Defense of the family - Part five. The Theology of the body & Humanae Vitae

Pope John Paul II began to teach on The theology of the body at his general audiences which were held each Wednesday at St. Peters. They were held each Wednesday from 1979 to 1984. The Holy Father began with the second creation story in Genesis. "God created man from the dust of the ground.. He blew into his nostrils the breath of life and he became a living being" Man, however was alone. God said "It is not good for the man to be alone". When the animals were created God brought them to the man and he named them but none were suitable for the man. This period is called the solitude of man. God put the first man whom he had named Adam into a sleep and took from his side a rib which became a woman.. This account is theological in nature and is not political or feminist. It is that woman was made for man and man was made complete by woman. The woman was named Eve. Scripture refers to them as husband and wife. God who created them for each other commanded them to "go forth and multiply and fill the earth" This relationship is nuptial. Marriage is their vocation. At this point we will skip foreward to Jesus crucifixion on the cross, Scripture says that the centurian opened Jesus side with a lance after he died, ( when He was in the sleep of death ). The wound in Jesus side produced blood and water. The water symbolizing Baptism  and  The  blood the Holy Eucharist, both meaning life. Christ is the bridegroom and the Church which is born from His side is the bride. Christ and his Church is nuptial from which the Sacrament of Matrimony comes.  "For this reason a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife". Adam said on seeing Eve,"this is flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone". "what God has joined let no man put asunder" "The two shall become one flesh"  The secular humanist, rationalistic mindset of human beings has fractured the original plan of God. It is the Cross of Christ that has restored the possibility of our recovering our original wholeness. We are enjoined to follow Christ and to observe the teachings of His Church to recover holiness.

Twenty Forth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This is the twenty fourth Sunday in ordinary time. The Lord in the Scriptures speaks to us about mercy and reconciliation. But we must recognize and acknowledge that we, like St. Paul, are sinners, in need of mercy and forgiveness. He says in his letter to Timothy today, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of these I am the foremost.” If St. Paul says this, so must I say it.

We are inclined to delude ourselves about this. In Mt. 9:13 Jesus says, “It is not the healthy who need a physician, but they who are sick. But go and learn what this means. I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I have come to call sinners, not the just.” Again in Mk 10:17 in the parable of the rich young man we read, “A certain man running up fell upon his knees before Him and asked Him, ‘Good Master, what shall I do to gain eternal life?’ But Jesus said to him ‘why do you call me good, no one is good but God alone.’”

In defense of the family part four - Homosexual unions

We quote from a proclamation from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on, "Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons". This document was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect with the approval of Pope John Paul II. It is dated June 3rd 2003.

                                                         INTRODUCTION

1." In recent years, various questions relating to homosexuality have been addressed with  some frequency by Pope John Paul II and by relevant Dicasteries of the Holy See. (1) Homosexuality is a troubling moral and social phenomenon, even in those countries where it does not present significant legal issues. It gives rise to greater concern in those countries that have granted or intend to grant - legal recognition to homosexual unions, which may include the possibility of adopting children. The present Considerations do not contain new doctrinal elements; they seek rather to reiterate the essential points on this question and provide arguments drawn from reason which could be used by Bishops in preparing more specific interventions, appropriate to the different situations throughout the world, aimed at protecting and promoting the dignity of marriage, the foundation of the family, and the stability of society, of which this institution is a constitutive element. The present considerations are also intended to give direction to Catholic politicians by indicating the approaches to proposed legislation in this area which would be consistent with Christian conscience. (2) Since this question relates to the natural moral law, the arguments that follow are addressed not only to those who believe in Christ, but to all persons committed to promoting and defending the common good of society".

In Defense of the Family Part Three - Marriage preparation and annulments

MARRIAGE PREPARATION:

Many will say that in this day of social revolution that it is not being realistic to point to the pre-marital preparation class with a priest to be that important. But it is probably the most important thing a couple can go through to prepare themselves to enter into a lifelong commitment with each other. It does not just involve them but the children that will come into the world as a result of their union. There is one thing that is more important and that is the quality of the union of their parents and the stability of the home in which they were raised. These two elements together; the family and the home they each come from and the preparation for marriage given them by the Catholic Church.

ANNULMENTS:

In defense of life - Part one -A- Abortion - Contraception and Contraceptive Sterilization

 What follows is a dictionary definition of "abortion" and "contraception". The dictionary, The Modern Catholic Dictionary authored by Rev. John A. Hardon, S.J. Among his collaborators were seven priests and three nuns. It carries the Imprimi Potest, Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. Father Hardon has among other degrees a doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome. He was a professor in the Institute for Advanced Studies in Catholic Doctrine at St. John's University, New York.

Defense of the family - Part two

We said in part one that the six points would be reverted to later. They are listed below.


The first paragraph dealt with the Holy Father and the Bishops that were in union with him who form the Magisterium of the Church. However Paragraph twenty five of Lumen Gentium states clearly and emphatically that when the Holy Father proclaims on faith and morals he is teaching infallibly.

In defense of the family-Part one

The Catholic faith has been, and is being redefined. We are witness to a breakdown in authority and obedience. "Whoever hears my words, says the Lord, and believes in him who sent me, has eternal life". Jn 5:24. The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church is the person of Christ. Those baptized into Him by means of water and the Holy Spirit are members of His mystical body of which He is the head. The Kingdom of Heaven, the beatific vision, eternal life are names for that supernatural condition that the immortal soul of man will partake of as a reward for his cooperation with divine grace in this life on earth. He is body and soul. At the last judgment our body will be reunited with our soul forever either in heaven or in hell. Prov.24:12, Mt. 25:12,41. St. Paul says, "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard nor has it entered the mind of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Cor 2:9

Come follow me!

This is the thirteenth Sunday of ordinary time. The theme of the scriptures today is a question for each of us to answer. What is my response to the command of the Lord to, “Follow me.”? We note that it is not an invitation but a command.

Memorial of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More

     Today I celebrated the morning Mass in memory of these two great Martyrs of the Church. In my homily I pointed out that they were victims of the heretical upheaval that started in Germany with Martin Luther. He was an Augustinian priest who led a revolt against the Pope in the early part of the sixteenth century. Our two Saints were Englishmen who lived under the reign of King Henry VIII. John Fisher was the Bishop of Rochester and Thomas More was the Kings Chancellor. Henry wanted to divorce his wife so he could marry Anne Boleyn. His petition to Rome was denied. Henry decided to revolt like Martin Luther. He took over the Church in England and made himself its head and thereby broke from the Holy See in Rome and from the Pope. He told the Bishops that they would now be taking orders from him. They all fell into line except for Bishop John Fisher who refused to renounce his loyalty to Christ and to the Holy Catholic Church. He was arrested and exiled to the Tower of London.

Father’s Day – Marriage

This is the twelfth Sunday of ordinary time in the church calendar and also Father’s day.

In the Scriptures the reference is made to God the Father, to our father in faith Abraham and to King David, ruler, shepherd and warrior.

Corpus Christi, Melchizedek

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi.

The first reading from Genesis and the 110th Psalm refer us to the King of Salem, Melchizedek. The second reading from 1COR and the Gospel from Luke speak of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. For our own benefit we should read St. Paul’s references to the King of Salem, Melchizedek and to Christ the high priest in Hebrews Chapters 5, 6, 7.

The Holy Trinity

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, three persons in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This mystery of religion is revealed to man by God Himself in the Holy Scriptures, in His Word.

Public concern for abandoned animals vs. public acceptance for partial birth abortion of children

     Harris County in Texas which includes the city of Houston supports, at tax payer expense, an office of  The Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. There is a popular t.v. program based on the work of this worthy cause.  There are special officers who investigate complaints; squad cars and large trucks that transport dogs, cats, goats and horses from the places where they have been abused or abandoned by their owners to veteranarian clinics where evaluation and surgery can take place. There is no question that the animals need help in order to save their lives. The thing that stands out in these real life situations is the compassion and concern that is exhibited by all concerned. When the animals are fit once again they are put up for adoption where the focus is, "on finding them a loving home".

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit

Today the church celebrates the solemnity of Pentecost. Fifty days after Easter. In the Jewish calendar it was known as the feast of weeks. Fifty days after Passover. The Passover was the seminal event in the story of salvation history when the Jewish people were led out of four hundred years of slavery under Egyptian rule by Moses under the direction of Yahweh, God.

Ascension, Jesus is the Kingdom

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven. The first reading is from the very beginning of the Acts of the Apostles which was written by St. Luke and the Gospel is from the very end of the 3rd Testament written also by St. Luke, the last words of the 24th Chapter.

Humanae Vitae reference the clergy sexual scandals

     If we want to address the problem  of sexual abuse by clergy, we need to go back to the teachings of  "Humanae Vitae", says a Dutch Catholic psychotherapist. This is the opening sentence of the interview of Genevieve Pollock with Gerard van den Aardweg in Haarlem, Netherlands on April 28, 2010.  Mr. Gerard van den Aardweg has worked as a therapist for fifty years specializing in cases of homosexuality and marital problems. He has taught worldwide and written extensively on homosexuality and pedophilia, as well as the relation of these issues to other topics: same sex attraction in the priesthood, "Humanae Vitae", and the effects of gay parenting. The interview continues as follows.

3rd, 5th, 6th Commandments

This is the vigil mass for the fifth Sunday of Easter and it is also the world day of prayer for vocation.
This past week in 2007 saw the church in Dallas welcome and install her seventh bishop, the most Reverend Kevin Joseph Farrell. He was most recently an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. In his homily at the mass in the cathedral on Tuesday he welcomed everyone and thanked all those who had planned and taken part in the ceremony. He said that many had asked him what plans and new programs did he have in mind. His answer was none. His only plan was the mandate given by Christ to his apostles to preach the Gospel to love God and our neighbor and to know the will of God which is our sanctification and our salvation if we will abide in it.

Indifferentism

We are living in an age of indifferentism, in an era of cynicism toward God and religion.

In the book of Revelation or the Apocalypse, the author, St. John the Evangelist is commanded by God to write letters to the seven churches in Asia Minor. To the church in Laodicea he says: “I know thy works. Thou art neither cold nor hot. I would that thou were cold or hot, but because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth.”

Third Sunday of Easter

Today is the third Sunday of Easter. The Lord is risen and the scriptures speak of the work to be done and that work is evangelization. The bringing of the Word of truth, which is Christ, to mankind, the apostles the first evangelists were fishermen. When Jesus first saw Peter and his brother Andrew as well as the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, they were fishing and the Lord said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The Gospel says, “ they left everything and followed Him.”

The "spirit of Vatican II" is a ghost that must be exorcised

     From the Ignatius Press Blog dated October 16, 2009 is an interview with His Excellency R. Walter Nickless of Sioux City, Iowa on the above topic. A topic that is identical with the purpose of this blog. Bishop Nickless states, "It is crucial that we  all grasp that the hermeneutic or interpretation of discontinuity or rupture, which many think is the settled and even official position, is not the true meaning of the Council. This interpretation sees the pre-conciliar and post-conciliar almost as two different churches. It sees the Second Vatican Council as a radical break with the past. There can be no split, however, between the Church and her faith before and after the Council. We must stop speaking of the "Pre-Vatican II" and post-Vatican II Church, and stop seeing various characteristics of the Church as "pre" and "post" Vatican II. Instead, we must evaluate them according to their intrinsic value and pastoral effectiveness in this day and age.