Dives in Misericordia: “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” (5)

Chapter 5 of “Dives in Misericordia” (“Rich in Mercy”) is entitled “An Analogy.” It begins as follows:

“5. At the very beginning of the New Testament, two voices resound in St. Luke’s Gospel in unique harmony concerning the mercy of God, a harmony which forcefully echoes the whole Old Testament tradition. They express the semantic elements linked to the differentiated terminology of the ancient books. Mary, entering the house of Zechariah, magnifies the Lord with all her soul for ‘his mercy,’ which ‘from generation to generation’ is bestowed on those who fear Him. A little later, as she recalls the election of Israel, she proclaims the mercy which He who has chosen her holds ‘in remembrance’ from all time.⁶⁰ Afterwards, in the same house, when John the Baptist is born, his father Zechariah blesses the God of Israel and glorifies Him for performing the mercy promised to our fathers and for remembering His holy covenant.⁶¹”

60. In both places it is a case of hesed, i.e., the fidelity that God manifests to His own love for the people, fidelity to the promises that will find their definitive fulfillment precisely in the motherhood of the Mother of God (cf. Luke 1:49-54).
61. Cf. Luke 1:72. Here too it is a case of mercy in the meaning of hesed, insofar as in the following sentences, in which Zechariah speaks of the ‘tender mercy of our God,’ there is clearly expressed the second meaning, namely, rahamim (Latin translation: viscera misericordiae), which rather identifies God’s mercy with a mother’s love.

 

To access the complete document, please visit:

Pope John Paul II: “Dives in Misericordia”

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of fruit, for the many varieties You make available to us, for its nutritional value, and for its tastiness.

On Dealing with Anxiety

“People today are filled with a lot of anxiety about a lot of different things, one of which is all the troubles going on in the world. Of course, people in the past were no different so we can find some wisdom on how to deal with this anxiety from the saints.”

In a recent commentary, Tony Rossi, of The Christophers, passes along some advice related to not fretting over things that are out of our control.

To access the complete post, please visit:

Christopher Closeup: Serving God in Possible Things: A Saint’s Advice on Dealing with Anxiety (29 NOV 12)

Reflection Starter from St. Isidore of Seville

“Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin. All hope consists in confession. In confession there is a chance for mercy. Believe it firmly. Do not doubt, do not hesitate, never despair of the mercy of God. Hope and have confidence in confession.” – Saint Isidore of Seville

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

December is being observed as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month (also known as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month), and a number of communities in this region are striving, in some way, to make injuries and deaths from impaired driving less of a threat.

An average of approximately 36 people are killed in drunk driving accidents and another 700 are injured each day throughout the U.S. During National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month and throughout the year, communities, health and safety organizations, and residents are being encouraged by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work to prevent these tragedies.

Communities are asked to encourage residents to heed these recommendations:

• Designate a driver before going out.
• Don’t allow impaired family or friends to get behind the wheel.
• When you host a party, look out for your guests.
• If you’ve been drinking or using drugs, get a cab, take public transit, or call a friend or family member to pick you up.

For more information, please visit:

MADD: December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

Presidential Proclamation – National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2012

Background information:

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Impaired Driving

U.S. Dept. of Transportation: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Traffic Safety Facts 2010: Alcohol-Impaired Driving

Dives in Misericordia: “He Who Sees Me Sees the Father” (4, continued)

Chapter 4 of “Dives in Misericordia” (“Rich in Mercy”) is entitled “The Concept of ‘Mercy’ in the Old Testament.” It continues as follows:

“4. . . . Connected with the mystery of creation is the mystery of the election, which in a special way shaped the history of the people whose spiritual father is Abraham by virtue of his faith. Nevertheless, through this people which journeys forward through the history both of the Old Covenant and of the New, that mystery of election refers to every man and woman, to the whole great human family. ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.’⁵⁶ ‘For the mountains may depart...my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed.’⁵⁷ This truth, once proclaimed to Israel, involves a perspective of the whole history of man, a perspective both temporal and eschatological.⁵⁸ Christ reveals the Father within the framework of the same perspective and on ground already prepared, as many pages of the Old Testament writings demonstrate. At the end of this revelation, on the night before He dies, He says to the apostle Philip these memorable words: ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me...? He who has seen me has seen the Father.’⁵⁹”

56. Jeremiah 31:3.
57. Isaiah 54:10.
58. Jonah 4:2, 11; Psalm 145 (144):9; Sirach 18:8-14; Wisdom 11:23-12:1.
59. John 14:9.

 

To access the complete document, please visit:

Pope John Paul II: “Dives in Misericordia”

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many ways You have been and are guiding the development of procedures for health care, including the variety of diagnosis and healing processes.

Fr. Longenecker on Catholics and the Culture of Success

“. . . Now that I’ve returned to  America after living in the damp lands for twenty five years, one of the things I find most trying is America’s love affair with ‘success’. I’m not talking about being excellent or being a fulfilled human being or finding what you want to do in life and doing it well. I’m certainly not talking about building a fine family or simply being happy, and I’m certainly not referring to being achieving sanctity.

I’m talking about the lust for worldly success – for all the glittering prizes. How Americans love the trophy house, the trophy car, the trophy wife, the trophy teeth, the trophy boob job, the trophy botox. You name it. How they love all the tinsel – all the trappings of success, and the problem is that this pursuit of success is taken as a given. This is what life is all about right? No one questions it.”

In a recent commentary, Father Dwight Longenecker (parish priest at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Greenville, SC) reflected on Catholics and the culture of success.

To access Fr. Longenecker’s complete post, please visit:

Standing on My Head: Deliver Us From Successful Catholics (30 NOV 12)

Background information:

Dwight Longenecker - Catholic priest and author

Reflection Starter from Mother Teresa

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” – Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa)

“Lo He Comes with Clouds Descending”

As we continue our celebration of the First Sunday of Advent,I offer this version of “Lo He Comes with Clouds Descending,” by John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers:

CNN: Scientists 'Undiscover' South Pacific Island

“An international scientific expedition has revealed a South Pacific island roughly the size of Manhattan and clearly marked on online maps and marine charts does not, in fact, exist.

“The 'undiscovery' of the island -- which until now was midway between Australia and New Caledonia -- highlights how much there still is to learn about the oceans, scientists say.”

To access a CNN report on this “undiscovery” by the Australia Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s research vessel RV Southern Surveyor, please visit:

CNN: Scientists 'undiscover' South Pacific island (23 NOV 12)

First Sunday of Advent

Today the Church celebrates the First Sunday of Advent. The assigned readings are Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; and Luke 21:25-28, 34-36. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 25 (Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 25 To You O Lord I lift my soul

Today's Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: First Sunday of Advent (December 2, 2012)

Msgr. Charles Pope: A Recipe for Readiness – A Meditation on the Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent. (1 DEC 12)

The Deacon’s Bench: Homily for December 2, 2012: 1st Sunday of Advent (1 DEC 12)

Father James | Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Author: Are you ready? (29 NOV 12)

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: Advent: The Reason for the Season

The Sacred Page: Tempus Fugit: Happy New Year! The First Sunday of Advent (28 NOV 12)

Dr. Scott Hahn: Heads Up (December 2nd 2012 - 1st Sunday in Advent)

The Lectionary: Time on earth is a gift from God (29 NOV 12)

The Word Engaged: A Time of Childhood (First Sunday of Advent C)