue we shouldn't call anyone "Teacher" either.

Further, the passage is never quoted in context.  Protestants using it to attack the Catholic priesthood ignore Matthew 23:6-7

"and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the marketplace and being called "rabbi" by men."

Jesus words aren't meant to be taken literally here.  He was using hyperbole to make a point, in this case, the pride of the Pharisees and their grasping after marks of prestige.

Christ uses hyperbole often in the Gospels, as in Matthew 5:29

"If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell."

Is Jesus really calling on us to mutilate ourselves?  No, He is using hyperbole here in the same manner as in Matthew 23:9; in this case, admonishing us to avoid sin.  If Matthew 23:9 is to be taken literally, than we would not even be able to call our own biological fathers "father", just as if Matthew 5:29 were taken literally, we would all be blind!

The book of Acts contains these two examples;

"Who said: Ye men, brethren, and fathers, hear. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charan." Acts 7:2

"Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye the account which I now give unto you."  Acts 22:1

 What's happening here?  The Apostles are addressing the elders of the Church and giving them the title of "father".  How another interpretation can be gleamed from this, I just can't see.

Not only that, but they also refer to Abraham as "our father Abraham".  Abraham was certainly a religious elder as they were.  Paul even refers to Issac as "our father Issac" in Romans 9:10.

Paul frequently refers to Timothy as his child in his epistles.

"Therefore I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church." (1 Corinthians 4:17)

"To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."  (1 Timothy 1:2)

"To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."  (2 Timothy 1:2)

He also referred to Timothy as his son;

"This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my son, is accordance with the prophetic utterances which pointed to you, that inspired by them you may wage the good warfare
."  (1 Timothy 1:18)

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."  (2 Timothy 2:1)

"But Timothy's worth you know, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the Gospel."  (Philippians 2:22)

Paul, as we know, is not Timothy's biological father.  Why is he then calling Timothy his child?  The answer; Paul is referring to him as a son in the spiritual sense.  Paul is Timothy's spiritual father, just as priests are the spiritual fathers of Catholics.

Paul referred to other converts in the same manner.

"To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior."  (Titus 1:4)

 "I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment."  (Philemon 10)

It must be be said again; none of these men were Paul's biological children.  In these passages, Paul is emphasizing his spiritual fatherhood with them.

Perhaps the most pointed passage of spiritual fatherhood comes from this statement by Paul;

"I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as as my beloved children.  For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers.  For I became your father through Christ Jesus through the gospel."  (1 Corinthians 4:14-15, emphasis mine)

Peter followed the same custom by referring to Mark as his son:

"She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark."  (1 Peter 5:13)

John does likewise.

"My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Christ Jesus the righteous; (1 John 2:1)

"No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth."  (3 John 4)

John goes on further to refer to the men in his congregation as "fathers" in 1 John 2:13-14.

In referring to these people as spiritual sons and spiritual children, Paul, Peter, and John emphasize their role as spiritual fathers.  Catholics, when they call their priests "father" recognize them as their spiritual fathers, and the priests follow the example of the apostles by calling them "my son" or "my child".

To fail to recongnize this is to fail to recognize an honor a gift from God. 

The Feast of the Epiphany

From Catholicculture.org:

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany. "The Lord and ruler is coming; kingship is his, and government and power." With these words the Church proclaims that today's feast brings to a perfect fulfillment all the purposes of Advent. Epiphany, therefore, marks the liturgical zenith of the Advent-Christmas season. — Pius Parsch 

The Solemnity of the Epiphany is celebrated either on January 6 or, according to the decision of the episcopal conference, on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. The young Messiah is revealed as the light of the nations. Yet, as the antiphon for the Magnificat at Second Vespers reminds us, three mysteries are encompassed in this solemnity: the adoration of the Christ Child by the Magi, the Baptism of Christ and the wedding feast at Cana. Extra candles and/or lamps may be placed around the sanctuary and in other parts of the church to honor Christ revealed as the Light of the Gentiles (Ceremonial of Bishops). It is customary to replace the images of the shepherds at the crib with the three Magi and their gifts. — Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year, Msgr. Peter J. Elliott, Ignatius Press

Epiphany Readings




First Reading:  Isaiah 60:1-6

1	Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2	For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.
3	And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4	Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms.
5	Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6	A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Mid'ian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD

Psalm:  Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13

1	Give the king thy justice, O God, and thy righteousness to the royal son!
2	May he judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with justice!
7	In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
8	May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!
10	May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
11	May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
12	For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
13	He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.

Second Reading:  Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

2	assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,
3	how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
5	which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6	that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

 Gospel:  Matthew 2:1-12

1	Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying,
2	"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him."
3	When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
4	and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5	They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet:
6	`And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'"
7	Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared;
8	and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."
9	When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10	When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy;
11	and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12	And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Prayer

This prayer was taken from the Mozarabic Breviary.

Thou, O Lord, art the Star of truth, that riseth out of Jacob, and the man that springeth from Israel. In the new Star thou showest thyself as God, and lying in the Crib God and Man, we confess thee to be the one Christ. In thy great mercy grant us the grace of seeing thee, and show unto us the radiant sign of thy light, whereby all the darkness of our sins may be put to flight: that so we who now languish with the desire of seeing thee, may be refreshed with the enjoyment of that blissful vision. Amen.