Dives in Misericordia: “Mercy . . . from Generation to Generation” (10, continued)

Chapter 6 of “Dives in Misericordia” (“Rich in Mercy”) is entitled “Mercy . . . from Generation to Generation.” It continues as follows:

“10. . . . Towards the end of the introductory exposition we read: ‘. . .in the face of modern developments there is a growing body of men who are asking the most fundamental of all questions or are glimpsing them with a keener insight: What is man? What is the meaning of suffering, evil, death, which have not been eliminated by all this progress? What is the purpose of these achievements, purchased at so high a price?’¹¹⁰

“In the span of the fifteen years since the end of the Second Vatican Council, has this picture of tensions and threats that mark our epoch become less disquieting? It seems not. On the contrary, the tensions and threats that in the Council document seem only to be outlined and not to manifest in depth all the dangers hidden within them have revealed themselves more clearly in the space of these years; they have in a different way confirmed that danger, and do not permit us to cherish the illusions of the past.”

110. Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et spes, no. 10: AAS 58 (1966), p. 1032.

 

To access the complete document, please visit:

Pope John Paul II: “Dives in Misericordia”

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the wondrous events we celebrate during the Christmas season and for all that they mean (whether or not we are aware of these truths).

Randy Hain on Being Authentically Catholic Throughout the New Year

“One of the most famous Christmas quotes of all time is this one from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: ‘I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.’ Reflecting on this quote has made me think about resolutions a little differently for 2013.  I would like you to join me in a different kind of commitment for the New Year. With apologies to the late Mr. Dickens…’I will honor Christ in my heart and try to be authentically Catholic all the year.’  This is the kind of commitment that will cost us something for sure, but the reward is great.  In the coming year let’s make every effort to acknowledge Christ before others and defend (as well as follow!) in a loving way the teachings of His Church.  Let us refuse to be silent and passive.  The instinctive response to this challenge may be ‘it’s not that easy.’  Actually, it is that easy if we choose to think and act differently and place His will before our own.”

In a recent commentary, Randy Hain, Senior Editor for The Integrated Catholic Life, reflected on how we, as Catholics, can commit to and be authentically Catholic throughout the new year and beyond.

To access Mr. Hain’s complete post, please visit:

The Integrated Catholic Life:“I will honor Christ in my heart and try to be authentically Catholic all the year.” (27 DEC 12)

Reflection Starter from Helen Keller

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller

Harry Belafonte: “Mary’s Boy Child”

As we continue of celebration of this holy day, I offer this version of Harry Belafonte singing “Mary’s Boy Child”:

Pope Benedict Offers Blessing for the new Year

“Happy New Year to all! On this first day of 2013, I would like God’s blessing to be extended to every man and every woman in the world. I do this with the ancient formula contained in Sacred Scripture: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and show thee mercy. The Lord turn his face to you and give you peace’ (Numbers 6:24-26).”

As he offered his address, in Saint Peter’s Square, for the first Angelus prayer of 2013, Pope Benedict XVI asked God’s blessing on each person throughout the world as we begin our journey into calendar year 2013.

To access a Vatican Radio report on Pope Benedict’s message, please visit:

Vatican Radio: Pope Angelus: may new year be journey to peace (1 JAN 13)

Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for January

Pope Benedict’s prayer intentions for January are:

General intention: “That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.”

Mission intention: “That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.”

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Today the Church celebrates the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The assigned readings are Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7, and Luke 2:16-21. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 67 (Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflections related to these readings and this feast day:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Mary, Mother of God (January 1, 2013)

Msgr. Charles Pope: A Journey to the Heavenly Father on Feast of Mother Mary, And Carried There in Her Very Arms. (31 DEC 11)

The Deacon’s Bench: “Today is where your book begins; the rest is still unwritten” (31 DEC 12)

The New Theological Movement: What we say about Jesus, when we call Mary the “Mother of God” (1 JAN 13)

Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio: Mary, the Mother of God?

Dives in Misericordia: “Mercy . . . from Generation to Generation” (10, continued)

Chapter 6 of “Dives in Misericordia” (“Rich in Mercy”) is entitled “Mercy . . . from Generation to Generation.” It continues as follows:

“10. . . . But side by side with all this, or rather as part of it, there are also the difficulties that appear whenever there is growth. There is unease and a sense of powerlessness regarding the profound response that man knows that he must give. The picture of the world today also contains shadows and imbalances that are not always merely superficial. The Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes of the Second Vatican Council is certainly not the only document that deals with the life of this generation, but it is a document of particular importance. ‘The dichotomy affecting the modern world,’ we read in it, ‘is, in fact, a symptom of a deeper dichotomy that is in man himself. He is the meeting point of many conflicting forces. In his condition as a created being he is subject to a thousand shortcomings, but feels untrammelled in his inclinations and destined for a higher form of life. Torn by a welter of anxieties he is compelled to choose between them and repudiate some among them. Worse still, feeble and sinful as he is, he often does the very thing he hates and does not do what he wants. And so he feels himself divided, and the result is a host of discords in social life.’¹⁰⁹.”

109. Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et spes, no. 10: AAS 58 (1966), p. 1032.

 

To access the complete document, please visit:

Pope John Paul II: “Dives in Misericordia”

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of this new year, 2013, and for all You have planned for us throughout it.

Msgr. Pope on a Plan for the New Year from Saint Paul

“On the Day known as New Years Day in the secular world, there is a veritable feast of identities for this day on the Church’s calendar. It is the octave of Christmas, the Feast of Mary Mother God, the Feast that commemorates the Holy Name of Jesus and also of the Circumcision. Quite a lot to ponder actually!”

“In previous years I have commented on all these liturgical aspects, and even on the mystery of time.

“But this year it strikes me to preach out of a text of St. Paul from the 3rd chapter of the Letter to the Philippians. The text recommends itself to a New Year’s theme, because Paul speaks and meditates on ‘what is behind, and what is before’ him. And in his meditation he sets forth a kind of plan for a Christian to follow, a Christian who prayerfully reflects on the year that is passed, and the year that is about to unfold. . . .”

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on Philippians 3:7-16 and a four-point plan this reading offers for us as we go forth to live this new year, 2013.

To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: A Four-Point Plan for the New Year from St. Paul (31 DEC 12)

Reflection Starter from Leo Buscaglia

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia