Breaking News from Whispers: Archbishop Sambi, R.I.P.

Rest Well, Big Boss

Having received credible reports from multiple sources, these pages are heartbroken to relay word that the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, died earlier tonight at 73.

As previously reported here, the veteran diplomat -- Pope Benedict's representative to these shores since 2006 -- had been in grave condition at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore following a radical procedure early this month that reportedly involved the removal of half of one of his lungs. Having been kept sedated and on a ventilator since complications arose in the surgery's wake, a decision on continuing treatment was expected before the end of the week.

In his final hours, the Nuncio's sister, niece and nephew were said to be at his bedside after having been called over last week.

More to come. Above all, though, blessings and peace be upon a great friend to so many of us... God love our "Super-Nuncio" forever.

 This post is copied from WHISPERS IN THE LOGGIA:
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2011/07/rest-well-big-boss.html

Quote of the Day

"Aversion to the stench of the poor is a failuure in charity."

-- St. John of the Cross

You've got to be kidding me...

So, apparently, Lifechurch.tv (what the crap?) in my beloved state of Oklahoma has decided to utilize recent hit movies as themes for worship and decor.  Although I appreciate the creativity and hard work required for this, I am amazed that so many of my Protestant brothers and sisters actually view this as worship.

When did giving praise to God become entertainment for those worshipping?  I can, to an extent, understand one's personal preference on certain issues, but to turn prayer into a specticle for one's own gratification fails the litmus test for me.  I am hard pressed to find God in much or any of this...

Here's a link to NewsOK report on the "Church of 'Tron.'"  Enjoy... and pray:

Warr Acres church lobby becomes video game world of ‘Tron' for sermon series | NewsOK.com

New York Episcopal Bishop Orders Gay Clergy to Marry

In my late/early hour perusing of the blogosphere, I stumbled across this article.  It serves to show the impact that two fronts have had on Christian life:
First -- The Sacrament of Marriage is under the most insidious of attacks.
Second -- Chaste living among clergy has been utterly denied on every level by even the most prominent Christian sects of today. The link is found here:

New York Bishop Orders Gay Clergy to Marry, Christian News

Marriage as a Sacrament of unitive and procreative love does not exist in this example.  Self-gift and reception of the fruits of self-gift have become redefined by the pleasure and financial welfare that can be  garnered.  How does promoting a love that is inherently "curvatus in se" advance the good of Man? 

Regardless of the seemingly moral intent of mandating marriage of gay clergy, the fact that sacramental marriage as a viable institution for the well-being and stability of family and community has been rejected and replaced by a model of self-gratification and financial stability, by downplaying at best and completely denying at worst the efficacy of the generative aspect of conjugal activity, makes one wonder how marriage has degraded to the near-pointless and arbitrary bond it has become to so many.

Concupiscence reigns where unilateral objectivity holds sway in the heart. 

St. Joseph, chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster-father of Christ, pray for us.

Quote of the Day

"Mass isn't just about what you get out of it; it's also about what you give."

-- Fr. Rich Gabuzda, IPF coordinator

Quote of the Day

"what we call the sacraments are in fact the divinizing actions of the body of Christ in our own very humanity.In a fully realistic spiritual sense, these energies are sacramental, for otherwise they could not divinize us. We can receive the Spirit of Jesus only because Jesus assumes our body." -- Jean Corbon, "The Wellspring of Worship"

Words of Wisdom

"Remember that the devil loves to use our pride against us; that is his favorite vice..."

-- Momma

Coffee Lovers Who Hate Freeloaders

Kenosis

For my class, I was asked to consider Christ's death as "kenosis" or self-giving.  As I pondered on the mystery of Christ’s death on the Cross, I was drawn to think first about how utterly humiliating this was.  It would have been humiliating enough if Jesus had only been a man.  He was stripped of all dignity and treated so inhumanely.  Yet he wasn’t just a man – he was God. 

The idea of God becoming man, in and of itself, is so profoundly humiliating; but to die the death of a common criminal, and such a horribly grotesque death at that, is unfathomable.  How could He?  How is it possible?  From philosophy we are taught to think that God cannot contradict Himself.  He can’t make a rock too big for Him to carry; He cannot make a square circle; He is Truth, and Truth is unchanging.  So how?  How does He Who cannot change become a changing creature?  How does the Creator and Ruler of all things subject Himself to parents, governments, and ultimately death?

From what I have gathered in my experiences at IPF and in reading Corbon's book The Wellspring of Worship, I think it has to do with the type of love that God exudes.  This completely selfless love for first the other Persons of the Trinity and then to His creation is a complete emptying out; a complete kenosis.  God thirsts for us and wants us to be fulfilled, not for His own gratification, but for ours.  

In Chapter 2 of his book, Corbon speaks of the Christian as one who has “Union without confusion, distinction without separation.”  This unity and distinction comes solely from the relationship shared among the Persons of the Holy Trinity being participated in by the Church through its own unity with the Second Person. 

How humbling this becomes for me.  God condescends to me and to His people because He see His Beloved Son in me .  Wow. 

Dirt Devil-The Exorcist

This is absolutely hilarious!!!  Thanks to Fr. Oswalt for sharing!

Quote of the Day

"Those who focus on the spacial image in order to reify the heavenly liturgy or reject it are in fact accepting the old religious schema characteristic of the carnal person -- God on one side and man on the other -- whereas the 'kingdom of heaven' is already here in our midst and within us."

-- Jean Corbon, "The Wellspring of Worship"

Day 45 of 90+ Degree weather in OK

Oklahoma is experiencing a major drought and unbelievably hot heat indexes.  Oklahoma City has now reached 90F or greater for 44 consecutive days, the 8th longest streak in history. This streak will continue for at least the next week and likely much longer.

Please pray for Oklahoma, particularly the elderly, the poor, and the homeless who are most vulnerable to this oppressing heat.

Mary: The Greatest Power Against the Devil

Tonight I listened to a lecture on exorcism.  It was a very interesting and eye-opening discussion about the reality of demonic forces in the world. 

One of the things that struck me particularly was the way in which the harassment of Satan usually manifests itself.  It is not in the flashy Hollywood ways of vomiting pea soup or speaking in foreign tongues -- not usually anyway.  It is in the infestations, obsessions and oppressions that we all inevitably encounter and, if left unchecked, can lead to greater spiritual heaviness and sin. 

A good point made by our speaker, Msgr. John Essef, one of the leading exorcists in the US, was that we, as baptised Christians, have more power than we realize against evil forces.  This is especially true with regard to binding evil spirits.  According to Canon Law and the Ritual of Exorcism, only a bishop has the authority to exorcise from possession or give that authority to another, but all baptized Christians, and particularly Catholic priests have the ability and really the obligation to bind demons that infest, oppress and obsess. 

The best way to do this is, first and foremost, to be a man of prayer.  For the priest, this is more than simply do the bare-minimum, like saying Mass, reading the Liturgy of the Hours and attending to the obligations of the parish.  It is specifically making time for God.  This means "praying without ceasing" in all that we do and to bring all that we do to God, through His angels and saints.

Mary plays a very central role in this.  through her intercession, her guidance as a loving a compassionate mother, she points to her Son and directs our gaze and footsteps to the true mediator of God and Man: Christ Jesus.

So, with a friend, I have decided to begin a journey of prayer.  Starting today, I have begun my preparation for Total Consecration of myself to Jesus Christ, Wisdom incarnate, through the hands of Mary, according to the prayers and guidance given by St. Louis Marie de Monfort.  I am hopeful that this consecration will strengthen not only my devotion to the Blessed Mother, but, through that strengthening, the realization of my beloved sonship to the Father that I share with Christ, my brother, my King and my God.

Please pray for me and for all here at IPF, as we seek to do God's Will and make it manifest in our interactions with others, but most importantly, in our interactions with God Himself.

Quote of the Day

"When [liturgy is] cut off from the source, a liturgical celebration becomes self-contained, as it were without any vital link to before and after." 

-- Jean Corbon, The Wellspring of Worship

Sowing the Seed

Before I came back to IPF after the ordination of Fr. Cory Stanley, I had the opportunity to go to Sunday Mass at my home parish.  After Mass, I came up to my pastor to ask him for a copy of his homily, it was that impactual.

In today's Gospel, we heard about the sower who "went out to sow."  But the point made by my pastor today was to emphasize the idea of how wildly and "helter-skelter" the seed was flung about.  As Msgr. Weisenburger stated in his homily:

"We shake our heads not only at the inefficiency of the sower's efforts, but at the whole issue of extravagance and waste which this parable symbolizes."

What an interesting concept.  Extravagance and waste on the part of the sower.  I had never thought of this parable in that light.  I had always approached this story within the context of how one receives the seed by the sower -- that it was the responsibility of the person who received the seed to ensure its growth.

While this is very true -- how we receive God and His graces in our lives is contingent on the level of receptivity we have toward God -- what is often forgotten is the very fact the God's gifts to us are just that: gifts, and extravagantly given at that.  They are gifts that first must be given in order that we might receive. 

In the same way that Christ shows his love to us in such abundance and extravagance, so also are we called to give abundantly, without counting the cost.  As Msgr. expresses so eloquently:

"... we are compelled, as God's sowers, to scatter our seeds for faith, hope, and love wherever and to whomever we can, for without us, there would be less of God's splendor in the world."

he concluded his homily with one of the most powerful quotes I have heard to date:


"Be in love with the sowing. Leave the rest to God." 

Amen.  Thank you for your wonderful homily, Msgr.  God Bless you!

OMG cat meets the Dramatic Lemur

This made me laugh for 5 minutes straight.  Enjoy!!!  :-)

Fr. Cory Douglas Stanley

Yesterday, the archdiocese of Oklahoma City celebrated the ordination of Fr. Cory Stanley to the order of the priesthood.  It was such a wonderful occasion, with a full cathedral.  Permanent deacons, seminarians, diocesan and religious priests, Knights of Columbus, Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher, three bishops and a large contingent of family and friends filled the church to the rafters.  It was indeed a sight to behold.

I had the opportunity to serve for the ordination.  Working with my Diocesan Brothers and seeing in such a tangible way what I am seeking to attain gave me much needed courage to persevere in my studies and preparation.


Almighty God, through Whom all things have been made, and Who has redeemed us by the Precious Body and Blood of Your Beloved Son, You have called your son Corey to share in the priesthood of Christ in a special and specific way. 

Give him the grace of perseverance in his ministry, and utilize him as an instrument of Your Divine Love.  May he realize everyday the awesome gift he has been given, and may he share his awe and his love for You with every life his touches.  May he see You in every person to whom he ministers, and may he be made to love You, through them, more and more.  

We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.  Amen.

Poem about the Sacred Heart

A very good friend of mine shared this beautiful, and original, poem about the Sacred Heart of Jesus on his own blog.   With his permission, I share it with you.  Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

His Sacred Heart is in great shape;
aaaaIt beats and pounds in great rate.
Yet always does His blood escape:
aaaaHis veins of mercy permeate—

Permeate wreck’d lives and dead dreams,
aaaaWith floods of love outpoured.
His veins are the globe’s many streams,
aaaa That bring life—that restore!

His veins of mercy here on Earth
aaaaAre ours to drink—ours to tend.
Veins of peace and love need girth;
aaaa They clog if we never bend!

Precious the Blood which flows, alas,
aaaaFrom the Holy Altar of grace.
The fountain of life is His Mass:
aaaaHis Blood is His embrace.

The covenant signed with His Blood,
aaaaWhich we are blessed to drink,
Promises us eternal life,
aaaaIf we sign it with our blood—our ink.

Interpretation of Scripture

I have begun to read Pope Benedict XVI's Jesus of Nazareth, and in the introduction, the Holy Father discusses how Scripture cannot be looked at from one vantage or venue.  In the case of the "fourfold sense of Scripture," it must be regarded from the holistic perspective of all four perspectives, not divorced from each other.

For reference, here is a nice breakdown of the "Fourfold sense of Scripture":

The Fourfold Sense of Scripture

Literal – what the words say in the context of their nearest possible reference

Allegorical – what the words mean in the context of the larger story of God (faith)

Tropological – what the words teach us regarding how to live our lives (love)

Anagogical – what the words show us regarding the ultimate end of history (hope)

The Fourfold Sense

meets

Interpretations of Revelation

Literal               --                Preterist

Allegorical          --              Historicist

Tropological       --                Idealist

Anagogical        --              Futurist

(http://www.drurywriting.com/john/fourfold%20sense%20of%20scripture.htm)


As I read the Holy Father's book, I was surprised to find myself thinking "Isn't this the obvious approach to Scripture?"

As a credit to the spiritual formation I received from my parents and from the Church, I have been blessed with a step up in my approach to Scripture.  This is a consolation for me, especially considering my transition to theological studies in the fall.

IPF -- Healing

In my morning class at IPF, we discussed healing. I thought I would share my notes today. What was said really resonated with me. I hope you find it helpful.

Four types of healing:

1.) Salvation -- the most basic: the healing of our souls and entering into a personal relationship with Christ

2.) Physical healing -- a mystery; not all are healed
--- 2 types: verbal and tactile

3.) Inner healing -- healing of emotions or memories

4.) Deliverance
--- oppression ---
--- possession --- (rare)
--- obsession ---


Healing happens through prayer, in the forgiveness of sin, inner and physical healing, and deliverance.

Healing is done ultimately through an encounter with Jesus Christ.

Deliverance is a subcategory of healing that is always oriented so that the healing required (but not necessarily desired) happens.

Evil spirits work in us like infections in wounds. These wounds come from various sources:
1) Sins we have committed
2) Sins done against us
3) Remnants or consequences of sins done by others that we have inherited.

Blocks to inner healing include:
1) judgements of others
2) inner vows
3) unforgiveness -- either for ourselves or others

More obstacles to deeper healing include:
1) interior lies/distortions
2) behavior patterns
3) viscious cycles of shame
4) defenses
5) distorted image of God
6) psychological vulnerabilities, distortions, and issues are exploited by the Evil One

Ways to get passed obstacles include:
1) learning how to integrate and uncover history of core beliefs and wounds
2) expressing anger in a healthy way
3) setting limits without being energized by resentments

Forgiveness is ultimately a decision made to give up the right to punish. It is NOT a feeling, but an act of the will. It often times takes time for one's emotions to catch up with this choice.

Forgiveness is NOT forgetting or "pseudo-forgiveness," that is, feelings of moral superiority or personal efficiency/productivity.