Would I be a martyr?
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Sometimes I take things for granted. A lot of the time actually. But this week we had the feast days of some martyrs, Justin and Charles Lwanga, and a quick homily by the Chaplain where I work gave me something to think about.
He was talking about how Justin simply said no to burning an offering to an idol. He stood his ground and it appeared to be so easy for him to simply be martyred than to betray God. Wow! Stop and think about that.
Then the priest mentioned Dr. Tiller and asked the question, "Where was his pastor?" How come no one at his church questioned his being an usher? The man who personally killed babies for a living was allowed to be an usher in his parish? Why? Why did no one question him? Look how easy it was for St Justin to stand up for his faith, why didn't anyone in his parish?
Yes we need to set a good example, but we are in times were something needs to be said. We cannot be silent anymore.
So then I thought about myself. It's not easy being a Catholic and a pharmacist. I rationalize things all the time. I have stood up more and more for my faith, but if push comes to shove would I allow myself to be fired? Is my job more important than my faith? Is my life? Didn't Jesus die for me?
How about you? Would you die for Christ?
He died for you.
Posted bypiscotikus at 9:22 PM 0 comments
Labels: Catholic, Martyr, Pharmacist
CatholicVote.com video
Monday, February 09, 2009
Posted bypiscotikus at 7:40 AM 0 comments
Offering it up
Saturday, August 04, 2007
I had an opportunity this evening to offer up a little suffering to God. It's something I've been working on to become holier. It's not easy, though it sounds easy, to say "I forgive you/them". But in practice, at least for me tonight, it wasn't easy.
It's times like these you really see how
much God loved us when you look at a crucifix and see Jesus dying (literally) to forgive us.
Posted bypiscotikus at 6:43 PM 0 comments
Two glipmpses of the Real Presence
Friday, August 03, 2007
Two of the past weekends I have had a great and powerful love for the Eucharist made present to me in the two parishes I've attended mass. I'd like to share them with you.
The first was 2 weekends ago at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Auburn, NY. This is where I grew up and attended Catholic school and mass all during my childhood. I was home two weekends ago and went to Church with my mom and Grandma on Saturday evening. After I received communion I noticed as I was walking back to my pew, about 25% of the people behind me weren't going up for communion. Now while this may not necessarily be a good thing, what I took from this moment was that people still believe in the real presence and know that they shouldn't receive if in a state of mortal sin. It showed me that reverence is still strong in my home community.
This past weekend I went to Church at St. Mary's in Alexandria VA. As I entered there were signs on all the doors calling to attention the real presence in the tabernacle and to be quiet and turn off your cell phone. Then the priest explained in his homily why he doesn't use Eucharistic ministers (because his Church isn't big enough to require them) and it was the first mass I went to where the priest did not allow a sign of peace. Now I know a lot of people who would be offended by the removal of the sign of peace, but it was easier to contemplate the Eucharistic Jesus at that point in the mass. I think a sign of peace should be offered at the beginning of mass or at some point just after the homily. The Liturgy of the Eucharist needs to be focused on the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is a gift we take so much for granted these days. It no wonder people leave the Church when there is so little attention paid to the Eucharist. It is Jesus! Really and physically present like no other way. If we as Catholics don't live our lives desiring Jesus in the Eucharist every day, how can we expect to bring others to Christ?
I think I'm going to read ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA and put up some commentary in the next few days.
Today is the first Friday of August. Why not find a Church offering adoration and spend some time with the Lord.
Posted bypiscotikus at 11:20 AM 1 comments
Labels: Catholic, Chuch, Eucharist
Happy Father's Day!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Happy Fathers Day dads!
Wait a minute... Doesn't the Bible say Call no man Father? (Matt 23:9)
This verse is taken way out of context by anti-Catholics. It's also very easy to debunk. St. Paul even calls himself a father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (1 Cor 4:15)
More.
Posted bypiscotikus at 9:08 PM 0 comments
Labels: Catholic
