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The Curt Jester

"It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it." GKC

Communion by Mail
Punditry

Communion by Mail

by Jeffrey Miller December 16, 2020
written by Jeffrey Miller

Sometimes you are very thankful that Anglican orders are null and void.*

“Holy Communion by mail pushes the envelope too far, says Bishop”

Next thing you know they will send out all Communion by mail. It would be the “all mail” priesthood.

The “pushing the envelope” was a nice touch by the headline writer.

This is one of those stories you read and then check to make sure it isn’t a satire site, and then double-check that it isn’t. The letter was written by an Anglican Bishop.

  • Caveat: True for the most part, except those rare situations where they have been ordained by someone with valid orders.
December 16, 2020 0 comment
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Punditry

The Weekly Francis – Volume 342 – 16 December 2020

by Jeffrey Miller December 16, 2020December 16, 2020
written by Jeffrey Miller
pope-francis2-300x187

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 9 December 2020 to 16 December 2020.

The Weekly Francis is a compilation of the Holy Father’s writings, speeches, etc which I also post at Jimmy Akin’s blog.

Angelus

  • 13 December 2020

General Audiences

  • 16 December 2020

Messages

  • 12 December 2020 – Video message of the Holy Father for the High Level Virtual Climate Ambition Summit 2020

Speeches

  • 11 December 2020 – To the Delegations who donated the Nativity Display and the Christmas Tree in St. Peter’s Square
  • 12 December 2020 – To the Artists of the Christmas Concert in the Vatican

Papal Tweets

  • “God listens to the cry of those who invoke Him. Even our reluctant questions, those that remain in the depths of our heart. The Father wishes to give us the Holy Spirit, which inspires every #prayer and transforms everything. It is a question of patience, of supporting the wait.” @Pontifex 9 December 2020
  • “Everyone is called to contribute with courage and determination to the respect for the fundamental rights of every person, especially the ”invisible“: of the many who are hungry and thirsty, who are naked, sick, outcast or imprisoned.” @Pontifex 10 December 2020
  • “Accompanied by the Mother of Jesus on the journey towards Christmas, in these times that are difficult for many, let us make an effort to rediscover the great hope and joy brought to us by the coming of the Son of God into the world. #Advent” @Pontifex 11 December 2020
  • “Looking at the image of Our Lady of #Guadalupe, we see these three realities reflected: abundance, blessing and gift. God always gives Himself in abundance in His blessings.” @Pontifex 12 December 2020
  • “The current pandemic and climate change affect above all the lives of the poor. We must promote a culture that places at its center human dignity and the common good. For this reason the Holy See joins in the objective of net zero emission. Video Message” @Pontifex 12 December 2020
  • “The Virgin Mary silently awaited God’s Word of salvation; she welcomed it; she listened to it; she conceived it. In her, God became close. This is why the Church calls Mary a “Cause of our joy”. #Angelus” @Pontifex 13 December 2020
  • “I bless the statuettes of Jesus, which will be placed in the Nativity scene. When you pray at home, before the Nativity scene with your families, allow yourselves to be drawn by the tenderness of Baby Jesus, born poor and frail among us, in order to give us his love.” @Pontifex 13 December 2020
  • “To pray is to light a candle in the darkness. #Prayer rouses us from the tepidness of a purely horizontal existence, lifts our gaze to higher things, makes us attuned to the Lord, allows God to be close to us; it frees us from our solitude and gives us hope.” @Pontifex 15 December 2020
  • “#Prayer during the time of #Advent helps us to remember we are not more righteous or better than others, but that we are all sinners who need to be touched by God’s mercy. #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex 16 December 2020
  • “I ask God to inspire, in the hearts of all, respect for the life of our brothers, especially the most fragile and helpless, and to give strength to those who receive them and care for them, even when this demands heroic love.” @Pontifex 16 December 2020

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God is Love – Book Review
Punditry

God is Love – Book Review

by Jeffrey Miller December 12, 2020
written by Jeffrey Miller

Over a year ago, I was allowed to pick through some books and take whatever I wanted. I had read most of them and ended up taking home “God is Love – Saint Teresa Margaret: Her Life” by Margaret Rowe. I knew nothing about her. So, I took it home and placed it on my to-read shelf.

Looking for my next bit of spiritual reading, I finally got around to reading it. It tells the story of Anna Maria Redi, who was born to a large noble family in Arezzo, Italy, the second child of Count Ignazio Maria Redi and Camilla Billet—born in 1747. I was quickly enthralled reading her story as it initially dives into her childhood and young adult years.

Early on, she might be described as spiritual precocious, that she took her faith very seriously and had her eyes set on Jesus. Still, for her time and place, she had a fairly normal childhood enjoying herself with friends and family. At the age of nine, she went to St. Apollonia in Florence, a Benedictine boarding school. By the time she left there, it would seem that her teachers expected that she might join them.

She had a very close relationship with her father, Sir Ignazio. He seems to have been an exceptionally devout man with a deep prayer life. Much of the descriptions about the two of them reminded me of St. Therese and St. Louis Martin. Like St. Louis Martin, he was open to God’s plans for Anna Maria, even if it was to lead to their separation.

Towards the end of her schooling, after a chance encounter with a schoolmate, she felt she received a message from St. Teresa of Avila that she would become a Discalced Carmelite.

Reading through this book, time and time again, I was surprised that I had never even heard of this saint. So much is intriguing about her life and her four short years as a Carmelite before her death. Her devotion to the Sacred of Heart of Jesus, which she shared with her father. She took on the name Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart in honor St. Teresa of Avila and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The depth of her love for the Eucharist and each person of the Blessed Trinity. Her efforts of giving all herself to Jesus. The hiddenness of her life as she performed all her duties while advancing in the transforming union.

Her life was hidden and she left behind no writings. That might be part of the reason she is lesser-known than St. Therese.

The author does an excellent job detailing this story in describing her struggles and her spiritual life. Deftly explaining the spiritual life and giving insights into this. Time and time again, there was much for me to reflect and think upon. This story moved me very much. The role of her main spiritual director was also vital in shaping her. He was able to guide her during her dark night and encourage her. Much of what we know about her came via his testimony about her.

An excellent book. I so enjoyed the stories included: stories that made me laugh and ones leading me to reflection.

December 12, 2020 1 comment
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Punditry

The Weekly Francis – Volume 341 – 09 December 2020

by Jeffrey Miller December 9, 2020
written by Jeffrey Miller
pope-francis2-300x187

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 17 November 2020 to 9 December 2020.

The Weekly Francis is a compilation of the Holy Father’s writings, speeches, etc which I also post at Jimmy Akin’s blog.

Angelus

  • 6 December 2020
  • 8 December 2020

Apostolic Letter

  • 8 December 2020 – Apostolic Letter Patris Corde of the Holy Father Francis on the 150th Anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church

General Audiences

  • 9 December 2020

Letters

  • 17 November 2020 – Chirograph of the Holy Father for the establishment in canonical and Vatican juridical person of the “Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network” Foundation
  • 5 December 2020 – Chirograph signed by the Holy Father – Statute of the Supervisory and Financial Information Authority (ASIF)

Messages

  • 3 December 2020 – Message of His Holiness Pope Francis to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD)
  • 8 December 2020 – Video message of the Holy Father to mark the end of the National Marian Year in Argentina

Motu Proprio

  • 21 November 2020 – Apostolic Letter in the form of a “Motu Proprio” “Ab initio”, of the Supreme Pontiff Francis on the amendment of cannons 435 §1 and 506 §1 of the Code of Canons of the Oriental Churches

Speeches

  • 4 December 2020 – Address of His Holiness Pope Francis for the presentation of Credential Letters by the Ambassadors of Jordan, Kazakhstan, Zambia, Mauritania, Uzbekistan, Madagascar, Estonia, Rwanda, Denmark and India accredited to the Holy See

Papal Tweets

  • “The first step of faith is to tell God that we need him, that we need him to be close to us. Thus, if we ask Jesus to come close to us, we will train ourselves to be watchful.” @Pontifex 3 December 2020
  • “Inclusion should be the “rock” on which to build programmes and initiatives of civil institutions meant to ensure that no one, especially those in greatest difficulty, is left behind. #IDPD” @Pontifex 3 December 2020
  • “To help our society to “build back better”, inclusion of the vulnerable must also entail efforts to promote their active participation. #IDPD Message” @Pontifex 3 December 2020
  • “Come, Lord Jesus, make our distracted hearts watchful. Awaken within us the desire to pray and the need to love.” @Pontifex 4 December 2020
  • “Just as before our birth, our loved ones awaited us, so now Love in person awaits us. If we are awaited in Heaven, why should we be caught up with earthly concerns? Why should we waste time complaining about the night, when the light of day awaits us?” @Pontifex 5 December 2020
  • “Conversion is a grace that we need to forcefully ask God for. We are converted to the degree in which we open ourselves up to the beauty, the goodness, the tenderness of God. Thus let us leave what is false and fleeting for what is true, beautiful and everlasting. #GospelOfTheDay” @Pontifex 6 December 2020
  • “I want to be close to all doctors and nurses during this time in which the pandemic calls us to be near all men and women who suffer. Thank you for drawing near to them, thanks for your tenderness, thanks for your professionalism in taking care of the sick.” @Pontifex 7 December 2020
  • “The uncontaminated beauty of our Mother is incomparable, but at the same time it attracts us. Let us entrust ourselves to her and say “no” to sin and “yes” to Grace once and for all. #Angelus” @Pontifex 8 December 2020
  • “150 years after the proclamation of St Joseph as Patron of the Catholic Church, I would like to share some personal reflections on this extraordinary figure, so close to our own human experience.
    Apostolic Letter” @Pontifex 8 December 2020

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Punditry

The Weekly Francis – Volume 340 – 02 December 2020

by Jeffrey Miller December 2, 2020December 2, 2020
written by Jeffrey Miller
pope-francis2-300x187

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 1 October 2017 to 2 December 2020.

The Weekly Francis is a compilation of the Holy Father’s writings, speeches, etc which I also post at Jimmy Akin’s blog.

Angelus

  • 22 November 2020
  • 29 November 2020

General Audiences

  • 25 November 2020
  • 2 December 2020

Homilies

  • 22 November 2020 – Holy Mass for the handing over of the WYD Cross
  • 28 November 2020 – Ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of new Cardinals
  • 29 November 2020 – Eucharistic Concelebration with the new Cardinals

Messages

  • 15 October 2020 – Message of the Holy Father to the Prepositor General of the Poor Clerics Regular of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools (Piarists), on the occasion of the online seminar on the Global Education Pact [12–14 November 2020]
  • 15 October 2020 – Message of the Holy Father to the Superior General of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ (Passionists) on the occasion of the third centenary jubilee celebrations
  • 21 November 2020 – Video Message of His Holiness Pope Francis to participants in the international online Event: “The Economy of Francesco” [Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, 19–21 November 2020],
  • 30 November 2020 – Message of Pope Francis to His Holiness Bartholomew I on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Andrew

Speeches

  • 1 October 2017 – Pastoral Visit to Cesena and Bologna: Encounter with the citizens in “Piazza del Popolo” (Cesena, 1 October 2017)
  • 2 October 2017 – To participants in the meeting organised by the Italian Institute of Donation for the Day of the Gift
  • 7 October 2017 – To the participants in the International Congress organized by the Congregation for the Clergy
  • 9 October 2017 – To the patriarchs and Major Archbishops
  • 14 October 2017 – To the members of the Emperor Karl League of Prayer for Peace and Fraternity among nations
  • 21 October 2017 – To the community of the Pontifical Brazilian College in Rome

Papal Tweets

  • “The earth and its poor urgently demand a sound economy and a sustainable development. Therefore, we are called to rethink our mental and moral priorities so that they are in conformity with God’s commandments and the common good.” @Pontifex 19 November 2020
  • “Every child needs to be welcomed and defended, helped and protected, from the moment of their conception. #WorldChildrensDay” @Pontifex 20 November 2020
  • “A pleasure to speak by phone yesterday with my brother @alimamaltayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. We reaffirm our support to human fraternity as the solution to erase violence, discrimination and hatred in the name of religion. Religions have nothing to do with these. #FratelliTutti” @Pontifex 20 November 2020
  • “Today we remember Mary’s Presentation in the Temple and celebrate #ProOrantibus Day. Thank you, contemplative sisters and brothers, because you are support for the weak, beacons that signal the port, torches that illuminate the dark night, sentinels who announce the new day.” @Pontifex 21 November 2020
  • “Dear young people, the effects of our actions and decisions affect you personally. Therefore, you can’t remain outside the places that are shaping the present and future. You’re either part of them or history will pass you by. #FrancescoEconomy Message” @Pontifex 21 November 2020
  • “Today, #ChristTheKing Sunday, the Cross and the icon of Mary, Salus Populi Romani, symbols of World Youth Days, begins a new pilgrimage which will lead to Lisbon in 2023. #takeupthecross” @Pontifex 22 November 2020
  • “Before pouring out His love for us on the cross, Jesus shares His final wishes. He tells us that the good we do to one of our least brothers and sisters – hungry, thirsty, strangers, in need, sick, imprisoned – we do to Him (Mt 25:37–40). #GospelOfTheDay” @Pontifex 22 November 2020
  • “Dear young people, let us not give up on great dreams. The Lord does not want us to narrow our horizons or to remain parked on the roadside of life. He wants us to race boldly and joyfully towards lofty goals. #takeupthecross Homily” @Pontifex 22 November 2020
  • “We were not created to dream about vacations or the weekend, but to make God’s dreams come true in this world. God made us capable of dreaming, so that we could embrace the beauty of life. The works of mercy are the most beautiful works in life.” @Pontifex 23 November 2020
  • “Let us care for the needs of every man and woman, young and old, with the same fraternal spirit of care and closeness that marked the Good Samaritan. #FratelliTutti” @Pontifex 24 November 2020
  • “Too often, women are insulted, beaten, raped, forced to prostitute themselves…. If we want a better world, that will be a peaceful home and not a battlefield, we all need to do a lot more for the dignity of each woman.” @Pontifex 25 November 2020
  • “When we pray, God opens our eyes renews and changes our hearts, heals our wounds and grants us the grace we need. #GeneralAudience #Prayer” @Pontifex 25 November 2020
  • “Lord, Father of our human family, you created all human beings equal in dignity: pour forth into our hearts a fraternal spirit. Move us to create healthier societies and a more dignified world, a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war. #FratelliTutti” @Pontifex 26 November 2020
  • “God is more patient than we are, and those who knock with faith and perseverance on the door of his heart will not be disappointed. #Prayer” @Pontifex 27 November 2020
  • “I invite everyone to pray for #Ethiopia where armed clashes have intensified and are causing a serious humanitarian situation. I appeal to the parties in conflict so that the violence might ceases, life may be safeguarded and the populations can regain #peace.” @Pontifex 28 November 2020
  • “We do not live aimlessly and without destination. We are awaited. We are precious. God has prepared for us the most worthy and beautiful place: Paradise.” @Pontifex 28 November 2020
  • “Follow the Ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of new Cardinals – Saint Peter’s Basilica at 16 (CET) Event” @Pontifex 28 November 2020
  • “The proclamation of the passion, death and resurrection (Mk 10:32–45) is a saving Word necessary for the Church in every age. We too, Pope and Cardinals, must always see ourselves reflected in this Word, it is painful, but it also heals, liberates and converts us. #Consistory” @Pontifex 28 November 2020
  • “All of us love Jesus, all of us want to follow him, yet we must always be careful to remain on the road. For with our feet, with our bodies, we can be with Him, but our hearts can wander far afield and so lead us off the road. #Consistory” @Pontifex 28 November 2020
  • “Conversion is precisely this: instead of being on the wrong road, we go on God’s road. Homily” @Pontifex 28 November 2020
  • “#Advent is a continuous call to hope: it reminds us that God is present in history to lead it to its ultimate goal and to its fullness, which is the Lord Jesus Christ.
    ” @Pontifex 29 November 2020
  • “Praying and loving, that is what it means to be watchful. When the Church worships God and serves our neighbour, it does not live in the night.However weak and weary, she journeys towards the Lord. Let us now call out to him. Come, Lord Jesus, we need you! Homily” @Pontifex 29 November 2020
  • “#Advent is the Season in which we remember God’s nearness, that He came down toward us.” @Pontifex 30 November 2020
  • “Let us keep in mind that not even a murderer loses his personal dignity — God Himself guarantees it (see EV 9). The firm rejection of the death penalty shows to what extent it is possible to recognize the inalienable dignity of every human being. #FratelliTutti #NoDeathPenalty” @Pontifex 30 November 2020
  • “Let us frequently repeat the traditional #Advent prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20): before meetings, studying, work, and before making decisions, in the important moments or times of trial: Come, Lord Jesus!” @Pontifex 1 December 2020
  • “Video” @Pontifex 1 December 2020
  • “Today, as in the past, slavery is rooted in a notion of the human person that allows people to be treated like an object, it tramples their dignity. Slavery makes us ”un-dignified“ because it takes way everyone’s dignity.” @Pontifex 2 December 2020
  • “God’s grace changes lives: He takes us as we are, but He never leaves us as we are. #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex 2 December 2020
  • “I want to assure my prayers for #Nigeria. Last Saturday more than one hundred farmers were brutally killed. May God welcome them in His peace and comfort their families, and convert the hearts of those who commit similar atrocities which gravely offend His name.” @Pontifex 2 December 2020

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Rushed to Sainthood
Punditry

Rushed to Sainthood

by Jeffrey Miller November 29, 2020November 29, 2020
written by Jeffrey Miller

“Carlo Acutis rushed to sainthood while others wait centuries for the honor”

So I wondered what kind of agenda-journalism was behind this New York Post headline?

It looks like it was inspired by a book to be released next week titled “The Saint Makers: Inside the Catholic Church and How a War Hero Inspired a Journey of Faith” by Joe Drape.

“Part biography of a wartime adventurer, part detective story, and part faith journey, this intriguing book from New York Times journalist and bestselling author Joe Drape takes us inside the modern-day process of the making of a saint.”

He contends that Rome is ignoring servant of God Fr. Kapaun’s cause because he was a Military Chaplain and an American. “Kapaun’s cause just doesn’t tick the right boxes for the Vatican.”

His assertion that “money and politics” is behind the saint-making machine is true to some extent. Causes require money for investigation, but his over-the-top idea that postulators are making a lot of money and keeping the “meter running” is in their interest, is less believable. The idea that politics does intrude its head into the process is true at times. Many causes get delayed for this very reason. Most notably, Thomas More. As to whether he is correct about the Vatican’s attitude towards Kapaun is pure conjecture. It would not surprise me if this is accurate.

Still, based on this article’s assertions, it probably is not a very objective look into the process. I want to read an accurate book on the subject, warts and all.

Although, I might be more interested in the author’s own journey of faith and how Fr. Kapaun entered into his story.

The book is favorably reviewed by Fr. James Martin and Vatican journalist John Thavis. I don’t want to lapse into the genetic fallacy, but I would be interested in more trustworthy reviews. I read John Thavis’ “The Vatican Diaries” and there were parts that I loved and parts where I was pretty much turned off by his reporting.

November 29, 2020November 29, 2020 5 comments
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Annoyance
Punditry

Annoyance

by Jeffrey Miller November 28, 2020November 28, 2020
written by Jeffrey Miller

Yesterday when I went to go to Mass I found the doors locked. But I was there a good 40 minutes before Mass was scheduled. So I walked over to the cemetery to pray the Divine Mercy where my wife is entombed.

So as I am praying I started to hear the Divine Mercy being played on someone’s phone. At first, I was rather annoyed at this. Decided though to see if I could sync up with the recording. Turns out I was only one bead fast and that ultimately ended up at the Trisagion at the same time. So an interesting bit of synchronicity.

When opened my eyes I found the man with the phone was someone from one of the bible studies I attend and that he had lost his wife not that long ago.

So I told him about finishing up the Divine Mercy at the same time. So we got to talking about what it means for us to be able to pray before our wives here. So I got to learn about how his wife worked at the Divine Mercy center which cares for unwed mothers and is within eyesight of where we were. How she loved working there and how she spiritually adopted each child. This was very affecting for me. I remember not that long ago at bible study how he had told us that his last week with his wife was like a second honeymoon. I don’t think I will ever forget that description and that insight into their life together.

So here was a morning where first I was annoyed the church doors had not been opened yet so I could go in and pray. Again annoyed by someone playing a recording of the Divine Mercy while I am trying to pray.

I thank God I was thus annoyed and now annoyed at my own continuing “it’s all about me” mode of life.

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Praying in Community
Punditry

Praying in Community

by Jeffrey Miller November 22, 2020November 22, 2020
written by Jeffrey Miller

I do love that my parish has a dedicated Holy Hour for praying for vocations. Plus that each time they display pictures of two of the seminarians with their names.

Still, I use to avoid these monthly Friday night events for rather dumb reasons. One reason is that part of the hour has the recitation of vocal prayers. Usually, my mind is more involved in recitation and not praying. If I had my druthers I would prefer to just pray for these intentions and do some spiritual reading in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I have the same problem with public recitations of the Rosary and Divine Mercy. I was just not engaged in praying.

So my thinking was all about me and what I get out of it.

So I am working on changing this mindset. One by realizing that communal prayer is a good thing in and of itself. Another that as somebody who loves St. Teresa of Avila, I should be able to get through my thick skull that vocal prayers are not second class prayers. St. Teresa certainly writes about this a good deal concerning some of her nuns who had advanced to a contemplative life reciting such prayers.

What I was complaining about was my own lack and unwillingness to see if I could change the situation through effort. That I should learn to do them with devotion as far as possible. So instead of turning away from these opportunities, I am now engaging in such opportunities to pray in public. You can only get better at what you do with repetition.

photo credit: shaggy359 John Kyrle’s hands via photopin (license)

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Punditry

The Weekly Francis – Volume 339 – 18 November 2020

by Jeffrey Miller November 18, 2020November 18, 2020
written by Jeffrey Miller
pope-francis2-300x187

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 9 November 2020 to 18 November 2020.

The Weekly Francis is a compilation of the Holy Father’s writings, speeches, etc which I also post at Jimmy Akin’s blog.

Angelus

  • 15 November 2020

General Audiences

  • 18 November 2020

Homilies

  • 15 November 2020 – World Day of the Poor: Holy Mass

Letters

  • 9 November 2020 – Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis to His Exc. Mgr. Bernardo Bastres Florence, S.D.B., Bishop of Punta Arenas (Chile), on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the celebration of the first Mass in Chile [11 November 2020]

Papal Tweets

  • “Generosity that supports the weak, consoles the afflicted, relieves suffering and restores dignity to those stripped of it, is a condition for a fully human life. #WorldDayOfThePoor” @Pontifex 12 November 2020
  • “The ability to stretch forth our hand shows that we possess an innate capacity to act in ways that give meaning to life. #WorldDayOfThePoor” @Pontifex 13 November 2020
  • “The Lord’s blessing descends upon us and prayer attains its goal when accompanied by service to the poor. #WorldDayOfThePoor [Message[(http://vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/poveri/documents/papa-francesco_20200613_messaggio-iv-giornatamondiale-poveri–2020.html)” @Pontifex 14 November 2020
  • “Hold out your hand to the poor, instead of demanding what you lack. In this way, you will multiply the talents you have received. (Mt 25:14–30) #WorldDayOfThePoor #GospelOfTheDay Homily” @Pontifex 15 November 2020
  • “I am near in prayer to the dear people of the #Philippines who are suffering because of the destruction, and especially because of the flooding caused by a strong #typhoon. I express my solidarity to the poorest families and those who are doing all they can to help them.” @Pontifex 15 November 2020
  • “Every form of fundamentalist intolerance damages relationships between individuals, groups and peoples. Let us be committed to living and teaching the value of respect, a love capable of welcoming differences, and the priority of the dignity of every human being. #TolleranceDay” @Pontifex 16 November 2020
  • “Even a smile that we can share with the poor is a source of love. An outstretched hand can always be enriched by the smile of those who quietly and unassumingly offer to help, inspired only by the joy of living as one of Christ’s disciples.” @Pontifex 17 November 2020
  • ““Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Lk 2:19). Everything that happens to her ends up in her heart so that it might pass through the sieve of #prayer and be transfigured by it. #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex 18 November 2020

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Purgatory Is For Real – Book Review
Punditry

Purgatory Is For Real – Book Review

by Jeffrey Miller November 12, 2020November 12, 2020
written by Jeffrey Miller

Ever since I first heard Karlo Brousard was writing a book on purgatory, I have looked forward to reading it.

“Purgatory Is for Real: Good News About the Afterlife for Those Who Aren’t Perfect Yet”

Certainly in the last four years, the idea of purgatory has become more than a doctrine for me, but a daily lived experience of praying for the souls of the dead. Not that I had not done this before, it just became more immediate for me.

I wanted to see what further insights I might glean from this book.

Not surprisingly for a book published by Catholic Answers it leans towards apologetics and answering Protestant objections. Of course, purgatory is a doctrine denied by the large majority of Protestants. Still, I found it to be a beneficial read since answering objections always clarifies what the Church teaches on purgatory.

Interestingly, the book starts with an examining the concept of postmortem final purification in other non-Christian religions. One of the thrusts of this book is to open up readers to the idea that this is not just a Catholic idiosyncratic theological view. While the fact that other religions had some aspect of this idea does not prove the doctrine, this and viewpoints by some Protestants, shows the reasonable grounds to consider the idea.

While Karlo does not take up this line of argumentation, it seems to me many non-Catholics have a view of a sort of quasi-purgatory. That many would agree with Revelation 21:27 that nothing unclean shall enter heaven and stipulate that if they were to die now that they would need God to clean them up. We can naturally grasp out sinfulness and the disparity in entering the beatific vision and the immediate knowledge of God.

He then lays the groundwork with several premises regarding the state of our soul upon death and what conclusions these lead to in regard to this doctrine.

The chapters ahead discuss the support of the concept of purgatory in the Old Testament, Jesus, and then Paul’s teachings. Addressing some common objections and then looking at what the Church Fathers and what other early ecclesiastical writers had to say. Capping this off with a deeper look into the theology. What the Church has infallibly defined about purgatory is actually rather limited in that it exists, that there are purifying punishments to remove the debt of remaining sins, and once purified the person will enter heaven. There is also some development of doctrine occurring in this area as recently as Pope Benedict XVI encylical Spe Salvi.

This book was as good as I expected it would be and it delivered more. I liked the appendix with a small sample of stories of the saints in regard to purgatory.

I found much to deepen my own knowledge and to reflect on. Another theme in this book regards joy and this doctrine. The pains of purgatory can be overemphasized with us not reflecting on how this is another aspect of God’s love for us.

I find much comfort in praying for the souls of my family and for others. That this is a spiritual act of mercy. That while it is certainly true that their prayers for us are beneficial for us, I just do not feel mercenary in asking their prayers since it is not my primary motive.

I also like that there is a sense where we are entering God’s “time” in that the prayers of the dead are never late. We have no idea if our loved ones are now in Heaven and can thus stop praying for them. Yet even if they are indeed in Heaven our prayers enter into God’s “time” and can be applied to them or for others as God sees fit. Sure I wish for a mechanistic way to know they are no longer in purgatory like a bell announcing and Angel getting its wings. Plus it is difficult to keep praying for my wife almost like it would be an insult to think she is still in purgatory. Yeah, that is stupid – but still.

I will stop here since this review is too long as it is. It is just I so enjoyed this book that I want to keep talking about it and what the Church teaches on it.

Purchase:

  • Catholic Answers
  • Amazon
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Jeff Miller is a former atheist who after spending forty years in the wilderness finds himself with both astonishment and joy a member of the Catholic Church. This award-winning blog presents my hopefully humorous and sometimes serious take on things religious, political, and whatever else crosses my mind.

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About Me

Jeff Miller is a former atheist who after spending forty years in the wilderness finds himself with both astonishment and joy a member of the Catholic Church. This award winning blog presents my hopefully humorous and sometimes serious take on things religious, political, and whatever else crosses my mind.
My conversion story
  • The Curt Jester: Disturbingly Funny --Mark Shea
  • EX-cellent blog --Jimmy Akin
  • One wag has even posted a list of the Top Ten signs that someone is in the grip of "motu-mania," -- John Allen Jr.
  • Brilliance abounds --Victor Lams
  • The Curt Jester is a blog of wise-ass musings on the media, politics, and things "Papist." The Revealer

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I also blog at Happy Catholic Bookshelf Twitter
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