Friends for Jesus

[Carmelite]

The point has been made before: Many of the enemies of truth, goodness, and just plain decency seem to know that they are attacking something divine: There wouldn’t be such vituperation spewed forth against the Pope and the Church as such unless… well, unless the Vicar and Body of Christ were at least implicitly recognized to be such.

But what exactly do some of our more malicious persecutors actually understand about the faith, even if only implicitly?

Here, a theological vantage is helpful in order to understand better the kind of hatred for God that may be at the root of some of these attacks.
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This gift of faith, however, does not remain in those who sin against the act and its proper object. For example, a person who positively rejects the name of Christ, or the divine inspiration of the canonical books of the Bible, or the work of the Catholic Church as that of a divine society, or even but one of her official teachings (according to the so-called cafeteria model), such a one is formally sinning against faith: He has denuded himself of the armor of God (Eph 6.11, 13).
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According to the Angelic Doctor, it is actually possible to believe in the veracity of supernatural objects in a natural sort of way. Such a kind of “belief” is not “faith,” whether it is operating and living by charity or not. Rather, it is belief in the exterior credibility of what is proposed for faith because its signs are compelling. ......................
Something similar is taking place in human persons who seem to recognize implicitly the truth of that which they hate. They recognize the authenticity and authority of the Church’s preaching and hierarchy; but because they are not motivated by a love for true goodness—but rather by the desire to scorn, or the desire for popularity—their recognition is unable to further receive the grace necessary to penetrate and attain the truth of what that hierarchical authority proposes for divine belief.

That the Church is a divine institution with a properly sacerdotal and prophetic ministry is objectively credible based upon external signs that manifest her perduring, Godly mission on earth. The enemies of the Church recognize that these signs augur divine agency, and even, perhaps, portend their own demise… but they are not moved to divine faith. Why?

Because there is evil in their hearts.

Thus, one could, for example, recognize the holy uniqueness of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta—and yet repudiate and impugn her with the kinds of words with which an exorcist is lambasted by a demon, precisely because such a one recognizes what Mother Teresa is about, even if he is unwilling to affirm who Mother Teresa most truly is. The root defect here is in the will (totally irrespective of issues of culpability).

The upshot of all this is that staunch enemies against the Church will typically not be won over by argument, at least not formally. The sin is not so much the error in their minds as the obstinacy in their hearts.

They don’t want to believe.

The orthodox Catholic must recognize the deeply cosmic nature of the battle that is taking place on earth. Moreover, he must appreciate that the detractors he meets, and who are (consciously or not) in league with demonic agency, these enemies of the faith need a manifestation of the faith that can both convict and allure their hearts, insofar as God may be offering them the grace to be so affected. For, unlike the demons, their maliciousness against God and the true religion is still remediable.

http://catholicexchange.com/2010/07/15/132233/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicex+%28Catholic+Exchange%29
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In Christ
Carmelite

When we hear people talk of riches, honors and amusements of the world, let us remember that all things have an end, and let us then say: "My God, I wish for You alone and nothing more."
St. Alphonsus Liguori

[Louise875]

I wholeheartedly agree with this, but there are challenges one faces when loved ones are placed in long-term care. The loved ones are not ambulatory and are orthodox Catholic. Now in my case, my sister is the one with power of attorney. There are no Catholic homes for non ambulatory seniors nearby. So in these generic homes, they have fellowship services. What should we do as Catholics for our loved ones, especially if we have no power of attorney? This is the final stage of their life and yet they are involved in fellowship services that have nothing whatsoever to do with Catholicism. We can send Eucharistic ministers out, but our loved ones are being denied participating in the Mass, and I think this is terribly sad, at the final moments of their lives. They're not obstinate, but the homes don't recognize how important Catholicism is, and it just makes me want to cry because my mom is in this situation, and how many other seniors are in the same boat? It's a lovely place, but it's missing something so very important at a critical stage in the Catholic seniors final phase. Aside from that, I saw nowhere in their program that they have a daily rosary or Eucharistic adoration. Instead, they simply call it chapel, which lacks a lot if it doesn't have Eucharistic adoration or the Mass. I am very heart broken over all of this because my hands are tied. I hate the place where my mom is because it's missing so much that my mom and other Catholics would want if they could make that decision. The biggest consolation I have is that God knows what is in these Catholic seniors hearts, no matter what, they are forever Catholic.

Having it on television for shut-ins is nice, but it's not the same and never will be as it lacks the real presence via television.

Chances are, it will be too late for my mom and Catholics in the same boat as she is. I felt her arms the other day. I can't explain it, just that they're cold and clammy, her circulation seems to be really bad now. But for the sake of those forgotten seniors in nursing homes, I do pray that priests will be able to say Mass daily in nursing homes. They've given so much. My mom was among those who was always the first to volunteer in her younger days and even in her aging years because that's just how much she loved her faith. It just seems like it's the least our Catholic society can do for them, to offer the forgotten seniors daily Mass.

Among other things, I guess that's what's in store for many of us. So do we blame it on obstinacy then for the ones running the homes, or maybe that has something to do with law and religion in so-called public places? Well, us baby boomers will be needing homes before long, and I sincerely hope that there will be an increase in Catholic nursing homes and an increase in priests.

[Glenn]

StephanieB,

As you know, your relative that is living in a group home is not required to attend Mass. However, they can view it on television as you said, and make a spiritual communion. You could also make sure their parish is aware of where they are living and have an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion come by with Jesus every week.

God Bless,
Glenn

[Louise875]

First, my name is not Stephanie B. I was curious and did a search, and I don't see much of a resemblance, if at all.

Glenn, thanks, I sort of knew that, but I do believe that daily Mass should be available for all who want it, including those in the final stage of their life. I was simply agreeing with the priest that some are probably obstinate in their hearts, and that it affects more than what we could possibly imagine. One has to read the whole post to see what I'm trying to say. I do try to stick with the topic.

Thanks, Glenn, and God bless you, your family, and all in here.

[Glenn]

[Louise875]

No, I don't think you're a goof, Glenn. You never called me by that name ever in the forum, and a person would have to be blind not to see what my user name is. Honestly, I do believe it's part of this one member's idea, though I could be wrong. I've noticed for awhile that some are doing things like this, and others are beyond that. It's okay. I'm outta here. If I'm right, it's really amazing that people would even allow someone to do that.

Lucyna, pm me if you have any questions.

I'm just going through too much to be treated like that. And I'm not directing this at you, Glenn, so please don't take it personally.

And I do agree that we need to be thankful just to have Mass.

[Glenn]

Louise,

I'm sorry. I'm not sure what you mean. Are you upset that I called you by that name? This is the first time I have read your post since I was away on business and didn't log on to any forums.

What happened was I was at the other Catholic forum and responsed to STephanie prior to this post of mine. So it was simply a mistake and I hope it doesn't chase you out of here.

Glenn

[Louise875]

Glenn, I'm sorry. I was more sensitive because of a post that someone made awhile back so I was assuming wrongly, and I do apologize, and I hope that you will forgive me.

These days I get more sensitive than usual.

[Glenn]

[lucyna]

I am glad that this tiny misunderstanding is dealt with

My sister is coming from Poland and I am so excited. She has never, ever been here before. Her very first visit and I have been in Canada since 1989.


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God bless you all!

[Siege]

[Louise875]

Glenn, Lucyna and Siege, thank you. You are all most kind.

It seemed like after my dad's death that my family became less family, and especially after my mom was put in a nursing home. It's just fallen apart, and it just feels so lonely these days, and so I get more sensitive at times, and I'm trying not to be, though.

God bless all of you.

Lucyna, I wish that you lived closer, I'd invite you and your sister over sometimes, but I think I'd need for you to be a translator because I'm not even bilingual. Anyhow, enjoy. I'm sure that will be very special having your sister there. I am very happy for you.