Question: If I was tired from doing alot of activities and "skipped" out on something I promised my friend to go to, is that wrong?
Well, this actually deals with two things, promises and overcommitment, but both deal with one big thing...LOVE!
Our Lord tells us, "Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes" and your 'No' mean 'No'"-Matt. 5:37. That means if you give your word to someone you should keep it unless it is entirely something out of your control like illness, death in family, etc. This makes sense in light of the Great Commandment, love of self, neighbor, and God (see Matt. 22:37-39).
When you say "Yes" to everyone and everything, it hurts you. It makes you overcommit, wear yourself out trying to keep your word, and ruins your reputation making you seem like a liar when you don't show. It hurts your neighbor because they expect you to be there and so when you don't show up, can cause harsh feelings. We all know how bad it hurts when someone stiffs you. It's not a fun feeling and I've known many friendships that have broken up because of being "stood up." Finally it hurts God because we are his children and image here on earth. Scripture reminds us, "They shall know you are my disciples by your love"-Jn. 13:35. If you constantly don't keep your word, people will see your actions as a reflection of God, thus as someone who is a liar. This is why Jesus states the second part of Matt. 5:37, "Anything more is from the evil one." It is the evil one that wants to stop love and cause hurt and harm.
Therefore, if you feel you may be tired or can't make it, just tell the person that. Don't make up an excuse and add fuel to the fire. Honesty is always the best policy. It will save a lot of hurt feelings and friendships. Also, don't forget to love yourself. You are not just some "work-zombie". Get proper rest and don't over extend yourself. I reflect on Ps. 46:10 quite often, "Be still and know that I am God." Sometimes being still is the hardest thing to do, but when we do it we can see God and our own humanity (we're no just human doings, but human beings), and that's something not to skip out on!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Intercession of Saints and Sports-Review of Bible Study Week 1
Intercession of Saints Using Sports
In order to explain 1Tim. 2:5 correctly, that is, the saints are go-betweens or mediators, not to take the place of Christ, but because of Him, some sports may be in order.
Imagine that you’re at a hockey game and the Washington Capitals are playing the New Jersey Devils. The game is tight with a 0-0 score in the 3rd period with only twenty seconds left. Both teams have been playing their hearts out. The Capitals get the puck with twenty seconds left and they pass the puck to Alex Ovechkin. He shoots and scores the winning goal right before the buzzer. The crowd goes wild!!!!
Or if you’re not a hockey fan, imagine you’re at a gymnastics’ meet. Your team has done vault, uneven bars, and the balancing beam, but are tied for first place before the last event, floor exercises. You all have worked hard and send your best athlete, Shannon Miller, to the floor. She does some amazing stunts and ends with a triple back flip with a remarkable tuck right at the corner of the mat. She ends up winning the meet and getting Team USA the gold medal.
Now in both of these instances you can say that Alex Ovechkin or Shannon Miller won the game or meet individually. They are some of the best at what they do and so when the team needed someone dependable, they went to their superstars. It is the same with the saints. We entrust our prayers to them because we know they are good at what they do, loving God and being a go-between or mediator. James 5: 16 tells us this, “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.”
So we see that an individual person wins the game or meet, but at the same time, we have to ask, "Who does the individual person win for?" It is for the team, and it is only for the team that they play and because they are part of the team, that they even have the opportunity to win the game. Could you imagine me running out on the ice (well I’d probably slip) and throwing the puck in the net or trying to do a flip to get points to win the gymnastics’ meet? Then even worse, saying I won the game for the team? That would be crazy!! It is the same to think that the saints by themselves are the answers to our prayers. They have powerful prayers because they are part of God’s team, those who wear the Capital JC (Jesus Christ)on there souls and whose opponents are the devils.
So just as in hockey and gymnastics where both the individual and the team win because of the efforts of one person, so too with the saints in Christ. It is not either the Saints or Christ any more than it is Alex Ovechkin or the Capitals or Shannon Miller or Team USA. The saints want to help us because they, like us, belong to the same team of Christ. Thus, even if they assist us to score the winning goal or do that winning flip, we all, as the Church or body of Christ win.
So with the intercession of the saints let us always follow the words of St. Paul, “Therefore, since we are all surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith” (Heb. 12:1-2)
In order to explain 1Tim. 2:5 correctly, that is, the saints are go-betweens or mediators, not to take the place of Christ, but because of Him, some sports may be in order.
Imagine that you’re at a hockey game and the Washington Capitals are playing the New Jersey Devils. The game is tight with a 0-0 score in the 3rd period with only twenty seconds left. Both teams have been playing their hearts out. The Capitals get the puck with twenty seconds left and they pass the puck to Alex Ovechkin. He shoots and scores the winning goal right before the buzzer. The crowd goes wild!!!!
Or if you’re not a hockey fan, imagine you’re at a gymnastics’ meet. Your team has done vault, uneven bars, and the balancing beam, but are tied for first place before the last event, floor exercises. You all have worked hard and send your best athlete, Shannon Miller, to the floor. She does some amazing stunts and ends with a triple back flip with a remarkable tuck right at the corner of the mat. She ends up winning the meet and getting Team USA the gold medal.
Now in both of these instances you can say that Alex Ovechkin or Shannon Miller won the game or meet individually. They are some of the best at what they do and so when the team needed someone dependable, they went to their superstars. It is the same with the saints. We entrust our prayers to them because we know they are good at what they do, loving God and being a go-between or mediator. James 5: 16 tells us this, “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.”
So we see that an individual person wins the game or meet, but at the same time, we have to ask, "Who does the individual person win for?" It is for the team, and it is only for the team that they play and because they are part of the team, that they even have the opportunity to win the game. Could you imagine me running out on the ice (well I’d probably slip) and throwing the puck in the net or trying to do a flip to get points to win the gymnastics’ meet? Then even worse, saying I won the game for the team? That would be crazy!! It is the same to think that the saints by themselves are the answers to our prayers. They have powerful prayers because they are part of God’s team, those who wear the Capital JC (Jesus Christ)on there souls and whose opponents are the devils.
So just as in hockey and gymnastics where both the individual and the team win because of the efforts of one person, so too with the saints in Christ. It is not either the Saints or Christ any more than it is Alex Ovechkin or the Capitals or Shannon Miller or Team USA. The saints want to help us because they, like us, belong to the same team of Christ. Thus, even if they assist us to score the winning goal or do that winning flip, we all, as the Church or body of Christ win.
So with the intercession of the saints let us always follow the words of St. Paul, “Therefore, since we are all surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith” (Heb. 12:1-2)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Person and Natures of Christ-Part 1 of Bible Study Review
Pope John Paul II wrote in his first public writing to the world or an encyclical Redemptor Hominis: Redeemer of Man, “The Redeemer of Man, Jesus Christ, is the center of the universe and of history.” Therefore, by looking at Christ, we can better understand ourselves and the people we are called to be.
Christ shows us two important points in himself: first that our nature cannot be separated from our person. Second, that our personhood has to come before our natures. This may sound strange at first, but once we really think about it, it will tell us a lot about ourselves.
We have to first look at the definitions of person and nature. A person answers the question “who.” A nature answers the question “what.” What you do can help define who you are. For example, if you study a lot, like most of you do, you are known as a student. If you like to dance, you may be known as a dancer. If you like sports you are an athlete. It is the same with Jesus; what he did was save us from our sins and redeem us. So he is known as our Savior and Redeemer.
What we do for the most part defines who we are, but it can’t just stop there because a nature also answers “what you are.” If it did just stop at the natural level, if we failed at various things in life, that would make us failures. If we sinned, we would simply be sinners. We can not stop at the natural level because we are persons and thus called to be supernatural or above or natures. This is because we are called to be with God. Besides, I don’t think any of us want to be labeled as just a sinner or someone who can’t do anything right.
This brings us to the second lesson Christ teaches us, that our personhood, or who we are, takes priority over our nature, or what we are. This is built into us. Again take yourselves for example. To the world you are a: student, athlete, math genius, or just another rebellious teen. This may be true, but you know that you are so much more. You are not just another high school student or rebellious teenager. You want people to see you that and realize you are more than ordinary or the same as everyone else. This is why when a boy likes a girl, he writes her poetry or sends her a sweet text message; why a girl likes to wear a different outfit than everyone else or draws hearts and smiley faces all over her notebook; why boys spike their hair, wear chains with rotating rims on the end, and show off at football practice. You want people to look beyond just what you are (nature) and see you for who you are (person). This is built into us because Christ is built into us. He is a divine person who wants us to see him as more than just “fire insurance” or someone who answers prayers. He is a Person and he wanted us to see him as a person so much that he took on another nature (human). Jesus tells us, “Yes, look at ‘the what’ or my natures. I am your Savior and Redeemer. I am both human and divine, but look deeper and you will see so much more. Look at me as a person and you will see that who I am is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. I am someone who has thought of and loved you from all eternity.”
The challenge that Jesus brings to us in showing that He has two natures (both divine-because he is God- and human-because he became man) in one person (The Second Person of the Holy Trinity) is first, that we are not to separate the nature from the person. This means what we do affects who we are. It also means that if we remember what we are, children of God, what we do will always be right. Secondly, it shows us to always look at the person first and the nature second. This is important because if you do this, you can see Christ in that homeless man on the corner, or the person at lunch who is so annoying, or even that teacher who’s giving a boring lecture, etc., etc. A person does not sacrifice for a nature, a state of being, or for humanity in itself. A person can only sacrifice when he or she sees a person or persons in that humanity; when he or she sees individuals. This is because we are made in the “image and likeness of God” (Gen. 1:26) and this is how God sees each one of us. He says, “Fear not, I have called you by name and you are mine” (Is. 43:1). So let us take up the challenge and try to give ourselves to God everyday, to live in the supernatural. He’s not just a thing, a what, or a nature, He is a Person, a who, a divine Person who loves us so much, that He’d rather die than spend eternity with out you!
Christ shows us two important points in himself: first that our nature cannot be separated from our person. Second, that our personhood has to come before our natures. This may sound strange at first, but once we really think about it, it will tell us a lot about ourselves.
We have to first look at the definitions of person and nature. A person answers the question “who.” A nature answers the question “what.” What you do can help define who you are. For example, if you study a lot, like most of you do, you are known as a student. If you like to dance, you may be known as a dancer. If you like sports you are an athlete. It is the same with Jesus; what he did was save us from our sins and redeem us. So he is known as our Savior and Redeemer.
What we do for the most part defines who we are, but it can’t just stop there because a nature also answers “what you are.” If it did just stop at the natural level, if we failed at various things in life, that would make us failures. If we sinned, we would simply be sinners. We can not stop at the natural level because we are persons and thus called to be supernatural or above or natures. This is because we are called to be with God. Besides, I don’t think any of us want to be labeled as just a sinner or someone who can’t do anything right.
This brings us to the second lesson Christ teaches us, that our personhood, or who we are, takes priority over our nature, or what we are. This is built into us. Again take yourselves for example. To the world you are a: student, athlete, math genius, or just another rebellious teen. This may be true, but you know that you are so much more. You are not just another high school student or rebellious teenager. You want people to see you that and realize you are more than ordinary or the same as everyone else. This is why when a boy likes a girl, he writes her poetry or sends her a sweet text message; why a girl likes to wear a different outfit than everyone else or draws hearts and smiley faces all over her notebook; why boys spike their hair, wear chains with rotating rims on the end, and show off at football practice. You want people to look beyond just what you are (nature) and see you for who you are (person). This is built into us because Christ is built into us. He is a divine person who wants us to see him as more than just “fire insurance” or someone who answers prayers. He is a Person and he wanted us to see him as a person so much that he took on another nature (human). Jesus tells us, “Yes, look at ‘the what’ or my natures. I am your Savior and Redeemer. I am both human and divine, but look deeper and you will see so much more. Look at me as a person and you will see that who I am is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. I am someone who has thought of and loved you from all eternity.”
The challenge that Jesus brings to us in showing that He has two natures (both divine-because he is God- and human-because he became man) in one person (The Second Person of the Holy Trinity) is first, that we are not to separate the nature from the person. This means what we do affects who we are. It also means that if we remember what we are, children of God, what we do will always be right. Secondly, it shows us to always look at the person first and the nature second. This is important because if you do this, you can see Christ in that homeless man on the corner, or the person at lunch who is so annoying, or even that teacher who’s giving a boring lecture, etc., etc. A person does not sacrifice for a nature, a state of being, or for humanity in itself. A person can only sacrifice when he or she sees a person or persons in that humanity; when he or she sees individuals. This is because we are made in the “image and likeness of God” (Gen. 1:26) and this is how God sees each one of us. He says, “Fear not, I have called you by name and you are mine” (Is. 43:1). So let us take up the challenge and try to give ourselves to God everyday, to live in the supernatural. He’s not just a thing, a what, or a nature, He is a Person, a who, a divine Person who loves us so much, that He’d rather die than spend eternity with out you!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Cross vs Crucifix
Why do Catholics use a crucifix and Protestants the cross?
This is a some what complex question, but I will try to keep it simple. First, we must realize that there are many differnent branches of Protestants. What applies to the Baptist may not necessarily follow for the Anglicans. With that being said, I will talk about the Protestants in general to answer this question.
Catholics use the crucifix as a symbol because we realize that at Mass the sacrifice of Calvary is re-presented (not represented like a symbol) in a non-bloody manner. So the crucifix gives us a visible sign of what is happening on the altar. Catholics also embrace the crucifix because we believe in redemptive suffering. Because we are baptized, we are truly part of the Mystical Body and thus truly part of Christ. Therefore, when we suffer and "offer it up" we really do help sanctify ourselves and the rest of the world. This is why St. Paul says we "make up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ"-Colossians 1:24. As Catholics, we acknowledge that suffering has value because Christ's suffering has value. It brings us eternal life. Thus, we promote the crucifix.
Protestants on the other hand, through a misunderstanding of the Mass in thinking that Catholics teach that Christ dies again and again at every Mass and that being blatent contradiction of Scripture (see Hebrews 7:27), in reaction, embraced the cross instead of the crucifix to show that Jesus only died once for our sins. The irony is that they embraced the cross instead of the crucifix to stop heresy, but in actuality the heresy of the "recrucifixion" of Christ at Mass is something that the Catholic Church does not teach and even has condemned (This by the way is part of the reason that many protestant Churches do not have a Liturgy of the Eucharist part to their Sunday services).
Protestants also generally do not see value in suffering. Some view suffering like poverty as a punishment from God. This is based on the Old Testament because when God's favor was with Israel, they were wealthy and did not have to suffer. They suffered when they were being punished. Of course, punishment is not the only reason for suffering because God was born poor and even counseled it to get to heaven. The rich young man asked Jesus, "What must I do to be saved?" Jesus answered, "Follow the commandments", then, "go, sell everything you have and you will have treasure in heaven"-Mt. 19:16-21. So we see the "health and wealth gospel" can not be a true Gospel and that suffering is not necessarily a bad thing.
Finally, because many Protestants believe in the sola fides or faith alone doctrine, they believe that redemptive suffering is a work and thus not necessary for salvation. What is important is to believe in Christ. Therefore, suffering is insignificant.
As Catholics, we believe that it is necessary to believe in Christ, but believing in Christ means to listen to his teachings as well. These teaching come from Christ and His Church. Jesus tells us that we all must "take up our cross daily and follow him"-Lk. 9:23. St. Paul tells us, "The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may be glorified with him"-Romans 8:16-17. St. Peter even tells us that suffering is a grace that we are all called to (see 1Peter 3:19-21). So we see that suffering leads us to salvation. The cross by itself or without Christ is empty and has no meaning, but with and in Christ it gives us the deepest meaning of all, the answer to life's questions. It gives us Heaven! That is why, we as Catholics promote the crucifix and like St. Paul, "proclaim Christ crucified"-1Corinthians 1:23.
This is a some what complex question, but I will try to keep it simple. First, we must realize that there are many differnent branches of Protestants. What applies to the Baptist may not necessarily follow for the Anglicans. With that being said, I will talk about the Protestants in general to answer this question.
Catholics use the crucifix as a symbol because we realize that at Mass the sacrifice of Calvary is re-presented (not represented like a symbol) in a non-bloody manner. So the crucifix gives us a visible sign of what is happening on the altar. Catholics also embrace the crucifix because we believe in redemptive suffering. Because we are baptized, we are truly part of the Mystical Body and thus truly part of Christ. Therefore, when we suffer and "offer it up" we really do help sanctify ourselves and the rest of the world. This is why St. Paul says we "make up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ"-Colossians 1:24. As Catholics, we acknowledge that suffering has value because Christ's suffering has value. It brings us eternal life. Thus, we promote the crucifix.
Protestants on the other hand, through a misunderstanding of the Mass in thinking that Catholics teach that Christ dies again and again at every Mass and that being blatent contradiction of Scripture (see Hebrews 7:27), in reaction, embraced the cross instead of the crucifix to show that Jesus only died once for our sins. The irony is that they embraced the cross instead of the crucifix to stop heresy, but in actuality the heresy of the "recrucifixion" of Christ at Mass is something that the Catholic Church does not teach and even has condemned (This by the way is part of the reason that many protestant Churches do not have a Liturgy of the Eucharist part to their Sunday services).
Protestants also generally do not see value in suffering. Some view suffering like poverty as a punishment from God. This is based on the Old Testament because when God's favor was with Israel, they were wealthy and did not have to suffer. They suffered when they were being punished. Of course, punishment is not the only reason for suffering because God was born poor and even counseled it to get to heaven. The rich young man asked Jesus, "What must I do to be saved?" Jesus answered, "Follow the commandments", then, "go, sell everything you have and you will have treasure in heaven"-Mt. 19:16-21. So we see the "health and wealth gospel" can not be a true Gospel and that suffering is not necessarily a bad thing.
Finally, because many Protestants believe in the sola fides or faith alone doctrine, they believe that redemptive suffering is a work and thus not necessary for salvation. What is important is to believe in Christ. Therefore, suffering is insignificant.
As Catholics, we believe that it is necessary to believe in Christ, but believing in Christ means to listen to his teachings as well. These teaching come from Christ and His Church. Jesus tells us that we all must "take up our cross daily and follow him"-Lk. 9:23. St. Paul tells us, "The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may be glorified with him"-Romans 8:16-17. St. Peter even tells us that suffering is a grace that we are all called to (see 1Peter 3:19-21). So we see that suffering leads us to salvation. The cross by itself or without Christ is empty and has no meaning, but with and in Christ it gives us the deepest meaning of all, the answer to life's questions. It gives us Heaven! That is why, we as Catholics promote the crucifix and like St. Paul, "proclaim Christ crucified"-1Corinthians 1:23.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Someone told me that we sing with the Christmas Angels at every Mass. Is this true?
Yes. Christmas comes from the old English "Cristes maesse" meaning Christ's Mass. We see that at the first Christmas, there were angels and notice what they say:
- And suddenly there was a multitude of heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."-Luke 2:13-14.
At Mass, when we sing similar words, we sing with the angels (although some like myself do not sound like the angels) and also give glory to God at Christ's Mass. We must always remember the Mass always belongs to Christ, but he allows us to participate in the offering of himself to the Father, through the Holy Spirit because we are baptized into him. So remember next time you are at Mass, you are singing with the angels at Christmas!
Is Santa Claus real? Why does he dress so Wierd?
Yes, Santa Claus is real. The name comes from Santa (holy) Nicholaus (claus or Nicholas). He was early church bishop of a place called Myra which is modern day southern Turkey. He lived around the 4th century and was a man who had a great love for Christ, both as the Head of the Church, and in his members, that make up the Church. Legend has it that there was a man named Arius who taught that Jesus was not God (this is a historical fact). This made Bishop Nicholas so mad, that when he was at a meeting of bishops from all over the world(this is called an ecumenical council), he went over and clocked Arius cold. He was imprisoned for this by the Emperor, but was released later once the council declared that Arius was teaching heresy (something that is not true about the Faith). It is for this reason that he became the patron saint of unjust imprisonments and keeping Christ in Christmas. He also did many great things like give money to the poor and help girls marry their future spouses. This is where the tradition of gift giving comes from to celebrate him. It was to imitate the saint.
The reason he dresses so "wierd" is because his outfit is supposed to represent the clothes of a bishop. The triangular hat is a "modernized" mitre ( triangular head wear that a bishop wears in formal liturgical ceremonies like Mass). He wears a red and white suit because red is the color used to represent the Love of God or the Holy Spirit, which he was filled with as seen by the fact that he helped so many people. The white represents purity because he helped so many young girls not have to do immoral things to raise money to get married (in those days a dowry-money a father would have to pay the husband for taking his daughteras his wife). So that's where the red and white suit with a white stripe and triangular hat comes from. As for the reason he always says "Ho, ho, ho", your guess is as good as mine!
The reason he dresses so "wierd" is because his outfit is supposed to represent the clothes of a bishop. The triangular hat is a "modernized" mitre ( triangular head wear that a bishop wears in formal liturgical ceremonies like Mass). He wears a red and white suit because red is the color used to represent the Love of God or the Holy Spirit, which he was filled with as seen by the fact that he helped so many people. The white represents purity because he helped so many young girls not have to do immoral things to raise money to get married (in those days a dowry-money a father would have to pay the husband for taking his daughteras his wife). So that's where the red and white suit with a white stripe and triangular hat comes from. As for the reason he always says "Ho, ho, ho", your guess is as good as mine!
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
The apostle that took the place of Judas
Question: What was the name of the Apostle who took the place of Judas?
Answer: His name was Matthias. This is shown in Acts 1:15-26. This is also important because it shows from the Bible Apostolic Succession. That the bishops were ordained and have a direct line to the Apostles who learned directly from Christ.
Answer: His name was Matthias. This is shown in Acts 1:15-26. This is also important because it shows from the Bible Apostolic Succession. That the bishops were ordained and have a direct line to the Apostles who learned directly from Christ.
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