Reflections: The Summons

Well, it's nearly the end of my planned time blogging on The Summons. The original purpose of this blog was for a Theology project, and although I did not always keep up with post updates, I did enjoy writing posts as I gradually caught up to my quota. The Summons has given me an opportunity to reflect what I have learned in class and apply it toward the theme of holiness. This will be my last post on here, but I plan to keep this blog open for any potential readers, that they may find my work useful and apply it to their journey toward holiness, and most especially, toward becoming a man fully alive. 

However, before I close, I would like to answer why I titled my blog "The Summons." In the Holy Liturgy, The Summons is the title to one of my favorite liturgical songs, and it fits perfectly with the theme of this blog: to reflect and inspire all of us who are on the pilgrimage to holiness. I listen to it, and I instantaneously feel enlightened and empowered to follow Christ. I listen, and I know what it takes to follow Him. I listen, and I know that I truly love Christ. 

Thank you all for reading; it has been a good run. I have truly enjoyed writing for all of you, and hope that maybe one day, I will revive The Summons, and continue reflecting and inspiring you all on your path to holiness. Thank you and God bless. 

Holiness: Man Fully Alive

"The glory of God is man fully alive" - St. Iranaeus

What on earth does this quote mean? What is man fully alive? How is it the glory of God?

From the very beginning of creation, God intended for us to be in communion, communion with the birds, the fish, the animals, with each other, and especially with Himself. God created the world free of sin. All existed in perfect harmony in the garden of Eden. However, Adam and Eve, the first humans, ruptured this state of perfection, by taking fruit from the Tree of Life and consuming it, despite explicit instructions in refraining from doing so. On top of that, Adam and Eve lied to God when He questioned them, and put the blame for the deed on each other and ultimately the serpent.

From then on, all descendants of Adam and Eve would be plagued by Original Sin. Concupiscence, which is the tendency to sin, will govern us for generations. From Noah, to Abraham, to David, God works with us. After the flood and events with Noah, God sees the potential for good in us, and begins guiding us. For no other reason than love, God raises us out of the deep, endless pit of sin that we have fallen into; He raises us up higher than we were before Original Sin. Through the savior Jesus Christ, we were freed from sin, and are able to know and love God not as a transcendent being, but as our King, our savior, our friend, and especially our Father and brother.

God sending His son, Christ, to die for our sake, and rising and freeing us from our greatest enemy: sin, could not have been anything but a gesture out of love. God stuck by us, despite all the damage we have caused, and has raised us up higher than we have ever been. Yet after all this, God continues to give us free choice. God loves us so much that after all this work He has put in, He respects us and loves us so much that He is once again giving us the choice to grab hold of His hand, and climb out of the pit of sin and death, or fall back into pitch black emptiness.

"The glory of God" refers to the love that God has for us, and His desire for us to be with Him. "Man fully alive" is us, all of us, from Adam and Eve until the end of time, accepting His love, accepting His grace, dwelling with Him in heaven.

Reflections: The Priesthood

More people are joining the priesthood. Isn't that contrary to today's society? According to this article, it's not.

One would typically that the Catholic Church is rapidly shrinking, especially in the United States. America's "free society" would typically be thought of as a breeding ground for atheism, selfishness, greed. However, contrary to this, America has become a birthplace for many young priests who wish to follow in the footsteps of Christ. Ironic isn't it?

As stated by Brett Meltzer in the article, "I think that's why so many people come into the seminary and so many of the youth is starting to go to church now. Because they're realizing that fulfillment and happiness isn't found in what the culture is telling them it's found in." The "culture" Brett is referring to is the widespread American belief that salvation is found from within, that self-improvement comes from ourselves. Obviously this is an extremely errant view. Salvation, from our part, requires faith. It requires giving ourselves to God, as Brett has done, and letting Him take over. Ultimately, God himself is the only one who can bride the gap created by sin.

Giving oneself to God is a wondrous experience, and is rewarding in more ways than one could imagine. God is calling several of us to join His mission, and help combat the atheism, selfishness, and greed that plaques America today. Brett, among one of them, has answered this call, and serves as an example that all of us are called into a life holiness.

Reflections: Fishers of Men

What makes a hero? Does it have to be a man in a cape? Do they have to have superpowers?

Heroes exist. They can be as obvious as a soldier fighting for freedom, or a parent raising their child the right way. However, would you ever think of a priest as a hero? Personally, the thought never came to mind. But after watching Fishers of Men, I have a new perspective on the priesthood.

The priesthood is not glorious, nor is it rewarding in the sense that you are frequently praised for your efforts. The priesthood is a special calling. Priests are unique. Living a life of Christ is not easy, and these select few men are called by God to give their own lives in example to others, and do so every second of every day. Priests are called to be in service to others. They are able to intimately bond with their communities, and be there for them, be part of the special moments of their life. Priests are there when you are born, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Priests are there to confirm them, they're there when they get married, they're there when they fall ill, they're there when they have greatly sinned and need reconciliation. Every step of the way priests are with us, teaching us and guiding us.

A hero is not defined by the amount of glamour he or she receives, nor the bad guys they defeat, but rather, they are defined by the deeds they do in service of others. Priests are heroes. They don't need a fancy cape, just Christ. They don't need superpowers; they have Christ. Priests live their entire life to be in service for us, to be there in our moments of need, and to bring us closer to God every Sunday. They are an example of what good we can accomplish in service of others; they are teachers.

Holiness: Confession

Sin is an infinite offense against God. We all sin, and as a result, there is an infinite gap between us and God that only continues to grow bigger and wider with every sin we commit. How are we to bridge this gap? We humans are finite; God is infinite. Therefore, only God himself is able to bridge this infinite gap. 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Confession, offers us an opportunity to receive God's grace. To take part first requires an "I'm sorry." A perfect contrition, or sorrowfulness, is feeling truly sorry for your sins and taking responsibility for it. Imperfect contrition is technically being sorry, however, one does not yet fully grasp the severity of the offense. Whether imperfect or perfect, confession requires at least one. 

Confession is an intimate experience. You feel sorry, and you share your sins with a priest. The priest is acting in persona Christi, or "in the person of Christ." So essentially, you are talking directly to God himself. This allows for a special intimacy to occur, and further builds our relationship with God, hence the term "reconciliation." 

Holiness: Responsibility

What is so difficult about taking responsibility for our own actions? Why are we afraid to admit that we made an honest mistake?

Mistakes, failures, all a part of life. With every up must come a down. Like with the Great Depression. The US economy steadily grew and grew, but with all that upward growth must come a downward spiral.

Everyone makes mistakes, so what makes us so afraid of the responsibility? The shame, the feeling of failure, perhaps. But, the experience allows for growth. I mean, what if we had not learned not to put our hands on hot objects? Who knows? Maybe eventually we would have stuck our whole arm on the stove and set ourselves on fire. Mistakes are a part of life and growth. Part of making a mistake is the responsibility that goes along with it. Accepting responsibility shows maturity, that we are able to say "yes I accept the consequences, and I have learned from this experience." Through this, we are able to learn and grow into better men and women, and eventually bring upon our children, and even grandchildren, the lessons we have learned from our past mistakes.

Holiness: Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship. An aspect that is all too often forgotten in modern-day sports. I recall a lecture that my coach gave us earlier this year, the day after one of our first Water Polo games of the season. The day before, our varsity had beaten a team 18-0. But was this really a win? No. The game was not a win. Our team may have won on paper, but our opponent left feeling like they just played against "a group of spoiled rich kids."

Part of playing a sport is the opportunity to represent your school. It is an opportunity to show the very best player inside of you, and play against another team doing the exact same. Being a good player comprises your skill at the sport, but it also comprises your character. How are you going to act on and off the field? How are you going to act if you win or lose? Winning or losing is merely a state of mind. If you really did play your best and gave it your all, maintained sportsmanship, and accepted that you lost on paper, then you did win.

We need to be respectful when we compete, not only to our opponent but ourselves. A game is just that, a game. It is not the end of the world if you lose. Winning does not make you all powerful. Not all schools may have a sports program as established as others. We should be respectful and fortunate that we have the opportunity to compete against them in the first place. In time, their program will grow, and one day they could be a formidable opponent to truly give a challenge to all who face them.

Sports may allow us to stay fit and compete. But what else? They are an opportunity to compete. They are an opportunity to be the very best of who we are. But not only that, but sports opens the doors to friendships, lessons in life. Playing is only half the game. It is how the players carry themselves on and off the field that truly defines how a game is played.

Holiness: Losing

What is it about losing that gets us down? Is it that we were outmatched by our opponent? Or rather, that the loss makes us feel like we did not try out very best? How about that losing is just the worst thing that could ever happen and the world will end if we don't win? 

Losing is part of life, or rather, failure is a part of life. We can't all be winners all the time, I mean think about it. If everything we did was perfect, what would there be to strive for? Life would be pretty boring, wouldn't it? Our mistakes are a way of learning. Mistakes are good; they help us grow. Otherwise, why would God allow them? God would only allow something bad to happen in the first place if he saw the greater good coming out of it. 

But even if we know this, why do we still get down when we lose? It takes a strong person to accept a loss, and an even stronger person to take it even further, and love their opponent, and sincerely congratulate them on their victory. Losing does not necessarily mean you are not good enough, but that your opponent performed better in that particular situation.  Losing is not the end of the world, but rather it is the beginning of a new opportunity. The opportunity to take the mistakes you made and your failures, and improve upon them, build upon them.  

Reflections: Ronald Davis

"Wait a minute, I'm not a bum, I'm a human being."

These are the words of Ronald Davis, a homeless man who was interviewed in a moving video that is currently going viral all over the internet. Ronald's words serve as testimony to the cruel, cold life that people like you and me endure everyday. These people are in our communities, on the streets we drive on every day, they may even be having a cup of coffee in the doughnut shop you stop in on your way to work. How immoral is it that we get to have a nice warm bed, a nice home, a job, and people just like Ronald have had all these stripped away and are struggling to survive?

What do we normally think of homeless people? In the interview with Ronald, the word bum was mentioned, along with the common "get a job!" phrase. We tend to not think too highly of homeless people. It is ironic that we see them everyday, but few of us stop to offer some aid, and fewer even look deeper into their situation. Sadly, most of us are the "get a job" sayers. However, think for a second. Who would want to hire a homeless person? They have no home, they drag with them the filth of street life, and who knows what history they have? What if they are some kind of serial killer? Yeah, didn't think so.

Homeless is simply a state of being. These are just ordinary people created by God, just like you and me. Just because they are deprived of a home does not take away their dignity as a human person. People like Ronald are fully capable in doing good for society, but what they need is not so much money or food, but rather, an opportunity.

Reflections: All Are Welcome!

Today I will reflect on an article by Cardinal Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York. In his article, Cardinal Dolan talks to us about the classic saying of "hate the sin, love the sinner." After reading the article, I would just like to elaborate on a few of his points.

First, Cardinal Dolan talks about the prominent issue in today's society known as abortion. He states "the Church loves, welcomes, and respects a woman who has had an abortion, and the man who fathered the child and encouraged the abortion...but would be united with them in mourning and regretting that deadly choice." In other words, the Church has a solid stance on its role in defending life and most importantly, creation. However, just because abortion is a mortal sin does not mean that anyone associated with the process is excommunicated from the Church. Rather, the fact that they have sinned greatly increases the need for the Church, her comfort, and her support.

Second, Cardinal Dolan also talks about the the Church's stance on homosexuality, stating "The Church loves, welcomes, and respects a woman or man with a same-sex attraction...while reminding him or her of our clear teaching that, while the condition of homosexuality is no sin at all, still, God's teaching is clear that sexual acts are reserved for a man and woman united in the lifelong, life-giving, faithful, loving bond of marriage." One of the main causes of dispute is the misunderstanding of the Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality. Homosexuals are in fact welcome in the Catholic Church. The Church respects them and sees them as people, just like heterosexuals. However, the Church hates the act of sexual intercourse between a same-sex couple. This goes back to the Church's role in defending life and creation, and since same-sex couples are not capable of yielding life, the Church cannot condone such an act.

Vocation: The Priesthood

Today's post will discuss the recent ordination of a Kentucky woman as a priest. In recent years, many have been questioning the Church's ordination of only males into the priesthood. Some take it as the Church is not open to women doing a "man's job," or that the Church is prejudice against females. However, there is a deeper question to be answered here. That question is "what exactly is a vocation?"

A vocation is something we are called to, not something we can easily pick and choose. When pertaining to the priesthood, a vocation is a call from God Himself. One of the biggest misconceptions in today's society is that the priesthood is simply a job that anyone can apply for. The priesthood is a vocation, not a job. Priests are called by God to serve him; to teach, sanctify, and govern. 

The main reason the Church has her current stance on the ordination of female priests is because Christ's Apostles were all men. Even then Christ was not prejudice against women, but rather, to much objection from the authorities, had women, such as Mary Magdalene, as disciples. 

The Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano

How many times have we gone to Mass and thought? Is this really the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior? Or is the priest just saying that?

Back in the 8th century, after the death of Christ of course, occurred the first and greatest Eucharistic Miracle in the entire history of the Catholic Church. In the small Church of St. Leogontian, a Basilian monk was celebrating Mass. Right as he consecrated the Eucharist, the host miraculously morphed into live Flesh and the wine into live Blood. The miracle has remained intact throughout the centuries, and can be seen even today.

How do we know this isn't a fake, you may ask? Well, a scientific investigation was conducted by Professor Odoardo Linoli with the assistance of Professor Ruggero Bertelli in 1970 and '71. Linoli was a Professor in Anatomy, Pathological Histology, Chemistry, and Clinical Microscopy. Their investigation yielded the following conclusions:

• The Flesh is real Flesh. The Blood is real Blood.
  
• The Flesh and the Blood belong to the human species.
  
• The Flesh consists of the muscular tissue of the heart.
  
• In the Flesh we see present in section: the myocardium, the endocardium, the vagus nerve and also the left ventricle of the heart for the large thickness of the myocardium.
  
• The Flesh is a "HEART" complete in its essential structure.
  
• The Flesh and the Blood have the same blood-type: AB (Blood-type identical to that which Prof. Baima Bollone uncovered in the Holy Shroud of Turin).
  
• In the Blood there were found proteins in the same normal proportions (percentage-wise) as are found in the sero-proteic make-up of the fresh normal blood.
  
• In the Blood there were also found these minerals: chlorides, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium.
  
• The preservation of the Flesh and of the Blood, which were left in their natural state for twelve centuries and exposed to the action of atmospheric and biological agents, remains an extraordinary phenomenon.

The Eucharistic Miracle is the greatest of its kind in the history of the Church. To this day, it continues to deepen the faith of the members of the Catholic Church and persuade non-Christians to a second look at the Miracle of Jesus Christ. 

Works Cited

The Real Presence. Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association. Web. 8 May 2013. 

http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/lanciano.html

Science, Intellect, God

Science and religion are often separated in contemporary society. Today, atheistic ideas regarding science as the sole means to the secrets of the universe run rampant. Through science, we can conquer disease, death. Our intellect allows us to uncover the secrets of the universe, create gadgets straight out of science fiction, bring new ideas to life. 

This idea is the complete opposite of what is true. Our intellect is a gift from God. It is through our intellect that we are able to learn and come to know our Holy Father. The gift of intellect allows us to take the crazy ideas that are given to us by God and bring them to life. 

For example, take recent advancements such as Google Glass, a gadget composed of computerized glasses. This idea popped straight out of science fiction on the big screen to a reality that exists in everyday life. A rather arrogant way of taking this accomplishment would be "Hey! I don't need God, we created this technology with our minds alone.Our minds can do anything!." The truth is, God gave us this new technology for a reason. We are called to use whatever gifts he presents us with in service of others. For instance, one way we could use this technology would be an app that would monitor blood pressure for those who have heart problems. There are endless possibilities for the usage of Glass, and all the other advancements as well.

Technology is an important part of our daily lives, and we often abuse the privilege of science and intellect that got us there. It is important to remember that it is God who got us where we are, and without God, we are nothing. Although technology and science are great, God is greater. Science is a gift from our faith in God. 

A History: The Catechumenate

Today let us take a look at the history of the Sacrament of Baptism. Back in the early days of the Church, those who wished to join were initiated through a process known as the Catechumenate.  Through this process, the Church would instruct in the teachings of the Faith and prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation. Over the years, it became tradition to Baptize these new members into the Church at the Easter Vigil, or the night before the commemoration of the Resurrection. In recent years, this same process can be seen in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA.

The Sacraments and Human Nature

Human nature is a strange thing. We consistently require a need for a physical representation. We are unable to fully believe on faith alone. We need evidence, proof. 

St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that humanity is led by physical things, things that we can interact with through the five senses. God dispenses His grace through the sacraments. Although the sacraments each dispense spiritual grace, each has its own unique physical representation. For example, take the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Of course you could just go to the priest and say "Forgive me for I have sinned" and the priest would reply "You are forgiven" and we could all skip happily into the sunset. However, as humans, we need to feel forgiven. We need a sign to reassure ourselves that yes, God still loves me and He has forgiven me. As a result, we confess our sins to the priest, and he gives us absolution in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Another example is in the Eucharist. Sure, God could have just told us we are saved, but how long are we going to believe that? Instead, God sacrificed Himself on the Cross and instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist. We are able to remember His death and resurrection every time we go to Mass and relive the last supper, consuming the Body and Blood of Christ. 

We have events such as banquets and graduation ceremonies so as to have a tangible experience to our actions. Such applies to the sacraments. God has given a means to receiving His grace through a physical experience. It is through the experience that we build our relationship with God and continue on the path to greater holiness. 

Holiness: The Liturgy

What is liturgy? What is its purpose?

Liturgy derives from the Greek ergos ("work"), and leiton ("of the people").  Leitourgia (from the 3rd century BC Greek translation of the Old Testament) was a term for the worship led by the Levite priests of the Temple on behalf of the people. Since then, leitourgia has evolved into the liturgy we know and love today. Liturgy has come to define the Church's public and official worship of God. This includes the Mass as well as the official rites and cerimonies.

The liturgy's purpose is diverse: giving glory and honor to God, building the faith of the people, instructing the faithful in the Faith. It is also an exercise of the priestly office of Christ, which the Church continues under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Holiness: A Life of Prayer

What is so important about prayer? I mean it's weird isn't' it? You see people just sitting there staring into space, or talking to themselves? Are Christians insane?

Prayer is basically a conversation with God himself. A well-formed life of prayer strengthens our relationship with God. Why care? God responds to us through prayer. Prayer is how God communicates with us. If we're going through difficult times, prayer can comfort us and offer hope for better times. If we're struggling with a decision, God can talk to us through prayer and guide us in making the right choice. 

On the path to holiness, prayer plays a significant role in getting us there. Through prayer, we can build on our relationship with God. Through prayer, God guides us on the road to holiness. 

St. Gianna Beretta Molla

St. Gianna Beretta Molla. Wife, mother, doctor who dwelt on this planet back in the mid-twentieth century. But what about her makes her worthy of the title "saint?"

Gianna was born into a rather large, but devoted Catholic family. In her early years, she contemplated a religious life, but ultimately chose to pursue a career in medicine. But even here, she did not completely put aside her religious devotion. Much of her free time was spent on charity work, and upon her graduation, she immediately went to work, opening a clinic in her hometown for the poor and elderly. Later, she obtained an additional degree in children's medicine so that she would be able to give proper care to the mothers and their young who came to her for help.

In her later years, she would marry a gentleman by the name of Pietro Molla. The two would joyfully celebrate the births of three children, Pierluigi, Mariolina, and Laura. However, in the fall of 1961, after two miscarriages, Gianna once again became pregnant. What made this event significant, is the fact that a tumor was discovered, which threatened both her life and the life of her future child. Gianna was urged by her doctors to abort her child, so as to save her own life. To her, this was completely unacceptable and stated "If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate. Choose the child - I insist on it. Save the baby."

Nine months later, on the Good Friday of 1962, checked into the hospital and the following day, gave birth to Gianna Emanuela. Gianna's doctor's fought and struggled to save her life as well, but ultimately the complications of childbirth proved too much for the elderly woman to bear. She died exactly one week after the birth of her newborn child.

Gianna's actions are a perfect fulfillment of John 15:13, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." She was later canonized by Pope Blessed John Paul II in 2004.

The Universal Call to Holiness

"Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect," (Matthew 5:48).

Although perfection is an aspect that no human could ever achieve, each of us is constantly called to greater holiness through charity, prayer, and especially the New Commandment of Love. There are a select few of us who are called to holiness through the priesthood, and another group of us who are called to join the special group known as the laity. The laity composes of lay men and lay women who engage in everyday activities, and evangelize and sanctify the world "from within." These men and women are the "front lines" in the Church's evangelical mission.

How does one seek holiness through the laity? This requires more than just attending mass once a week or volunteering for service hours at a retirement home or homeless shelter. God calls us to seek holiness in every part of our lives: work, school, home, friends, family, etc. A proper response to the call to holiness would be:

• Actively participating in the liturgy (i.e. altar serving, attending mass daily)
• Frequent reception of the Sacraments (especially of the Eucharist and Reconciliation)
• Forming an active life of prayer
• Applying the practices of sacrifice and self-denial
• Sanctifying all part of life (ordinary and within the Church)

We should put as many of these practices into our ordinary lives as possible. Through their application, we may grow closer to God and aid in sanctifying the world to make it a better place. 

The Church in the Life of the Faithful

Does the Church play a major or minor role in the life of the faithful? Should it?

Each of us is called by Christ to follow in his footsteps, to live a life of Christ. He outlined what it means to live a life of Christ in the Beatitudes. Christ knows not all of us can easily leave our rich, luxurious lifestyles to follow him, but he calls us to give what we can. However, there are a select few who are called by Christ to follow him. These men join the clergy or become members of holy orders such as the Jesuits. There is also another group of the faithful which are not consecrated to Holy Orders known as the laity. These individuals "sanctify from within." They are the "front lines" of the Church's work towards salvation. They serve others in their daily lives, teach them, mentor them. They visit the elderly, they serve food to the homeless. They evangelize through their everyday family and professional activities.