SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching
August 2nd, 2015
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: 1 Cor. 12:2-11
Gospel: Lk. 18:9-14
Mon 3 No Latin Mass
Tue 4 Saint Dominic, Confessor
Wed 5 Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major
Thu 6 Transfiguration of Our Lord
Fri 7 Sacred Heart of Jesus
Join the Latin Mass community for a pot-luck dinner immediately following Sunday Mass on August 16th in the school cafeteria.
A plenary indulgence may be gained by visiting a church on the second day of August and reciting there an Our Father and the Creed.
Sanctifying grace and charity alone give supernatural life to the soul. St. Thomas says that while grace and charity sanctify the soul and unite it to God, these gifts are ordered for the good of others. St. Paul himself says: ...”all this without charity, is nothing.” Charity is always the most fundamental characteristic of the Christian soul. It is also the greatest gift the Holy Ghost can give us! “No man can say the Lord Jesus but by the Holy Ghost,” says St. Paul. A soul not vivified by the Holy Ghost cannot perform acts of supernatural value.
Humility is the virtue which allows us to practice charity. In the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, the Pharisee praises himself and is puffed up with pride. He cannot pray because he has no charity. Remember the words of St. James: “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” Jas. 4:6. The pride of the the Pharisee is his condemnation, whereas the attitude of the publican is completely different. He is a poor man who knows he has sinned. In humility he trusts in God's mercy: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” God loves to pardon the humble! St. Augustine says: “God prefers humility in things that are done badly, rather than pride in those which are done well.” We are not justified by our virtues and good works, but by grace and charity!
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
Showing posts with label pride. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pride. Show all posts
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Bulletin 244
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
February 22nd, 2015-- Mass @ 7:00pm.
First Sunday of Lent
Epistle: 2 Cor. 6: 1-10
Gospel: Mt. 4: 1-11
Mon 23 No Latin Mass
Tue 24 Saint Matthias * Apostle
Wed 25 Ember Wednesday of Lent
Thu 26 Feria of Lent
Fri 27 Ember Friday of Lent
Mass on February 22nd will be at 7:00pm.
Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.
The next pot luck is scheduled for Sunday, March 1st immediately following the 2:30pm Latin Mass.
On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”
Christ sought solitude in the desert. He was led by the Holy Ghost as His guide. He prepared Himself to confront temptation. We should be happy and grateful to Christ because He allowed Himself to be tempted in order to show us how to gain victory over our own temptations. Christ shows His love for us in allowing Himself to be tempted! All we need to do to win victory in temptation is to desire it!
Temptation helps us to know ourselves. It is necessary so that we can realize our unworthiness and prevent our pride from taking control over ourselves. We must humbly turn to Christ in temptation and He will always gives us the grace to overcome.
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
February 22nd, 2015-- Mass @ 7:00pm.
First Sunday of Lent
Epistle: 2 Cor. 6: 1-10
Gospel: Mt. 4: 1-11
Mon 23 No Latin Mass
Tue 24 Saint Matthias * Apostle
Wed 25 Ember Wednesday of Lent
Thu 26 Feria of Lent
Fri 27 Ember Friday of Lent
Mass on February 22nd will be at 7:00pm.
Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.
The next pot luck is scheduled for Sunday, March 1st immediately following the 2:30pm Latin Mass.
On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”
Christ sought solitude in the desert. He was led by the Holy Ghost as His guide. He prepared Himself to confront temptation. We should be happy and grateful to Christ because He allowed Himself to be tempted in order to show us how to gain victory over our own temptations. Christ shows His love for us in allowing Himself to be tempted! All we need to do to win victory in temptation is to desire it!
Temptation helps us to know ourselves. It is necessary so that we can realize our unworthiness and prevent our pride from taking control over ourselves. We must humbly turn to Christ in temptation and He will always gives us the grace to overcome.
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Mary Conceived Without Sin
The Immaculate Conception
Mary -- Conceived without Sin
This is probably the most misunderstood doctrine among non-Catholics. Even some Catholics don't understand it. To be clear, let's define it. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is a dogma, meaning that is is a required belief of all Catholics. In other words, if you don't believe in the Immaculate Conception, then technically speaking, you're not really Catholic. It is defined as the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was herself conceived without the stain of original sin.
Some Protestants contend that the doctrine is "unbiblical," that it "deifies Mary as a goddess," and "diminishes the role of Christ in the redemption of humanity." Such contention is unwarranted, and a little paranoid, as I'll demonstrate below.
The stain of original sin was defined by St. Augustine as the mark of sin inherited by all people from the time of their conception. This means that when the first humans (Adam and Eve) sinned against God, they did so before any of their children were born. Because of this, all children conceived after their sin (i.e. the whole human race), would inherent the stain of the sin they committed. The sin they committed was one of selfishness and rebellion against God. The stain of this sin penetrated all the way through their souls to the flesh itself -- staining it and corrupting it. Thus, all children born of their flesh would inherit this stain of original sin. Think of it as a hereditary trait. It is manifested in the form of pride, selfishness and rebellion. It creates in people the desire to commit various sins: lying, cheating, stealing, lust, rage, etc. It can be seen from the earliest ages of childhood. Every time a small child acts in a selfish way, or becomes rebellious toward his parents, he demonstrates the stain of original sin in his own mind and body. God designed human beings to be totally selfless, giving, and obedient creatures. But this does not describe the human race today. That's because the stain of original sin, inherited from our first parents (Adam and Eve), has twisted and corrupting what God has created. Instead of being selfless, we are selfish. Instead of being giving, we are greedy. Instead of being obedient, we are rebellious. Such is the nature of our fallen human race. Now many Protestants think of original sin as a type of depravity -- moral corruption or innate wickedness -- as if people are "evil" at their core. Catholics tend to see original sin more as deprivation than depravity -- meaning that original sin deprives human beings of what they need to be holy. The desire to be loving and selfless is there, but the deprivation of original sin makes that impossible to achieve on our own.
God cannot tolerate sin, and it must be dealt with. Before mankind can be restored to God, we must first be freed of the original sin that stains and deprives us. This is the reason why God sent Jesus Christ (God made flesh) into the world. His sacrificial death on the cross frees us from all sin, including original sin. But in order for this sacrifice to be atoning for the human race, it must come from a member of the human race. Only a perfect and spotless human being can undo the damage done by our first parents. A perfect duplicate (or copy) of a human being wouldn't be enough. This spotless sacrifice must be a direct descendant of the sinful human race, and he must be divine himself, so that he may atone for all human sins, not just the first one. Protestant Christians understand this concept very well, and teach it in their churches. They know that Jesus must atone for all the sins of the world, and they know he is fully human as well as fully divine. In this sense, Protestants are very "Catholic" in their thinking. What they often fail to consider is that the flesh of Jesus Christ must be truly descended from the sinful human race in order for Jesus to be truly "one of us." If God created a whole new body in Mary's womb from "the dust of the earth" so to speak, essentially a copy of humanity, totally separate from any sinful human genetics, he really wouldn't be human at all. He would be a whole new race, entirely separate from the human race, and completely disconnected from the rest of humanity. He might look like us, but he wouldn't really be "one of us." In order for Jesus Christ to truly be "one of us," he would have to be genetically linked to the human race, and since Jesus only has one biological parent, there is only one person through whom that link can be made. That person is the Blessed Virgin Mary.
When Jesus was miraculously conceived inside Mary's womb, at the time of the annunciation by the Angel Gabriel, his human genetic make-up came directly from her. True, his divine nature came directly from the Godhead, but his human nature came from Mary. So Mary is the human genetic link between Jesus Christ (God made flesh) and mankind. There is only one problem. If Mary's flesh was stained with original sin (like the rest of us), than Jesus would have inherited that same original sin nature. Yet the Scriptures clearly tell us that Jesus was without sin. So we have a theological problem. How could Jesus' flesh and blood be "without sin" if he inherited his human flesh and blood from Mary? Granted, he is God, so he can do whatever he wants, but he chose to do it a certain way that was fitting to his desire. Enter the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
From the earliest times, Christians have always believed that Mary was immaculate -- meaning perfect and without sin....
"He (Jesus) was the ark formed of incorruptible wood (Mary). For by this is signified that His tabernacle (body) was exempt from putridity and corruption (sin)." -- (Hippolytus, AD 235)
"This Virgin Mother of the Only-begotten of God, is called Mary, worthy of God, immaculate of the immaculate, one of the one." -- (Origen, AD 244)
The idea here is that God miraculously preserved Mary from original sin from the time of her first existence (i.e. conception). The idea comes from the Holy Scripture in which the Angel Gabriel says to Mary: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you." -- (Luke 1:28) The phrase "full of grace" is a translation of the Greek word kecharitomene. It expresses a characteristic quality of Mary that is unique. The traditional translation, "full of grace," is better than the one found in many recent English versions of the New Testament, which give something along the lines of "highly favoured one." Mary was indeed a highly favoured daughter of God, but the Greek implies more than that. The grace given to Mary is both permanent and unique. Kecharitomene is a perfect, passive, participle of the Greek word charitoo, meaning "to fill or endow with grace." Since this term is in the perfect tense, it indicates that Mary was given this grace in the past, but it has a continuing effect in the present. So, the grace Mary enjoyed did not begin at the angel’s visit. In fact, according to meaning the Greek word kecharitomene, it extended over her whole life, from conception onward. She was in a state of grace from the first moment of her existence (i.e. conception).
Now there is nothing particularly new about this concept. Biblically speaking, Mary wasn't the first person God fashioned in a perfect state of grace -- immaculate -- or without sin. The very first examples we have are Adam and Eve themselves. Both Adam and Eve were in a perfect state of grace at their "conception." Though the Scriptures tell us God fashioned them using a different method than normal procreation, it doesn't change the fact that they were made "without sin" (i.e. immaculate). So we could say the first immaculate conception happened in Eden when God formed the first man (Adam) and the first woman (Eve). In many ways, we could even consider the immaculate conception of Mary a "less dramatic miracle" (if we dare) because God still used the normal procreative processes when he fashioned her.
The question that arises is how? How would God fashion Mary "without sin" when both her parents were obviously stained by original sin, and they conceived her naturally? That is the mystery of the miracle. We can only conclude that God had already chosen Mary as Christ's mother, even from the first moment of her conception in the womb of her own mother. That being the case, the only reason why Mary was conceived without sin is because of Jesus Christ. Her body (flesh and blood) was redeemed retroactively, by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, that wouldn't happen until three decades later, because she was chosen to be the vessel through whom Jesus Christ (The Eternal Word) would enter this world as a human being.
Theologically this is very important, because Jesus received all of his human flesh and blood from Mary. That flesh and blood ought to be unspoiled and unstained by sin. Furthermore, modern science tells us that cells from the mother and child do exchange between them during pregnancy. Jesus and Mary literally shared flesh and blood, as all mothers and their babies do during normal human pregnancy. They were in a state of physical communion during that nine months of pregnancy. That means for Jesus to inherit and maintain a perfect body from his mother, without sin, his physical mother should be without sin as well. Likewise, if Mary was to be in a state of physical communion with her son Jesus, receiving his flesh and blood while he was in her womb, it would be necessary for her to be in a perfect state of grace -- immaculate. While God can do anything he wants, it is only fitting and proper for things to be done this way, and the Scriptures seem to support this with the angelic salutation "full of grace.”
So the doctrine of the immaculate conception does not "deify" Mary as many Protestants falsely believe. Nor does it diminish the role of Christ in the redemption of the human race. You can't even say it's "unbiblical" since the Greek word kecharitomene in Luke 1:28 practically defines the doctrine. Rather, it simply states that Mary was no different than the sinless Eve before the fall. Does this mean that Mary was better than Eve? No. Does this mean that Mary was greater or less than Eve? No. It means she was exactly the same as Eve physically, mentally and spiritually speaking. Does this mean that Mary could have sinned? YES! She most certainly could have followed the example of Eve and disobeyed the command of God. If she had, she would have suffered the same fate as Eve, and carried the stain of original sin herself. But the difference is that when the test was given, Mary chose to obey God whereas Eve did not. Eve's test was in the fruit of the tree. Mary's test was in the fruit of the womb. Eve failed her test, while Mary joyously passed hers. From the moment she responded to the angel, "Behold I am the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word" -- (Luke 1:38), she accepted the Lord's will for her, even though she knew it would bring her hardship. Because of that, Mary's purpose was fulfilled. God preserved her without sin, to be like Eve, so she could become the "New Eve," and bring forth the "New Adam" (Romans 5:12-21) who is Christ the Lord.
So now, the question of "why?" arises. Why did Mary choose to obey God, while Eve chose to disobey? Any answer we give is pure speculation, of course, but I think a fair speculation would be the Old Covenant itself. Mary was a Jew. She was raised her whole life to follow the Jewish laws. Tradition tells us she was educated as a child in the Jerusalem Temple, where she served as a consecrated virgin for the Lord. (Protoevangelium of James) Thus Mary had a grace that Eve was not given -- the Mosaic Law. Because of this, she had an understanding of God that was somewhat of a mystery to Eve. Beyond that, unlike Eve, Mary was able to personally witness the effects of original sin all around her. Eve learnt that lesson the hard way, having no prior experience with sin, she introduced original sin to the world with Adam her husband. Mary, in contrast, spent a lifetime toiling in the effects of that original sin, working for survival in a broken world filled with pain and suffering, even though she herself was sinless. This experience, combined with the Mosaic Law, certainly helped to give Mary the courage to say "yes" to a plan that would ultimately bring much more pain and suffering into her own life.
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is rich in ancient Jewish symbolism. It is foreshadowed in the Old Testament with the Ark of the Covenant. Hebrews 9:4 tells us that the contents contained inside the Ark of the Covenant were; the stone tablets of the Law (the word of God), along with a jar of manna (bread from heaven) and Aaron's rod (a symbol of the holy priesthood). All of these are images foreshadowing Jesus Christ, who is the incarnate Word of God (John 1:1-4,14), the Bread from Heaven (John 6:31-65) and our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14).
Now the Ark of the Covenant was consecrated to God and considered holy. It was not to be touched by sinful man under penalty of death, and God himself had no problem exacting this penalty, even when a man touched it in an attempt to prevent it from falling (2nd Samuel 6:6-7; 1st Chronicles 13:9-10). This Old Testament example is designed to illustrate that the ark, which carried the symbols of the Old Covenant, was just as holy as the Old Covenant itself.
Now as I said, the stone tablets, manna and rod were signs foreshadowing Jesus Christ. He is the New Covenant. Thus the "ark" that carried him in her womb is holy too, just as the ark that carried the symbols that foreshadowed him was holy. Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant because she carried Jesus Christ in her womb. Jesus, who is the Word of God, the Bread of Life and our eternal High Priest, was carried for nine months inside the "ark" of Mary. She carried him in her arms and on her hip for another two years at least. If the ark of the Old Covenant was holy, than surely this ark of the New Covenant is even holier.
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception points more to Christ than Mary. Though Mary is the object of the doctrine, she is not the subject of it. The subject is Christ, and it is his perfectly sinless body that is being addressed. Through Mary, Jesus inherited the "flesh and blood" of mankind. He bore the genetic code of the fallen human race, yet he did so with one modification, the stain of original sin was removed. The flesh he inherited was immaculate. That immaculate flesh was the gift of his mother -- Mary -- who herself received it as a gift from God. So Jesus really and truly was descended from Adam and Eve through Mary. He really and truly was "one of us," having the same ancestors and genetic code that originated from them. God rehabilitated the original, immaculate nature of humanity in Mary, but her sinlessness didn't help anybody but herself. She was the only beneficiary of this filling of grace (kecharitomene). Mary's sinlessness doesn't save anybody else. It doesn't save me, and it doesn't save you. All God did with the immaculate conception was reset the clock, so to speak, to give one person another chance. For the sake of humanity, and revealing himself in the Law of Moses, God gave one more human being, schooled in that law, a chance to say "yes" for humanity. Her "yes" brought forth the Messiah who would fulfil the Law of Moses, and effectively save the rest of us. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, is a doctrine that points entirely to Jesus Christ. Without him, the Immaculate Conception of Mary makes no logical sense.
In following Jesus Christ, we all become "immaculate" upon our baptism. This is the promise that is given to us. Granted, our bodies (and minds) remain damaged by sin, but this is a temporary condition. Those who are faithful, and endure to the end, not only get to look forward to an afterlife in heaven, but also a future resurrection, in which our recreated bodied will be like those of Jesus and Mary -- perfect and immaculate. In this life, the Christian is privileged to experience an immaculate soul upon the sacraments of baptism and reconciliation. In the next life, however, Christians will be privileged to experience an immaculate body as well.
Written by Shane Schaetzel, reposted by permission. Source: http://catholicozarks.blogspot.com/2014/11/mary-conceived-without-sin.html
Posted by Fr. Jeffery Fasching at 8:30 AM
Topics: Adam, Blessed Virgin Mary, Christ, Covenant, death, Eve, Evil, God, Jewish, law, loyalty, manna, miracle, Old Testament, Scripture, Sin, Suffering
Mary -- Conceived without Sin
This is probably the most misunderstood doctrine among non-Catholics. Even some Catholics don't understand it. To be clear, let's define it. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is a dogma, meaning that is is a required belief of all Catholics. In other words, if you don't believe in the Immaculate Conception, then technically speaking, you're not really Catholic. It is defined as the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was herself conceived without the stain of original sin.
Some Protestants contend that the doctrine is "unbiblical," that it "deifies Mary as a goddess," and "diminishes the role of Christ in the redemption of humanity." Such contention is unwarranted, and a little paranoid, as I'll demonstrate below.
The stain of original sin was defined by St. Augustine as the mark of sin inherited by all people from the time of their conception. This means that when the first humans (Adam and Eve) sinned against God, they did so before any of their children were born. Because of this, all children conceived after their sin (i.e. the whole human race), would inherent the stain of the sin they committed. The sin they committed was one of selfishness and rebellion against God. The stain of this sin penetrated all the way through their souls to the flesh itself -- staining it and corrupting it. Thus, all children born of their flesh would inherit this stain of original sin. Think of it as a hereditary trait. It is manifested in the form of pride, selfishness and rebellion. It creates in people the desire to commit various sins: lying, cheating, stealing, lust, rage, etc. It can be seen from the earliest ages of childhood. Every time a small child acts in a selfish way, or becomes rebellious toward his parents, he demonstrates the stain of original sin in his own mind and body. God designed human beings to be totally selfless, giving, and obedient creatures. But this does not describe the human race today. That's because the stain of original sin, inherited from our first parents (Adam and Eve), has twisted and corrupting what God has created. Instead of being selfless, we are selfish. Instead of being giving, we are greedy. Instead of being obedient, we are rebellious. Such is the nature of our fallen human race. Now many Protestants think of original sin as a type of depravity -- moral corruption or innate wickedness -- as if people are "evil" at their core. Catholics tend to see original sin more as deprivation than depravity -- meaning that original sin deprives human beings of what they need to be holy. The desire to be loving and selfless is there, but the deprivation of original sin makes that impossible to achieve on our own.
God cannot tolerate sin, and it must be dealt with. Before mankind can be restored to God, we must first be freed of the original sin that stains and deprives us. This is the reason why God sent Jesus Christ (God made flesh) into the world. His sacrificial death on the cross frees us from all sin, including original sin. But in order for this sacrifice to be atoning for the human race, it must come from a member of the human race. Only a perfect and spotless human being can undo the damage done by our first parents. A perfect duplicate (or copy) of a human being wouldn't be enough. This spotless sacrifice must be a direct descendant of the sinful human race, and he must be divine himself, so that he may atone for all human sins, not just the first one. Protestant Christians understand this concept very well, and teach it in their churches. They know that Jesus must atone for all the sins of the world, and they know he is fully human as well as fully divine. In this sense, Protestants are very "Catholic" in their thinking. What they often fail to consider is that the flesh of Jesus Christ must be truly descended from the sinful human race in order for Jesus to be truly "one of us." If God created a whole new body in Mary's womb from "the dust of the earth" so to speak, essentially a copy of humanity, totally separate from any sinful human genetics, he really wouldn't be human at all. He would be a whole new race, entirely separate from the human race, and completely disconnected from the rest of humanity. He might look like us, but he wouldn't really be "one of us." In order for Jesus Christ to truly be "one of us," he would have to be genetically linked to the human race, and since Jesus only has one biological parent, there is only one person through whom that link can be made. That person is the Blessed Virgin Mary.
When Jesus was miraculously conceived inside Mary's womb, at the time of the annunciation by the Angel Gabriel, his human genetic make-up came directly from her. True, his divine nature came directly from the Godhead, but his human nature came from Mary. So Mary is the human genetic link between Jesus Christ (God made flesh) and mankind. There is only one problem. If Mary's flesh was stained with original sin (like the rest of us), than Jesus would have inherited that same original sin nature. Yet the Scriptures clearly tell us that Jesus was without sin. So we have a theological problem. How could Jesus' flesh and blood be "without sin" if he inherited his human flesh and blood from Mary? Granted, he is God, so he can do whatever he wants, but he chose to do it a certain way that was fitting to his desire. Enter the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
From the earliest times, Christians have always believed that Mary was immaculate -- meaning perfect and without sin....
"He (Jesus) was the ark formed of incorruptible wood (Mary). For by this is signified that His tabernacle (body) was exempt from putridity and corruption (sin)." -- (Hippolytus, AD 235)
"This Virgin Mother of the Only-begotten of God, is called Mary, worthy of God, immaculate of the immaculate, one of the one." -- (Origen, AD 244)
The idea here is that God miraculously preserved Mary from original sin from the time of her first existence (i.e. conception). The idea comes from the Holy Scripture in which the Angel Gabriel says to Mary: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you." -- (Luke 1:28) The phrase "full of grace" is a translation of the Greek word kecharitomene. It expresses a characteristic quality of Mary that is unique. The traditional translation, "full of grace," is better than the one found in many recent English versions of the New Testament, which give something along the lines of "highly favoured one." Mary was indeed a highly favoured daughter of God, but the Greek implies more than that. The grace given to Mary is both permanent and unique. Kecharitomene is a perfect, passive, participle of the Greek word charitoo, meaning "to fill or endow with grace." Since this term is in the perfect tense, it indicates that Mary was given this grace in the past, but it has a continuing effect in the present. So, the grace Mary enjoyed did not begin at the angel’s visit. In fact, according to meaning the Greek word kecharitomene, it extended over her whole life, from conception onward. She was in a state of grace from the first moment of her existence (i.e. conception).
Now there is nothing particularly new about this concept. Biblically speaking, Mary wasn't the first person God fashioned in a perfect state of grace -- immaculate -- or without sin. The very first examples we have are Adam and Eve themselves. Both Adam and Eve were in a perfect state of grace at their "conception." Though the Scriptures tell us God fashioned them using a different method than normal procreation, it doesn't change the fact that they were made "without sin" (i.e. immaculate). So we could say the first immaculate conception happened in Eden when God formed the first man (Adam) and the first woman (Eve). In many ways, we could even consider the immaculate conception of Mary a "less dramatic miracle" (if we dare) because God still used the normal procreative processes when he fashioned her.
The question that arises is how? How would God fashion Mary "without sin" when both her parents were obviously stained by original sin, and they conceived her naturally? That is the mystery of the miracle. We can only conclude that God had already chosen Mary as Christ's mother, even from the first moment of her conception in the womb of her own mother. That being the case, the only reason why Mary was conceived without sin is because of Jesus Christ. Her body (flesh and blood) was redeemed retroactively, by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, that wouldn't happen until three decades later, because she was chosen to be the vessel through whom Jesus Christ (The Eternal Word) would enter this world as a human being.
Theologically this is very important, because Jesus received all of his human flesh and blood from Mary. That flesh and blood ought to be unspoiled and unstained by sin. Furthermore, modern science tells us that cells from the mother and child do exchange between them during pregnancy. Jesus and Mary literally shared flesh and blood, as all mothers and their babies do during normal human pregnancy. They were in a state of physical communion during that nine months of pregnancy. That means for Jesus to inherit and maintain a perfect body from his mother, without sin, his physical mother should be without sin as well. Likewise, if Mary was to be in a state of physical communion with her son Jesus, receiving his flesh and blood while he was in her womb, it would be necessary for her to be in a perfect state of grace -- immaculate. While God can do anything he wants, it is only fitting and proper for things to be done this way, and the Scriptures seem to support this with the angelic salutation "full of grace.”
So the doctrine of the immaculate conception does not "deify" Mary as many Protestants falsely believe. Nor does it diminish the role of Christ in the redemption of the human race. You can't even say it's "unbiblical" since the Greek word kecharitomene in Luke 1:28 practically defines the doctrine. Rather, it simply states that Mary was no different than the sinless Eve before the fall. Does this mean that Mary was better than Eve? No. Does this mean that Mary was greater or less than Eve? No. It means she was exactly the same as Eve physically, mentally and spiritually speaking. Does this mean that Mary could have sinned? YES! She most certainly could have followed the example of Eve and disobeyed the command of God. If she had, she would have suffered the same fate as Eve, and carried the stain of original sin herself. But the difference is that when the test was given, Mary chose to obey God whereas Eve did not. Eve's test was in the fruit of the tree. Mary's test was in the fruit of the womb. Eve failed her test, while Mary joyously passed hers. From the moment she responded to the angel, "Behold I am the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word" -- (Luke 1:38), she accepted the Lord's will for her, even though she knew it would bring her hardship. Because of that, Mary's purpose was fulfilled. God preserved her without sin, to be like Eve, so she could become the "New Eve," and bring forth the "New Adam" (Romans 5:12-21) who is Christ the Lord.
So now, the question of "why?" arises. Why did Mary choose to obey God, while Eve chose to disobey? Any answer we give is pure speculation, of course, but I think a fair speculation would be the Old Covenant itself. Mary was a Jew. She was raised her whole life to follow the Jewish laws. Tradition tells us she was educated as a child in the Jerusalem Temple, where she served as a consecrated virgin for the Lord. (Protoevangelium of James) Thus Mary had a grace that Eve was not given -- the Mosaic Law. Because of this, she had an understanding of God that was somewhat of a mystery to Eve. Beyond that, unlike Eve, Mary was able to personally witness the effects of original sin all around her. Eve learnt that lesson the hard way, having no prior experience with sin, she introduced original sin to the world with Adam her husband. Mary, in contrast, spent a lifetime toiling in the effects of that original sin, working for survival in a broken world filled with pain and suffering, even though she herself was sinless. This experience, combined with the Mosaic Law, certainly helped to give Mary the courage to say "yes" to a plan that would ultimately bring much more pain and suffering into her own life.
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is rich in ancient Jewish symbolism. It is foreshadowed in the Old Testament with the Ark of the Covenant. Hebrews 9:4 tells us that the contents contained inside the Ark of the Covenant were; the stone tablets of the Law (the word of God), along with a jar of manna (bread from heaven) and Aaron's rod (a symbol of the holy priesthood). All of these are images foreshadowing Jesus Christ, who is the incarnate Word of God (John 1:1-4,14), the Bread from Heaven (John 6:31-65) and our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14).
Now the Ark of the Covenant was consecrated to God and considered holy. It was not to be touched by sinful man under penalty of death, and God himself had no problem exacting this penalty, even when a man touched it in an attempt to prevent it from falling (2nd Samuel 6:6-7; 1st Chronicles 13:9-10). This Old Testament example is designed to illustrate that the ark, which carried the symbols of the Old Covenant, was just as holy as the Old Covenant itself.
Now as I said, the stone tablets, manna and rod were signs foreshadowing Jesus Christ. He is the New Covenant. Thus the "ark" that carried him in her womb is holy too, just as the ark that carried the symbols that foreshadowed him was holy. Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant because she carried Jesus Christ in her womb. Jesus, who is the Word of God, the Bread of Life and our eternal High Priest, was carried for nine months inside the "ark" of Mary. She carried him in her arms and on her hip for another two years at least. If the ark of the Old Covenant was holy, than surely this ark of the New Covenant is even holier.
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception points more to Christ than Mary. Though Mary is the object of the doctrine, she is not the subject of it. The subject is Christ, and it is his perfectly sinless body that is being addressed. Through Mary, Jesus inherited the "flesh and blood" of mankind. He bore the genetic code of the fallen human race, yet he did so with one modification, the stain of original sin was removed. The flesh he inherited was immaculate. That immaculate flesh was the gift of his mother -- Mary -- who herself received it as a gift from God. So Jesus really and truly was descended from Adam and Eve through Mary. He really and truly was "one of us," having the same ancestors and genetic code that originated from them. God rehabilitated the original, immaculate nature of humanity in Mary, but her sinlessness didn't help anybody but herself. She was the only beneficiary of this filling of grace (kecharitomene). Mary's sinlessness doesn't save anybody else. It doesn't save me, and it doesn't save you. All God did with the immaculate conception was reset the clock, so to speak, to give one person another chance. For the sake of humanity, and revealing himself in the Law of Moses, God gave one more human being, schooled in that law, a chance to say "yes" for humanity. Her "yes" brought forth the Messiah who would fulfil the Law of Moses, and effectively save the rest of us. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, is a doctrine that points entirely to Jesus Christ. Without him, the Immaculate Conception of Mary makes no logical sense.
In following Jesus Christ, we all become "immaculate" upon our baptism. This is the promise that is given to us. Granted, our bodies (and minds) remain damaged by sin, but this is a temporary condition. Those who are faithful, and endure to the end, not only get to look forward to an afterlife in heaven, but also a future resurrection, in which our recreated bodied will be like those of Jesus and Mary -- perfect and immaculate. In this life, the Christian is privileged to experience an immaculate soul upon the sacraments of baptism and reconciliation. In the next life, however, Christians will be privileged to experience an immaculate body as well.
Written by Shane Schaetzel, reposted by permission. Source: http://catholicozarks.blogspot.com/2014/11/mary-conceived-without-sin.html
Posted by Fr. Jeffery Fasching at 8:30 AM
Topics: Adam, Blessed Virgin Mary, Christ, Covenant, death, Eve, Evil, God, Jewish, law, loyalty, manna, miracle, Old Testament, Scripture, Sin, Suffering
Friday, August 15, 2014
Bulletin 217
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
August 17, 2014
10th Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: 1 Cor. 12: 2-11
Gospel: Lk. 18: 9-14
Mon 18 No Latin Mass
Tue 19 No Latin Mass
Wed 20 Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot & Doctor
Thu 21 Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Widow
Fri 22 Immaculate Heart of Mary
Humility is the number one virtue we must strive every day to practice. There is no saint in heaven who did not learn how to be humble. In fact, we cannot hope to be saved without the virtue of humility. Christ exhorts us to learn from Him and to be humble of heart. Of all the things worthy of imitating our Lord Jesus Christ, He only asks that we be humble. It is through humility that we learn to practice all the other virtues. Without humility we have nothing. God exalts the humble and strikes down those who act with pride!
There is no greater act of humility than when Jesus Christ became flesh to save us from our sins. Let us beg God humbly for mercy as the publican in the gospel. Let us ask God to make us truly humble of heart!
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
August 17, 2014
10th Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: 1 Cor. 12: 2-11
Gospel: Lk. 18: 9-14
Mon 18 No Latin Mass
Tue 19 No Latin Mass
Wed 20 Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot & Doctor
Thu 21 Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Widow
Fri 22 Immaculate Heart of Mary
Humility is the number one virtue we must strive every day to practice. There is no saint in heaven who did not learn how to be humble. In fact, we cannot hope to be saved without the virtue of humility. Christ exhorts us to learn from Him and to be humble of heart. Of all the things worthy of imitating our Lord Jesus Christ, He only asks that we be humble. It is through humility that we learn to practice all the other virtues. Without humility we have nothing. God exalts the humble and strikes down those who act with pride!
There is no greater act of humility than when Jesus Christ became flesh to save us from our sins. Let us beg God humbly for mercy as the publican in the gospel. Let us ask God to make us truly humble of heart!
In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,
Father Jeff Fasching
Friday, April 26, 2013
Bulletin 150
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
April 28th, 2013 Fourth Sunday after Easter
Epistle: Jas. 1: 17-21
Gospel: Jn. 16: 5-14
Mass schedule April 29th through May 3rd
Monday: Saint Peter of Verona —No Latin Mass
Tuesday: Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin
Wednesday: Saint Joseph the Worker
Thursday: Saint Athanasius – Bishop, Confessor, & Doctor – No Latin Mass
Friday: Sacred Heart of Jesus
Thursday, May 2nd is the annual Clergy Day of Recollection for Vocations in Mountain View. There will be no Mass in the Extraordinary Form.
There will be no Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, May 5th due to the Parish First Holy Communion Mass.
God is the source of all good things, both material and spiritual. There can be absolutely no evil attributed to God. We have been created by God and recreated by “the Word of Truth” which is God’s holy Gospel. Saint Paul says that we as Christians are a sign of hope for all mankind and for all of God’s creation. We must therefore listen to God’s Word with reverence and submission. We must live the Gospel message with all our hearts.
We must remember the importance of ridding our minds and bodies of all vice in order to receive God’s Word and live it in a worthy manner. If we do not turn away from our evil inclinations we cannot do any good. Our pride can easily deceive us if we do not listen to God’s Word with the proper dispositions.
In Christ,
Father Jeffery Fasching
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
April 28th, 2013 Fourth Sunday after Easter
Epistle: Jas. 1: 17-21
Gospel: Jn. 16: 5-14
Mass schedule April 29th through May 3rd
Monday: Saint Peter of Verona —No Latin Mass
Tuesday: Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin
Wednesday: Saint Joseph the Worker
Thursday: Saint Athanasius – Bishop, Confessor, & Doctor – No Latin Mass
Friday: Sacred Heart of Jesus
Thursday, May 2nd is the annual Clergy Day of Recollection for Vocations in Mountain View. There will be no Mass in the Extraordinary Form.
There will be no Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, May 5th due to the Parish First Holy Communion Mass.
God is the source of all good things, both material and spiritual. There can be absolutely no evil attributed to God. We have been created by God and recreated by “the Word of Truth” which is God’s holy Gospel. Saint Paul says that we as Christians are a sign of hope for all mankind and for all of God’s creation. We must therefore listen to God’s Word with reverence and submission. We must live the Gospel message with all our hearts.
We must remember the importance of ridding our minds and bodies of all vice in order to receive God’s Word and live it in a worthy manner. If we do not turn away from our evil inclinations we cannot do any good. Our pride can easily deceive us if we do not listen to God’s Word with the proper dispositions.
In Christ,
Father Jeffery Fasching
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Bulletin 135
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
January 13th, 2013 Holy Family
Epistle: Col. 3: 12-17; Gospel: Lk. 2: 42-52
Mass schedule January 14th through January 18th
Monday-Saint Hilary-Bishop, Confessor & Doctor-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint Paul, the First Hermit
Wednesday-Saint Marcellus I-Pope & Martyr
Thursday-Saint Anthony, Abbot
Friday-Votive Mass of the Chair of Saint Peter
POT LUCK DINNER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 2:30PM MASS ON SUNDAY
The Feast of the Holy Family offers us a chance to reflect upon God’s eternal truths and the true meaning of life. We are a pilgrim people and the true home we were born for is in heaven. In this world filled with temptation and the pride of life we must learn the great value of silence. We should ask God for the gift of meditation and reflect upon that which is spiritual. We should pray each day for a well-ordered and disciplined life of prayer. We must first be rooted deeply in Christ if we hope to fulfill our duty as Christians to bring Him into a world where so many are in desperate need of His grace.
The Feast of the Holy Family should also help us to understand the importance of family life. The family is the basic unit of society. However, it is rapidly deteriorating and in many places almost completely vanquished from our culture. The family is the context in which children were meant to be raised.
We should also reflect upon the value of work. Jesus Christ chose to become the Son of a carpenter. He was never too proud to embrace an honest day’s work. Saint Paul writes in his Epistle: “All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Jesus Christ our Lord.” We should put all our hearts into everything we do and do all for love of God alone. If we can truly say that love of God is our motivation then we are on the path to holiness.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
January 13th, 2013 Holy Family
Epistle: Col. 3: 12-17; Gospel: Lk. 2: 42-52
Mass schedule January 14th through January 18th
Monday-Saint Hilary-Bishop, Confessor & Doctor-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint Paul, the First Hermit
Wednesday-Saint Marcellus I-Pope & Martyr
Thursday-Saint Anthony, Abbot
Friday-Votive Mass of the Chair of Saint Peter
POT LUCK DINNER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 2:30PM MASS ON SUNDAY
The Feast of the Holy Family offers us a chance to reflect upon God’s eternal truths and the true meaning of life. We are a pilgrim people and the true home we were born for is in heaven. In this world filled with temptation and the pride of life we must learn the great value of silence. We should ask God for the gift of meditation and reflect upon that which is spiritual. We should pray each day for a well-ordered and disciplined life of prayer. We must first be rooted deeply in Christ if we hope to fulfill our duty as Christians to bring Him into a world where so many are in desperate need of His grace.
The Feast of the Holy Family should also help us to understand the importance of family life. The family is the basic unit of society. However, it is rapidly deteriorating and in many places almost completely vanquished from our culture. The family is the context in which children were meant to be raised.
We should also reflect upon the value of work. Jesus Christ chose to become the Son of a carpenter. He was never too proud to embrace an honest day’s work. Saint Paul writes in his Epistle: “All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Jesus Christ our Lord.” We should put all our hearts into everything we do and do all for love of God alone. If we can truly say that love of God is our motivation then we are on the path to holiness.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching
Monday, December 17, 2012
Bulletin 132
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
December 23rd, 2012; Fourth Sunday of Advent (Rorate Sunday)
Epistle: 1 Cor. 4: 1-5; Gospel: Lk. 3: 1-6
Mass schedule December 24th through December 28th
Monday: Vigil of Christmas—Midnight Mass
Tuesday: The Nativity of Our Lord—Mass at 2:30pm
Wednesday: Saint Stephen * Protomartyr
Thursday: Saint John * Apostle & Evangelist
Friday: Holy Innocents * Martyrs
Mass on New Year’s Day will be at 2:30pm.
*Mass on Sunday, December 30th will be at 7:00pm*
Satan used ambition, pride and arrogance to tempt Adam and Eve. Ambition is what drove Lucifer out of heaven and into Hell. He arrogantly tempted Adam and Eve by telling them not that they would be God’s equal, but that they would be “like God.” After eating the fruit they would know the difference between good and evil. This ambition puffed up their pride. They presumed to share in the divine wisdom and knowledge and allowed themselves to be seduced by Satan.
Some theologians speculate that is was envy that caused the fall of Lucifer and him minions. They knew that the Lord would create humanity. God would communicate Himself to his nature. He would go so far as to become incarnate and unite His Divinity with our humanity! These two natures would form one person! Knowing this, the fallen angels were moved with envy. They didn’t like the fact that the Creator planned to elevate human nature above theirs. They became jealous, ambitious and prideful. Finally, they stumbled miserably.
Now consider the humility of Saint John the Baptist. Remember Saint John the Baptist was sanctified in the womb of Saint Anne when he leaped at the presence of Jesus Christ at the Visitation. His humility was second only to The Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ Himself. Saint John was tempted with one of the most violent temptations to pride and ambition imaginable. Furthermore, the temptation came at the hands of his friends, rather than his enemies. They were sent to him from Jerusalem by the doctors of the Law.
It is very interesting to note that the religious leaders were expecting the Messiah. They saw that all the prophecies had been fulfilled. Jesus Christ came, taught His doctrine, performed miracles and backed up all He said by His works. Despite all this the religious leaders refused to acknowledge Him. Instead, they go looking for somebody else!
Saint John is asked: “Who are you?” Saint John clearly responded: “I am not the Christ.” “Are you Elias?” “No.” “Are you the Prophet?” “No.” Saint John rejected all the honors and titles which did not apply to him. But he even went so far as to reject even those that he had a right to accept! He attained such a degree of humility that he conquered every pride and ambition presented to him!
Let us continue to pray for humility and contrition as we approach the Nativity of Our Lord.
In Christ,
Fr. Jeffery Fasching
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
December 23rd, 2012; Fourth Sunday of Advent (Rorate Sunday)
Epistle: 1 Cor. 4: 1-5; Gospel: Lk. 3: 1-6
Mass schedule December 24th through December 28th
Monday: Vigil of Christmas—Midnight Mass
Tuesday: The Nativity of Our Lord—Mass at 2:30pm
Wednesday: Saint Stephen * Protomartyr
Thursday: Saint John * Apostle & Evangelist
Friday: Holy Innocents * Martyrs
Mass on New Year’s Day will be at 2:30pm.
*Mass on Sunday, December 30th will be at 7:00pm*
Satan used ambition, pride and arrogance to tempt Adam and Eve. Ambition is what drove Lucifer out of heaven and into Hell. He arrogantly tempted Adam and Eve by telling them not that they would be God’s equal, but that they would be “like God.” After eating the fruit they would know the difference between good and evil. This ambition puffed up their pride. They presumed to share in the divine wisdom and knowledge and allowed themselves to be seduced by Satan.
Some theologians speculate that is was envy that caused the fall of Lucifer and him minions. They knew that the Lord would create humanity. God would communicate Himself to his nature. He would go so far as to become incarnate and unite His Divinity with our humanity! These two natures would form one person! Knowing this, the fallen angels were moved with envy. They didn’t like the fact that the Creator planned to elevate human nature above theirs. They became jealous, ambitious and prideful. Finally, they stumbled miserably.
Now consider the humility of Saint John the Baptist. Remember Saint John the Baptist was sanctified in the womb of Saint Anne when he leaped at the presence of Jesus Christ at the Visitation. His humility was second only to The Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ Himself. Saint John was tempted with one of the most violent temptations to pride and ambition imaginable. Furthermore, the temptation came at the hands of his friends, rather than his enemies. They were sent to him from Jerusalem by the doctors of the Law.
It is very interesting to note that the religious leaders were expecting the Messiah. They saw that all the prophecies had been fulfilled. Jesus Christ came, taught His doctrine, performed miracles and backed up all He said by His works. Despite all this the religious leaders refused to acknowledge Him. Instead, they go looking for somebody else!
Saint John is asked: “Who are you?” Saint John clearly responded: “I am not the Christ.” “Are you Elias?” “No.” “Are you the Prophet?” “No.” Saint John rejected all the honors and titles which did not apply to him. But he even went so far as to reject even those that he had a right to accept! He attained such a degree of humility that he conquered every pride and ambition presented to him!
Let us continue to pray for humility and contrition as we approach the Nativity of Our Lord.
In Christ,
Fr. Jeffery Fasching
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Bulletin 38
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
February 20, 2011 Septuagesima Sunday
Epistle: I Cor. 9:24-27; 10:1-5
Gospel: Matth. 20: 1-16
Mass schedule February 21 through February 25
Monday----Feria----NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday----Chair of Saint Peter
Wednesday----Saint Peter Damian; Bishop, Confessor & Doctor
Thursday----Saint Matthias; Apostle
Friday----Feria
The nature of the Christian’s life must involve a certain “interior” striving. We should really approach our spiritual life with a competitive spirit. We should also learn to guard our spirituality with a certain jealousy. In other words, we should foster a healthy striving toward becoming the saints that Christ is asking us to become. We must learn to face all sacrifices that our Lord asks of us head-on. As followers of Christ we cannot allow any obstacles, failures, limitations or temptations of any sort to discourage us. It should come as no surprise when we discover that pride, envy, jealousy, laziness, hatred and all other sins rise up from the depths of our own hearts. Listen to the words of Saint Paul: “I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air, but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” The point is we cannot become depressed by our failures, even if they are serious. We must have recourse to Christ is the Sacrament of Penance and begin again with a desire to improve. Christ understands our weakness and constantly calls us to Himself.
Saint Paul emphasizes the importance of perseverance. He points out the importance of the ascetical effort we have a responsibility to embrace. We must physically mortify our bodies to gain self-control of our sinful nature. As we begin today to prepare for the Lenten season, we must ask our Lord for the grace to deny ourselves. In this way we learn to bring Christ’s good work He has begun in us to perfection.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
February 20, 2011 Septuagesima Sunday
Epistle: I Cor. 9:24-27; 10:1-5
Gospel: Matth. 20: 1-16
Mass schedule February 21 through February 25
Monday----Feria----NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday----Chair of Saint Peter
Wednesday----Saint Peter Damian; Bishop, Confessor & Doctor
Thursday----Saint Matthias; Apostle
Friday----Feria
The nature of the Christian’s life must involve a certain “interior” striving. We should really approach our spiritual life with a competitive spirit. We should also learn to guard our spirituality with a certain jealousy. In other words, we should foster a healthy striving toward becoming the saints that Christ is asking us to become. We must learn to face all sacrifices that our Lord asks of us head-on. As followers of Christ we cannot allow any obstacles, failures, limitations or temptations of any sort to discourage us. It should come as no surprise when we discover that pride, envy, jealousy, laziness, hatred and all other sins rise up from the depths of our own hearts. Listen to the words of Saint Paul: “I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air, but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” The point is we cannot become depressed by our failures, even if they are serious. We must have recourse to Christ is the Sacrament of Penance and begin again with a desire to improve. Christ understands our weakness and constantly calls us to Himself.
Saint Paul emphasizes the importance of perseverance. He points out the importance of the ascetical effort we have a responsibility to embrace. We must physically mortify our bodies to gain self-control of our sinful nature. As we begin today to prepare for the Lenten season, we must ask our Lord for the grace to deny ourselves. In this way we learn to bring Christ’s good work He has begun in us to perfection.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
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