Father Mitch Pacwa believes the inclusion of a fertility goddess image in the Amazonian Synod ceremonies was the source of “major scandal” in the Church and explains why this should never have occurred.
Monthly Archives: November 2019
His time is short
November 13
“Rejoice then, you heavens
and those who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
for the devil has come down to you
with great wrath,
because he knows that his time is short!”
-Revelation 12:12
For Reflection:
The Satan’s time on earth is short but Sacred Scripture tells us that he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. When you consider this, how does it motivate you to utilize your spiritual weapons — the rosary, the sacraments, prayer, etc.?
Parental Authority and Gender Dysphoria in Children
The case of a Texas boy whose mother wants him to be treated as a girl against his father’s will, has raised many thorny issues, not least of which is the proper role of parental authority when it comes to addressing gender dysphoria in children.
A single hour
November 12
“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”
-Matthew 6:27
For Reflection:
How much time is wasted on worry? The grace we expend on worry and regret robs us of the grace we need for the present moment. Entrust your cares to the Lord and live today for the glory and honor of God.
Judge Tosses New HHS Conscience Protection Laws
Pro-life health care workers in the United States must continue their courageous fight against discrimination in the workplace after a federal judge tossed out new rules issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) designed to protect them.
A day in thy courts
November 11
“How lovely is thy dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yea, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at thy altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in thy house,
ever singing thy praise!
Blessed are the men whose strength is in thee,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
Behold our shield, O God;
look upon the face of thine anointed!
For a day in thy courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the man who trusts in thee!”
-Psalm 84
For Reflection:
We enjoy visiting new cities — the art, architecture, parks, walkways, museums, restaurants, etc. But as the Psalmist exclaims here, “a day in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.” Spend a few minutes recalling some of your favorite “earthly cities” with an appreciation that heaven far surpasses anything that you have ever experienced.
Every knee shall bow
November 10
“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise[b] to God.’ So each of us shall give account of himself to God.”
-Romans 14: 10-11
For Reflection:
Imagine standing before the judgement seat of God.
Will it be a day of joy or sorrow or both? Take those sins and regrets to confession with you on your next visit to the sacrament.
Why You Should Steer Clear of Byron Katie’s “Work”
Byron Katie (Photo courtesy of Wikicommons Images, Lovingwhatisnt CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED)
LO asks: “Can you recommend the book “Loving What Is” by Byron Katie? And also, practicing her process that she calls “the work” is that an OK thing to do or an anti-catholic thing to do? . . . I don’t want to do anything or entertain anything that could take me in a direction away from Our Lord and the Catholic Church. In general, I’m having anxiety & stress and would like to do some independent reading/work before I need a therapist…can you give any ideas for authors or specific books?”
Beware of Personality and Temperament Assessment Tests
KP writes: “I was wondering what the difference was between enneagrams (which I know are bad) and other personality tests vs. temperament tests. I often see books like ‘The Temperament God Gave You’ etc in orthodox catalogs, such as Ignatius Press and Leaflet Missal Company. Do these not both still focus on the self rather than God or is the temperament test designed to help one focus on their weaknesses in terms of attachment to sin and how to overcome this, perhaps?”
A thousand hells
November 9
“The torments of a thousand hells are nothing in comparison to the anguish of being banished from everlasting bliss and the vision of God.”
-St. John Chrysostom
For Reflection:
The chief misery of hell is being excluded from the beatific vision for all eternity. What a pity it would be for us if this were our end. Ask God for the grace today to be counted as one of the elect who will enjoy His presence for all eternity.
