On the feast of the Holy Family and in this Year Of St Joseph, we consider the place of St Joseph in the mystery of the Incarnation. St Joseph is part of the hypostatic order - which means that we really cannot understand who Jesus is without consideration of the role of St Joseph.
We meditate on St Joseph's role in various moments in the infancy narratives, and consider why we should have strong devotion to this great patron!
Of all the many details of our Lord's birth, one which is often overlooked is the fact that he was born in a cave. Even more, we rarely reflect upon the reality that being born in a cave means that the Lord Jesus was born not only on the earth, but under the earth.
Being born in the cave shows his great humility, and embracing of poverty. Also, being born underground shows us that his Church begins as an underground Church (even as the early Christians began persecuted in the Catacombs, our Lord began his life under persecution from King Herod). Although we are in a time in which the Church may well have to go "underground" again, we have faith that the light of God's glory shown in that cave under the hills.
We discuss the Catholic teaching related to creation and the theory of evolution. While evolution would in no way undermine the Catholic faith or the belief in the existence of God, there are certain scientific and philosophical reasons to question the theory.
St Luke's account of the Annunciation of the angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary contains numerous mysteries:
1) "Hail, full of grace" indicates that our Lady was conceived without original sin.
2) "How can this be, since I do not know man?" indicates that our Lady had made a vow of virginity.
3) "It is now the sixth month for her who was called barren" allows us to date the birth of our Lord to late December - Jesus really was born on December 25th.
While the most straight forward interpretation of Genesis 1 is that there were six twenty four hour days in which God created the heavens and the earth, St Augustine (through careful study of both Genesis 1 and 2) believed that we do not need to think that the world was literally created in six days. St Thomas Aquinas follows St Augustine in this theory - which, reflected against modern scientific investigation, would allow for an initial creation of matter with the gradual development of galaxies and planets, and even the gradual emergence of life and plant/animal species through billions of years.
There is nothing in Genesis or in the Catholic Understanding of Creation which is contradicted by modern scientific theories.
Explanation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception - that Mary was redeemed from the first moment by being preserved from original sin in her Immaculate Conception. Mary was saved by Christ and in no way is equal to God. But simply because of his great goodness and generosity, God gave us Mary as Immaculate Virgin Mother.
Since childhood, Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti suffered from epileptic seizures which prevented him from serving in the military and nearly kept him from the priesthood. However, he promised Mary that he would do all he could to promote her Immaculate Conception, if only she would help him become a priest.
Giovanni was ordained, and eventually became Pope Pius IX - and then defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854.
The history of St Nicholas, bishop of Myra - certainly one of the most universally beloved saints.
From his infancy, St Nicholas practiced penance by fasting on Wednesday and Friday. He also had made a trip to the holy land as a young man. As a bishop, St Nicholas suffered for the faith in the persecution of Diocletian before Christianity was legalized by Constantine. Most importantly, St Nicholas defended the true faith in the council of Nicaea. We also consider various miracles, including the continuous miraculous manna or oil which seeps from St Nicholas' bones even today.
This week, we discuss why the proofs for God's existence do not require the universe to have had a beginning and also that the Big Bang Theory (or any other scientific theory about the origin of the universe) would not undermine St Thomas' proofs for God's existence.
We also point out some serious scientific problems with the Big Bang Theory.
There are three "Advents" of Jesus - three "comings" of the Messiah. He came first as a child born of Mary, and he will come as Judge in a final Advent at the end of time. Moreover, he comes by grace to our souls in a middle and hidden Advent each day.
Furthermore, in this Advent season, be awake to the signs of the times. In the midst of a pandemic, when many churches have been and will again soon be closed, take advantage of the graces of the sacraments while they are still available! This Advent, make daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration a priority!
We discuss that Ontological Argument for God's existence as expressed by St Anselm. Further, we consider another metaphysical argument from St Thomas Aquinas which not only proves that there is a God, but also that there can be only one true God.
The final Sunday of the Liturgical Year, we consider the end of time and the day of judgment. In addition to the particular judgment that we each will face at the moment of death, there is will be a general judgment at the end of time in which all will be revealed. This general judgment is the manifestation of each one's particular judgment and also the final triumph of divine providence over all history.
We consider also the great hymn/sequence, Dies Irae.
We finish our series on the short stories of Flannery O'Connor with "Everything that Rises Must Converge."
We discuss the Fifth Way of proving God's existence, from St Thomas Aquinas. We see a certain order in the natural world, in which even irrational things seem to act for an end. God' must be the divine governor who orders all these things.
We explain how St Thomas' argument is different from the modern intelligent design theory and, even though St Thomas' way is more difficult to fully grasp and takes more reflection to understand than modern intelligent design theory, why St Thomas' proof from order is significantly more convincing and much more difficult to disprove. Specifically, we show that modern recourse to Darwin, evolution, natural selection or big bang really does not in any way hurt St Thomas' argument (even though, some would argue, these scientific theories could undermine aspects of the modern intelligent design theory).
The first reading from Proverbs speaks of the good wife --- and we take this opportunity to reflect upon what will make for a happy and holy marriage.
St Paul tells us, "Wife, obey your husband. Husband, love your wife." This is the key to a happy marriage: For the woman to obey her husband in everything, to respect him as head, and to inspire him through praise; for the man to love his wife selflessly, to lay down his life for her, and to show her appreciation especially through compliments.
We recommend an excellent book on marriage: The Catholic Marriage Manual, by Fr George Kelly.
This week, we read "Parker's Back" which is a reflection on the heresy of iconoclasm, the rejection of holy images of God and the saints.
Discussing the Catholic Response to Atheism, we look today at the proofs of God's existence. In particular, the proof from Contingency - which is the reality that things exist when they don't HAVE to exist. The fact that things exist proves that there must be some creator who exists necessarily.
In the month of November, we think of the Souls in Purgatory and the Last Things (Heaven, Hell, Death and Judgment). In this sermon, we consider the best approach to the Catholic Funeral Mass.
The funeral is not meant to be a "celebration of life" or a "canonization" -- we are called first to worship God for the salvation he offers in Christ, then to pray for the soul of the deceased, and finally to bring peace to the friends and family.
A few quick points: Ask the priest to wear black vestments, use the traditional antiphons rather than modern hymns, and having full body burial rather than cremation.
As we celebrate All Saints Day, we must believe that we really can become saints! It isn't too late for you to become a great saint. November 1st will one day be our feast day in heaven.
Session 2 of our High School Youth Group -- The Catholic Response to Atheism
The two main objections to God's Existence: "The Problem of Evil" and "The God of the gaps"
"You shall not molest or oppress an alien." Exodus 22:20
The readings cause us to reflect upon immigration which, although not as essential an issue as abortion or religious liberty, is still something to consider in our times.
There are two principles Catholics must hold: 1. People have a right to migrate in order to support themselves and their family. 2. Governments have a right and duty to secure their borders and require immigrants to fulfill certain duties to the State.
Far too many Catholic leaders (and most Catholic Bishops) only speak of the right to migrate and the compassion that ought to be show to immigrants, but almost completely ignore the duty of nations to secure the boarders and regulate immigration.
Discussing the short stories of Flannery O'Connor, we read this week the stories A View of the Woods and The River. The series will continue into November.
In this series, we are reading various short stories of Flannery O'Connor. This week, we look at what is probably her most well known and praised story - "A Good Man is Hard to Find." We also consider her reflections on being a Catholic Novelist in the Protestant South.
The parable of the king who held a great feast and invited many guests, ultimately bringing in the bad and the good alike, stands for the invitation that the Lord makes to each of us for a deeper spiritual life and even contemplative prayer.
Let no one say, as the ungrateful townspeople of the parable who refused the invitation, that they are too busy for the Lord. You are invited to a deeper life of prayer! God demands that you become a great saint! It is by mental prayer, more than anything else, that we become good.
Outline of mental prayer: 1) Introduction, recognize the presence of God and decide on the mystery for mediation. 2) Considerations, consider the love God has shown for you in this mystery of Jesus' life and offer your love to him in return. 3) Conclusion, offer God your petitions and especially ask that you be saved. Be sure to make a concrete resolution for how to grow in holiness this day.
In this opening session, we review the class calendar for the year and discuss the theme of this year's youth group: The Catholic Response to Atheism.
In this week's class, we discuss the two most Catholic stories of Flannery O'Connor: A Temple of the Holy Ghost, and The Enduring Chill.
Catholics do not vote as Catholics - we are divided along the same lines as any other group of Americans. However, when we look to Catholics who self identify as "accepting all or most of Church Teachings" (that is, when we look to faithful and devout Catholics), these are far more likely to vote for Trump than for Biden, and have voted for the Republicans more than the Democrats in recent elections. Why is it that devout and faithful Catholics will vote for Trump?
Biden and the Democrats are this year far more pro-abortion than every before. And the Democrat party has alienated pro-life voters. The Democratic Party proves themselves to be focused on the one issue of "abortion rights". Joe Biden has made it clear that, according to him, a vote for Biden is a vote for abortion.
In this course, we are reading and discussing some of Fr Ryan's favorite stories from Flannery O'Connor.
This week, we consider "Revelation" and "Why do the Heathen Rage?" -- we prepare also for next week's stories, "Temple of the Holy Ghost" and "The Enduring Chill"
We hear the parable of the vineyard workers - those that worked only one hour receive the same full day's wage as those who worked since dawn. This parable, in the literal sense, speaks of the conversion of the gentiles who are incorporated into the covenant originally given to the Jewish people. The New Covenant given in Christ offers salvation even to all the nations.
This parable also gives us hope that it is never to late to become a saint. We realize that, by God's grace, every sin and vice can be overcome - we must prefer heaven to the vanities of the world!
In this series, which will go through October and possibly into November, we will read and discuss some of Father Ryan's favorite Flannery O'Connor short stories.
Course objectives: To appreciate Flannery O’Connor as a Catholic and as a grotesque writer of the American South. To recognize her unique contribution to Catholic thought in the United States. Finally, to learn to enjoy the writings of this exquisite and strange young woman.
"Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight." Sirach 27:30
Having preached in early July about the virtue of meekness by which we overcome anger, today we look at forgiveness and setting aside anger as a means of opening ourselves to every grace and virtue.
If you desire any particular virtue or grace, forgive those who have offended you and love your enemies, and God will show you great mercy and will forgive you your faults and grant you every grace needed to grow in holiness.
Sometimes, when there are deep wounds and hurts, forgiveness can be particularly difficult. Often, even when we want to forgive, we find that emotionally we are not yet able to let go of the pain we have suffered. There is a meditation upon Christ Crucified which can help open our hearts to forgive.
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."
Monday (August 24th) was the feast of St Bartholomew, who followed the Lord to the point of enduring the most horrific death of all the Apostles - being flayed alive.
We discuss the history of St Bartholomew, who is actually Nathaniel from St John's Gospel. The Lord praised him as "A true Israelite, in whom there is not guile." Guile means a certain two-facedness. The be without guile is for his yes to mean yes and his no to mean no. St Bartholomew, once strengthened by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and having preached the Gospel as far as India, would be yes for Christ to the end, even enduring a most violent death.
From the years 449 to 451, there was great debate in the Church over who Christ really is - is he truly God and Man, or only Divine? Pope St Leo the Great defended the true doctrine that Jesus is God and Man, two natures in a single divine person.
The Letter of Pope St Leo was received by the Church as the Catholic Bishops declared, "Peter has spoken through Leo!"
The miraculous history of the Council of Chalcedon and the famous Tome of Leo.
"And the temple of God was opened in heaven: and the are of his testament was seen in the temple ... And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars."
St John the Evangelist sees the Ark of the New Covenant in Heaven, who is the Woman - the Virgin Mary. This passage of Revelation speaks of numerous individual people: The Dragon is Satan, the Child is Jesus, Michael is St Michael the Archangel. And so we recognize that the Woman is also a real individual: The Blessed Virgin Mary.
"They are Israelites, theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the worship and the promises; theirs the patriarchs and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen."
These words from St Paul's Letter to the Romans show the love the Apostle to Gentiles had for his own people, the Jews. We think of another Jewish convert to Christianity, and her continued love for the Jewish people -- St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Edith Stein. Today is the feast of St Edith Stein, and we consider two other saints of the Holocaust, St Maximilian Kolbe and Blessed Titus Brandsma.
Blessed Titus died by lethal injection for refusing to promote pro-Nazi and anti-Semitic propaganda. He gave his Rosary to the nurse who killed him, and won her conversion.
St Maximilian Kolbe is very famous and well known. As a boy, he told our Lady that he desired perfect purity and the gift of martyrdom. He gave his life in Auschwitz in the place of a man with a wife and children.
St Edith Stein was raised in a devout Jewish home, but became an atheist when she was thirteen. She was extremely intelligent and went on to become one of the greatest philosophers of her time. She was converted to Catholicism by reading the autobiography of St Teresa of Avila, and later joined the Carmelite order, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She gave her life to be united with her people, dying in Auschwitz.
Outline
of Session 9: Commentary on Revelation
chapters 18-22. The Final Battle and the victory of Christ. The Thousand Year
Reign as occurring now during the life of the Church. The First Resurrections as the conversion of
the soul and forgiveness of sins through baptism. The Second Resurrection as
the resurrection on the Last Day. The First Death as physical death, the Second
as spiritual death. The New Heavens and the New Earth as the transformation and
glorification of this world.
