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Christian Witness

Reflection for Trinity Sunday 2025

Christian Witness

Reflection for Trinity Sunday 2025

Christian Witness

Reflection for Trinity Sunday 2025

Everything Else,

From the City of God

St. Augustine of Hippo - Fresco by Botticelli

Of the Nature of the Two Cities, the Earthly and the Heavenly.

Accordingly, two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self. The former, in a word, glories in itself, the latter in the Lord. For the one seeks glory from men; but the greatest glory of the other is God, the witness of conscience. The one lifts up its head in its own glory; the other says to its God, “Thou art my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” In the one, the princes and the nations it subdues are ruled by the love of ruling; in the other, the princes and the subjects serve one another in love, the latter obeying, while the former take thought for all. The one delights in its own strength, represented in the persons of its rulers; the other says to its God, “I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength.” And therefore the wise men of the one city, living according to man, have sought for profit to their own bodies or souls, or both, and those who have known God “glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened; professing themselves to be wise,”-that is, glorying in their own wisdom, and being possessed by pride,-“they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.” For they were either leaders or followers of the people in adoring images, “and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.” But in the other city there is no human wisdom, but only godliness, which offers due worship to the true God, and looks for its reward in the society of the saints, of holy angels as well as holy men, “that God may be all in all.” — St. Augustine of Hippo, City of God, Book 14, Chapter 28

Current Events, Media

Muslim conversion trends

The New York Times, in and article describing the release of two Fox News journalists, notes that they were freed after declaring that they had converted to Islam, had taken Muslim names, and had read from the Koran (all at the point of a gun).

Now I could go in a lot of directions on this but I’ll stick with two:

First, these kidnappers are not stupid crazy people (a label the media often uses). They full well understand that Fox News represents rightwing Republican interests. They are also caught in the same trap many Americans are in, falsely equating Republicanism with true Christian conservatism. It is a presumption that many make and that holds fast in the ‘popular culture’ due to the actions of politically inspired ‘preachers’.

As such, the forced conversion of these two men represents, for the Muslim captors and the Muslim world, the ultimate in victories. What the Roman Empire was unable to do on a worldwide scale, a small group of Islamic terrorists accomplished in thirteen days —“ mocking the Christian faith and its adherent’s fidelity.

Second, it is our duty to forgive these men of their rapid ‘conversion’, and to pray for them and their families. The conversion was done at the end of a gun, and was not truly free. In addition, we do not know the depth of their faith or even if they follow Christ. If they do, the guilt of betrayal will be heavy. All in all we must avoid the heresy of Donatism*.

This ‘success’ makes what is old new again, and will give Muslim extremists/terrorists an additional tool by which they think they can mock Christ. Fortunately they are mistaken, the martyrs may be few in coming, but their blood will reap generations of faithful Christians.

Here’s an excerpt from the NY Times article: Fox News Journalists Free After Declaring Conversion:

JERUSALEM, Aug. 27 —” Two journalists kidnapped in Gaza were released unharmed on Sunday after being forced at gunpoint to say on a videotape that they had converted to Islam.

The two journalists for Fox News —” Steve Centanni, 60, an American correspondent, and Olaf Wiig, 36, a freelance cameraman from New Zealand —” were held for 13 days in an abandoned garage in the Gaza Strip as hostages of a previously unknown group calling itself the Holy Jihad Brigades.

—I’m really fine, healthy in good shape and so happy to be free,— Mr. Centanni told Fox News. He said the two had been forced at gunpoint to say that they were converting to Islam and had taken Muslim names. —I have the highest respect for Islam,— he said. —But it was something we felt we had to do because they had the guns, and we didn’t know what the hell was going on.—

Earlier on Sunday, their captors delivered a video showing the two men in Arab robes reading from the Koran to indicate their conversion.

*against which St. Augustine fought – his memorial is August 28th.

Everything Else,

Finding Deacons

If you’ve read some of the comments I’ve received from Deacon Dan or from our seminarian Adam, you’ll note that a few of the comments mention the lack of deacon bloggers.

My mini mission, since I redesigned my blogroll, is to identify worthwhile blogs run by Catholic deacons. I’ve just added another link to Deacon Dean who blogs at Life on the (L)edge. He is chronicling the struggle his family is facing in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

As we’ve just passed the first anniversary of this tragedy, please make a special intention this week for Deacon Dean, his family, community, and all affected.

I should also note that I’m not including all deacon sites that I trip across. I look at several things to determine whether a deacon will be included:

  • Catholic content, i.e., reflecting the Catholic faith whether in discussion of the Catholic faith itself or in politics, sports, family life, etc.
  • Good design with readable content
  • No extremes except in the preservation of the faith, i.e., no ultra neo-Cath content, far left, far right, far out agendas
  • Ecumenical, Orthodox, Roman, PNCC, Oriental, basically Catholic (anyone who has a Catholic understanding of the Diaconate)

If you would like to recommend someone, let me know.

Homilies,

Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Blessed Virgin Mary of Czestochowa and Our Lady of Ostrabrama

Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”

Today we celebrate our parish’s patronal feast. Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

I ask all of you to focus on this beautiful image, this icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and to contemplate for a few minutes. I ask you to behold your mother.

The meaning of this icon, its role in history, and the way in which it communicates to us, right here in Latham, New York, is simply the miracle of Mary’s abiding presence and intercession.

Because of this icon we are gifted with a special doorway to Mary herself.

Icons are not just pretty pictures. They convey much more. They are more than an aid in stimulating devotion. Contemplation of the icon is more than a teaching tool or an inspiration. In the spiritual sense this icon is a living thing.

St. John of Damascus called icons a “channel of divine grace.” They are a mirror of divine revelation, the very incarnation of God, and give testimony to the reality of God’s saving truth. The Ecumenical Councils of the first 1,000 years of Christianity attest to this. Those who attack or disparage icons attack the Incarnation of Jesus himself.

The praise and veneration we show this icon passes over to the one it represents, its archetype —“ Mary herself. St. Basil of Caesarea stated “The honor paid to the image passes to the prototype”.

Thus the love and dedication we show Mary, here in this parish, is communicated to her in a special way.

Jesus told us: Behold your mother, and we behold and love her.

Look at Mary’s right hand. It points to Jesus. Mary is looking at us intently and is pointing to her Son. As she directed the servants at the wedding feast in Cana she directs us:

“Do whatever He tells you.”

Mary bears her Son to us. She, the Theotokos, bears God to us, ever pointing to Him. In this Hodigitria icon, believed to have been painted by St. Luke, we see our Lord with His hand raised in blessing.

What a beautiful image! What love! This icon brings to us a connection to the totality of love God bears for us. The mother is offering her Son to us. The Son who came to save us blesses us.

For 624 years the original icon of Our Lady has been enshrined at the monastery on the bright mountain in Poland, enshrined yes, but still one with us, her people.

Throughout history she has been the image we go to, on the bright mountain, in this parish, and in our homes. She has been the image we go to in supplication, asking her to point us to her Son so that we might receive His grace and blessing.

Our Lady is our mantle of protection, our intercessor in healing and defense, and has suffered along with us.

Her face and neck have been scarred by the swords and arrows of invaders just as the people have been scarred by their sufferings. Her jeweled mantle has been torn away by godless communists and fascists, just as the communists and fascists tried to tear away the lives and freedoms of the Polish people.

This year marks the 350th anniversary of the dedication of Poland to Our Lady of Czestochowa made by King Jan II Kazimierz.

350 years ago Grand Prior Augustyn Kordecki, his monks, a few knights, and some townspeople withstood the power of the entire Swedish army. They were the last bastion of a free and democratic Poland, a people defending themselves from the fortress at Jasna Gora —“ the bright mountain. These freedom fighters drove back the Swedish Army and united the Polish people in a common effort to repel their invaders.

King Jan II Kazimierz took the following oath:

“Great Mother of God and Most Holy Virgin! I, John Casmir II, by the grace of Thy Son, the King of Kings, and by Thy Grace, I, the King, casting myself on my knees at Thy Most Holy feet, take Thee today as my Patroness and Queen of my dominions, and I recommend to Thy special protection and defense, myself and my Polish Kingdom…”

Let us join with all those who throughout history have relied on Our Lady’s protection, intercession, healing, and defense.

Our Lady of Czestochowa, your icon is a symbol of faith and a symbol of unity. Pray for us. Pray for those who place their hope in God’s providence. Pray for those who are deceived, who are betrayed, who are arrested in the night, who are imprisoned, who suffer from the cold, who live in fear, who were or are subjected to interrogation, who have been condemned though innocent, who speak the truth, who cannot be corrupted, who resist evil and tyranny, who are orphans, or who have been attacked or taunted because they wore your image. Our Lady, pray for mothers who weep and for fathers who have been so deeply saddened.

Mary, our mother, we are dedicated to you and to imitating your example in pointing all to your Son, Jesus Christ. Please pray for us.

Current Events, Political

I’ll take door number two

There’s plenty of good Catholic commentary out there in regard to the fiasco that is —Plan B—.

For anyone unfamiliar, Plan B is a high dose contraceptive that basically performs an abortion. In a few cases it prevents the release of an egg —“ acting as a real contraceptive, but in most cases it simply changes a woman’s body chemistry such that an already fertilized egg —“ a human being —“ cannot be implanted in the uterus. The baby is killed —“ thus abortion.

In the realm of commentary, the Young Fogey nails the fact that Plan B —“ taking door number two —“ makes life so much easier for men and continues to objectify women. Hey honey, had a great time last night, but it’s your responsibility.

He also has a link to an article on the fertility gap. Check it out.

Fr. Martin Fox highlights the political angle, noting the Bush administration’s hypocrisy. After all, the Bush administration is focused on its own self-serving ends. If a few dead bodies, babies, etc. are needed to get where we want to be, so be it. Do you think it might be an election season ploy —“ shilling for votes among the self-serving conservative fence sitters?

First Things has some good insights as well, especially as regards the over-the-counter sales of this drug (it shouldn’t be available at all —“ so this just adds personal heath risks to an already immoral situation, compounding the immorality).

Today’s award for shrill screaming goes to the head of Planned Parenthood. In her appearance on Good Morning America she demanded that these high dose drugs be made freely available to —“ children. She demands that eleven year old girls be allowed to head on down to CVS and purchase drugs – nooooo problem. Of course her shrill demands were preceded by the gloating of Hilary Clinton. Hurray for us —“ we can stack up more bodies than Bush and his gang of warmongering clowns.

God have mercy on us.

Christian Witness, Political

Please, don’t speak truth to power

The word is out. Sister Helen Prejean, the tireless Catholic crusader against the death penalty has been uninvited from a Roman Catholic speaking engagement by a Bishop.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Duluth, Minnesota, the Most Rev. Dennis Schnurr, disagrees with the good sister’s public criticism of President Bush’s war policies. She has publicly called for his removal from office.

Perhaps the Bishop doesn’t personally think he should have uninvited her? Perhaps powerful money interest Roman Catholics wanted her gone? You think?

The Duluth News Tribune ran an article on the issue: Diocese cancels nun’s Duluth talk because of anti-Bush newspaper ad. In the article they state in regard to the Bishop’s actions:

In a letter to some diocese residents sent Monday, Duluth Bishop Dennis Schnurr said the decision to cancel the event and Prejean’s address was based on her name appearing on an Aug. 3 New York Times advertisement calling for President Bush to be removed from office.

Schnurr said the ad was brought to his attention by lay people in the diocese.

“Upon reviewing the advertisement, I find that I share their concerns,” Schnurr said in the letter. “Therefore we have made the difficult decision to cancel her appearance.”

Perhaps the Bishop wasn’t listening, he was simply obeying the ‘lay’ Republican deep pockets in his diocese?

You can see the good sister’s take on these events at her website. She states in part:

I signed the ad because as a follower of the way of Jesus and a U.S. citizen, I cannot stand by passively and silently as I witness my government wage such grievous oppression and violence. It has been this same spirit of engaged citizenship that has for the past twenty years led me to speak out against the death penalty while encouraging my fellow citizens and my church to deeper reflection on the issue…

Exactly! Perhaps the Bishop forgot that sister is a U.S. Citizen and is entitled to have an opinion. She is also entitled to publicly advocate her views. More than forgetting the duties and rights of citizens, he has forgotten his obligation to speak truth to power. That’s telling the moneyed:

“There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

or

‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”

or

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

And he should remember:

…if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful.

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

The Church has a treasure in the sister’s work. It has a treasure in her voice. The Bishop should re-invite sister and pastor those who have complained, teaching them Catholic truth.

The Church’s message trumps politics and must always witness truth, tax exempt status notwithstanding.

Take a moment and let the Bishop know how to witness. Check out the Diocesan website which opened tonight to Psalm 27:7-9

Of you my heart has said, —Seek His face!—

If only…

Tip o’ the biretta to the Young Fogey who highlights the comments at The Gaelic Starover: Diocese Punishes Work of Mercy.

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