Catholics, Seder Meals, and the Lamb of God

The readings for Holy Thursday make a point that may be easily overlooked. The first, from Exodus provides a glimpse into the Jewish tradition of Passover - a practice Jesus would have participated in with His family. The second comes from 1 Corinthians and tells us of the Last Supper, the New Covenant, and the first instance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. When we ponder this choice of readings, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament, we begin to see that Jesus did, indeed, come to fulfill the Old Law by the institution of a New Covenant.

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

This brings us to the logical, and morally sound, conclusion that celebrating a Seder Meal is not a practice that should be observed by Christians. We are the Easter People and Jesus is the Lamb of God. He is the New Covenant, the New Sacrifice, and His death saves us from Eternal damnation. No longer are we to offer animal sacrifices; the Temple has fallen, the biblical Jewish priests are gone, and Jesus has died for our Salvation.

As we celebrate the most holy of seasons - the Triduum, let us remember the importance of our beautiful faith, given to us by Jesus the Christ Himself!

If you'd like to delve further into this teaching please continue to Why Christians Shouldn't Celebrate Seder Meals. There you'll find references from Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Council of Trent, and Catholic theology books as well as an extremely informative audio presentation by a good holy priest.

Mom's Mistakes Strengthened Our Faith

The Catechism of the Catholic Church upholds the biblical directive that parents are the first (and most important) teachers of their children. What we often fail to realize is that what we do can have much more effect on our children than what we say or how we instruct. Who hasn’t seen one of their less than desirable actions or words mimicked by a child and felt a sudden blush of guilt? Sometimes, though, a child learns an important lesson from the mistakes in a parent’s life, and how they rise to the occasion. That was the case for me.

Mom, little brother and I - before he was taken.

Born in Germany, to a Lutheran father and Catholic mother, my earliest memories revolve around spirited fights between my parents. Although Mom was devout, he approached atheism, but she somehow managed to have my younger brother and I baptized as infants. It became painfully evident that my father was not a nice man. He cheated even before marriage and was abusive as well. Too young to fully understand the implications then, as I matured and later became an adult, the woeful tale became clearer. Long before I could fully comprehend it all, he left, covertly spiriting my younger brother away and leaving my mother as a divorcee with a young daughter. Through all of this turmoil, my mother maintained her faith.

By the time I was five, someone new had entered the picture. This American Airman was kind and gentle. I fondly remember playing circus, with him carrying me on his back, while my mother warmheartedly looked on. Things don’t always work out neatly, however. Red tape and language barriers between the Air Force, the United States government, and Germany greatly hindered attempted annulment proceedings. As a result, a civil marriage was performed and then a little sister was born into the family. I can still remember hearing that my baby sister had been denied baptism because she was born into an illicit marriage. My mother, however, tenaciously persisted and found a kindly old priest to confer the sacrament. To complete the family unit, I was also adopted and became the daughter of an American. By this time, any efforts to reunite us with my little brother had been exhausted. Our family of four moved to the U.S. without him; he could not be found.

Fast forward a few years, after assignments to several states and retirement from the Air Force, we settled in Dad’s native Kentucky. We had become a family of seven—Mom, Dad, and a collection of five children. There was still no annulment, but we had never lacked catechesis. We were all baptized, received First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and were frequently taken to Confession. The poignant vision of our mother, tears of joy (for us) and pain (for her situation) was impossible to ignore at each of these special occasions. As each of us matured in the faith life as Catholic citizens, she was our teacher, our champion, and immovable anchor. We never missed Mass, attended Catholic schools when available, and had priest friends who frequently visited our home. For all practical purposes, we appeared to be the optimal Catholic family, with one exception —our parents were unable to join us in an actively Catholic life.

All of that changed one beautiful October afternoon, when after a long, tedious, multi-linguistic annulment process, Mom and Dad were married in the Church. Our small church community and five children were present. The long awaited celebration of love and faith had finally become reality! After the reception, we decorated our family station wagon with cans and ribbons. The sign on the back read, ‘Congratulations, Mom and Dad—Just Married!’

A few years later, we were reunited with my missing brother, now an adult. He had been raised to think his father’s wife was his mother. It wasn’t until her death that he was told the truth: “She wasn’t your real mother. Your mother lives somewhere in Kentucky.” What a reunion that was! At last, all eight of us were united! It was a true lesson in faith, love, and hope. Our mother had surely illustrated a strong faith in the face of adversity. Mom died of breast cancer a few years later, at the young age of 58. Yet, she had been an incredible witness to us. She lived through many trials but never lost her faith. She even met her estranged husband at one point and offered her forgiveness. His comment to her? “There was one thing I could never break—your Catholic faith. I always respected that.” Her years of persistent love and hope had culminated in a family strengthened by adversity. She had illustrated, with her very life, what it means to live your Catholic faith.

All of us are adults now, with children and even grandchildren of our own. The Catholic faith persists as the most important thing in our lives. We have learned, from loving example, what it means to stay faithful—no matter where your choices lead you. Mistakes will be made but how you face the resulting strife, determines who you are. If nurtured and fed, Faith will always win out!

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Note: How My Mother's Mistakes Strengthened My Faith was first published at CatholicStand.com

If You Have Veiling on Your Mind - Advent Veil Giveaway

Has there been a little nudge, maybe a whisper on your heart, about veiling during Holy Mass? That’s how it was for me. After years of pushing these thoughts out of my consciousness, I finally found my resolve when I re-encountered on old friend at a 50th anniversary Mass for a priest friend. She was wearing a veil and so I asked her about it at the following reception. Not only did she lend one of her veils to me, she gave me the insight to make my decision. If you've had veiling on your mind, maybe this post - or one of the others in this linkup - will give you that final little push.

Win this beautiful black and silver veil!

So why veil? What makes veiling a desirable practice and why is it that the urge seems to be hitting more and more women these days? Let's look at our current state of affairs for a plausible (in my opinion) answer. We're seeing an across the board tone of disrespect, selfishness, and casual attitudes unlike any in my lifetime. From the barrage of  shocking 'celebrity' antics to the commercialization of even the sacred, we are being inundated with negative human characteristics. Abortion is backup birth control, children play violent games, and clothing is far from modest. It's enough to make me feel downright negative sometimes - but then I stop and raise my thoughts to God, and all that He is and all He has given us. This world is ours - to make of what we will. The gift of Free Will is ours and all we need to do, to make the world a better place, is within our own grasp. 

I've been on a quest of sorts, to improve my own little corner of the world. As one of my friends likes to say, 'bloom where you grow'. Instead of focusing on the negative, that can be found all around us, I deliberately choose to create an atmosphere of the positive. I am a Gift of God. He made me and gave me the means to share my gifts with family, friends, and the world. If I obsess about the negative, I will leave a negative imprint on those with whom I interact. But if I choose a cheerful heart, it might just prove to be contagious - thus improving life for myself and others.

So, what does all of this have to do with veiling? For me, veiling is an outward sign that I have respect - respect for myself as a godly woman and respect for Jesus, present in the Eucharist. While I don't veil to please others, it is a sign that others can see. Veiling, for me, says that I acknowledge that I am in the Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am not of the earthly world, I belong to the Eternal Life to come. As I lift the veil to my head, I become acutely aware that I am entering the Divine Presence. The weight of the fabric, the curtain it creates, gives me feeling of inspiration - a calm comes over me and I feel much more able to focus. In turn, the worldly concerns fall away - my soul lifts up to the divine. In veiling, I join a long line of women - like the Blessed Mother Mary - who practiced veiling. While it is no longer mandatory, veiling is still an optional, devotional act that is pleasing to God.

With Advent just beginning, why not consider veiling as a devotion to try - as a preparation for the coming of the King of Kings? As a 'little Lent', this time of anticipation and preparation would be a great time to humbly step out of our comfort zone. Like me, you might just find that it's not as difficult as you suspected. My daughter and I are still the only ones who veil at our parish, yet we find it to be a blessing. After a year and a half now, I doubt that our fellow parishioners even notice anymore - and even if they do, we are comfortable in performing this act of reverence for Jesus.

If you're considering veiling (or already do), be sure to check out the VEIL GIVEAWAY going on From Thursday, December 5 through Monday, December 9 below. If you're the winner, it might just be that extra nudge you need!

SURPRISE second item to be given away! Josiekat's Trunk has donated a beautiful Mantilla Pouch from
their Etsy shop. Since my chapel veil comes with its own organza bag, I'll draw a second name for this new item.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow this link to Veil Designs by Birgit to see some of the veils available for sale.

A Baker's Dozen: Reflections From a 17-Year-Old Bride

So yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving - my extended family (siblings, their kids, in-laws, grandchildren) all gathered at our house and had a wonderful time. Today finds Rick and me on our way to Helen, GA (and the Christkindlmarkt) for our 39th anniversary trip. Yikes! I've been married over two thirds of my life! In honor of this momentous occasion, I'll share a few quick tidbits:

1. Having come from a very traditional Catholic family, I wasn't allowed to date until I was 16. As luck would have it, Rick came into my life the month of my birthday. Quickly loved by my mother, he was a bit more challenged to win my heart - because I had eyes for the boy with the motorcycle or maybe the one with the guitar. This one came with a tractor and a country way of life. 

2. He also argued religion from a Baptist perspective. It didn't compute in my teen brain - initially. But slowly, over the course of a few months, my heart was firmly won. Good sense overtook the thrill of cheap adventure. By the beginning of my Junior year we were a couple and roamed the halls together - him carrying my books. On Sundays, we attended Mass in the morning with my family and sometimes attended his church at night.

3. Fast forward several months and he began talking about marriage - Rick (Tricky Ricky) never actually asked, he just started talking about 'when (not if) we get married'. He also began to talk about conversion to the Church and was fortunate enough to have one-on-one sessions with the parish priest. 

4. Our courtship was chaste, even though he knew about the 'issue' the wagging tongues relayed. My son was two. We married on Thanksgiving weekend of my Senior year.

5. We spent the first 20 minutes of our honeymoon on our knees, praying the Rosary. Then we called my mom - to say goodnight.

6. Rick had put his conversion on hold - until after the wedding. Although I was initially disappointed - since we wouldn't be able to receive the Eucharist together - good sense won out as I realized this meant he was converting for himself - not just to please me.

7. We returned to the real world a week later - me to school and he to his job as a millwright and part time farmer. He also continued his meetings with Father and, a few months later, was brought into the Church.  

8. I completed high school, then college - our 1-year-old son attended my graduation. My other son was five. Rick finished his apprenticeship with the millwrights, became a journeyman and continued to farm part-time.

9. We lived through blizzards, catastrophic losses and even bankruptcy, but we had our love and our faith to sustain us. Soon, we were gifted with a daughter. And we were still young - he was 26 and I was 25 - but marriage was old hat by then. We had it covered. 

10. Sometimes we continued to pray together, sometimes we prayed separately, but we always attended Mass and always stayed close to God and each other - more or less.

11. Several years passed and hope of another child was all but abandoned - then came another son. This time I was an 'old' mom of 31 and I cherished every moment of staying at home with my brood of three.

12. Both of our mothers died of cancer, as did his brother and grandfather. His grandmother died of Alzheimer disease - all this within a year or so. Genetic testing won over, in my case, and my fertility ended via prophylactic surgery to prevent the BRCA-1 gene from killing me as it had an uninterrupted line of women before me.

13. In the following years we've moved several times, changed careers (not just jobs), built a
house, married off a son and then a daughter. All children have returned to live with us, for a time, as adults. There are now 7 grandchildren - ages 3 through 9 (plus 5 who are with Jesus) - and we have lost all fear of an empty nest because ours is always an Open House.

These past 39 years have flown by and I can't really remember not being married. We've had our triumphant ups and our horrific downs. I've survived breast cancer (8 years and counting), in large part due to my knight in shining armor/court jester and the awe-inspiring prayers of friends from around the world - and of course, the grace of God. And if I had to sum up the reason for the success of our marriage in one word it would be, not love (a very close second), but GRACE. Our love is strong and has sustained us, but the real life-blood of our union is the Grace of God. He has been there, through it all, and for that we are deeply thankful!

Love you, Richard Joseph Jones! May we have another 39 years (and Eternity) together!

Interior Disposition: Why Fix Your Hair, If You're Wearing a Veil?

As someone who is relatively new to veiling, I ravenously researched the practice before I made my decision. The whispered call was there, but so was the fear of others' opinions - the fear of the outward. But that wasn't the inspiration at all. The decision to veil had much more to do with the interior than the exterior. With the decision now made, I'm still in tune with posts and memes on the topic. One good-natured pun in veiling circles is that, when you veil, bad hair days don't matter. Inside jokes aside, those little hidden things to which all of us succumb are called to mind.

So, yes, I spend time on my hair before attending Mass - but it's not because my nice 'do' will impress my fellow parishioners. My purpose is to do my best for Jesus, whose house I will be visiting - He Who I will consume in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Whether or not it's seen by others, I know, and so does He - so I want to present my best to Him.

These musings also present us with an opportunity to ponder the interior state of our souls. Are there little, hidden things not apparent to others? Should they matter? Who will know? The obvious answer is a resounding, yes - they matter! If we are truly living out our purpose in this life - gaining Eternal Life with God - then we must sweep away those interior cobwebs. Outward appearances are, as they say, only skin deep. What matters most is that which can't be seen by the world - our innermost heart and soul. Regular interior housekeeping - confession - becomes another necessary accessory to our Mass attendance.

Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.

 1 Corinthians 11:28-29 28

Don't Be Glum

All of this awareness shouldn't be a source of despair, however. St. Matthew says it nicely: Don't go for the show; have the proper disposition. 

And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

~Matthew 6:16

The next penitential season on the Liturgical Calendar, Advent, is just five Sundays away. Although Advent isn't as somber as Lent, it is still a time of solemn preparation - not just of the household, but of our souls. We will prepare rich foods, gifts, and celebratory decor, yet we will also deny ourselves a bit of our customary luxuries. It's a time of making our souls ready as well. Will we afford ourselves of the vast offerings of Penitential Services and confession opportunities? We await to receive Him as an infant - God become man to shed His Blood for our salvation. Preparations will be made with great joy and anticipation - a happy time for families to share. Yet we must also prepare our inner disposition for His coming. We also know, some day will be the day of His final coming. Are you ready?

Comfort Zone or Not - Some Things Remain the Same

A recent trip from KY to NY took me right out of my comfort zone - and it's a deeply entrenched comfort zone. I've been married since I was 17, my mom was my best friend, and now my daughter has taken that role. Along with our not so empty nest, what with a boomerang kid and grandchildren, I don't have much occasion to be alone. So there I was, in a Holiday Inn at Seneca Falls, NY, while my husband attended an expo for three days. With a Wal-mart at one side and a McDonald's at the other, I wasn't left completely without resources but, as someone who rarely goes it alone, I was feeling somewhat displaced. On the brief walk to WallyWorld, however, I was struck by how some things remain the same - no matter where you are:

Humidity still makes me feel like a guppy out of water but the miracle that is nature continues to intrigue me. Native flowers, the smell of freshly mowed grass, and the singing of birds is present everywhere - if you just take a moment to notice.

Prayer, chatting with a Facebook friend about Eucharistic Miracles, and the feeling of being watched over by my Guardian Angel - these things are still here with me.

Mothers' children, yelling 'Mama', and the subsequent response - yep, that's still there - even in a Wal-mart in NY. I also still get that warm feeling in my heart when I see a large family and their disorganized yet controlled dance at the checkout lane.

Strangers returning your smile also works here as does the occasional preoccupied glare.

I still have the security of knowing that my husband is only a few miles away - and will be home in time for dinner - and I like it that way!

I can find a Catholic Church (or two) even in a smallish town in NY, where weekday Mass and confession is offered. The same Mass that will be said at St. Elizabeth parish in Curdsville, KY.

We have so much to be thankful for - and so little time to appreciate it all. It's a gift to be pulled out of your little pond, if it causes you to rethink the wonder that is our life.

As we fall back into the routine of being home, may I never forget the beauty of each of our lives. There is so much to appreciate - so much that, sadly, goes unnoticed as we go about our routine. I pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire me to go out of my comfort zone - even if it's just to rethink a jealously guarded notion to which I have held onto for way too long. Let my mind, heart and soul be open to appreciating that with which I have been blessed. And let me find a kinder, more gentle way to share what I have found! God bless you friends!

Hey Scarlet, Don’t Play Games With Your Soul

You know those little games we tend to play in everyday life? Like when the van is running on fumes because we were tired and had already been to the grocery and the mall and t-ball and Mass and the drug store and we just couldn't bear to pull up to that pump? So we play the ‘can we make it home and back to the pump’ game and most of the time we make it. There are many similar ways that we sometimes often play games in life – at least that’s how I roll. Many of us have those Scarlet O’Hara moments when we resolve to take care of x, y, z – just as long as we can wait until tomorrow. But is playing these waiting games a good idea when it comes to our souls?

I made a little visit to Jesus today. Having taken a long list of intentions from friends and family, I settled in for some time before the Blessed Lord in the Eucharist. As providence would have it, I was the only one there and was blessed with total silence. No clicking Rosaries or rustling pages or squeaking kneelers, no fidgeting teens, and no whispering tots – just Jesus and me! What a treat it was – especially once I realized that I could pray the Rosary and speak those intentions out loud. It felt like such a blessing to have this conversation – not internally, but audibly. And so I communed with Our Lord and let the needs of all of my family and friends flow freely from my lips.

As I was heading home, still basking in the glow, I ruminated about the goings on in our country (and world) these days. Flagrant glee for the murder of innocent babies in the womb, rabid pontificating about deviant lifestyles, upheaval at the Vatican, a government and society quite literally gone mad – all of this is weighing down on the faithful. Questions resonate: But where shall we go? To Whom shall we turn? As the apostles realized, we too have a tangible option. We need not flee in fear nor hide our heads in the sand as if these atrocities don’t exist. Our Lord Jesus Christ is listening. He is biding His time – waiting for us to come to Him with our trepidations, failures, and hopes for a better tomorrow. For now, we have this option, but some day it will be too late. We mustn't toy with this reality.

How blessed are we to be Catholic! Everything we need is at our disposal. All we need to do is repent,

confess, adore, and receive. What a wonderful gift we have been given! The only caveat is that no one will (or can) do it for us. There will be no substitutions or pinch hitters. When tumult hits our world and our souls are in turmoil, all we have to do is make sure we're not running on fumes – doing the bare minimum. Let’s not allow our inner Scarlet O’Hara to put off for tomorrow what needs to be done today. Tomorrow may be too late and this isn't a game we can afford to lose. Let’s use the Sacraments. Jesus is waiting in the confessional to hear the repentance of our sins and offer forgiveness. He waits in the Eucharist for us to spend time with and to consume Him - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Face it; we need to fuel up our souls by worthily receiving the Eucharist often – not running on fumes. If we run on empty, the evils prowling the world seeking souls to ruin will have easy prey. Let’s fuel up our souls and make it all the way Home!

Destination Journey or Train Wreck?

¯Good morning, America, how are ya?! Say don’t cha know me, Jesus, Mary’s son? I’m the man they call the Word of God the Father and I've been Home 2000 years since the trip begun. ¯ (Sung to the tune of City of New Orleans).

All   A B O A R D !

Hello, sisters and brothers, I’ll be your conductor during this trip. Grab a seat and we’ll be on our way. Now I know there have been some tall tales told about what happens on this train and I’m here to set the record straight. Before we depart, however, it would serve you well to take note of a few features of this very special train:

Sound System – you’ll notice speakers placed strategically around the car and a console with buttons near your seats. There are options as to which type of music we’ll enjoy, but the stations we’ll be listening to are limited to the preset buttons. You've got your Gregorian chant – a distinct favorite of the Railroad Commissioner and always to be given preferential treatment – but there’s also a fine collection of ancient hymns that give glory to God. Of course, never underestimate a bit of Latin in the mix. What you won’t be hearing is self congratulatory, folksy music or Protestant hymns. Like ¯Soon and Very Soon, We’re Goin’ to See the King¯ or ¯You and I are the Bread of Life¯. In other words –heresy will not be offered as an option.

Food for the Soul– the priest will be offering the Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ to those who are morally disposed to receive Him. What you won’t find is a self serve style, chip and dip arrangement with ‘consecrated’ pita bread arranged around a cup of Precious Blood. (No, I’m not making this up – I’ve been on that train before).

Sights and sounds – the beautiful but optional bells will be rung during the consecration lending an air of dignity and giving fitting reverence (and attention) to our beautiful ancient traditions. You know how you love antiques and the historical aspect of furnishings and homes? Well, take a gander at the antiquity and history of the Church founded by Christ Himself! It’s truly deserving of notation and illumination! What you won’t see are priests wearing clown noses during the homily, game show preaching or liturgical dancing girls. Again, I’m not making this up – been there, rode that train!

Holy choreography – we will be following the Instructions to the Roman Missal (GIRM) and the rubrics of the Mass. As a Church, we are fortunate to be relieved of the confusion concerning the proper practices surrounding The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMCs) – if they are needed.  They will not be bellying up to the altar before the priest has had the opportunity to consume the Eucharist or Precious Blood, nor will they be retrieving the reserved Hosts or purifying the vessels – everything here has a proper time and place. As it is the posture proper only to the priest (even the Deacon is told not to in the GIRM), the laity will not be employing the Orans Posture nor will they be using the Protestant sign of unity by holding hands during the Our Father. We find our unity in receiving Him in the Eucharist!

Good Samaritan – we will be adhering to the ‘love thy neighbor’ rule throughout this trip. So we might just find ourselves stopping to help give directions to a neighbor who has lost his way. It’s in the itinerary to do this as many times as necessary in an effort to keep everyone on the right track. Although this practice is sometimes labeled as judgmental, it is actually considered to be an act of charity and is Biblically noted as such.

Scenery – while we are on this trip we are not guaranteed sunshine and rainbows every day. At times we will find ourselves going through the dark, long tunnel of sin and death of the soul. What is promised, however, is the bright light of forgiveness showing us the way on the other side. Please find your way to the Penitential Car for a thorough cleansing - just follow the light at the end of the tunnel.

Speed limit – You may be surprised to note that this trip is taken at your own pace. Whether you choose the scenic route and drink in all of the sights or you fly through the stations at warp speed is up to you. Detours and such are also considered, as we all lose our way sometimes. Old style locomotive or bullet train, you will always find a well marked route to get you back on track, should you veer off the path. Of course taking advantage of these directions is up to you – you can choose to wander, a lost soul, should you stubbornly refuse the offered assistance.

Purpose of the trip – The Destination is the purpose of this journey. If you have properly followed the map -even with a few detours, the end of the line will find you at a most Wonderful Place. Just don’t be late for the final departure. If you do and the last train has run, you will be left in the dark – wandering for eternity, through a fiery furnace in the coal storage area. One thing is certain, no matter what phase you’re in, the destination won’t change just for you. Whether you’re a quick study or a slow learner the Engineer will not change the instruction manual or schematics. The concluding inspection by the Railroad Commissioner will be final.

Now, brethren, let’s get on with the ride. Please take note of the Guide Book frequently and try to schedule some gratifying layovers along the way. The journey is just as important as the destination because the route determines ultimate outcome. Now have a holy and fruitful trip!


Note: While the Spirit of Vatican II brought some severe misinterpretations, we have seen tremendous progress throughout the pontificate of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and his Summorum Pontificum, Now, it appears that Pope Francis is taking up the charge for giving each and every Catholic the Mass to which he is entitled - and as Jesus intended. May God bless our shepherds!

Eucharist as Perjury

This past Sunday, Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron put forward that Catholics who receive Communion while advocating gay marriage would "logically bring shame for a double-dealing that is not unlike perjury".  Likewise, Detroit Canon Lawyer, Dr.Edward Peters, says that "Catholics who promote 'same-sex marriage' act contrary to Church law "and should not approach for holy Communion". Adding that, "they also risk having holy Communion withheld from them ... being rebuked and/or being sanctioned". Not unlike the admonishment that politicians who publicly support and work for abortion rights, this goes to the heart of what Catholics believe - have always believed.

Let's take a closer look

The Catholic Church has a special set of beliefs that encompass acts that are intrinsically evil. According to the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):

"There are some things we must never do, as individuals or as a society, because they are always incompatible with love of God and neighbor. These intrinsically evil acts must always be rejected and never supported. A preeminent example is the intentional taking of human life through abortion."

Other intrinsic evils include euthanasia, human cloning, destructive research on human embryos, and homosexual marriage. These beliefs are a part of the Dogma of the Catholic Church. According to the CCC  the "Church's Magisterium exercises the authority it holds from Christ to the fullest extent when it defines dogmas, that is, when it proposes, in a form obliging the Christian people to an irrevocable adherence of faith, truths contained in divine Revelation or also when it proposes, in a definitive way, truths having a necessary connection with these". Unlike discipline - a practice that can be changed (think abstaining from meat on all Fridays of the year) - dogma is definitive and can never change.

So what are we to take away from all of this? Since these intrinsic evils are not subject to change, individuals who perpetrate or formally cooperate in them are making a statement to themselves, the Church and society as a whole. In essence they are saying, "we, with full knowledge of our willful disobedience, stand squarely against a dogma of the Church to which we proclaim to belong". While going through the motions of being in full unity with the Church, they publicly fly in the face of her most deeply held teachings.

What Eucharist Is

To understand the gravity of the situation one must examine exactly what Holy Eucharist (Communion) is, when referring to its fullest definition according to the Catholic faith. When Jesus said, "truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you", He wasn't speaking symbolically. This hard truth, the Eucharist as Christ's true Body, even caused some of His disciples to turn away from Him. Had he been speaking only symbolically, there would have been no reason for protest. His clear intent was the institution of the Eucharist, "the source and summit of the Christian life". Thus we know that "the other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself".1324  When we allow ourselves to acknowledge the full impact of everything this means, it is no longer possible to treat the Eucharist lightly. Holy Eucharist (Communion) is our unity with Jesus Christ Himself and through Him, with each and every one of our Catholic brethren - for we become what we consume, the Body of Christ.

What Eucharist Says

Once we recognize the miraculous reality that is Eucharist, we must acknowledge what partaking of Him through this sacrament says about us. If we strive to know (accept) Him and His gift to us, we must also cooperate in the intent of this giving of Christ of Himself. The Catholic Church has always been very clear about the disposition of those who present themselves to receive Him in Holy Eucharist. They are to be free from serious moral impediments and must be in full communion with the teachings of Holy Mother Church - that is, that we are to present ourselves for reception only if we are loyal to and aware of that which the Church (through Jesus) holds as Truth. So when we go forward to receive Him - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity - we are making a public statement that we know Who the Eucharist is and that we fully support His laws.

Eucharist as Perjury

The common name for the Eucharistic sacrament is Holy Communion - as in communion defined as 'solidarity or concord'.  This is a telling indication of what is expected of those who seek to participate in such an intimate way with Jesus and His Church. The act of receiving is a pledge to have a common faith, an intimate fellowship, with everything presented to the Body of Christ which is His Church. Along with the Communion of Saints, we are bound to each other through Him Who binds us. So the act of receiving is a public pronouncement of unity. If one stands up, publicly, to contradict a firmly held belief and yet publicly presents himself as in communion with the Church, that action is a lie - perjury of the highest degree in the court of God. St. Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 that we are to present ourselves worthily or we "eateth and drinketh damnation" to ourselves. It is no stretch, then, to surmise that receiving unworthily - especially in public, causing scandal - is akin to perjury. Because it is an oath not kept - a lie given in action.

As much as it might appear desirable to see the sanction of those who perpetrate this scandalous perjury, it would be far more beneficial to all concerned to have the desecration of the Eucharist come to an end. These actions may likely give aid to a persistent lack of belief in the True Presence and could lead others astray. What is needed is a renewal of faith - both in understanding and action. Unfortunately faith in the reality that is Eucharist is at an all time low. As members of the Body of Christ, this impacts us all, for as 1 Corinthians tells us, "if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with it; or if one member glory, all the members rejoice with it". Let us join in communion with one another for the good of the whole. May God have mercy on us all - sinners that we are!

Holy Thursday and Foot Washing - Misunderstanding What Catholics Do

So here we are again - Holy Week. A most splendid - the most splendid week of the year! Yes, Christmas brings us the infant God made man, but during this week He fulfills that purpose for which he was conceived of the Virgin Mary. Holy Week, however, comes replete with painful awareness of how many Catholics (including clergy) simply don't choose to follow the instructions (rubrics anyone?) that clearly give priests the black - exact words to say - and the red - exact instructions for what they (and we, the faithful) are to do. Now before someone says, "but if it's not expressly forbidden, we can add to the things we can do", here's a word: NO!

Let's take some secular examples.

1) a prima ballerina decides that she will enhance the carefully crafted choreography of Swan Lake and just add some cutsie little steps here and there - at her pleasure.

2) a legal secretary decides that her boss' brief needs a bit of enhancement and throws in a few things she's learned at night school.

3) a sou chef takes the recipe of his master and tweaks it just a bit.

Pow! All heck would surely break out. Not just because the servant hadn't done what the master intended but also because the resulting chaos would affect everyone involved.

And so it is with the optional rite of Foot Washing - Mandatum (command) - on Holy Thursday. The rubrics are clear - men (viri) are to have their feet washed - twelve, if you want to follow Jesus' lead. Why twelve and why men, you might ask? Well, because a secondary function of our remembrance of that day (aside from the - very important - institution of the Eucharist!), is the institution of the priesthood, initiated with the twelve apostles. Can women become priests? Contrary to liberal wishes the answer has irrevocably been given by Pope John Paul II - never!

As has been pointed out by Fr. Z,"let it be remembered that the Church’s legislation allows for the washing of the feet of only men. MEN = VIRI = MEN. Not manish women or any other critter. Even if some claim to have received permission to wash the feet of women, and even if the claims were true, those permissions would in no way change the law for the rest of the world. Period. Furthermore, I have never seen a letter or a copy of a letter from the Congregation in Rome granting such a permission. I doubt anyone else has either".

Canon lawyer, Dr. Edward Peters has written about it thoroughly and shares the wording of the rubric with us - along with emphasis of the Latin, in which it was written. The word man (viri) can only be interpreted one way, and it's not mankind (or humankind).

I'd rather just see this optional rite done away with altogether. Why oh why does the focus always have to be on 'us' (the people)? Holy Thursday is about the institution of the priesthood. It is about the institution of the Eucharist. And yet, here we are again. With our self congratulatory songs, choirs up front so that we may focus away from everything that we should be focusing on - Jesus, present to us as food at the foot of the cross! I'm so very frustrated and it takes away my right to worship in the way Mass was intended* (complete with thorough instructions). I've seen even babies' feet washed, mostly women's feet washed, and commemorative towels given out as 'door prizes' for those women and men who participated. I'm beyond frustrated by this lack of saying the black and doing the red!

Rant over...

May we all celebrate a holy, Holy Thursday! Happy Holy Week!

The Last Supper - the reason for Holy Thursday!

*From Redemptionis Sacramentum (Latin, “The Sacrament of Redemption”).

"It is the right of the Christian people themselves that their diocesan bishop should take care to prevent the occurrence of abuses in ecclesiastical discipline, especially as regards the ministry of the word, the celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals, the worship of God, and devotion to the saints (24)."