I can't remember the last time I heard a homily that mentioned the reality of hell, but at least the Pope isn't afraid to talk about it. Isn't it the duty of the Church to remind us of the existence of hell? It seems all we hear about is the mercy of God, which of course is paramount to our faith, but a little fear of hellfire goes a long way towards reminding us that the devil is real; something that seems to have been overlooked in recent years.
If the only exposure to the Catholic faith you get is going to Church on Sundays, and you don't read the writings of the saints or other Catholic authors, where are you going to get educated about the temptations and powers of the devil? Certainly not from the homilies I have heard. The average Novus Ordo homily I hear never mentions the devil, and it kind of makes one wonder about the complacency of the modern Church in overlooking this very important teaching element of the faith. The devil is more powerful now than ever. Just look at the evils of society, with abortion, divorce, euthanasia, gay marriage and the acceptance of all kinds of sin that used to be frowned upon. Why aren't our priests expounding upon these societal pitfalls and using the homilies as an opportunity to educate and instruct the faithful to a fuller knowledge of their faith? After all, they have a huge responsibility before God to bring as many souls as they can to eternal life. A little preaching on eternal damnation might just be the right balance to the homilies on "God is love." After all, we are all sinners in need of salvation.
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- paramedicgirl
- A paramedic who loves her job, but first and foremost, a traditional Catholic who recognizes the tremendous grace and privilege of belonging to the Catholic faith. And yes, I use Canadian spelling. Humour, centre, colour and such. If you think it's spelled wrong, it's just the Canadian way!
In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph
Prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas for thanksgiving after Holy Communion
Workman's prayer to St. Joseph
Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my inclinations; to work with gratitude and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop, by means of labor, the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever recoiling before weariness or difficulties; to work, above all, with purity of intention, and with detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account which I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after your example, O Patriarch Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death. Amen.
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O gentlest Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the soul of your departed servant Joe. Be not severe in your judgement, but let some drops of Your Precious Blood fall upon him, and send, O merciful Savior, Your angels to conduct him to a place of refreshment, light and peace. Amen.
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Consecrated Hands
"Because out of reverence towards this sacrament, nothing touches it, but what is consecrated; hence the corporal and the chalice are consecrated, and likewise the priest's hands, for touching this sacrament." - ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, Summa Theologica
3 comments:
Last Sunday during the sermon our Priest played for us a real Exorcism that took place in Germany.
Scary.
But he did it to remind us that the Devil is still around and to show our young people the realities of heaven and hell.
He explained that God allows demon possession like this to show us just how evil, evil is.
Many times when we toy with the thought of the homosexual sin, not really to be sin, we are no different than the one who has a demon in them and is screaming blasphemous things at God. Satan, the great deciever presents sin to us in a way that our flesh does not see the harm in it, or just how gross it is. When a Catholic has come to that point, you wonder whether or not they are still in the faith?
That's probably why at many Novus Ordo Churches the Confessional line (if they even offer confession before Mass) is very short, if there is a line.
The Church I attend, St. Anthony's, the line extends all the way down the whole wall of the Nave. While this is going on the Alter boys are upfront at the kneeling rail praying the Rosary with the rest of the congregation as they finish with their confessions and go into the pews.
At St. Anthony's Mass never starts on time becuase Father Novak will hear all confessions and will not start the Mass until all those who want to confess their sins have done so. Even on Saturday, the line is very long before the Saturday Mass.
Many call St. Anthony's "Old Fashioned." Yet, is the Devil, our sin, God, heaven, and hell outdated?
Dave
Sounds like my kind of priest, Dave! If only the Masses of Pope Paul VI would follow suit.
I hope that the men whose vocations we are praying for become this kind of preist! (and I'll add an extra prayer to Our Lady for that)
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