Fr. Ryan Erlenbush - Reconsiderations

Last Sunday, August 28^th, was the feast of St. Augustine – though it was superseded by the Sunday liturgy. The holy bishop of Hippo and Doctor of Grace was, of course, a prolific writer. Almost everything he wrote, however, was a response to particular situations and controversies of the time and, while this is the mark of a true pastor of souls, it also made it more likely that there would be certain exaggerations or even errors in the finer points of his teachings.

And so, towards the end of his life (c. 426-428), St. Augustine wrote the Retractationes or “Reconsiderations” wherein he offers certain clarifications and corrections to his earlier writings.

I wish to offer this post in a similar spirit. In particular, I intend to clarify points which I have made here at The New Theological Movement which could really be confusing to some readers.

Fr. Ryan Erlenbush - Pray that priests will preach against contraception, Sermon for the Feast of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

The daily homily of Fr. Ryan Erlenbush, given last Monday for the feast of the beheading of St. John the Baptist. 

St. John the Baptist is a great model for the parish priest: He died defending the dignity of marriage. The parish priest is also called to give his life in defense of marriage and family life: This means preaching the truth against contraception and promoting the family Rosary.

Pray the good Lord to send us more holy priests!

See the homily here: Priests need to preach against contraception.

The wings and heads of St. John the Baptist

August 29^th, The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

The beheading of St. John the Baptist, whom Herod ordered to be headed about the Feat of the Pasch; but his memory is solemnly kept on this day, on which his venerated head was found for the second time. It was afterwards translated to Rome and is preserved in the church of St. Silvester in Capite and honoured by the people with great devotion. (from The Roman Martyrology)

We intend, in this article, to attempt something new for the New Theological Movement blog – we will look at several icons of St. John the Baptist and briefly discuss the theology contained therein.

If prayer can't change God, what good is it? The example of St. Monica

St. Monica, woman of prayer

August 27^th, Feast of St. Monica

The proper translation of the opening prayer of today’s Mass would read something like this: “O God, consoler of the sorrowing, who mercifully received the pious tears of blessed Monica for the conversion of her son Augustine, grant unto us that, by the intervention of these two, we may mourn our sins and find the indulgence of your grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ …”

The current translation reads: “God of mercy, comfort of those in sorrow, the tears of Saint Monica moved you to convert her son Saint Augustine to the faith of Christ. By their prayers, help us to turn from our sins and to find your loving forgiveness. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ …”

Notice the significant difference in the way these two collects present the manner in which prayer and God’s providence work – in the first, prayer is incorporated into God’s plan and is received by him as a means to effecting this plan; in the second, prayer is thought to move and change the divine plan, as though prayer did violence to the Almighty. Hence, the second prayer is misleading at best and perhaps even heretical. [however, for a defense of this second prayer, see our earlier article, which we still stand by]

But, if we admit that prayer (simply speaking) cannot move God, what good is it?

Did Jesus really call Peter "Satan"?

The crucifixion of St. Peter:
The meaning of our Savior's words, "Go behind me, Satan!"

22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Matthew 16:21-27

He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.”

While some might think it impossible that the kind and loving Jesus should speak an insult to anyone, it is clear from the testimony of the Holy Scriptures that the Savior is willing to apply evil and insulting words to others – he calls the Pharisees a generation of vipers (Matthew 12:34) and the Canaanite woman a dog (cf. Matthew 15:25), among other such instances. In the Gospel of this Sunday, it would seem that Christ even goes so far as to call Simon Peter, whom he had only just established as the rock and foundation of his Church, “Satan”.

How can this be? Did Jesus really call St. Peter “Satan”?

Why read about Nathanael on the feast of St. Bartholomew?

August 24^th, Feast of St. Bartholomew

“St. Bartholomew the Apostle, who preached the Gospel of Christ in India; thence he went into Greater Armenia, and when he had converted many folk there to faith, he was flayed alive by the barbarians, and by command of King Astyages fulfilled his martyrdom by beheading. His holy body was translated first to the Isle of Lipari, then to Benevento, and finally to Rome, to the island in the Tiber, where it is honoured with loving veneration by the faithful.” (Roman Martyrology)

The name “Bartholomew” does not seem to be the proper name of this Apostle, but is more of a title – for it means only “son of Tholmai”. Indeed, little is known about this great man. However, if we consider the Gospel which the Roman Church reads on the feast, we gain an insight into his identity. The Gospel does not mention St. Bartholomew, but is the calling of St. Nathanael through the cooperation of St. Philip.

New links and a new blog

Have you ever wondered whether the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a physical heart? Take a look at this post for an answer!

While you’re at it, consider the other articles on this new blog, VirtuousPla.net, which is aimed especially at Catholic young adults and promises to be a great addition to the blogosphere. [I will be writing for it about twice a month, but there are many other (young) contributors as well who will be writing from various perspectives, all unwaveringly and unabashedly faithful to the Magisterium of the Church.]

Additionally, check out some of the new links that we at NTM have added to the newly-created right sidebar. You will find links to many helpful Catholic resources (including catechisms, bible commentaries, St. Thomas’ writings, and more) and also to a handful of the works of Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange (including his famous article: “Where is the ‘New Theology’ Leading Us?” – n.b. though our blog is called “The New Theological Movement”, we are not generally followers of the “New Theology” of Balthasar, Congar, and de Lubac).