Fr. Barron on the SCOTUS Same-Sex "Marriage" Ruling

Father Robert Barron, author/host of The Catholicism Series and founder of the Word on Fire apostolate, comments on the Supreme Court's recent decision on same-sex "marriage." Fr. Barron frames his discussion on historical events dating back to the founding of the United States.

The End Game:Loss of Religious Liberty

Spiritual Toolbox:Holy Week and the Triduum

A Triduum Triptych by Stephen Crotts (via Facebook)

Holy Week

Palm Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week. Today the Church amps up the liturgy as we get even closer to Easter. Early today and sometimes Wednesday night (Vigil Mass) the Church celebrates the Chrism Mass where all the liturgical oils are blessed by the local bishop as he is joined by all the priests of the diocese.

Rich Liturgy

This evening's Mass, Holy Thursday, marks the beginning of the shortest season on the Catholic Liturgical Calendar - The Triduum and the end of Lent. The term literally means "three days" and refers to the the three days of Christ's passion and death leading up to his glorious resurrection on Easter. The main lesson we can draw about this season is that we should experience it in its the totality. I recently wrote in a post on holiness, in which I argued that God provides us with all the tools necessary to answer the call to be holy. One of those tools is the liturgy. I cannot think of a richer liturgy than that celebrated on the three days of the Triduum.

Second Chances

Perhaps, like me, you found yourself lacking this Lenten season. Maybe you failed to practice all the good intentions of more prayer, daily Mass, or some other spiritual exercise. While all those practices are all important to our spiritual growth, we can still realign ourselves through the liturgy of the Triduum. It's not too late. Isn't incredible that the Lord is constantly giving us opportunities to reorient ourselves to Him?

Resources

Here are some additional resources to use in reflection for the next three days:

• Holy Week Retreat, Father Pablo Straub
• The Easter Triduum: Entering into the Paschal Mystery, Carl E. Olson
• 18 Questions on the Paschal Triduum, USCCB

I still think Father Corapi's Triduum talks were some of the best on the subject. While he may no longer be in public ministry, that does not undermine the truth of what he taught. If you do an Internet search (keywords: Father Corapi + Triduum), the talks can still be located.

Busted Halo's Video on Holy Week

Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

The Holy Name
Today, the Church celebrates the optional Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Sacred Scripture tells us:

⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Phil 2:9-11]

The name of Jesus is holy and powerful (cf. Lk 10:17). To aid us in reflecting on His Holy Name, we have included the text of the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus as well as a video from EWTN.

Daily Aspiration
As we start the new year with the intention of recommitting to our particular spiritual development, perhaps we could consider incorporating one of the lines from the Litany as an aspiration.

The Video


Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus
V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
V. God the Father of Heaven
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Holy Spirit,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Holy Trinity, one God,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Jesus, Son of the living God, R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father, [etc.]
Jesus, brightness of eternal light.
Jesus, King of glory.
Jesus, sun of justice.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary.
Jesus, most amiable.
Jesus, most admirable.
Jesus, the mighty God.
Jesus, Father of the world to come.
Jesus, angel of great counsel.
Jesus, most powerful.
Jesus, most patient.
Jesus, most obedient.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
Jesus, lover of chastity.
Jesus, lover of us.
Jesus, God of peace.
Jesus, author of life.
Jesus, example of virtues.
Jesus, zealous lover of souls.
Jesus, our God.
Jesus, our refuge.
Jesus, father of the poor.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful.
Jesus, good Shepherd.
Jesus, true light.
Jesus, eternal wisdom.
Jesus, infinite goodness.
Jesus, our way and our life.
Jesus, joy of Angels.
Jesus, King of the Patriarchs.
Jesus, Master of the Apostles.
Jesus, teacher of the Evangelists.
Jesus, strength of Martyrs.
Jesus, light of Confessors.
Jesus, purity of Virgins.
Jesus, crown of Saints.

V. Be merciful, R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Be merciful, R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.

V. From all evil, R. deliver us, O Jesus.
From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus.
From Your wrath, [etc.]
From the snares of the devil.
From the spirit of fornication.
From everlasting death.
From the neglect of Your inspirations.
By the mystery of Your holy Incarnation.
By Your Nativity.
By Your Infancy.
By Your most divine Life.
By Your labors.
By Your agony and passion.
By Your cross and dereliction.
By Your sufferings.
By Your death and burial.
By Your Resurrection.
By Your Ascension.
By Your institution of the most Holy Eucharist.
By Your joys.
By Your glory.

V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. have mercy on us, O Jesus.

V. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let us pray.

O Lord Jesus Christ, You have said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you." Grant, we beg of You, to us who ask it, the gift of Your most divine love, that we may ever love You with our whole heart, in word and deed, and never cease praising You.

Give us, O Lord, as much a lasting fear as a lasting love of Your Holy Name, for You, who live and are King for ever and ever, never fail to govern those whom You have solidly established in Your love. R. Amen.

Time to Re-Evaluate Your Plan of Life

Black Eyed Peas and Resolutions
We associate New Year's Eve with parties and 12 O'clock kisses. New Year's Day is associated with black eyed peas and New Year's resolutions. At Joe Catholic we have associated the start of the new year as an opportunity to evaluate and initiate Spiritual Plans of Life, in other words an organized system of daily prayer.

Online Series
This Saturday we will have our 10th annual workshop on this topic. Today, we begin an online series on developing a spiritual game plan by sharing last year's talk. In the days to follow we will share resources, systems and tips for helping you implement and succeed at developing your daily prayer regimen.

Last Year's Workshop Video

The Jesse Tree, An Advent Tradition

From Catholic Company

Advent Tradition

The Jesse Tree is an Advent tradition in which Bible verses and ornaments are used to trace the salvation history of Christ. The name comes from Isaiah:

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2)

Arts and Crafts

Some people make ornaments that symbolize the day's scripture and place them on their regular Christmas tree. Others set aside a smaller tree of some sort to put the ornaments on. If you have children this can be a great arts and crafts activity to do as a family. Since all of our children are grown and out of the house, we use the Jesse Tree pewter advent wreath because it combines the Advent Wreath lighting with the Jesse Tree tradition. Each day you light the candle, you reflect on one of the scripture passages. The wreath itself has the symbols on its base. The image above is a photo of that wreath.

Scriptural Guide

For a scriptural guide to use with your particular Jesse Tree, I recommend Dr. Italy’s collection.

Video:

Here's a brief YouTube video from the Catholic Company demonstrating the Jesse Tree Advent Wreath.

Video: St. John Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests

Today is the memorial of St. John Mary Vianney, patron of parish priests. Here's a quick talk we gave on his life and lessons last year. At the bottom of the video, I have included links to longer reflections on the life of St. John Vianney.

Additional Resources:

• Saint Talk: St. John Vianney
• St. John Vianney, Patron of Priests

Video: Fr. Robert Barron on Intentional Discipleship

Two weeks ago we discussed practical strategies for evangelizing in the modern world. Today, I'd like to share a video from Fr. Robert Barron, author of the Catholicism miniseries and Word on Fire YouTube channel. In the video Fr. Barron discusses the 5 stages a person may be experiencing in terms of their openness to evangelization.

Bishop Olson on the Immigration Crisis

Bishop Michael Olson, via Catholic News Agency

The Last Word
Our own Bishop Olson was on MSNBC's The Last Word discussing what the Ft. Worth Diocese is doing for the Central and South American children who have been entering the United States. He also answered questions related to Pope Francis' recent statements on the issue. As you watch the video below, make note of Bishop Olson's use of the terms "solidarity," "human dignity" and "preferential treatment" for those less fortunate. These are all principles of Catholic Social Doctrine, which we covered in our last Joe Catholic Workshop. I am including the videos from that session as well.

Bishop Olson on MSNBC


Joe Catholic on Catholic Social Doctrine Part 1


Joe Catholic on Catholic Social Doctrine Part 2

 
Recommended Reading:

• Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching, USCCB
• Compendium of Catholic Social Doctrine of the Church
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1928-1948

Video: Another Voice of the New Evangelization

Watch the reaction (especially the judges) and you will see the seeds of conversion. This IS the New Evangelization!

Video: Pope Francis One Year Anniversary

As we acknowledge the one year anniversary of Pope Francis being elected, here's a video reflection on Year One from Outside Da Box:
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Video: Fr. Robert Barron on Original Sin

Father Robert Barron, host and author of the Catholicism Mini-Series, examines the state of our current culture in terms related to the fall of Adam and Eve, which is outlined in today's first reading from Genesis.

Video: The Meat Police

Every year the Texas state high school debate tournament would take place during Lent. I had a tradition of going out to eat with my old debate mentor, Alex Prichard, on Friday of the tournament. Every time we got together, I needed to remind him that I needed to eat somewhere that served fish or other meatless options. He would retort, "Do you think you are going to go to hell on a meat rap (charge)?" Glad I never gave in to the temptation, because now it is confirmed that there is a Meat Police.

Lenten Reflections with Father Barron

It's not too late to sign up for the daily Lenten reflections with Fr. Robert Barron, host of the Catholicism miniseries and Word on Fire author and speaker.

Saint Talk:St. Matthias, Apostle

From the Workshop of Simone Martini

Apostle

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Matthias, the Apostle. Although Matthias was not one of the original twelve he is counted among the apostles because he was chosen to replace Judas. He was chosen by the drawing of lots from those men who had been part of the original followers who had been with Jesus since His baptism (Acts 1:21-26). 

Patronage

St. Matthias is the patron saint of carpenters and tailors

Pictorial Lives of the Saints
AFTER our Blessed Lord’s ascension His disciples met together, with Mary His mother, and the eleven apostles, in an upper room at Jerusalem. The little company numbered no more than one hundred and twenty souls. They were waiting for the promised coming of the Holy Ghost, and they persevered in prayer. Meanwhile there was a solemn act to be performed on the part of the Church, which could not be postponed. The place of the fallen Judas must be filled up, that the elect number of the apostles might be complete. St. Peter, therefore, as Vicar of Christ, arose to announce the divine decree. That which the Holy Ghost had spoken by the mouth of David concerning Judas, he said, must be fulfilled. Of him it had been written, “His bishopric let another take.” A choice, therefore, was to be made of one among those who had been their companions from the beginning, who could bear witness to the resurrection of Jesus. Two were named of equal merit, Joseph called Barsabas, and Matthias. Then, after praying to God, who knows the hearts of all men, to show which of these He had chosen, they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, who was forthwith numbered with the apostles. It is recorded of the Saint, thus wonderfully elected to so high a vocation, that he was above all remark able for his mortification of the flesh. It was thus he made his election sure.

Reflection.—Our ignorance of many points in St. Matthias’s life serves to fix the attention all the more firmly upon these two—the occasion of his call to the apostolate, and the fact of his perseverance. We then naturally turn in thought to our own vocation and our own end.

(Source: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, 133)

Video:

Saint Talk:St. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr

Source: WikiCommons

Bishop and Martyr
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Polycarp, Bishop and martyr. Polycarp was a 2nd century bishop of Smyrna and is recalled as one of the chief Apostolic Fathers.

Patronage:
St. Polycarp is the patron of earaches and dysentery.

From Pictorial Lives of the Saints
ST. POLYCARP, Bishop of Smyrna, was a disciple of St. John. He wrote to the Philippians, exhorting them to mutual love and to hatred of heresy. When the apostate Marcion met St. Polycarp at Rome, he asked the aged saint if he knew him. “Yes,” St. Polycarp answered, “I know you for the firstborn of Satan.” These were the words of a saint most loving and most charitable, and specially noted for his compassion to sinners. He hated heresy because he loved God and man so much. In 167, persecution broke out in Smyrna. When Polycarp heard that his pursuers were at the door, he said, “The will of God be done;” and meeting them, he begged to be left alone for a little time, which he spent in prayer for “the Catholic Church throughout the world.” He was brought to Smyrna early on Holy Saturday: and as he entered, a voice was heard from heaven, “Polycarp, be strong.” When the proconsul besought him to curse Christ and go free, Polycarp answered, “Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me wrong; how can I blaspheme my King and Saviour?” When he threatened him with fire, Polycarp told him this fire of his lasted but a little, while the fire prepared for the wicked lasted forever. At the stake he thanked God aloud for letting him drink of Christ’s chalice. The fire was lighted, but it did him no hurt; so he was stabbed to the heart, and his dead body was burnt. “Then,” say the writers of the Acts, “we took up the bones, more precious than the richest jewels or gold, and deposited them in a fitting place, at which may God grant us to assemble with joy to celebrate the birthday of the martyr to his life in heaven!” (Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, 79)

Video:
Here's a great video that gives a detailed account of Polycarp's unusual martyrdom. This is from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology:

Video: Pope Francis Speaks to Protestant Conference

Pope Francis is up to his surprises again. He recently sent a brief video greeting to Protestant evangelist, Kenneth Copeland, praying for unity among all Christians. Here is the short version of Pope Francis' message:


Here's the longer version with the opening sequence featuring Bishop Tony Palmer (Anglican). For a full transcript of Pope Francis' greeting visit Aggie Catholics.

Video: Fr. Robert Barron on the Call of the Disciples

Saint Talk: Saint Blaise, Patron of Throat Ailments

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Blaise, the patron of throat ailments. When St. Blaise was Bishop of Sibastea, a woman brought her son to him. The boy had a fish bone lodged in his throat. St. Blaise laid hands on the boy and the bone was expelled. Now on the feast of St. Blaise we can go to Mass and have our throats blessed with candles. In the not so distant past this was done with the candles lit. So during this cold and flu season you can ask for St. Blaise's intercession.

Video:Local News Interview with Bishop-Elect Olson

This Wednesday, Bishop-Elect Michael F. Olson will be ordained and installed as the Fort Worth Diocese's new bishop. He will be first priest from Ft. Worth to be elevated to that position and he will become the fourth bishop in the diocese's history. He recently gave an interview with a local news station. Here is the video: