"[The Pharisees asked him], 'Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?' Knowing their malice, Jesus said, 'Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.' Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, 'Whose image is this and whose inscription?' They replied, 'Caesar's'” At that he said to them, 'Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.' - Matthew 22:15-21
"As we approach our nation's 241st birthday on July 4th, this passage
came to mind. We are all children of God, owing our Father first
devotion and first allegiance. As created beings with a loving Father,
our rights are therefore, not granted, but only safeguarded by our
local, state and national governments. The wise Irish Member of
Parliament Edmund Burke was quick to remind that any government leader
who fails to secure the right to life, liberty and property was
illegitimate. Why? Not because that leader is the source of such rights,
but because he is the humble custodian of them; he is entrusted to
deliver that which comes from God and belongs to everyone.
And so it is proper that second to our faithful worship and devotion
to God - the Source of our life and rights - we celebrate the birth of
our nation. Appropriately enshrined in our country's revolutionary
document, The Declaration of Independence, is this vital assertion: God is the Source and government serves only as custodian of our indispensable rights.'
In a recent commentary, writer (and physician) Tod Worner reflected on our first allegiance to God and our follow up allegiance to our nation: "And our country is founded on the belief
that its government is to be a faithful custodian of our freedom to
worship. But we also serve as citizens of a country. If we are to be
thoughtful, engaged and vigilant citizens, it is our duty to be familiar
with our nation’s foundational works." In conjunction with this, he offers a number of important readings for thoughtful citizens.
To access Dr. Warner's complete post, please visit:
Aleteia: Tod Worner: Don't be "the average voter" - A reading guide for the Fourth of July (2 JUL 17)
04 July 2017
Reflection Starter from John Quincy Adams
"The Declaration of Independence! The interest which in that paper has survived the occasion upon which it was issued; the interest which is of every age and every clime; the interest which quickens with the lapse of years, spreads as it grows old, and brightens as it recedes, is in the principles which it proclaims." - John Quincy Adams
03 July 2017
John Clark on Truth, Love, and the Prodigal Son
"Of all the parables, the story of the Prodigal Son is perhaps the
most beloved. Many of us who have encountered the Father of Mercies in
the sacrament of Penance see a parallel to our own lives, as well we
should. Yet, one aspect of this parable is often overlooked - it is
lesson about love, truth, and the vital connection between the two.
"The parable does not explain exactly why the prodigal son wanted to leave home, but we do know this: he no longer wanted to live with his father. The son seemed sick and tired of living according to his father's rules; instead, the son wished to live under his own set of rules, which is to say, no rules at all. Referring to the prodigal son, St. Augustine writes: 'But if he perversely wishes to imitate God, that as God has no one by whom He is governed, so should he desire to exercise his own power as to live under no rules, what remains for him but that having lost all heat he should grow cold and senseless, and, departing from truth, vanish away.'
In a recent commentary, writer John Clark reflected on truth, contrition, the prodigal son's return, and his father's response.
To access Mr. Clark's complete post, please visit:
National Catholic Register: Blogs: John Clark: What The Prodigal Son’s Father Teaches Us About Love and Truth (28 JUN 17)
"The parable does not explain exactly why the prodigal son wanted to leave home, but we do know this: he no longer wanted to live with his father. The son seemed sick and tired of living according to his father's rules; instead, the son wished to live under his own set of rules, which is to say, no rules at all. Referring to the prodigal son, St. Augustine writes: 'But if he perversely wishes to imitate God, that as God has no one by whom He is governed, so should he desire to exercise his own power as to live under no rules, what remains for him but that having lost all heat he should grow cold and senseless, and, departing from truth, vanish away.'
"After seeing the senselessness of living under his own rules, the son came to realize his emptiness and resolved not only to go back home to his father, but rehearsed a speech he plans on delivering when he arrives. Though his contrition was imperfect - being motivated by fear of continued misery rather than being motivated by love for his father - he was contrite. The father sees his son coming from a far way off and runs out to greet him, kiss him, and tell his servants to prepare a feast for his son."
In a recent commentary, writer John Clark reflected on truth, contrition, the prodigal son's return, and his father's response.
To access Mr. Clark's complete post, please visit:
National Catholic Register: Blogs: John Clark: What The Prodigal Son’s Father Teaches Us About Love and Truth (28 JUN 17)
Reflection Starter from Mother Angelica
"If you have a problem in your life that you can't fathom or understand, you have to examine your prayer life, not the problem." - Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA
02 July 2017
Thank You, Lord
Thank you, Lord, for the prophets You Have placed in our world, whether we are aware of/head their message or not.
Msgr. Pope on Paradoxes of Evangelization
"In the Church throughout the world today,
we are more focused on evangelization - and rightly so. A huge
conference is planned next week in Orlando on the topic. Yes, it is 'job
one,' and Jesus could not have been clearer: Therefore, go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I
have commanded you (Matt 28:18-20).
"However, even as we become more serious and practical about effective evangelization, we must also remember the paradox and the mysteries that underlie the growth of the Kingdom. We can and should strive to learn 'best practices,' what makes for dynamic parishes and effective outreach, but even when many of these things are in place (e.g., good liturgy, dynamic preaching, Eucharistic adoration, welcoming parish), growth does not always come; sometimes numbers may even continue to decrease. Conversely, even in parishes where the liturgy is perfunctory, preaching is weak, and devotions are hurried, there may be significant growth. I know parishes that should be growing, but are not; I also know parishes that are growing almost in spite of themselves.
"There are mysterious aspects to the growth or decline of the Church. Jesus said, This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how (Mark 4:26-29).
"Thus the Lord teaches that much of the growth in the Kingdom of God is mysterious and works 'we know not how.'"
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the importance of evangelization and on some of the "paradoxical and countercultural ways in which Saint Paul says we engage the world."
To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: The Paradoxes of Evangelization: Why Simply Imitating the Worldly Marketing Schemes May Not Be the Answer (26 JUN 17)
"However, even as we become more serious and practical about effective evangelization, we must also remember the paradox and the mysteries that underlie the growth of the Kingdom. We can and should strive to learn 'best practices,' what makes for dynamic parishes and effective outreach, but even when many of these things are in place (e.g., good liturgy, dynamic preaching, Eucharistic adoration, welcoming parish), growth does not always come; sometimes numbers may even continue to decrease. Conversely, even in parishes where the liturgy is perfunctory, preaching is weak, and devotions are hurried, there may be significant growth. I know parishes that should be growing, but are not; I also know parishes that are growing almost in spite of themselves.
"There are mysterious aspects to the growth or decline of the Church. Jesus said, This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how (Mark 4:26-29).
"Thus the Lord teaches that much of the growth in the Kingdom of God is mysterious and works 'we know not how.'"
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the importance of evangelization and on some of the "paradoxical and countercultural ways in which Saint Paul says we engage the world."
To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: The Paradoxes of Evangelization: Why Simply Imitating the Worldly Marketing Schemes May Not Be the Answer (26 JUN 17)
Reflection Starter from Pope Francis
"Sharpen your gaze in order to see the signs God shows us in reality." - Pope Francis
01 July 2017
Louis Armstrong: "What a Wonderful World"
As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Louis Armstrong presenting "What a Wonderful World":
William Patenaude on Protecting Our Environment Despite Living in a "Culture of Waste"
"There was cheering two years ago this month when Pope Francis issued
Laudato Si’, his long-awaited encyclical on the environment.
"But it was two years before that, at a weekly audience one fine June day, when the newly installed pontiff gave his first major address on ecology. His words built on the many eco-teachings of his predecessors and they anticipated his own contributions. He did both with one deceptively simple phrase: 'a culture of waste.'
"On its surface, the term expresses some basic, well-known realities.
"'This culture of waste has also made us insensitive to wasting and throwing out excess foodstuffs,' Francis taught in 2013, 'which is especially condemnable when, in every part of the world, unfortunately, many people and families suffer hunger and malnutrition.
"'There was a time when our grandparents were very careful not to throw away any left over food. Consumerism has induced us to be accustomed to excess and to the daily waste of food, whose value … we are no longer able to judge correctly.'
"But Francis didn't stop there."
In a recent commentary, writer William Patenaude (who also serves as an engineer with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management) reflected on the importance of our evaluating our assumptions about what guides human choices regarding the environment and in other areas as well.
To access Mr. Patenaude's complete post, please visit:
Rhode Island Catholic: Pope advocates for all to protect the environment despite living in a 'Culture of Waste' (29 JUN 17)
Background iuformation:
Catholic Ecology
"But it was two years before that, at a weekly audience one fine June day, when the newly installed pontiff gave his first major address on ecology. His words built on the many eco-teachings of his predecessors and they anticipated his own contributions. He did both with one deceptively simple phrase: 'a culture of waste.'
"On its surface, the term expresses some basic, well-known realities.
"'This culture of waste has also made us insensitive to wasting and throwing out excess foodstuffs,' Francis taught in 2013, 'which is especially condemnable when, in every part of the world, unfortunately, many people and families suffer hunger and malnutrition.
"'There was a time when our grandparents were very careful not to throw away any left over food. Consumerism has induced us to be accustomed to excess and to the daily waste of food, whose value … we are no longer able to judge correctly.'
"But Francis didn't stop there."
In a recent commentary, writer William Patenaude (who also serves as an engineer with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management) reflected on the importance of our evaluating our assumptions about what guides human choices regarding the environment and in other areas as well.
To access Mr. Patenaude's complete post, please visit:
Rhode Island Catholic: Pope advocates for all to protect the environment despite living in a 'Culture of Waste' (29 JUN 17)
Background iuformation:
Catholic Ecology
Reflection Starter
"You can't always tell by the looks of a toad how far he can jump." - New England Proverb
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