Thursday, September 30, 2010

St Irenaeus

Why did the serpent not attack the man, rather than the woman?  You say he went after her because she was the weaker of the two.  On the contrary, In the transgression of the commandment, she showed herself to be stronger...For she alone stood up to the serpent.  She ate from the tree, but with resistance and dissent after being dealt with perfidiously.  But Adam partook of the fruit given by the woman, without even beginning to make a fight, without a word of contradiction--a perfect demonstration of consummate weakness and a cowardly soul.  The woman, moreover, can be excused; she wrestled a demon and was thrown.  But Adam will not be able to find an excuse...he had personally received the commandment from God.

(source: A Father Who Keeps His Promises, by Scott Hahn, Servant Books, 1998)

Monday, September 27, 2010

St. Augustine of Hippo

Breathe into me Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.  Move in me Holy Spirit, that my work, too may be holy.  Attract my heart Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.  Strengthen me Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.  Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. Amen.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

St. Ignatius of Antioch

Therefore it is fitting that you agree with the opinion of the bishop as you are doing. Your rightly famous presbytery is worthy of God.  It is in harmony with the bishop like strings tuned to a harp.  For this reason, Jesus Christ is praised in your harmony and in your united love.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Pope John Paul II

Even when not motivated by a selfish refusal to be burdened with the life of someone who is suffering, euthanasia must be called a false mercy, and indeed a disturbing "perversion" of mercy. True "compassion" leads to sharing another's pain; it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear.  Moreover, the act of euthanasia appears all the more perverse if it is carried out by those, like relatives, who are supposed to treat a family member with patience and love, or by those, such as doctors, who by virtue of their specific profession are supposed to care for the sick person in the most painful terminal stages.

Monday, September 20, 2010

St. Francis deSales

God has supreme hatred for sin, and yet He most wisely permits it.  This is to allow rational creatures to act according to their natural condition; it is also to render the good more worthy of commendation when they do not violate the law, even though they are able ti violate it.  Let us therefore adore and bless this holy permission.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Pope Pius XI

But no reason, however grave, may be put forward by which anything intrinsically against nature may become conformable to nature and morally good.  Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined primarily for the begetting of children, those who in exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose, sin against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically vicious.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

St. Thomas Aquinas

In the world of sense we find there is an order of efficient causes. There is no case known (neither is it, indeed, possible) in which a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself; for so it would be prior to itself, which is impossible. Now in efficient causes it is not possible to go on to infinity,because in all efficient causes following in order, the first is the cause of the intermediate cause, and the intermediate is the cause of the ultimate cause, whether the intermediate cause be several, or only one. Now to take away the cause is to take away the effect. Therefore, if there be no first cause among efficient causes, there will be no ultimate, nor any intermediate cause. But if in efficient causes it is possible to go on to infinity, there will be no first efficient cause, neither will there be an ultimate effect, nor any intermediate efficient causes; all of which is plainly false. Therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of God.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Pope Benedict XV

The Spirit, the Paraclete, enriched the human race with the sacred Letters in order to instruct it in the things of God.  And in his great providence, he also raised up very holy and learned people over the centuries not only to prevent this heaven-sent treasure form remaining fruitless, but also to provide for the faithful plentiful "consolation from Scripture" (Rom 15:4). All agree that St. Jerome rightly holds the first place among them.  The Catholic Church recognizes him and honors him as the 'Greatest Doctor" given by God for the explanation of the Sacred Scriptures.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Patrick Madrid

When through laziness or some other excuse we ignore or neglect to study and ponder God's written Word, we find ourselves cut off from a major source of information about Jesus Christ--who he is, what he dis for us and why we should have faith in him, love him, and obey his teachings.  Sacred Scripture reveals all these things for us.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Had there been no Immaculate Conception, then Christ would have been said to be less beautiful, for He would have taken His Body from one who was not humanly perfect!  There ought to be an infinite separation between God and sin, but there would not have been if there was not one Woman who could crush the cobra's head.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Dei Verbum , article 10.

It is clear, therefore, that sacred tradition, Sacred Scripture and the teaching authority of the Church, in accord with God's most wise design, are so linked and joined together that one cannot stand without the others, and that all together and each in its own way under the action of the one Holy Spirit contribute effectively to the salvation of souls.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said, "my soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.  For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.  And his mercy is upon those who fear him from generation to generation.  He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in his imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, and rich he sent empty away.  He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever."

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

St. Clement of Rome

Let us fix our gaze on the blood of Christ and realize how precious it is to His Father, seeing that it was poured out for our salvation and brought to grace of our conversion to the whole world.  Let us look back over all the generations, and learn from generation to generation the Lord has given an opportunity of repentance to all who would return to Him.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

St. John of Damascus

It appears then, that the most proper of all the names given to God is "He That Is," as He Himself said in answer to Moses on the mountain, "Say to the sins of Israel, 'He That Is has sent me,'" (Exodus 3:14) for He keeps all being in His own embrace, like a sea of essence, infinite and unseen.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 808

The Church is the Bride of Christ: he loved her and handed himself over for her.  He has purified her by his blood and made her the fruitful mother of all God's children.

Friday, September 3, 2010

St. Augustine

The soul is to the human body as the Holy Spirit is to the Body of Christ, which is the Church.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

St. Gregory Lopez

If I were to die within a few hours, I would do nothing more than I do now.  For now I am actually giving to God all that I have.  I cannot give more unless God in his mercy bestows it on me.