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Today is the feast day of the three holy archangels whom we know by name: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. The Church’s recognition of these angels as saints emphasizes their importance to us and their close relationship with us. The love that these magnificent, powerful, and benevolent spirits have for mankind is only surpassed by their love of God. They know and do His will perfectly–and that includes loving and helping His human children!
St. Michael is portrayed as a mighty angelic prince and general. In the Book of Daniel, he is described as the special guardian of God’s people. He is probably best known, however, from his appearance in the Book of Revelation:
War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it. (Rev. 12:7-9)
St. Gabriel also appears in the Book of Daniel, to explain visions and give understanding to the prophet. But his most famous appearances are in the first chapter of Luke, first to Zechariah and then to the Virgin Mary, to announce the births of St. John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus, respectively. We repeat St. Gabriel’s salutation to Mary each time we pray, “Hail, Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with thee.”
St. Raphael appears in only one book, the Book of Tobit, but plays a larger and more intimate role with his human charges. Disguised as a man, he joins the young man, Tobiah, on a seemingly mundane errand. As it happens, however, this journey works miracles and changes lives forever. If you haven’t read the Book of Tobit, I highly, highly recommend it! It’s one of my favorite books in the Bible. Thanks to his role in this book, St. Raphael is known as a companion, a healer, and the Patron Saint of Happy Meetings.
These great angelic Saints are always available to us, to protect us, to give us understanding, and to walk with us through life. We should turn to them often. Feast days like today are a good reminder of that!
ALSO: For more, lots more, on our angelic friends in Heaven, I recommend visiting Happy Catholic–Julie celebrated today’s feast in grand fashion with Joan Wester Anderson, author of Angels and Wonders: True Stories of Heaven on Earth.
No, this isn’t a post about Confession; rather, that’s the title of this excellent Britcom I ran across on Netflix! The show does have some pretty funny Confession-related scenes though–gotta love that!
This show is about life in a suburban English parish in 1950, pastored by Father Duddleswell (the wonderful Arthur Lowe), an Irish priest who is sometimes stern, sometimes roguish, but overall a good man who cares about his parish. Father D is joined by a fresh new curate, Father Boyd (Daniel Abineri), a pleasant young man who is naive, but also pretty smart and eager to learn the ropes. They have a housekeeper, Mrs. Pring (Gabrielle Daye), who is never afraid to speak her mind and is constantly bickering back and forth with Father D–but you can tell that they really get along. The actors really created a wonderful and very realistic chemistry among these three characters. There are lots of colorful supporting characters who fill out the ensemble.
The comedy is gentle and clean, with lots of verbal wit. The show has a good-natured and rather affectionate attitude toward Catholics and Catholicism, and toward the good old days when it takes place. Though the show was made in the late 70s/early 80s, you feel like you really are seeing life in 1950. There’s a sense of authenticity about it
From what I’ve read, the show’s writer, Peter de Rosa, actually served as a Catholic curate at some point, and published some autobiographical novels based on his experiences (under the pseudonym of Neil Boyd–the name of the curate in the show).
I would recommend Bless Me, Father to anybody who enjoys classic British Comedy. I don’t think you have to be Catholic to enjoy it, though I think it will be especially enjoyable for Catholics.
I look forward to seeing the next 2 discs! :D
I’m looking for modern classical and/or sacred music. By modern, I roughly mean late-19th-century through today. Fresh and unique, but not unnecessarily broken from the classical tradition… music that takes the classical tradition to new places. Sophisticated, elegant, well-crafted by master musicians, using classical instruments and/or choirs.
To give you an idea of what I already love, think French composers like Debussy, Ravel, Fauré, Satie, Duruflé, Poulenc. I fell in love with these as a piano student and choir singer, and have never tired of their music. But I think my horizons could use some broadening!
I’d also love to know about any good Catholic sacred/liturgical/hymn composers. I’m convinced that they are out there… even though we don’t seem to hear very much of them… I am not interested in anything that even vaguely resembles folk music, pop, rock, or any such thing. I’m looking for solid classical underpinnings.
Note, however, that I do not dislike folk, pop, rock, etc. Far from it. But that type of music is everywhere, including, sadly in our churches. I’m looking for something more rare and elusive.
Please, suggest away!
I’ve been thinking a lot about our second reading for this Sunday’s Mass, from St. Paul’s letter to the the Philippians:
Brothers and sisters:
Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh,
that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh
is more necessary for your benefit.
Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Having come to Mass from the Theology of the Body conference, I immediately thought that it was very fitting, sort of a nice summary of some of the things we’d heard and discussed at the conference.
Obviously, at the beginning, St. Paul makes reference specifically to Christ being “magnified in [his] body.” Not just in his soul or in his mind or in his letters, but in his body. We all magnify (or diminish) Christ through our bodies, through our external actions and interactions with others. Like words, actions really mean something. We can imitate Christ through our physical actions, or we can fail to do so. St. Paul intends to spend his life “in the flesh” serving others, being of benefit to others, and engaging in “fruitful labor.” The word “fruitful” stood out to me, because that is one of the 4 characteristics of God’s love: it is full, free, faithful, and fruitful. St. Paul wants to give a love that is fruitful, to love as Christ loves, to imitate Christ.
Indeed, St. Paul expresses such a complete giving of himself and entrusting of himself to Christ and Christ’s will that it doesn’t matter to him whether he lives or dies. It is quite radical! And yet, all Christians are called to such dedication of self.
One important way we interact physically with God and the Church is through the Sacraments. Sacraments by nature have everything to do with the material world and physical presence. This is very clear when it comes to Communion: we can understand Communion as a most intimate and powerful union between Christ’s Body and our bodies. It is a two-way action: He gives and we receive. There is such a thing as a spiritual Communion, of course, which is a good thing… but it can never replace the physical reception of Communion. I think that the importance of physical presence is also one reason (among others) that the Sacrament of Confession cannot be conducted over the phone or internet or any such thing. Priest and penitent must be physically close to each other, be able to listen to each other and speak to each other, be “in tune” to each other. It’s easy to overlook it or take it for granted, but Confession consists of a very close, very strong bond. I think we can sense that if it were done “virtually” or over the phone, there would be something very important missing.
Through the Sacraments, we partake of God’s own life and love, and receive all that we require to live for Him and for others. We are nourished and healed by them just as we are by food and medicine.
This reading ends with an exhortation by St. Paul to his fellow Christians: “Conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Again, conduct is an external feature, shown through our bodies. It is not enough to just say, “I am a Christian.” If you say that, but your conduct does not show it, then you are lying, you are dishonest. Likewise, if you receive Communion, but your soul is steeped in mortal sin, or if you go to Confession but have no plans to avoid sinning, you are lying to God and the Church, and those Sacraments are not going to give you grace. Your inner self and outer self must be in alignment–you must have integrity. This was another theme throughout the conference: having integrity. Holiness relies on integrity. Being fully human relies on integrity–we aren’t body or soul, we are body and soul. We can’t cleave ourselves in half and be fully ourselves.
Anyway, I have just been very taken by that reading… and both it and the conference have really inspired me to strive harder to give myself fully, freely, faithfully, and fruitfully to God and my fellow man! I know I will be happier and more myself for it.
…I did need my rest last night! Although it seems that the parish social wasn’t quite as busy, or as rowdy, as usual. Maybe the carnival tired everybody out!
I had a formation meeting with my Lay Dominican group. We talked about the importance of community (one of the four pillars of Dominican life). I think that is the pillar I think about least… and yet I sure do miss it when I’ve been away for a while! The Dominican community is more than just a group of fellow Dominicans. It is a true family bond that spans time and space and eternity. It is such a blessing, especially for a single person who lives alone.
This afternoon, I’ve been taking an online defensive driving class. I sorta got pulled over and was given a ticket last month. It was my first time getting stopped by the police–it was pretty mortifying. And cost a small fortune. But at least I can keep it off my record. A driving class certainly can’t hurt!
I’ll try to come up with some more interesting posts soon! :)
Whew, I’m just now unwinding from what has been a very eventful day!
The Theology of the Body conference was wonderful! Very thought-provoking–I definitely need to study up on ToB. I’d heard it lovingly called “JP2’s Sexual Revolution,” but I wasn’t aware of just how revolutionary it is. Lots and lots to digest! As always, it was enjoyable and very energizing to be in all-Catholic company. I got to meet people from all over DFW.
If you need somebody to do a talk about ToB, I recommend the good folks of TOBET. They’re knowledgable, and fun too!
I spent most of the day at the conference, and then hurried to my parish for the Vigil Mass. The neighborhood was incredibly jam-packed, and that’s when I remembered: the parish carnival is this weekend! Thankfully, I had plenty of time to find a parking space and walk 3 blocks to the church. Can’t complain.
After Mass, I decided on a complete whim to get a haircut (my haircuts nearly always result from complete whims). It’s now roughly chin-length, and in sort of a bob style. I think it suits me.
And now, though my normal bedtime is rather later, I am so tired I am going to turn in early! I have to be up somewhat early again in the morning to go staff the church library. There’s a parish social with coffee and donuts, which means two things: lots of very sugared-up children, and lots of parents too busy socializing to supervise said children. Add those two together and you get some pandemonium in the church library.
So. I’m gonna need my rest! ;)
I just read a wonderful article by Caroline Langston at Good Letters (the blog of Image journal) about the simple joys of cooking and the blessings of an incarnational faith and the liturgical year. It makes me want to get into the kitchen! Under the inspiration of St. Martha, my patron Saint for 2008, I’ve made cooking one of my personal goals for this year. I still haven’t done as much as I’d like, but I’m still aiming to do more! I’ve also been rather inspired by Father Z’s occasional food posts, such as this one!
It’s not something I think about that often, but I really do appreciate and thank God for the fact that He has given us the good things of the earth and the body! Sure, physical things can be abused, and can be a pain, often literally. And yes, Catholics are called to fast at times. But I find that the fasting and even the pains of being a physical creature make the good things all the sweeter and more precious! I have found that since my reversion to Catholicism, I have come to appreciate things like food much more. I have found that even the simplest of foods–a nice bread, beautiful veggies, the wonderful varieties of meat and fish, a cool cup of milk or yogurt–contain great delights and comforts that had gone unappreciated for far too long.
I think that the celebration of the Holy Eucharist has a lot to do with it. At the center of this most sublime and mysterious of feasts are two very simple, very humble, earthly things: bread and wine. At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the priest elevates each one and blesses God for providing them.
Blessed are You, Lord, God of all creation,
Through Your goodness we have this bread to offer,
which Earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the Bread of Life.
…
Blessed are You, Lord, God of all creation,
Through Your goodness we have this wine to offer,
fruit of the vine and work of human hands.
It will become our spiritual drink.
Notice that this is before the miracle of transubstantiation has occurred and the bread and wine have become something completely different and really quite mind-blowing: the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. In order for that to occur, in order for us human beings to have that intimate Communion with Him, we have to start with bread and wine. Also notice that the bread and wine are not only God’s work but mankind’s as well. Somebody made the bread and made the wine. So we humans also make an important contribution to this holiest of holy Sacraments. Finally, notice that the bread and wine were not made by expert chefs with a lot of fancy or expensive flourishes. Indeed, such flourishes are forbidden by Church law. The bread and wine to be transubstantiated must begin as the simplest of all breads and wines. Wheat and water. Fermented grapes. That’s it.
The simplicity and the goodness of the Eucharistic elements, and the gratitude that the priest and people express for them, is really powerful. I think it can really shape how we regard food and drink in general, even the entirety of life in general! If we take time in the Mass to thank God for the humblest bread and wine, should we not also take time to thank Him for everything else? Give it a try, and you’ll find yourself brimming over with gratitude… and gratitude can really transform your worldview. Gratitude can overcome pretty much any problem and stifle any complaint. There is always, always something to be grateful for!
For Catholics, physical things and spiritual things are never mutually exclusive. We are not Albigensians–”flesh=evil” and “spirit=good” don’t fly with us. Humans are both flesh and spirit. Our Lord Jesus Himself became both flesh and spirit. He spent a lot of time praying and fasting; He also ate, drank, and attended wedding feasts. And, yes, it seems He even cooked (cf. Jn. 21:9).
So let us be mindful and grateful and every kind of happy when we enjoy even simple edibles–and even more so, when we can add our own touch of work and creativity to them! And also let us do everything we can to make sure that every other brother and sister of ours is able to enjoy them. Let us be moderate, take only our share, and offer voluntary fasts for those who are less fortunate. In that way, we will learn even greater gratitude and take even greater pleasure in what we have. In that way, we shall feed both our bodies and spirits.
From time to time, I am asked about my vocation, to the effect of: ”Why would you become a Lay Dominican? Isn’t that a compromise? Why don’t you become a nun/sister and give yourself completely to God? Either that or just concentrate on getting a husband?”
Although I am certain that I am on the right path, I actually sympathize with these kinds of questions. Honestly, I even ask them of myself from time to time! My vocation and my purpose in my life and in this world can be a bit of a mystery to me. Sometimes, I start worrying and wondering whether I should be doing more, or whether I shouldn’t be somewhere much different in my life (geographically or spiritually). It’s one thing to practice discernment, but something else to let yourself get caught up in a whirlwind of doubt and anxiety that is going to sweep you off the path where God has placed you and plunk you down somewhere else… most likely somewhere you don’t want to be.
One thing I have learned about the spiritual life is that sometimes, you just have to stay your course and walk steadily, one foot in front of the other. Sometimes you need to resist the urge to question it. And whatever you do, don’t try to snatch the steering wheel away from God–that’s a fiery disaster waiting to happen!
I can say in all honesty: so far, so good! I know from experience that God has a way of setting up roadblocks if you really are going the wrong way. Lately, things have been pretty smooth… or at least as smooth as the spiritual life ever can be when your goal is Heaven! I’m not going to lie and say it’s always easy. The terrain can be treacherous. But when you allow trust in God and His Providence be your compass, you’ll find yourself in some incredible places… places so beautiful and restful that you forget the ordeal it took to get you there, and your path through life generally does seem pretty smooth!
Anyway, I found this little thing I wrote last December, apparently at a time when I had been trying to hash out questions of my vocation, and I think it sums things up pretty well (emphases original):
My passion is for the secular world and for the state of life of a secular layperson. I feel such passion, because I feel that such passion is direly needed! I see this need more than anywhere else among my fellow Catholic laypeople! They feel that holiness is either impossible or irrelevant to them, either beyond their reach or else simply not applicable to them! They think holiness is just for clergy and consecrated religious. I am afraid it brings about a certain lukewarmness and a certain spiritual laziness–and these allow the devil to sink in his teeth! Regardless of particular vocations, we are all called to holiness and to Heaven! And we can make our world holier too–we may never defeat the devil completely, but we can beat him back, pin him down, and say “Non serviam!” to him (instead of to God, as he did)! Pursuing our own personal sanctity is the only way to do that! It may sound crazy, and it may sound futile, but I believe in this world, and I believe in us–I believe that we and this world can be better, always better!My passion for getting married and having a family one day has not waned either, but only grown more intense. Because marriage and motherhood represent what my soul desires more than anything–to give myself completely to others, and through them, to God. I know why my soul craves this–because it longs to be like Christ! For me, marriage and motherhood would be the means by which I could become truly Christ-like. Certainly, people can become Christ-like by means of the priesthood and consecrated religious life, but that is not how I am made. Sometimes I tell myself, “You have God–that is more than enough for you. How dare you complain?” But then my soul cries out in agony, “Adam had God too! Adam saw God face-to-face and conversed with Him as we converse with each other! And yet Adam suffered loneliness for one of his own kind, his own flesh, and his own nature! God had mercy upon him and created for him what his heart desired! Is it so strange, then, that I, blinded and deafened to God by my own finitude, should long for one of my own kind, flesh, and nature?”
I know God knows my innermost longings and workings… He knows them as I never can. Therefore, He can provide for them as I never can by myself. But it is up to me to work with Him! To surrender and entrust myself to Him. And to do my best to give of myself here where I am, to the people at hand… and not to always merely aspiring and longing and daydreaming. Christ could have swept into the world in a blaze of glory–He could have brought about man’s redemption and salvation in any manner He pleased–but He didn’t! He instead came into this world as a little baby… He grew and learned and stumbled His way through youth into adulthood… He worked, He sweated, He wept… He devoted Himself to the fallen, the poor, the unloved, and the seemingly unlovable… He bled, He suffered, He died. And only then was His destiny fulfilled… only then was His divinity and His kingship proven and His glory revealed. Christ’s greatest glories are His profound humility, His profound patience, His profound faithfulness to His Father. And so it must be with me. No leaps and bounds for me. I must work patiently and walk humbly with my God.
Not very much has changed since then. I am so happy and excited to be a Lay Dominican… people still tell me that on the day I was admitted to the Order, I didn’t stop smiling for a minute! It’s still true, even if it doesn’t always show on my face. I love having roots both in the Church and in the secular world.
Is it a compromise? Maybe, but not in the way some might insinuate; it’s not the kind of compromise that lets me have my cake and eat it too. It’s the kind of compromise that takes its concessions out of me. I have to give myself both to the Church and the world. I have to keep a pretty demanding balance in my life. And it’s wonderful! For me, nothing could be better! That is how I know that I really do have a vocation as a Lay Dominican–it gives me happiness, it gives me peace, it makes me feel like I am where I need to be.
As for getting married… I still have that desire too, and that is where I really have to work to entrust myself and my life to God! Being a Catholic in the world (but not of it) and looking for a suitable spouse is sort of bewildering and downright scary at times… and so is the idea of being single for the rest of my life. It can make me a bit angsty. I definitely wouldn’t consider myself “happily single.” I’ve been tempted more than once to just run off to a monastery and not deal with it.
And I think that’s probably the #1 reason I decided that consecrated religious life wasn’t for me. I saw it as a desperate escape route, rather than an actual vocation. It was a “running from” rather than a “calling to.” There were other reasons, as well. A more positive one being that I really think I would just make a terrific wife and mother! That thought excites and energizes and comforts and encourages me. Again, it creates the kind of happiness and peace in me that are the hallmarks of a true vocation.
In any case, I have a lot to learn and a lot to do and a long way yet before I reach my destination: Heaven. That is the most important aspect of any vocation: it calls you to Heaven. It calls you to sanctity, to Sainthood. That is the most important calling and the most important goal any of us can desire and work toward. None of us–clergy, religious, or laypeople–should content ourselves with anything less than that! Let us support each other and keep each other in our prayers!
When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple there whom He loved He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (Jn. 19:26-27)
Today’s memorial of Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows follows naturally from yesterday’s Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. It brings us with Mary to the foot of the cross where she remains despite her unimaginable sorrow. Her faith and perseverence is an example to all Christians.
The “Beloved Disciple” does not only refer to St. John the Apostle, but represents all Christians. We too are called to stand by the cross, not to flee it as all the other apostles did in their weakness. Christ says to each one of us, “Behold, your mother.” Each of us is free and responsible to choose our response: will we imitate St. John and take her into our homes and into our hearts as our mother, or will we turn our backs and leave her to suffer alone?
All Christians are to strive to do Christ’s will. As the brief scripture above makes clear, He spent some of His final excruciating breaths to entrust His beloved and devoted mother to His beloved and devoted disciple. So surely there is only one right response for us to make. And yet there are Christians, and even Catholics, who regard her with indifference or perhaps even coldness.
Her pure heart, however, pierced by a sword and tried and tested like gold in fire, knows no resentment. She prays tenderly for all her children, expecting nothing in return. Let us pray with her that all Christians may return her love and make a home for her in their hearts.
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