If you ignore these things, my beloved one, don’t put yourself in despair, saying, ‘I have not seen these things, nor can I ever know them; I will never have the power to reach and rise up to the height of this knowledge, contemplation and cleanness’. Don’t you say, again, ‘Because, if someone won’t become like this, to ware in himself the Christ as God in this life already, and see the Christ himself and whole, and take Him to dwell in himself, one won’t enter in His Kingdom, of what use is it to me to fight, even a little, or even to lose the current pleasures?’ Don’t say this; don’t even think about it, but if you wish, listen to my advice and I will announce you the way of salvation, with the help of the Grace of the all-holy Spirit.
Woe to those who say, “When shall the day of the Lord come?” and they don’t care to know and understand that day. For the Lord’s Presence in the faithful has already come, and is continuously coming, and to all those who wish for it, has arrived and is firm. Because, if He is indeed the light of the world and to His Apostles has said, that with us until the end of time will be, how, with us being, will come? Not at all. For we are not sons of darkness and sons of night, in order for the light to overtake us, but sons of light and sons of the Lord’s day, hence and living in the Lord we are, and dying in Him and with Him will live, as Paul says.
—The kingdom of heaven is like yeast
that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch was leavened.—
I thought I would begin with this passage from today’s gospel because we members of the PNCC are very familiar with these women who work diligently at making wonderful breads and treats. Now think about that. Imagine a woman adding yeast to the flour, mixing it, kneading it, carefully placing it in a bowl in a warm corner of the kitchen, waiting several hours for the bread to rise, and finding?
Now if she used the proper ingredients, and most of all good living yeast, the dough will have risen. It’s a kind of on and off thing, either the bread properly rises or it doesn’t. You don’t see half the dough rising and half laying flat, unleavened. So it is with God’s word and the Holy Spirit’s work among us. It works on the whole of humanity.
This is a remarkable promise really. The thing that gives us growth, the thing that brings us to the state we are to be in, is God’s word — and it’s remarkable because it works among those who hear it and among those who reject it.
Think of the day’s first parable:
When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.
We can also liken God’s word to the soil, the foundation upon which the crops and weeds grew. They both take nutrients from that soil. They grew together in that soil. The foundation God has laid is equally available to those who bear good fruit and to those who bear only brambles and waste.
God’s word and the work of the Holy Spirit are like that soil, like that yeast. They are working in the world each day, among those who accept our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and among those who turn from Him.
Of course it’s easy to think of those who turn away in simple terms:
The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Brothers and sisters,
We must read those words in the light of the balance of scripture:
And you taught your people, by these deeds,
that those who are just must be kind;
and you gave your children good ground for hope
that you would permit repentance for their sins.
God permits repentance and gives us hope. All of humanity exists as the children of God and all of humanity has good ground for hope. That is why He told us through the Prophet Isaiah:
so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
His word will not return to Him without yield. His foundation, like the soil, will nourish the hard of heart along with the faithful. Those who are closed to Him may not hear Him now, may not feel nourished by Him now, but eventually, here in this life or in the next, they will hear Him and will have every opportunity to be nourished by Him.
God’s yeast is working in the world, on those who reject Him and those who accept Him. That yeast provides the whole of humanity with the opportunity to be nourished and changed. This is our hope; that in the hearing of the word humanity will be changed. This is our hope, that in the hearing of the word all will take the opportunity for a change of heart.
My friends,
We cannot pull-one-over on God. We cannot fool Him. He understands us and our weakness. St. Paul reassures us because he knew the weakness of man. He knew that our longing for God, whether hobbled by simple weakness or constrained by a cold heart, will break through because the Spirit is at work in the world interceding for us.
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
What we need to take from today is the fact that those who take Jesus’ advice:
“Whoever has ears ought to hear.—
…in the here and now will shine like the sun. Therefore, we ought to hear. We ought to hear the Lord when our weakness gets the better of us and we fall into sin. We ought to hear Him when we close our eyes, ears, and hearts to a particular teaching of the Holy Church, that is, when we rationalize our sins as not being sin. We ought to hear Him and understand that we are to practice at our hearing, working on it, exercising it in preparation for the last day. The tools to work and exercise our living in accord with God’s word are available to us: scripture, prayer, fasting, penance, consistently making the right call when faced with temptation; saving ourselves from the pain of a longer separation from God.
God’s promise is remarkable and He is working in the hearts of every man, woman, and child. This is our human dignity. God lives in and among all His children. Our work and our faithfulness, our steady assent to the Lord is our return for His faithfulness to us. It will bring us ever closer to the heavenly reward that awaits us. For those who choose not to listen now, you are not rejected, without hope, and the door remains open. Yet, now is the time of urgency, and this is the place to begin. Let us begin our assent to God with hard work and a steadfast heart filled with hope. “Whoever has ears ought to hear.— Amen.
Thou, Oh Christ, art the Kingdom of Heaven; Thou, Oh Christ, art the kingdom of Heaven; Thou, the land promised to the meek; Thou, the meadowland of paradise; Thou, the hall of the celestial banquet; Thou, the ineffable bridal chamber; Thou, the table set for all, Thou, the bread of life; Thou, the unheard of drink; Thou, both the urn for the water and the life-giving water; Thou, moreover, the inextinguishable lamp for each one of the saints; Thou, the garment and the crown and the One Who bestoweth the crowns; Thou, the joy and rest; Thou, the delight and glory; Thou, the gladness and mirth; And Thy grace, the grace of the Spirit of all sanctity, will shine like the sun in all the saints; And Thou, the unapproachable Sun, wilt shine in their midst; and all will shine brightly, according to the measure of their faith, their asceticism, their hope and their love, their purification, and their illumination by Thy Spirit. Amen.
The latest, named “Prayer” from an up-and-coming Polish Jazz artist Karolina Glazer. The song “Prayer” is a solo vocal only. There is no accompaniment. I think she’s remarkable.
Teledysk do utworu “Prayer” Karoliny Glazer from Krzysztof Szopa on Vimeo.
I also like her motto: “If you can’t sing it, improvise it.”
From her MySpace Music profile:
Karlona Glazer was born on June 10, 1982 in Gliwice, Poland. Karolina was brought up within an environment of people involved in art. Her house has always been full of music, dance and plastic arts. She began her adventure with jazz when she was only a teenager, spending time at jam sessions in the Silesian Jazz Club in Gliwice. She was a student of Krystyna Pronko and Anna Serafinska. She also developed her voice during International Workshops in SLS Vocal Technique conducted by American lecturers.
In 2003 she was won a prestigious XXX International Festival Of Jazz Vocalists in Zamość, Poland. It enabled her to continue her musical development and resulted in performances at various concerts in Poland (Smart Jazzpol Festival 2003, Bluse over Bóbr 2004, Gogowskie Spotkania Jazzowe, Pilsner Urquel Jazz 2005, Colours of sound 2006). She has been well received by the critics and journalists (Jazz Forum, Jazzi Magazine). In 2004, according to fusion.pl survey, she classified fourth in popularity ranking (vocalist / vocal group) in Poland. As professionals say: the jazz environment recognizes her as a rising star of Polish jazz vocalism.
Karolina specializes in an instrumental approach to human voice and pays attention to scat improvisation technique. She experiments with her vocals by using her great imagination and a 4-octave scale. Her music is characterized by an improvisational and colourful approach to jazz.
Then a few days after, Pudens the adjutant, in whose charge the prison was, who also began to magnify us because he understood that there was much grace in us, let in many to us that both we and they in turn might be comforted. Now when the day of the games drew near, there came in my father to me , spent with weariness, and began to pluck out his beard and throw it on e ground and to fall on his face cursing his years and saying such words as might move all creation. I was grieved for his unhappy old age.
The day before we fought, I saw in a vision that Pomponius the deacon had come hither to the door of the prison, and knocked hard upon it. And I went out to him and opened to him; he was clothed in a white robe ungirdled, having shoes curiously wrought. And he said to me: Perpetua, we await you; come. And he took my hand, and we began to go through rugged and winding places. At last with much breathing hard we came to the amphitheater, and he led me into the midst of the arena. And he said to me: Be not afraid; I am here with you and labour together with you. And he went away. And I saw much people watching closely. And because I knew that I was condemned to the beasts I marvelled that beasts were not sent out against me. And there came out against me a certain ill-favored Egyptian with his helpers, to fight with me. Also there came to me comely young men, my helpers and aiders. And I was stripped naked, and I became a man. And my helpers began to rub me with oil as their custom is for a contest; and over against me saw that Egyptian wallowing in the dust. And there came forth a man of very great stature, so that he overpassed the very top of the amphitheater, wearing a robe ungirdled, and beneath it between the two stripes over the breast a robe of purple; having also shoes curiously wrought in gold and silver; bearing a rod like a master of gladiators, and a green branch whereon were golden apples. And he besought silence and said: The Egyptian, if shall conquer this woman, shall slay her with the sword; and if she shall conquer him, she shall receive this branch. And he went away. And we came nigh to each other, and began to buffet one another. He tried to trip up my feet, but I with my heels smote upon his face. And I rose up into the air and began so to smite him as though I trod not the earth. But when I saw that there was yet delay, I joined my hands, setting finger against finger of them. And I caught his head, and he fell upon his face; and I trod upon his head. And the people began to shout, and my helpers began to sing. And I went up to the master of gladiators and received the branch. And he kissed me and said to me: Daughter, peace be with you. And I began to go with glory to the gate called the Gate of Life.
And I awoke; and I understood that I should fight, not with beasts but against the devil; but I knew that mine was the victory.
Thus far I have written this, till the day before the games; but the deed of the games themselves let him write who will. — —” Perpetua’s account para. 9-10.
From the Post-Tribune (Sun Times): Historic St. Michael looks toward Cedar Lake
CEDAR LAKE — One of Northwest Indiana’s oldest churches is moving south.
St. Michael the Archangel National Catholic Church is looking to erect its first new building since the church opened in East Chicago in 1903. The parish is on tonight’s [July 16, 2008] Plan Commission agenda seeking preliminary approval to build a 16,000 square foot church complex at 6729 W. 133rd Ave.
If approved, the new church could be open by 2010.
Plans include a 150-seat church, a school of Christian living Sunday School and a 150-seat hall with five classrooms and offices, said Rev. John Kowalczyk Jr., who’s been pastor for the last eight years.
The church sold its former building in February after officials decided to move to south Lake County.
“Our congregation was moving further and further south,” Kowalczyk Jr. said. “We looked at the growth patterns of the county and all indications pointed here.”
Church officials consulted county and state Web sites checking out residential building permits.
“We looked at school systems and a whole bunch of categories,” he said.
The proposed new location is about 17 miles from the East Chicago site. Several of the church’s approximately 100 members still drive from East Chicago to services at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday at the After Four Club in Cedar Lake, where they’ve worshiped since December.
The parish is a member of the Polish National Catholic Church but the congregation voted to drop the word “Polish” several years ago since the church is comprised of many ethnic groups.
“We’re open to everyone,” Kowalczyk said. “We don’t want people to think you have to be Polish to join.”
The Polish National Catholic Church is not under the direction of the pope, but under same basic structure, Kowalczyk said. The church’s See is in Scranton, Pa., under the direction of Prime Bishop Most Rev. Robert M. Nemkovich.
The Ychtis (from the Greek word for fish) Girls Choir, made up of girls from the Katowice area in Poland, will visit Buffalo next week Thursday and Friday.
The group will perform on Friday, July 25 at 7pm in Corpus Christi Church. They will also sing at the Polish Mass at 11:30 am on Thursday.
Admission is free, and free will offerings to benefit the choir will be welcome and appreciated.
The girls of the Ychtis Choir are chosen from families that are not very well to do and are provided an opportunity for professional song and dance training.
Dziewczęcy Zespół Wokalno-Taneczny Ychtis z Katowic wystąpi w kościele Bożego Ciała w Buffalo 25 lipca o godz. 7 wiecz.
Zespół zaśpiewa piosenki oparte na wierszach ks. Jana Twardowskiego
Wstęp wolny
Grupa również zaśpiewa podczas Polskiej mszy św. o 11:30 rano w czwartek 24 lipca
po dalsze informacje, proszę dzwonić do o. Anzelma Chałupki na numer tel. (716) 896-1050.
A few days after, while we were all praying, suddenly in the midst of the prayer I uttered a word and named Dinocrates; and I was amazed because he had never come into my mind save then; and I sorrowed, remembering his fate. And straightway I knew that I was worthy, and that I ought to ask for him. And I began to pray for him long, and to groan unto the Lord. Immediately the same night, this was shown me.
I beheld Dinocrates coming forth from a dark place, where were many others also; being both hot and thirsty, his raiment foul, his color pale; and the wound on his face which he had when he died. This Dinocrates had been my brother in the flesh, seven years old, who being diseased with ulcers of the face had come to a horrible death, so that his death was abominated of all men. For him therefore I had made my prayer; and between him and me was a great gulf, so that either might not go to the other. There was moreover, in the same place where Dinocrates was, a font full of water, having its edge higher than was the boy’s stature; and Dinocrates stretched up as though to drink. I was sorry that the font had water in it, and yet for the height of the edge he might not drink.
And I awoke, and I knew that my brother was in travail. Yet I was confident I should ease his travail; and I prayed for him every day till we passed over into the camp prison. (For it was in the camp games that we were to fight; and the time was the feast of the Emperor Geta’s birthday.) And I prayed for him day and night with groans and tears, that he might be given me.
On the day when we abode in the stocks, this was shown me.
I saw that place which I had before seen, and Dinocrates clean of body, finely clothed, in comfort; and the font I had seen before, the edge of it being drawn to the boy’s navel; and he drew water thence which flowed without ceasing. And on the edge was a golden cup full of water; and Dinocrates came up and began to drink therefrom; which cup failed not. And being satisfied he departed away from the water and began to play as children will, joyfully.
And I awoke. Then I understood that he was translated from his pains. — Perpetua’s account para. 7-8.
A few days after, the report went abroad that we were to be tried. Also my father returned from the city spent with weariness; and he came up to me to cast down my faith saying: Have pity, daughter, on my gray hairs; have pity on your father, if I am worthy to be, called father by you; if with these hands I have brought you unto this flower of youth and I have preferred you before all your brothers; give me not over to the reproach of men. Look upon your brothers; look upon your mother and mother’s sister; look upon your son, who will not endure to live after you. Give up your resolution; do not destroy us all together; for none of us will speak openly against men again if you suffer aught.
This he said fatherly in his love, kissing my hands and grovelling at my feet; and with tears he named me, not daughter, but lady. And I was grieved for my father’s case because he would not rejoice at my passion out of all my kin; and I comforted him, saying: That shall be done at this tribunal, whatsoever God shall please; for know that we are not established in our own power, but in God’s. And he went from me very sorrowful.
Another day as we were at meal we were suddenly snatched away to be tried; and we came to the forum. Therewith a report spread abroad through the parts near to the forum, and a very great multitude gathered together. We went up to the tribunal. The others being asked, confessed. So they came to me. And my father appeared there also, with my son, and would draw me from the step, saying: Perform the Sacrifice; have mercy on the child. And Hilarian the procurator – he that after the death of Minucius Timinian the proconsul had received in his room the right and power of the sword – said: Spare your father’s gray hairs; spare the infancy of the boy. Make sacrifice for the Emperors’ prosperity. And I answered: I am a Christian. And when my father stood by me yet to cast down my faith, he was bidden by Hilarian to be cast down and was smitten with a rod. And I sorrowed for my father’s harm as though I had been smitten myself; so sorrowed I for his unhappy old age. Then Hilarian passed sentence upon us all and condemned us to the beasts; and cheerfully we went down to the dungeon. Then because my child had been used to being breastfed and to staying with me in the prison, straightway I sent Pomponius the deacon to my father, asking for the child. But my father would not give him. And as God willed, no longer did he need to be suckled, nor did I take fever; that I might not be tormented by care for the child and by the pain of my breasts. — Perpetua’s account para. 5-6.