The Importance of Devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and the Rosary

In the heart of Catholic tradition lies a deep reverence for Our Lady of Fatima and the Rosary, two elements of faith that have been sources of comfort, guidance, and spiritual strength for millions around the world. The story of Fatima began in 1917, 107 years ago, when three young Portuguese children received apparitions of the Virgin Mary, who imparted messages of peace, repentance, and the power of prayer. This event has since become a cornerstone of Catholic Marian devotion, emphasizing the importance of the Rosary as a means of seeking divine assistance and fostering global peace.

The significance of Our Lady of Fatima is deeply intertwined with the Rosary, as she specifically asked for its daily recitation. The Rosary is a meditative prayer that contemplates the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of Mary, offering a pathway to reflect on the fundamental mysteries of faith. It is believed that through the Rosary, one can achieve a deeper connection with God, find solace in times of distress, and contribute to the betterment of the world by praying for peace.

Devotion to Our Lady of Fatima is not just about honoring Mary; it is also about heeding her call to live a life of virtue and prayer. The messages delivered at Fatima stressed the need for conversion, penance, and prayer, particularly the Rosary, to bring about the salvation of souls and peace on Earth. The apparitions coincided with the turmoil of World War I, making the call for peace even more poignant and urgent. The children were also shown a vision of hell, emphasizing the dire consequences of sin and the importance of spiritual sacrifice for the conversion of sinners.

The "Five First Saturdays" devotion is another aspect of the Fatima message, where the faithful are encouraged to confess, receive Communion, recite the Rosary, and meditate on its mysteries on the first Saturday of five consecutive months. This practice is believed to bring special graces and the assistance of Mary at the time of death.

The miracle of the sun, witnessed by thousands during the last apparition, served as a divine sign of the authenticity of the Fatima messages. It reinforced the importance of the Rosary and the devotion to Mary's Immaculate Heart, which are seen as powerful tools for spiritual growth and intercession.

Today, the devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and the Rosary continues to inspire Catholics from diverse cultures, uniting them in a shared commitment to prayer and the pursuit of peace. The Rosary, with its repetitive and contemplative nature, serves as a spiritual anchor, helping the faithful navigate the complexities of modern life while staying rooted in their faith.

In conclusion, the devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and the Rosary holds a vital place in Catholic spirituality. It is a call to embrace a life of prayer, penance, and conversion, with the promise of Mary's guidance and the hope for a world transformed by peace and divine love. As we reflect on the enduring messages of Fatima, let us renew our commitment to the Rosary, allowing it to lead us closer to Christ and to the fulfillment of Our Lady's vision for humanity.

A Reflection on Temptation

 

Reflection on Temptation

Temptation is a common experience for all of us. We are constantly faced with choices between good and evil, between virtue and vice, and between love and selfishness. How can we resist temptation and grow in holiness? How can we avoid falling into sin and despair?

One of the best guides for this spiritual struggle is St. Francis de Sales, the 17th-century bishop and doctor of the Church, who wrote extensively on the topic of temptation in his classic work, Introduction to the Devout Life. He offers us many practical and profound insights on how to deal with temptation, based on his own experience and the teachings of Scripture and the saints.

Here are some of his main points:

- Temptation is not a sin, but an opportunity to prove our love for God. "The most excellent method of proving our love for God is to endure temptations for His love's sake" (Part 4, Chapter 2).

- God allows us to be tempted for our own good, to test our faith, to humble us, to increase our merit, and to make us more like Christ. "God never permits such great trials to assail us as may overthrow us; or if He does, He gives us strength proportionate to the trial" (Part 4, Chapter 2).

- We should not be surprised or discouraged by temptation, but rather trust in God's grace and providence. "Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew" (Part 1, Chapter 9).

- We should not expose ourselves to unnecessary temptations, but avoid the occasions of sin as much as possible. "It is easier to avoid occasions of sin than to overcome temptations" (Part 3, Chapter 4).

- We should resist temptations promptly and firmly, without entering into dialogue with the enemy. "The first onset of all temptations is easily overcome, but if neglected it grows stronger" (Part 4, Chapter 3).

- We should pray fervently and frequently for God's help, especially invoking the holy names of Jesus and Mary. "Prayer is a sovereign remedy; it lifts up the soul to God, who is our only joy and consolation" (Part 4, Chapter 3).

- We should have recourse to the sacraments of confession and communion, which are powerful means of grace and healing. "Confession cleanses the soul from sin; Communion unites it with Jesus Christ" (Part 2, Chapter 19).

- We should seek the advice and support of a wise and pious spiritual director or friend, who can guide us and comfort us in our difficulties. "A faithful friend is a strong defense; he that hath found him hath found a treasure" (Ecclesiasticus 6:14).

- We should meditate on the passion and death of Christ, who suffered for our sins and gave us an example of patience and obedience. "Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself; lest you be wearied and faint in your minds" (Hebrews 12:3).

- We should imitate the saints, who overcame many temptations by their love for God and their fidelity to His will. "They were tempted that they might be victorious; they fought that they might triumph; they conquered that they might be crowned" (St. Bernard).

By following these counsels of St. Francis de Sales, we can hope to overcome temptation and grow in holiness. As he says: "The more violent our temptations are, the more glorious will be our victory; because both our merit and our reward depend upon the greatness of our love; and love is great in proportion as it costs us dear" (Part 4, Chapter 2).

St. Francis de Sales tells us that no one welcomes temptation. Jesus Himself did not seek it. He was led by the Spirit to the desert to be tempted and quite frankly, annoyed (Matthew 4:1).  He also tells us that temptation is never found among sinners or those who are manifest sinners who have grown accustomed or used to living in sin. This is because Satan already has them. He has no reason to tempt the people he already has. Temptation only comes when we say yes to God and begin our journey in the spiritual life. This is why we often wonder why bad things happen to good people. We read in the book of Job the hardships that Job faced. Satan was allowed to torment this humble soul (Job 1:12).

Despite those hardships, what did Job do? Did he curse God? Did he condemn God's actions saying God has no concern for anyone? Did he say God was asleep or did not exist because of the hardships?  No!  Job's reply was 

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.[The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” -Job 1:20

In light of this, when temptation comes and IT WILL COME, we must be ready to accept it and deal with it.  It is important to note that Satan will not always attack us where we are weak. He will attack where we are strong.  For example, if we are good with meditation but bad with humility, Satan will attack the strength of meditation.  This is because the humility in us is already weak, so he does not have to do much work there.  

Take the story of Jesus in the desert for example in Luke 4:1-13. Satan knew Jesus was hungry, so he demanded Jesus turn stones into bread.  There is probably nothing worse than hunger. Some people even get "hangry" or moody when they are hungry and may behave in an animalistic manner devoid of all reason. In the presence of food, our mouths salivate without thinking. Eating is an important part of existence and is necessary for it. So imagine telling Jesus who did not eat for 40 days and nights to turn stones into bread.  This is why Satan requested this.  

Moreover, he most likely saw the people treating Jesus in a special manner with deference, so Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world believing Jesus would take the bait and say yes.  He thought Jesus was like an influencer on social media today who seeks attention for "likes," a narcissist.  Jesus was far from that! Satan also tells Jesus to literally throw Himself off a cliff so the angels can catch Him. Again, he does this because he most likely saw what happened at Jesus' baptism when the dove appeared and a voice said that this is my beloved Son (Matthew 3:16-17).  Remember, Satan IS NOT all-knowing. He is not omniscient. Only God is. Satan is limited just like human beings are. The only difference is that he existed before humans and is a spirit, not a body and soul like humans. Satan can only know what he observes just like we can only know what we observe.  

The key is to be on alert always as 1 Peter 5:8-9 says.  Satan and his demons are always on the prowl looking to prey on the children of God.  Our response is to pray when we are the prey.  He did it with Adam, Eve, and Jesus, do not think he will not go after you.  The advice from St. Francis de Sales is helpful, but may I add a few more ideas.  

• Reading and meditating on Sacred Scripture is essential, particularly the Psalms which often deal with temptation and hardships. 
• Devotions are important. Whether it be the Rosary, chaplet to the Divine Mercy, Litanies, or anything else, they are extremely helpful in keeping our minds and souls distracted from temptation. 
• Regularly confessing sins brings about sanctifying grace that strengthens the soul. It is also not a mystery that frequent reception of Holy Communion is the ultimate source of grace. Be sure to receive only when in a state of grace, never while in mortal sin. Receiving Holy Communion while in mortal sin is like putting on an expensive suit or dress while not having bathed in 10 years, or like putting on expensive shoes or Jordan sneakers that cost over $500 when your feet smell demonic.  
• Silence is another form to use to battle temptation. Not giving attention to the temptation helps enormously. This is why even exorcists are trained to ignore the demon(s) and focus on the rite of exorcism instead. Ignoring someone takes away their power. This is why Jesus remained silent in the face of accusers.  He took away their power and focused on His mission. There is also nothing more powerful than a moment of silence. When we mourn someone and have it, there is an ambiance of energy and strength that fills the room.  There is a sense as if time has stopped. The same sensation is also noted in a church where the people are respectful and keep silent.  Entering a church where one hears nothing allows the senses to focus on the imagery found, and most importantly, the Tabernacle where Jesus is truly present. 
• Never entertain the temptation. St. Francis de Sales tells us in his sermon for the first Sunday of Lent that we should never be prideful thinking we have the power to overcome the devil and his temptations.  Satan thrives on cockiness.  He is the little horn that spews blasphemy against God (Daniel 7:25, Revelation 13:5).  Only humility can defeat a demonic attack.
• Humility in the world is seen as a weakness.  This is true especially among males and particularly in conservative squares. The term "beta male" is often used to describe men who they see as weak. Manhood is measured against these terms. In reality, the humble man, woman, or child is the most powerful. This is because they can face anything and nothing phases them. Their humility takes control against tempers, disrespect, irreverence, and even violence. All we have to do is let go and let God.  God will fight for us, we just have to be still; He will avenge us. (Exodus 14:14, Psalm 46:10, Romans 12:19-21).
• The use of Sacramentals is important as well. Unfortunately, modern clerics and lay Catholics often dismiss Sacramentals as superstition or medieval nonsense. This is only a testament to their inner corruption. Sacramentals are holy reminders. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes them as: 

1667 "Holy Mother Church has, moreover, instituted sacramentals. These are sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church. By them men are disposed to receive the chief effect of the sacraments, and various occasions in life are rendered holy."173 1677 Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church. They prepare men to receive the fruit of the sacraments and sanctify different circumstances of life.

These actions or objects prepare us to receive grace. They remind us of the mysteries of Christ and how they applied to His Mother Mary and our Mother and to the saints.  Wearing medals or a scapular helps us during temptations. They are reminders that God is with us and protecting us. They remind us that Our Lady, the angels and saints are with us and rooting for our success.  Human beings are sensual beings. They rely on input from the senses to learn and grow. Sacramentals play a huge role in this. They aid the biology and psychology of the human person in guiding the spiritual.  All aspects of the human being are at work. This is why it is important for even priests and religious to wear their cassocks, collars, and habits. These are sacramentals as well. 

In closing, temptations are real. They will come once we take God and the spiritual life seriously. If we remain in the world, temptations will not come. This is because we are already on Satan's side. He has no reason to tempt in this regard. However, once we follow God and His ways, that is when temptation will come.  Satan is intelligent and observes us. He will know where to target, so always be on alert.  Arm yourself with spiritual tools and weapons so you can overcome the temptation. 

May God grant us the grace to resist temptation and to love Him above all things. Amen.

Lent & The Purge

Spoiler alert.  If you have not seen the movie, "The Purge," then too bad.  You will know about the plot in this post. :)

In this movie, the United States of America collapsed after economic and social disarray. We are not given the details of this, but are told that there is a new order that runs the nation.  This order was developed by a totalitarian regime that is described as the "New Founding Fathers."

Every year, these "New Founding Fathers" allow all criminal activity to be legal for 12 hours.  This period is called, "The Purge."  The idea behind this "purge" is based on psychological research in the movie which claims that by having a psychological catharsis via the means of violence and aggression, then citizens will remove these inner animalistic drives and this in turn brings down crime. In other words, by letting out the aggression for 12 hours, American citizens will not have this aggression repressed throughout the year in their lives which will force them to commit crimes randomly.  So by letting it all out on one night, they release all of this aggression from the Id and then can live normal lives guided by the super ego the rest of the year until they need to release that aggression again.

In the movie, we see a group of wealthy ivy-league educated Caucasian youths seeking a homeless African American man in order to butcher him. This is representative of the Darwinian view of "survival of the fittest."  The wealthy seek the poor in order to cause their extinction.  We also see in the movie how other wealthy neighbors try to kill the family the movie's plot is centered on due to the fact that they are jealous of their success and angry that the family made money off of them by selling security systems for protection during "The Purge" event.  One of these neighbors is shown at the beginning of the film as being friendly with the wife of the main character who designed the security systems.  This neighbor then tries to kill her later on in the movie and is insistent on doing so showing this animalistic aggression in her forcing her to try to kill the wife.

Psychologically speaking, the idea of a "purging" of aggression by allowing citizens to commit crimes for 12 hours is not scientific.  Aggression brings about more aggression and not retaliating actually helps (Bushman, BJ. 2002).  As a matter of fact, the only time aggression gives a sense of relief is when a victim attacks or kills someone who is trying to attack or kill him or her (Myers, D. 2013). This is due of course to the mere fact that the victim eliminated his or her threat.  If you stopped someone from attacking or killing you, will you not feel relief?  Anger is a natural emotion, but it has limits.  We should never let angry get the best of us (Ephesians 4:26-27).

As we continue on in the season of Lent, I thought of this movie and the idea of "giving it up" during Lent. Catholics "give something up" during this period as penance.  It is meant to bring our focus to God solely and as a symbolic gesture that we can give up anything for God.  Lent is a true "Purging" that is healthy psychologically, physically and spiritually.  Instead of going around and taking out our aggression on others for 40 days, we give something up for God. We show the strength of our character by sending out the message to ourselves and others that what we gave up does not control us.  During Lent, we do more penance and perform more charitable acts.  These should hopefully condition our minds, bodies and souls to be more Christ-like. Instead of holding grudges, we forgive those who hurt us and have mercy on others who may become problematic.  Holding anger and grudges does not work and hurts our minds, bodies and soul (James 1:19-20).

Lent purges us of the disordered desires that original sin has developed in us forcing us to sometimes behave like mindless zombies just running on pure instinct. Jesus gave us an excellent example when He went into the desert (Matthew 4:1-11). In the Scriptures, going into the desert meant going into isolation in order to seek God. This is why the Hebrews went into the desert after they left captivity (Exodus 15:22).  Lent should remind us of this.  We leave the capitivity of sin and society's scripts that often force us to behave in an unchristian manner in order to encouter God in the desert, so to speak. The desert is a hot, dry and weary place that will scare us, especially after we have become accustomed to societies "goods" and comforts.  We prefer to know of the desert via images or text than to experience it first hand (Robinson, "On the Lord's Appearing" p.205).

Like Israel, we will struggle and question God when the desert becomes too much to handle (Psalm 95:9).  Then the ancient narcissistic cosmic pain in the rear named Satan loves to show up in order to tempt us and remind us of how "good" we had it before we accepted Christ.  If we are not careful, we can fall into acedia or spiritual laziness/sloth which paralyzes us from being with God and living out the Christian life.  While in the desert of Lent, we must come out victorious in Jesus and not create idols of gold like the Hebrews did in order to satisfy their materialistic desires (Exodus 32).  Lent is the time to really focus on where we stand before God in light of the passion of the Christ.

God so loved us that He gave His only Son to die a horrible and humiliating death, so how do we return that love (John 3:16)?  By giving up meat on Fridays and fasting, we remind ourselves that while we are biological organisms needing nutrition, we are also spiritual beings who need God and without this God we would not exist (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3). What is a steak or three full meals compared to living in God who is the creator of life?  It is via this penance, prayer, reception of the sacraments, reading of Sacred Scripture that we purge ourselves truly. We begin to realize that the things we gave up that we depended on really are not needed. A true self-actualization takes place that surpasses anything Maslow could have formulated. During Lent, the mind, body and soul return to their equilibrium because God is the only center that holds and can hold us together.  May Jesus Christ be praised forever!      

God of All - 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Pope Francis is now in Korea as I write this. The readings for today highlight something important regarding the Pope's visit to this region.

The Catholic Church is everywhere.  She is universal.  This is what the word "Catholic" means. The readings today show how God incorporates all of humanity into His household, not just the Israelites.

In the first reading from Isaiah, we read how foreigners who join to the Lord, follow His commandments, keep His covenant will receive a place on His holy mountain.  The sacrifices they burn will be made acceptable to Him.  Isaiah who was a prophet, is inviting all to come and unite with the one true God of Israel.  The reading closes with the statement, "for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." This is a foreshadowing of the Catholic Church; the new covenant of God made through the blood of Christ on the Cross. This house is the pillar and foundation of the Truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

The responsorial Psalm connects with the first reading reminding us that all the nations will praise God. It is telling us that God's people are from all parts of the world, not just the nation of Israel. All the peoples on Earth will praise God.  This is what we are doing at Mass. Catholics throughout the world from every nation are praising God. No other religion can do this since the Catholic Church is the only faith that is universal.

In the second reading, St. Paul communicates to the Romans and us today that the Catholic Church is the completion of all the things God promised to Israel.  He tells us that his also includes the Gentiles, or those who are not of Israel.  We read in this reading that the Jews rejected Christ just like Jews today. Some did convert and accepted the teachings of Christ; however, St. Paul hopes that all Jews or those of his race would join the Christian faith. Hopefully one day the Jews will recognize Christ as their messiah.

Lastly in the Gospel, we see a few things here. One, Jesus shows us how He includes the Gentiles and we also see how one must have faith and perseverance when praying.  In this Gospel, we see Jesus seem to rudely ignore the Canaanite woman who is asking Him to rescue her daughter from a demon.  The disciples then come and tell Jesus to tell her to go away because she kept going after them.  Jesus replies saying that He came for those who were lost in the house of Israel. The woman was nearby and paid homage to Jesus asking Him to help.  She kept insisting despite Jesus saying that He only came for the Jews.  Jesus was obviously testing this woman's faith to make an example of what true faith is.  After the woman asked Jesus for help, He spoke to her strong words that it's not right to give the food of kids to dogs.  In today's world, we would call that "fighting words." Jesus is pretty much calling those who are not of the house of Israel, dogs! Nevertheless, the woman does not get angry and curse Jesus out or reply aggressively. Instead, the woman tells Jesus that even the dogs eat the leftovers that fall from the table.  Jesus liked what He heard and said she had great faith and her request was immediately answered.

As an atheist, reading this passage gave me a different impression of Jesus.  To me, He came across as a jerk or rude. This woman comes to Him asking Him to help her daughter. She probably heard of the miracles He has done or maybe even witnessed one herself and wanted Jesus to do something for her. However, after asking for help, Jesus ignores her and then pretty much calls her and the Canaanites dogs. This text is obviously much richer than that. Here we see Jesus testing the woman who is one of the foreigners we read about in the first reading. Jesus was being cautious. How many people pray to God only to get something and then never utter a prayer again? God to them becomes a genie in a bottle granting wishes. Many atheists today don't understand prayer. They use the "God doesn't answer prayers" or "prayer doesn't work" claim in order to try to corner Christians into a dilemma that doesn't exist.  This Gospel shows how prayer must be a constant.  It must have perseverance and true faith. We must not pray to God as if He were a genie or the Wizard of Oz who grants favors.  God is much more.  He is our Father.

God will not always answer prayers right away.  He many not answer them in the way that we want.  God answers prayers in the way you needed them to be answered; not how you wanted them to be answered.  We know from Genesis (Adam & Eve) and elsewhere that God is like a scientist putting us to the test.  Jesus wasn't intentionally ignoring the woman, nor did He use strong language to offend.  He was testing her faith especially since she was a foreigner or Gentile woman. Obviously she passed the test by showing that despite not being part of the house of Israel, she knew God was real, she knew Jesus was God and she knew how to trust in Him, have faith in Him and wait on Him.  We too must be patient and trust God.  We must not become like Moses who tapped the rock at Horeb again after God took His time to make water flow from it. (see: http://www.sacerdotus.com/2014/03/third-sunday-of-lent-reflection.html)  God is not our personal genie where He waits for us to ask for wishes to be granted.

Moreover, we as Catholics must not fall into triumphalism, or believe that we are better than anyone else of another religion or believe that our faith is superior to others.  This unfortunately seems too common among those who are still angry about the changes done by Vatican II.  They often misinterpret "extra ecclesiam nulla salus" as meaning that the Catholic Church is an elitist club and if you're not a member, then too bad, you're going to hell.  This is NOT what the phrase conveys.  The Catholic Church is the normative means for salvation via Jesus Christ because she was founded by Him.  However, this does not mean anyone outside of the Church cannot be saved nor does it mean other religions have it completely wrong.  The catechism states:

843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."332    

"Outside the Church there is no salvation" 

846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers?335 Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:
Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.336 

847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:
Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.337 

848 "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men."338   

Source: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm 

The Catholic Church is for all peoples. She is Universal. God brings all peoples of all nations to praise Him in His House.  No one should be excluded from the Church or made to feel like he or she does not belong.  As St. Paul tells us in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."



Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081714.cfm

Silence

Silence is some thing we often forget about. In today's world full of so much noise, it is hard to appreciate silence.  During Lent and throughout the year, prayer and meditation is extremely important. 

In it, we encounter God in ways that the senses cannot truly appreciate.  We read in
1 Kings 19:11-13 how God tells Elijah that He is about to pass.  Elijah witnessed what seemed like volcanic activity with mountains splitting, earthquakes and fire; however, God was not in that activity.  

Human beings often think of God as this being that is "loud and proud," God is not.  If we continue reading 1 Kings 19 verse 12 we see that God comes as a soft whisper.  This is hard to believe at first; how can God - the Creator - present Himself as a mere whisper?  Where are the trumpets, fanfare, and cosmic fireworks?  God does not need them.  

God can be found in silence.  In the quietness of the human soul one will encounter God.  In order to dwell in the presence of God just like Elijah did, we must be silent and must be in silence.  While in silence we can appreciate the beauty of God's grace working in our souls just like an astronaut can appreciate the beauty of space since space is silent and while in 0 gravity one can only take in via the eyes the majesty of the stars, moon and Earth.  

I was recently in New York City and forgot how noisy it can be.  The sounds of cars, buses, people shouting, kids with super loud "beats audio" headphones, cell phones ringing constantly and so on are a huge distraction.  The human being has a short attention span, according to cognitive psychologists.  We easily get distracted with any little stimulus.

If you want to encounter God, you must rid yourself of all distractions and allow yourself to be in a place of silence.  This is why I stress to priests to keep their churches quiet even if it means having some get upset when you tell them to be silent.  When one enters a church, one should feel like he/she has just entered another dimension, so to speak.  The transition from distraction and noise to peace and quiet must be perceived immediately upon entering a church.  The same environment should be imitated at home or during free time when one can pray without issue.  

Take this time to turn off every distraction and pray in a silent environment.  Listen to God in the whisper just like Elijah did.      
  

De Colores!

You're probably wondering why there is a rainbow here.  NO THIS IS NOT A "GAY PRIDE" THING!  The rainbow belongs to God, not the LGBT community.

This is one of the symbols used by the Cursillo movement.  The Cursillo has its origins in southern Spain in the 1940's.  Its purpose is to activate faith in Christians by using 3 days of prayer, isolation from the world and the studying of Christian spirituality.  

The word 'Cursillo' means short course or workshop.  It is meant to describe the 15 courses given during the 3 days.  The courses remind a Christian of his/her duty as a witness to Christ. He/she makes a commitment to live the Christian life through prayer, study and action. 

That is about all I can share due to the fact that one has to experience the Cursillo in order to benefit from it greatly.  

• Prayer is important in a spiritual life.  Without prayer; faith, charity, religion are useless.  In prayer we submit to God.  We are reminded of our place before God.  
• Study is very important.  We must know the Faith well and how to defend it.  We should also use the wisdom and sciences of the world to defend and promote the faith.   
• Action must always be taken by all Christians.  Faith is something that cannot be private.  We must share it with others through our life and our words.  

The Cursillo doesn't end at the 3rd day.  All Cursillistas are called upon to attend the Ultreya and continue their spiritual growth.  

If you have not made your Cursillo you are missing out.  It is an awesome experience - a truly spiritually nourishing event. 

Advent

We are in the holy season of Advent where we prepare for both the coming of Christ at Christmas and the second coming at the end of time.  It is a spiritual period in which to meditate on these two mysteries and prepare for them.  We use the wreath and 4 candles to mark down the 4 weeks before Christmas.  


Three of the candles are purple and one is pink.  The purple symbolizes preparation through penance and prayer.  Purple is also used during Lent.  Another way to see it is purple is a physical sign of healing.  When we get hurt, the injury becomes purple.  During the time of healing it remains purple until it clears up.  Sin hurts us and we need time to heal from it by using the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist, Prayer, Fasting, Indulgences and a Spiritual life.  


The pink is for the third Sunday or Gaudete Sunday which means "Sunday of Joy."   We are joyous because we are getting closer to Christ's birth.  As each week goes, we light the candle that corresponds to that week.  


Let us continue to meditate on Christ's first coming and not forget that He is coming again to judge the living and dead.  Let us all prepare for that coming.

Let us pray:


Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God's own work for justice. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's joy. I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the lifebegun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son. 

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.