The Catholic Evangelization Society
"Since 2007, a professional evangelization company where only professionally trained theological instructors - those who hold at least a Master of Arts degree in Theology (from Universities whose faculty take an oath of fidelity to the Magisterium) - teach and evangelize."
*Scroll down to the bottom of this page to learn more about the Society.
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Today's Thought(s):
"The perspective of Catholic belief is one that not only looks at the past, reposing its confidence upon the person and promise of Christ, but also gazes expectantly into the future, venturing all on the Christ who awaits us at the last."
- Regis Martin, S.T.D.
The Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell.
San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1998, p. 22
February 14, 2012
Stained glass window from Bonneval Church
showing the Vision of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, by Xandar.
Feast of St. Valentine - Extraordinary rite
(simple)
Feast of Sts. Cyril, Monk and Methodius, Bishop - Ordinary rite
(obligatory memorial)
From St. Bernadette's Recollection of her
Sixteenth Encounter with Our Lady
"While I was praying, the thought of asking her (Our Lady's) name came before my mind with such persistence that I could think of nothing else. I feared to be presumptuous in repeating a question she had always refused to answer. And yet something compelled me to speak. At last, under an irresistable impulse, the words fell from my mouth, and I begged the Lady to tell me who she was. The Lady did as she had always done before; she bowed her head and smiled but did not reply. I cannot say why, but I felt myself bolder and asked her again to graciously tell me her name; however she only bowed and smiled as before, still remaining silent. Then once more, for a third time, clasping my hands and confessing myself unworthy of the favour I was asking of her, I made my request...The Lady was standing above the rose-bush, in a position very similar to that shown in the miraculous medal. At the third request her face became very serious and she seemed to bow down in an attitude of humility. Then she joined her hands and raised them to her breast...She looked up to heaven...then slowly opening her hands and leaning forward towards me, she said to me in a voice vibrating with emotion:
'I am the Immaculate Conception!'"1
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1 This quote is taken from
Miravalle, Mark, STD. Introduction to Mary, The Heart of Marian Doctrine and Devotion. Santa Barbara: Queenship Publishing, 1993, as taken from J.B. Estrade, J.H. Girolestone, tr., The Appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Grotto of Lourdes. Westminster: Art and Book Co., Ltd., 1912; cf. also Alan Heame, The Happenings at Lourdes. London: Catholic Book Club, 1968.
Important:
Click here to read an urgent message about the proposed federal Health and Human Services mandate (that will negatively impact Christians)!
Help the famished people in Somalia today by calling and donating to Catholic Relief Services (East Africa Mission) at 800-736-3467!
*The Catholic Evangelization Society is not affiliated in any way with Catholic Relief Services.
Catholic Evangelization Society
michael
THIS WEEK'S
GOSPEL MESSAGE
"By virtue of their baptism and confirmation, lay members of the Christian faithful are witnesses of the gospel message by word and example..."
Canon 759
*This material is protected by Copyright. Duplication in any form, without the express, written consent of Michael Ruggiero and CES is prohibited. To gain permission for duplication you must E-mail your request, stating the purpose for use, to michael@cesandmr.com. Written permission must be received before consent is given. Author credit must be given in every instance. Copyright 2012. CES All rights reserved.
Sexagesima Sunday - Extraordinary rite
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Ordinary rite
Being processed, please check back...
Last week's message...
Septuagesima Sunday - Extraordinary rite
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Ordinary rite
(A different cycle of readings from the Ordinary rite were used for this week’s message.)
Readings:
Isaiah 58:7-10
1Corinthians 2:1-5
Matthew 5:13-16
Christ (the teacher) Pantocrator (detail from deesis mosaic) from Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.
Author: Edal Anton Lefterov
This Week's Message:
Once we attain the state of grace, we must always strive to effectively utilize the habitual grace we receive from God. We will undoubtedly never be "lights of the world" if we routinely fail to be efficient stewards of God's varied grace!
In today's gospel reading, Matthew recalls Jesus' similes of salt and light to remind Catholic Christians that we are the most gifted people (spiritually) on the face of the earth! Further, he implies that our union with God enables us to be powerful causes of goodness: since we possess the state of grace (those of us who are not in mortal sin) - the Holy Trinity dwells within us and hence we receive habitual grace - we regularly receive the gifts and help we need to perform acts that affirm and respect the order and form of creation and lead others to spiritual union with God!
Matthew also implies that we cannot be causes of goodness, children of God who honor the order and form of creation and give due measure (justice) to God and neighbor, if we lose the state of grace, for it's God's presence within us (gained when we attain this state) and the sanctifying grace that flows from His presence within us that enables us to act uprightly - refrain from the practice of sin and to practice charitable, merciful works.
Finally, Matthew also notes that God's presence within us and our cooperation with His grace (our good works) must be noticed by others so their faith in God will be reaffirmed: so they will be encouraged to persevere in His service and ultimately render Him the glory and praise He deserves!
This week, be a bright light to the world! Show others YOU are the salt of the earth: act on every inspiration you receive to persevere in the state of grace, formally adore Jesus Christ and be charitable and merciful to others!
"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing."
-John 15:5
To Jesus Christ alone be all glory!
This Week's Gospel Message is written by
Michael Ruggiero, SFO
Master of Arts degree,
Theology
and Christian Ministry
Franciscan University of Steubenville
The message from two weeks ago...
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
- Extraordinary rite
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Ordinary rite
(A different cycle of readings from the Ordinary rite were used for this week’s message.)
Readings:
Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13
1Corinthians 1:26-31
Matthew 5:1-12
"The Sermon on the Mount," by Carl Bloch
This Week's Message:
All Christians are called to embrace self-denial for a greater devotion to God and the love of neighbor (to keep the two great commandments) and also to gain eight precise solemn blessings! Those who are wise - who seek these precise blessings - ultimately enjoy God's presence on earth and make themselves more into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ.
Through his inspired recollection of Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount," the apostle Matthew announces, in today's gospel reading, that Jesus - Emmanuel, Son of David, Messiah and light of the world (Mt. 1:1,23; 2:2) is also the new Moses, the great new lawgiver who calls all Christians to practice self-denial for the love of God and neighbor!
Like Moses in the Old Testament (Numbers 24:12ff) Jesus, according to Matthew, went up a mountain and yet, unlike Moses, as new lawgiver and God (and mediator of the New Covenant) taught the crowds how to act (to be) in relation to God and each other. Jesus insisted (implicitly) that all of His disciples deny themselves by practicing the beatitudes: certain virtuous states of being that release eight greater solemn blessings. Later, He urged everyone to deny themselves base gratification (anger, revenge, unchastity) in order to express love for one another (see Mt. 5:21-48).
Most notably, Matthew makes these key moral theological points (especially for those who are in the state of grace) through his recollection of Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount:"
1. Those who willfully endure poverty in spirit are favored because they deeply experience dependence upon God, enjoy His presence and spiritual power on earth (and the spiritual gifts that flow from it) and will inherit the reign of God in heaven!
2. Those who are sorrowful are favored since they will experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
3. Those who are meek are favored because by their meekness they cause other creatures to come (be drawn) to them and will inherit paradise in the new creation!
4. Those who hunger and thirst for what is right are favored since they will gain satisfaction: they will receive a high degree of moral theological knowledge (knowledge about right conduct before God in light of His self-disclosure) and thus know how to gain a certain, deep communion with God.
5. Those who are merciful are favored since they will receive God's mercy: His assistance during temporal and spiritual battles and His consideration in times of need.
6. Those who are clean of heart (who have no malice in their hearts) are favored since they will see God spiritually during their earthly lives and forever experience Him in the state of being we call heaven.
7. Those who are peacemakers are favored since they will one day be called God's Sons (heirs of His kingdom) and ultimately be recognized by His Church as faithful sons and daughters.
8. Those who are persecuted for doing what is right are favored since they will be led by God away from the world to deep communion with Him and joyfully experience Jesus Christ's power and presence on earth, many spiritual consolations and inherit the kingdom of heaven (reign with Christ for eternity).
Experience NOW the reign of God in your life (His loving, powerful presence, comfort, peace, and mercy): gain and maintain the state of grace! For when we gain and maintain this precious state of being we truly experience the eight spiritual, virtuous states of being mentioned in today's gospel reading and the greater blessings they bring!
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right, for they will be satisfied."
-Matthew 5:6
To Jesus Christ alone be all glory!
This Week's Gospel Message is written by
Michael Ruggiero, SFO
Master of Arts degree,
Theology
and Christian Ministry
Franciscan University of Steubenville
All scripture quotations are taken from the New American Bible. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Catholic Book Publishers: KS, 1987.
Copyright 2012. CES.
All rights reserved.
Catholic Evangelization Society
michael
