The Pharisees Exist Among Us

I asked a friend of mine recently for a ride to the bus stop, where I was going to catch a bus to see my son.  His reply was basically no.  His reason?  He had to attend his Bible study.  Now I know we are not supposed to judge others, but I can't help myself in this case.  I know him.  He goes to his Bible study group every week, and has gone every week for at least a couple years.

I can't help but think that this person is being like the Pharisees, who couldn't see the forest for the trees. They challenged Jesus because His disciples took, cleaned and ate some grain from a field they walked through on a Sabbath. They were quite hungry and were taking it for food, not for harvest. The Pharisees, however, claimed that Jesus allowed His disciples to work on the Sabbath.

Jesus and the Pharisees

Jesus reminded them that there are exceptions to laws.  In this case, when a person needs something very much, God's love is more important than His law.  The Pharisees were hyper-focused on the "rule" or the "law", such that they didn't see the bigger picture, which in this case is charity to a fellow Christian. 

In my example, my friend could not extend himself by missing his Bible study to bring me to the bus stop.  I may be off in my judgment of him, but even so, my idea is still valid.  We all know many Catholics who can not see the forest for the trees.  They are the Pharisees among us today.  I know, because, at times, I am one of them.

"Oh, Dear Jesus, please give me the grace to see clearly,

so that I may imitate You more closely."

image - http://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/homilies/95-twenty-second-sunday-in-ordinary-time-b.html

Christian Attitude

Jesus Washing the Apostles' Feet

I manage the Facebook Page for the Melkite Greek Catholic Church I attend.  I have been posting entries from the Primer of beliefs and traditions from the Eparchy of Newton's web site.  Today's was Christian Attitude.

Christian Attitude

The proper attitude of a follower of Jesus Christ is clearly written on every page of the New Testament: To be a servant to one another. As fallen human beings we have a desire for others to treat us with respect, honor, deference. Jesus taught us by His own sublime example, that this is wrong. He taught us that in His Kingdom the one who considers himself least is the greatest! As St. Basil the Great wrote: "Though He was in the bosom of His God and Father since before the beginning of time, He emptied Himself and took the form of a servant."

What is a servant? A servant is someone who is concerned about the needs of others rather than his on needs and who seeks not to receive respect but to give it to others. The paradox is that in this self-emptying (which we call metanoia) that we receive the highest possible honor: the Imitation of Christ our Savior!" - http://melkite.org/PRIMER.htm#Attitude

I have a hard time with this.  I think most people do in our society.  We can't seem to distinguish between being a servant and being a slave.  Where is the line crossed?  I don't know the answer, but I am pretty sure my mind tells me I am closer to the slave line more often than I really am.  Hence, I could be of service to more people than I currently am, and hence, most of us probably could be of more service than we are.

To top it off, there are groups like the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  I don't know if that is a proper use of the word.  I am an editor, so I seek these things out.  Slave usually connotes unwillful servitude.  I know there is nothing unwillful about these Slaves; I have seen some of them in action.  So I just don't get it.  I'll keep searching though.

"Lord Jesus, show me the way."

image - http://therosarytrail.com/jesus-as-servant/

Catholic Prayers From The East

I bought a wonderful Eastern prayer book published by Sophia Press.  It is called the Publicans Prayer Book.  When I read it, I yearn for the Divine.  Here are some samples.

Morning Prayer

O Heavenly King, Consoler, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of Blessings and the Giver of Life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us of all stain and save our souls, O Good One!

Fifth Ode - Excerpt

You are the source of all light and Creator of the ages, O Lord:  direct us in the light of Your commandments, for we know no other God but You.

From The Great Fast, First Ode
It is time for repentance; I come to You, my Creator.  Remove my heavy yoke of sin, and in Your compassion, grant me the forgiveness of my sins.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Like the Prodigal, O Savior, I have squandered the wealth of my soul on dissolute living, and I am barren of the fruits of virtue.  In my hunger, I cry out:  O compassionate Father, come out to meet me and take pity on me!

From The Paschal Hour
Christ is risen from the dead, and by His death, He has trampled upon Death, and has given life to those who were in the tombs! (This sounds wonderful when chanted in church.)
From Anavathmi, p. 475
Many a pain have I sustained since my youth. Be my assistance, O my Savior, and save me.
O you, the enemies of Sion, flee in your shame before the Lord, for you shall wither like grass before the fire...

Prayer to Your Guardian Angel
O Holy Angel, interceding for my wretched soul and passionate life, forsake me not, a sinner, nor shrink from me for my intemperance. Give no place for the subtle demon to master me through the violence of my mortal body. Strengthen my poor and feeble hand, and guide me in the way of salvation. O holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched body and soul, forgive me for all the insults I have given You every day of my life, and for whatever sins I may have committed during the past night. Protect me during the present day, and guard me from every temptation of the Enemy, that I may not anger God by any sin. And pray to the Lord for me that he may strengthen me in His fear, and make me, His slave, worthy of His goodness. Amen.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos
(Mother of God, i.e. Mary)O most Holy Lady, Mother of God, light of my poor soul, my hope, my protection, my refuge, my comfort and my joy:  I thank You for having enabled me to be a partaker of the most Pure Body and the most Precious Blood of Your Son.  Enlighten the eyes of my heart, You who carried the Source of Immortality.  O most tender and loving Mother of the merciful God, have mercy on me, and grant me a repentant and contrite heart with humility of mind...make me worthy always, even to my last breath, to receive the most Pure Mysteries of Christ for the healing of my soul and body.  Give me tears of repentance and thanksgiving, that I may  chant and praise You all the days of my life, You who are ever blessed and glorified.  Amen.


images - http://mi9.com/wallpaper/free-good-morning-rising-sun-wallpaper_84537/
http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/civil-religion/sharon-autenrieth/image_af5a113e-7036-11e0-9e6f-0019bb30f31a.html
http://www.examiner.com/eastern-orthodoxy-in-san-francisco/eastern-orthodoxy-101-theotokos

Fighting The Good Fight

This is one of those times I am really grateful for the Catholic Faith I have.  I am in a nice rhythm with my routine.   I am religiously (no pun intended) doing my Rosary every day, as well as other prayers.  I am going to Adoration in the area.  I am relaxed with my home/work balance.  And my Catholic friends keep me fresh in my practice by being great role models.

It is not always this way.  There are times when my Faith feels like a burden, when life is too much to bear.  It weighs heavy in my body.  I don't do my Rosary every day.  I skip Adoration.  I even skip Sunday Mass at times.  :-(   And lastly, my friends seem like saints with whom I can never compare.  At least that is what my brain starts saying.

I know the dark phase can be put to good use.  I know I can draw more closely to Jesus then.  But, I have to say, I enjoy the lighter phase much more and I am happy to be there right now.  As you can tell, I have a long way to go before I am a Saint who truly knows the joy of suffering.  :-)

Here are some of the prayers I pray.  The picture shows praying hands, but very often, I am walking, or baking, or straightening up the kitchen counter and saying these to God as I go.

Personal One-Line Prayers
Jesus, help me with my devotion to Mary.
Lord Jesus, help me.
Lord Jesus, what do You want of me today?
Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. Have mercy on me.
O Mary, Queen of Peace, bring peace to all of us who reside in this upside down world.
Joseph, please watch over my sons, in particular, my older one for whom you are his patron Saint.
O Mary, conceived without sin, please pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Personal Version of St. Ignatius' Suscipe
.
Lord, Jesus Christ, please take all my freedom, my memory, my understanding and my will.  All that I have and cherish, You have given me. 
I surrender it all, to be guided by Your will.
Give me Your love and Your grace, and I ask for nothing more.  Amen. 
 .
The Memorare [I think this prayer played a part in my recent heightened interest in Mary.  It's in blue for Our Lady  :-)  ]
.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Your wounds hide me.
Separated from You, let me never be.
From the wicked one, protect me.
At the hour of my death, call me,
and bid me close to You, that with the Saints
where I can live and reign with You forever and ever.  Amen.
images - http://www.monkrock.com/index.cfm?load=page&page=36
http://www.popchurch.net/category/prayer/
http://acatholichomejournal.blogspot.com/2011/01/solemnity-of-mary-mother-of-god.html

Mary, Jesus, Pope John Paul II and Fr. Corapi

My last post had Mother Teresa in it.  This post has Pope John Paul II and more.  I guess I'm going for the heavy hitters.

While cleaning today, I came across a prayer card that I appreciate now more than ever.  The photo is wonderful.  Mary, the Mother of God on Earth, collects His blood in the Chalice for the rest of us to become like Him.  I am so thankful to have a spiritual mother.  She is always there when I need her.  She is always there when anyone needs her.

The prayer on the back is Pope John Paul II's Prayer For Life.  He was so humble.  He was so holy.  He was ProLife.  He  loved ProChoicers with the love of Christ.  He was a man of the world. He brought Jesus everywhere.  He celebrated Mass every day.  He prayed.  Today, I think of the situation with Fr. Corapi, and I pray that we as a Church, can follow in his footsteps, apply this Prayer For Life, and not let the Devil divide us.