The Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket, by Michael D. O’Brien
THERE is a strange new "virtue" which has appeared in our culture. It has crept in so subtly that few realize how it has become so highly practiced, even among high ranking clergy. That is, to make peace at all costs. It comes with its own set of prohibitions and proverbs:
Elijah in the Desert, by Michael D. O’Brien
PART of the struggle many Catholics have with private revelation is that there is an improper understanding of the calling of seers and visionaries. If these "prophets" aren’t shunned altogether as fringe misfits in the culture of the Church, they are often the objects of envy by others who feel the seer must be more special than themselves. Both views do much harm to the central role of these individuals: to carry a message or mission from Heaven.
The Dream, by Michael D. O’Brien
Within the past two hundred years, there have been more reported private revelations that have received some form of ecclesiastical approval than in any other period of the Church’s history. —Dr. Mark Miravalle, Private Revelation: Discerning with the Church, p. 3
STILL, there seems to be a deficit among many when it comes to understanding the role of private revelation in the Church. Out of all of the emails I have received over the course of the past few years, it is this area of private revelation which has produced the most fearful, confused, and mean-spirited letters that I have ever received. Perhaps it is the modern mind, trained as it were to shun the supernatural and only accept those things which are tangible. On the other hand, it could be a skepticism generated by the proliferation of private revelations this past century. Or it could be the work of Satan to discredit genuine revelations by sowing lies, fear, and division.
THERE is a matter which I believe is unsettling many souls. I pray, with Christ’s help, that you will find not only peace, but a renewed confidence through this meditation.
A BLACK POPE
There is talk, not only in evangelical circles, but also among some Catholics that there may appear a "black pope"—a pontiff who co-operates with a diabolical new world religion thereby leading millions astray. (Some, in fact, believe we’ve had false popes in place since Vatican II.)
MY recent article called Dead End probably elicited the most email responses from anything I’ve ever written.
WHAT about those who aren’t Catholic or Christian? Are they damned?
How often have I heard people say that some of the nicest folk they know are "atheists" or "don’t go to church." It’s true, there are many "good" people out there.
But no one is good enough to get to Heaven on his own.
The Prodigal Son, by Liz Lemon Swindle
AFTER reading the merciful invitation from Christ in "To Those In Mortal Sin" a few people have written with great concern that friends and family members who have fallen away from the faith "don’t even know they’re in sin, let alone mortal sin."
Fork Lake, Alberta, Canada
(Reprinted here from August 1oth, 2006…) I felt on my heart today that we must not forget to return to the foundations time and again… especially in these days of urgency. I believe we should waste no time in availing ourselves of this Sacrament, which bestows great graces to overcome our faults, restores the gift of eternal life to the mortal sinner, and snaps the chains which the evil one binds us with.
NEXT to the Eucharist, weekly Confession has provided the most powerful experience of God’s love and presence in my life.
Confession is to the soul, what a sunset is to the senses…
Confession, which is the purification of the soul, should be made no later than every eight days; I cannot bear to keep souls away from confession for more than eight days. —St. Pio of Pietrelcina
It would be an illusion to seek after holiness, according to the vocation one has received from God, without partaking frequently of this sacrament of conversion and reconciliation. —Pope John Paul the Great; Vatican, Mar. 29 (CWNews.com)
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THE common mantra today is, "You have no right to judge me!"
This statement alone has driven many Christians into hiding, afraid to speak out, afraid to challenge or reason with others for fear of sounding "judgmental." Because of this, the Church in many places has become impotent, and the silence of fear has allowed many to go astray.
IN my travels across North America, I have met many priests who tell me of the wrath they incur if Mass goes past one hour. I have witnessed many priests apologize profusely for having inconvenienced parishioners by a few minutes. As a result of this trepidation, many liturgies have taken on a robotic quality—a spiritual machine which never changes gears, pulsing to the clock with the efficiency of a factory.
And thus, we have created the one hour prison.
Because of this imaginary deadline, imposed primarily by the lay people, but acquiesced to by the clergy, we have in my opinion stifled the Holy Spirit.
THERE is a simple but beautiful prayer called "The Act of Contrition" prayed by the penitent at the end of Confession:
O my God, I am sorry with all my heart for having sinned against You. I detest all of my sins because of Your just punishment, but most of all because they offend You my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.
The "near occasion of sin." Those four words can save you.
Artist Unknown
LETTER from a reader:
Hi Mark,
Mark, I feel we need to be careful when we talk about mortal sins. For addicts who are Catholic, fear of mortal sins can cause deepened feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness which exacerbate the addiction cycle. I’ve heard many recovering addicts speak negatively of their Catholic experience because they felt judged by their church and could not sense love behind the warnings. Most people simply do not understand what makes certain sins mortal sins…