Displaying posts tagged with

“Prayer”

Eucharist, Life&Morality, Theology No comments yet

What is ‘Living the Mass’?

By on August 2nd, 2010

Catholics have three types of Mass. Only two are really spoken of. First is High Mass which is the Saturday evening, Sunday morning Masses. The second is the weekday masses held most commonly every day; typically held in the morning, the other in the evening. But the third Mass is what the Church calls ‘Living the Mass’.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI s...
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Living the Mass is an actual form of Mass, and the most important because it is a continual offering of our lives and devotion that is to remain in constant submission to God’s will. Allow me to take you through Holy Scripture and re-unveil a truth that the Church has always taught over her 2000 years of service.  Read more... (1306 words, 2 images, estimated 5:13 mins reading time)

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Apologetics No comments yet

Veneration of Saints

By on July 6th, 2010

Many people say to me that the veneration of saints is necromancy. This is simply not true. Not only is this untrue but it is the opposite of that very accusation – it’s actually Biblical! Allow me to show you in the Old and News Testament what the complete Bible says about the ones who are with and made alive in Jesus Christ.  Read more... (791 words, 2 images, estimated 3:10 mins reading time)

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Apologetics No comments yet

Repetitious Prayer?

By on June 20th, 2010

It has been said, beware of repetitious prayer and babbling. Jesus warns us against it in Matthew 6:7. Some say this when speaking against the prayer of the rosary. What many fail to understand is that Jesus isn’t against repetitious prayer, lest the angels who only chant “holy, holy, holy” (Revelation 4:8) around the Father’s throne are in error, but repetitious prayer that lacks righteous fervor. If repetition becomes just babbling with no conviction, then it is just as foul as non-rhetoric prayer. An example of repetitious prayer that was honorable and righteous to God was the prayer of the collector who kept beating his breast and praying “be merciful” in Luke 18:13. Or what about Christ Himself Who prayed the same thing over and over again, verbatim, in Matthew 26:44?  Read more... (443 words, 2 images, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)

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Traditions/Practices 1 comment

Fasting

By on June 19th, 2010

Fasting. It’s not as common today in the Christian practice as it had been. Some may say that it isn’t up with the times anymore. Others would say it’s because of spiritual laxity. I opt for the latter. Some would say it goes against Biblical teaching as they quote 1 Timothy 4:3. In response to the issues of fasting, I think we best consider that Christ not only mentioned fasting is a tool, but how to use this tool in Matthew 6:16-18, which indicates that we ought to use it since we were instructed in conduct.  Read more... (525 words, 2 images, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)

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Life&Morality 1 comment

Fast to Give

By on June 17th, 2010

A photo of a cup of coffee.
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Fasting can be a great way to serve the Lord. Fasting is the act of giving something up. Giving things up for the Lord helps us to focus on Him and, with prayer, align our wills with His. There can be a twofold achievement when we fast. We can take the money that we save from fasting and use it towards something that serves Him. This money can be donated to a charity, given to a homeless person or simply added to your offering in a worship service. There are many little things that would take a conscious effort to give up, but are easily accomplished.  Read more... (677 words, 2 images, estimated 2:42 mins reading time)

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Traditions/Practices No comments yet

Confession

By on June 8th, 2010

A fair amount of people ask if I pray to Jesus. I thought this very random but obliged them with an answer anyway. Yes I do. Then they proceeded to ask if I believe Jesus died for my sins. I replied, “absolutely”. Then comes the thing that mystifies them; “How can priests possibly forgive your sin? Why confession?” My brothers and sisters who ask me this don’t understand the sacrament of confession and how beautifully sound it is for man to be involved in reconciliation with God. Allow me to open up scripture and share with you the truth that God has offered us in the Bible.  Read more... (835 words, estimated 3:20 mins reading time)

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Life&Morality No comments yet

Giving God the Credit

By on May 25th, 2010

Have you ever done something for someone else and felt good about it? Maybe you feel proud that you gave something up for someone else. One thing that we often forget when we do this is that the good things we do in life are not of ourselves, but of God. I know I myself fall into this trap quite frequently. However difficult as this might be, it is necessary to strive for a state of mind where we give God credit for everything we do right. We must have the prudence to remember that it is from God’s grace that we are able to act out his will. What a gift though! To think that God lets us be His instrument to enact His will on earth. I can think of no greater honor.  Read more... (759 words, estimated 3:02 mins reading time)

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