Two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake and were drowned (Mark 5:13)

Picture interpretation and Reflection from Perpetual Learner

What does the cartoon (above) depict?

First of all, you have this pig who is falling off a cliff, and discovers that she has the soul of a sky diver, or a base jumper (those people who leap off tall buildings or cliffs and wait until the last possible moment to open their parachute). People who do that say it gives them an incredible thrill and intense sense of being alive. So, this poor pig has discovered what she really enjoys in life (i.e. the sensation of free falling), has really become aware of her own vitality, and has forgotten that she is about to hit the water.

Now, here’s how I see a homily in this. The Gospel passage says that the pigs are happily grazing (or whatever pigs do) on the hillside, more or less obedient to their swineherds, until they are possessed by the devil. Then, they abandon the safety of their caretakers and plunge off the steep hillside and drown. The cartoonist imagines what the pigs might have felt in those moments between running free and drowning: freedom! No more swineherds telling them what to do! They have discovered their freedom and independence and are finally enjoying life, following their own feelings and instincts, ignoring or defying those who try to impose rules on them! Of course, this is leading to their imminent demise, but they are blissfully unaware of that.

All to often this is what happens when people reject God and His laws. They might have a feeling of freedom and independence, but without divine guidance in the various ways it comes to us (through reason which discovers meaning and order in nature, through the Scriptures, through the guidance of pastors, etc.), they often end up running themselves off the cliff of hedonism, pride, etc., which leads to their spiritual – and sometimes material – destruction.

At times, it seems like this is what we are doing as a nation. We have embraced moral relativism and rejected any objective standard of behavior beyond the consensus of public sentiment (often manipulated by the media) or the ideology of whatever interest groups happen to have the power to influence legislation and the judiciary. This means we have largely rejected the guidance of divine revelation and even, in many cases, right reason. The more we give in to our base impulses and irrational emotional tendencies, the more we become like the possessed herd that races towards destruction, all the while rejoicing in our freedom and our absolute right to determine the meaning of life, the universe, and everything.

If we don’t want to be like this cute little piggy who is happily plunging towards a murky death in the water, we need to turn to objective moral truths to guide us, both from a sound rational approach to reality (rooted in a solid philosophical realism with metaphysical foundations) and from the revealed truths taught in the Scripture and Tradition and explained in the Magisterium of the Church.

That’s oversimplifying things a little, but I think you get what I mean. The cartoon has an initial irony and incongruity that made me smile, but it also can be read as a commentary on the situation of modern post-Christian, morally relativistic society. ~ Fr. Matthew Green

Where is the BC located?

There was a nice lady, a minister's widow, who was a little old fashioned. She was planning a week's vacation in California at Skylake Yosemite campground (Bass Lake, to the uninitiated), but she wanted to make sure of the accommodations first. Uppermost in her mind were bathroom facilities, but she couldn't bring herself to write "toilet" in a letter. After considerable deliberation,  she settled on "bathroom commode," but when she wrote that down, it still sounded too forward, so, after the first page of her letter, she referred to the bathroom commode as "BC." "Does the cabin where I will be staying have its own 'BC'? If not, where is the 'BC' located?" is what she actually wrote.

The campground owner took the first page of the letter and the lady's check and gave it to his secretary. He put the remainder of the letter on the desk of the senior member of his staff without noticing that the staffer would have no way of knowing what "BC" meant. Then the owner went off to town to run some errands.

The staff member came in after lunch, found the letter, and was baffled by the euphemism, so he showed the letter around to several counselors, but they couldn't decipher it either. The staff member's wife, who knew that the lady was the widow of a famous Baptist preacher, was sure that it must be a question about the local Baptist Church. "Of course," the first staffer exclaimed, "'BC' stands for 'Baptist Church.' " And he sat down and wrote:

Dear Madam,

I regret very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take the pleasure in informing you that the BC is located nine miles north of the campground and is capable of seating 250 people at one time. I admit it is quite a distance away if you are in the habit of going regularly, but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of people take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive early and stay late.

The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that right now there is a supper planned to raise money to buy more seats. They are going to hold it in the basement of the 'BC.'

I would like to say that it pains me very much not to be able to go more regularly, but it is surely no lack of desire on my part. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, particularly in cold weather. If you decide to come down to our campground, perhaps I could go with you the first time, sit with you, and introduce you to all the folks. Remember, this is a friendly community.

Be Quiet! (Mark 1:25)

"Here is a teaching that is new-and with authority behind it!" (Mark 1:27)

Today's Gospel warns us to be on guard because evil spirits are con­stantly at work tempting us and harassing us. This warning is even more urgent today, as the world has practically dismissed the reality of evil spirits.

Evil spirits are always on the prowl. They whisper lies and half-truths to us and try to confuse us. They try to influence us to do things we know are wrong—even things we don’t want to do. We have all felt their influence at different times. We know how they have tried to sow division, to make us fearful, to get us down on ourselves, to lie, to manip­ulate people, or to doubt God’s love.

Yes, we have a free will. Yes, we make the final choices for our lives. But these choices are never made in isolation. They are always influ­enced by the people around us, by the media, by the Holy Spirit, and by Satan.

All this may sound intimidating, but we shouldn't be afraid. Jesus overcame one evil spirit in today's Gospel, and he overcame them all on the cross. We just have to be more alert to what is coming into our minds, especially more alert to the devil's tactics.

Another thing we can do is begin every day by praying for protection against evil spirits. All we have to do is say the words that Jesus taught us: "Father, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Finally, we should believe in the power of the name of Jesus. Scripture tells us how St. Paul, in dealing with an evil spirit that was harassing a woman, commanded: "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And the spirit left immediately (Acts 16:18). Likewise, we need to call on the name of Jesus throughout the day, especially when we are feeling tempted or harassed.

"In the name of Jesus, I command all evil spirits to be quiet and to depart from me and from every member of my family. Lord, deliver us from the lies of the evil one and help us to be ever more alert."

Christ’s patience on the cross was great

The Cross exemplifies every virtue

Why did the Son of God have to suffer for us? There was a great need, and it can be considered in a twofold way: in the first place, as a remedy for sin, and secondly, as an example of how to act.

It is a remedy, for, in the face of all the evils which we incur on account of our sins, we have found relief through the passion of Christ. Yet, it is no less an example, for the passion of Christ completely suffices to fashion our lives. Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue.

If you seek the example of love: Greater love than this no man has, than to lay down his life for his friends. Such a man was Christ on the cross. And if he gave his life for us, then it should not be difficult to bear whatever hardships arise for his sake.

If you seek patience, you will find no better example than the cross. Great patience occurs in two ways: either when one patiently suffers much, or when one suffers things which one is able to avoid and yet does not avoid. Christ endured much on the cross, and did so patiently, because when he suffered he did not threaten; he was led like a sheep to the slaughter and he did not open his mouth. Therefore Christ's patience on the cross was great. In patience let us run for the prize set before us, looking upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who, for the joy set before him, bore his cross and despised the shame.

If you seek an example of humility, look upon the crucified one, for God wished to be judged by Pontius Pilate and to die.

If you seek an example of obedience, follow him who became obedient to the Father even unto death. For just as by the disobedience of one man, namely, Adam, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man, many were made righteous.

If you seek an example of despising earthly things, follow him who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Upon the cross he was stripped, mocked, spat upon, struck, crowned with thorns, and given only vinegar and gall to drink.

Do not be attached, therefore, to clothing and riches, because they divided my garments among themselves. Nor to honours, for he experienced harsh words and scourgings. Nor to greatness of rank, for weaving a crown of thorns they placed it on my head. Nor to anything delightful, for in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

~Saint Thomas Aquinas

Return Of The Lover (Take My Heart)

For a long time, I’ve been waiting for You
You have won my heart, and I am following
For a long time, I’ve been crying out for You
Tears make my heart soft
And I am ready for the return of the Lover

Fashioned from the very fabric of God
At the start of time, set free to decide
I will love You, ’cause You’re the One who loved me first
Just one look from Your eyes
I’m captivated by the eyes of the Lover

Take my heart, my mind and strength too
I was made for loving You
I will wait, and I’ll be faithful
I was made for loving You

Bowing low in the presence of the One
At the end of time, I’ll hear the bells chime for our wedding
It will wait no longer now
Oh how I love You
I’ll finally fall into the arms of the Lover

Take my heart, my mind and strength too
I was made for loving You
I will wait, and I’ll be faithful
I was made for loving You

With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my strength
And all I know

Take my heart, my mind and strength too
I was made for loving You
I will wait, and I’ll be faithful
I was made for loving You

I was made for loving You

Playing God???

Food for thought: Playing God

Here is a thought provoking conversation a priest friend (Fr. Ashley, SDB) had with a foreman who was repairing the bathrooms in his house. The foreman is a Philosophy Grad, and well versed in computers. Fr. Ashley on the other hand is a Philosophy professor to young seminarians at the Divyadaan, Salesian Institute of Philosophy (Nashik, India). In short Ash is a very enthu -“philosophical-historian,” a true Salesian.

Reading through the conversation "Playing God", what struck me most was that parents sometimes do play God. I’ve heard the phrase "Parents take the place of God," been said so many times, that now I fire a Scripture verse or two to the one saying it. No one can take God’s place. The Lord himself says, "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols" (Isaiah 42:8). Translated-, "I will not allow it to ascribe to another I will not allow another to assume or receive the honor which is due to me." Of course there is a different kind of honour that is due to parents, which the fourth commandment commands. Children are to obey parents for that pleases the Lord! (Colossians 3:20) Besides we ought to respect them, show kindness, be patient with them, care for their needs, and above all not leave them in old-aged homes / centers when they are feeble and fragile. Failing to accomplish this will result is breaking the fourth commandment, which is the first commandment with a promise! (Ephesians 6:2-3)

I don't want to side track the post, those were MY thoughts and I will end my comments here!!! When you read the post remember it’s an Indian scenario, which is a lot different from what happens elsewhere in the world…and Indian parents are over protective!!! So just read on:


"We are getting the bathrooms in our house repaired and as a result over the last month we have had many plumbers and other workmen moving in and out of our house. They are mostly migrants from the north of India, tough, hardworking, rustic, men of few words. I got talking to the foreman of the group this morning. After discussing the weather, rising costs, the falling quality of education, corruption and other such matters, we ended up talking about the meaning of life. Even though I am the talkative kind this time I did most of the listening. I discovered that this not very sophisticated looking foreman was a graduate in philosophy and also well versed in computers. I also discovered that he could give many of us a run for our money [which we do not have too much of] with the depth of his knowledge of philosophy in general and Indian Philosophy in particular.

Speaking to me about taking care of children, he explained to me that we adults are called to be parents to our children but we try to play God. It is the role of parents to take care of, protect and nourish children when they are young. Parents must seek to prepare children for the great adventure of life. The parent can’t and must not seek to insulate and protect children from all the hard knocks of life. Parents must seek to shape the character of their children in such a manner that they may be able to face life and its uncertainties with courage and hope. Instead, parents seek to be God to their children. They want to make sure that they are protected from every hardship, suffering and inconvenience. As a result they tend to be overprotective and stiflingly over caring. As a result, instead of strengthening their children and helping them grow, parents make them dependent and insecure.

He explained to me that in India in particular the tendency of parents to play God is seen in how they are not satisfied with saving for their children’s education or for some unforeseen eventuality like a sickness or accident. Instead many today, especially, the rich and also government officials, and politicians, want to make sure that not only their children but also their descendents over the next seven generations would not have to fear any calamity or tragedy. [And in order to do so they end up pursuing wealth by fair means and foul. It is this that gives rise to the kind of mammoth corruption that we have in India. ]

Our philosopher foreman went on to say that if we only were intelligent enough to accept that money cannot – no matter how huge the sum – keep us from death and the glorious uncertainties of life perhaps we would be less corrupt. Even rich people die. Even the wealthy get sick and suffer loss. To be human is to accept uncertainty. We could even perhaps say that without ups and down, without uncertainty, our lives would cease to be human." – Fr. Ashley Miranda, SDB

Fan into a flame the gift that God gave you (2 Timothy 1:6)

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-disciple." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Today is the feast of two of our first bishops, Sts. Timothy and Titus, who were loyal companions of St. Paul. The memorial of theses saints appear a day after we commemorate the Conversion of St Paul. It's obvious that Paul was personally involved in the lives of these saints. Paul had met Timothy on his first missionary journey (Acts 16). Timothy may have witnessed the stoning of Paul at Lystra. In the epistles we read how Paul always spoke of Timothy as his own son in Christ Jesus. It was from this position of friendship and mutual love that Paul was able to recognise Timothy's talents and encourage him to use them. His friendship with Timothy also gave Paul the freedom to help him set the unshakable truths of the gospel as the foundation for his life.

Timothy was the son of a Jewish mother and a Gentile father, and undoubtedly knew the ways of each people. He traveled a great deal with Paul. Another of Paul's trust worthy traveling companions was Titus. Titus was the non-circumcised, Gentile Christian (as we know from Galatians) at the Council of Jerusalem. He, too, was a reconciler in the Corinthian turmoil. Later, in Crete, it was his charge to organize and civilize an unstable and endangered, neophyte Church, to refute opponents, and to insist upon faithful word.

So, if Paul's conversion sets the Gentile mission in motion and thus becomes the channel by which—the vessel from which God pours out his elective grace indiscriminately upon the world, Timothy and Titus are living expressions of that grace. Tradition has it, that Timothy died when he rushed into the portico of a pagan temple to plead with a procession bearing idols to cease a lewd dance in honor of their god. Outraged, the dancers beat him to death with sticks and stones. On this day, January 26, the Anglican, Lutheran and Roman churches commemorate the companions of Paul, Timothy and Titus.

Like Timothy and Titus we are coworkers in this great mission of preaching, a mission which stretches down through the ages and covers every time and place—yet, a mission never finished until the Son of Man will at last send his angel harvesters to gather in all that is his. Until then, it is now still the "proper time"; and God continues to manifest his word by the same perennial proclamation. Every Christian is a bearer of the Gospel and must continually reveal the saving will of God by our preaching. Our charism is, like Timothy and Titus, to be specialists in the mission. There will be challenges, heartbreaks, and enemies to be faced, but the more we rely on Jesus our burden bearer greater will be our joy in the manifestation of his kingdom.

"Lord, help me fan the flame of encouragement and keep burning the gifts you’ve bestowed upon me. Let its warmth be a blessing and comfort to those around me and may I burn bright for you."

The Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

For love of Christ, Paul bore every burden

Paul, more than anyone else, has shown us what man really is, and in what our nobility consists, and of what virtue this particular animal is capable. Each day he aimed ever higher; each day he rose up with greater ardour and faced with new eagerness the dangers that threatened him. He summed up his attitude in the words: I forget what is behind me and push on to what lies ahead. When he saw death imminent, he bade others share his joy: Rejoice and be glad with me! And when danger, injustice and abuse threatened, he said: I am content with weakness, mistreatment and persecution. These he called the weapons of righteousness, thus telling us that he derived immense profit from them.

Thus, amid the traps set for him by his enemies, with exultant heart he turned their every attack into a victory for himself; constantly beaten, abused and cursed, he boasted of it as though he were celebrating a triumphal procession and taking trophies home, and offered thanks to God for it all: Thanks be to God who is always victorious in us! This is why he was far more eager for the shameful abuse that his zeal in preaching brought upon him than we are for the most pleasing honours, more eager for death than we are for life, for poverty than we are for wealth; he yearned for toil far more than others yearn for rest after toil. The one thing he feared, indeed dreaded, was to offend God; nothing else could sway him. Therefore, the only thing he really wanted was always to please God.

The most important thing of all to him, however, was that he knew himself to be loved by Christ. Enjoying this love, he considered himself happier than anyone else; were he without it, it would be no satisfaction to be the friend of principalities and powers. He preferred to be thus loved and be the least of all, or even to be among the damned, than to be without that love and be among the great and honoured.

To be separated from that love was, in his eyes, the greatest and most extraordinary of torments; the pain of that loss would alone have been hell, and endless, unbearable torture.

So too, in being loved by Christ he thought of himself as possessing life, the world, the angels, present and future, the kingdom, the promise and countless blessings. Apart from that love nothing saddened or delighted him; for nothing earthly did he regard as bitter or sweet.

Paul set no store by the things that fill our visible world, any more than a man sets value on the withered grass of the field. As for tyrannical rulers or the people enraged against him, he paid them no more heed than gnats. Death itself and pain and whatever torments might come were but child’s play to him, provided that thereby he might bear some burden for the sake of Christ.

~Saint John Chrysostom

An Act of Abandonment

O my God, I thank you and I praise
you for accomplishing your holy
and all-lovable will without any regard for mine.
With my whole heart,
in spite of my heart,
do I receive this cross I feared so much!

It is the cross of Your choice,
the cross of Your love.
I venerate it;
nor for anything in the world
would I wish that it had not come,
since You willed it.

I keep it with gratitude and with joy,
as I do everything that comes from Your hand;
and I shall strive to carry it without letting it drag,
with all the respect
and all the affection which Your works deserve.

Amen.

(By Saint Francis De Sales)

Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven (Mark 3:29)

"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." (Mark 3:24)

"Let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of eternal sin" (Mark 3:29). This is a very stark statement coming from a loving and forgiving God. Can it be that he who comes in flesh and blood to proclaim God's liberality to all of us sets limits to God's mercy and forgiveness? Haven't we been told time and again that, no matter what offences we have committed God is faithful and just and will grant us his forgiveness and purify us from all unrighteousness if we confess our sins? (1 John 1:9). So what is Jesus trying to say here? The next line of Scripture explains why Jesus made this statement, it is because the scribes were saying, 'An unclean spirit is in him' (Mark 3:30). They called love "hate" and goodness "evil." They saw the goodness of Jesus but they refused to accept and follow it, they chose to remain rigid to the working of the Holy Spirit.

There have been numerous misconceptions concerning the 'unpardonable sin'. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, that "there are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss" –CCC 1864. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture explains, "Unlike other blasphemies or sins which might be partially excused by ignorance, passion or inadvertence, this was[/is] a sin of willful malice and blindness to the light. As long as such a mentality persists, pardon is impossible, not because of any limitation of God, but because those who are guilty of this sin refuse to respond to the promptings of grace" (p.912). Simply put, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the attitude of willful rejection of God's grace and forgiveness.

While we will probably never commit this dreadful sin of denying Christ and his mercy, we are still guilty of rejecting God's command to 'love one another'. Jesus tells us, that it is not enough to say, "I haven't killed anyone” but "whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement." If this is the case with us, then surely we have some repenting to do. Thankfully there is available to us the beautiful sacrament of reconciliation, where we can ask pardon for sins committed repeatedly or knowingly and accept God’s saving help. We constantly need to implore God’s mercy and humbly acknowledge our sinfulness, only then will we be able to leave this world in a state of grace!

"Heavenly Father, I acknowledge my sinfulness, my pride and my ego that takes me further away from your divine grace. Lord, I pray that you may break down every barrier that keeps me away from you."

Acts 2:38 Turn away from all your offenses

The Power Of Scripture

An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of religious service when she was startled by an intruder. As she caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables, she yelled, "Stop - Acts 2:38!" (..turn from your sin...) The burglar stopped dead in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done. As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you." "Scripture?" replied the burglar, "She said she had an AXE and two 38's!"

The Lord is my Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd! He's all that I need.
I rest peacefully among lush green meadows
You’ll find me there, near the brook called ‘River of Life’
Refreshing my weary soul with ‘Living Waters’

He leads me on a well beaten path
Paved by His footprints alone.
Where the Master is, there I shall follow.
I’m not afraid of the dark
To me they are only harmless fleeting shadows
I gaze upon what lies up ahead, the ‘Light of Life’
I bask in His warmth that comforts and shields me.

Down the valleys and up the hills
Across plains and rocky crags I go
Leaving all my foes far behind
I’m headed to the banquet of the Lord
Where a table is set for me,
With the best of foods and clear aged-wines.

I radiate with the oil of gladness
A perfume emits the air
My cup of blessings runs over
A royal garment and a crown I wear
The Lord has been true to his promises
I’ve reached the place that is empty of worldly care.


~Olivia

Copyright© 2012 All rights reserved

Judges of the Sacra Rota

Pope Benedict XVI (C) poses with judges to mark the start of the judiciary year of the Sacra Rota at the Vatican. (Reuters Pictures)

Pope marks the feast of St. Agnes

Pope Benedict XVI marked the Feast of St. Agnes Saturday with a centuries-old rite: the blessing of the lambs from whose wool the Pallium will be made. Two small lambs were carried to the Pope in baskets, as per tradition, by the Canons Regular of the Lateran Basilica.

Agnes means “lamb” in Latin. The saint of the same name was a martyr of the early 4th century, known for her consecrated virginity, who was killed for refusing to worship pagan gods.
To symbolize St. Agnes’ purity, one of the lambs wears a crown of white flowers, while the other wears a red floral wreath to recall her faithful witness even unto death.

Reared in the convent instead of Tre Fontane in Rome, come Summer these same two lambs will be brought to the monastery of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere where in a custom that has remained in tact down through the centuries, they will be shorn to supply the wool from which the religious sisters will weave the Pallium.

These white stoles are worn by metropolitan archbishops around their necks as a symbol of their authority and unity with the pope. The Holy Father presents them to newly-appointed metropolitan archbishops each year on June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

(Getty Images)

It Takes Courage

It takes courage to answer a call,
It takes courage to give your all.
It takes courage to risk your name,
It takes courage to be true.

It takes courage to dare what no other would share,
To be standing alone, one whom no one will own,
To be ready to stake, to be loyal not fake,
It takes courage to be true.

It takes courage to answer a call,
It takes courage to give your all.
It takes courage to risk your name,
It takes courage to be true.

It takes courage to say what you know will not pay,
To give each one a share though there’ll be less to spare,
To be seeking no more than the neighbour next door,
It takes courage to be true.

It takes courage to answer a call,
It takes courage to give your all.
It takes courage to risk your name,
It takes courage to be true.

It takes courage to leave what good fortune can give,
And to go to a land where the poor need a hand
To be spending one’s days in less leisurely ways,
It takes courage to be true.