Escaping the Flood
Fr. John J. Ludvik tells us that finding God in situations like Noah encountered
is harder than trying to read the last line on a eye chart. Yet Noah,
leaning over the deck railing of his ship persevered and came to see
what his eyes were straining to behold: a distance shore and, with it,
the hand of God guiding the Ark to the safety of dry land.The rainbow—this most beautiful and transient of all things—is as we have heard, a reminder of God’s covenant. It is a sign of the close bond He established with us after the great flood. We may do enough things to provoke God’s anger, Fr. Alex McAllister SDS points out to us. But in this great covenant God says that he will be merciful to us. Although we have sinned he will hold back his anger; instead he will love us all the more.
Escaping to the Desert
In
Sunday’s gospel account we find Jesus right after His baptism by John
the Baptist in the river Jordan. But instead of immediately embarking
on His public ministry, Jesus puts himself in a place where time doesn’t matter.
He goes out into the desert for forty days and forty nights, there to
come to terms with who He is and what His life is to be all about, and
what sort of Messiah His Father has called Him to be. This was for Him,
explains Fr. Charles Irvin, a time full of great significance. He was
"driven out into the desert by the spirit." Fr. Orlando, Sapuay, MS suggests that we also should retreat to our own desert as a "great escape." But unlike Jesus who was temopted by teh devil, ours wouldn't be a source of "temptation". It would be a place where we might have the opportunity to reflect on all the love in our life - a God who constantly takes us to his heart and cares so much for us. And God's loving presence embodied in family and friends who are ready to be there for us, but sometimes never given the opportunity to be so because of the "crazed madness".
And so, as we begin Lent and relate the forty days the Lord spent in the desert to the forty days of Lent, Fr. Joseph Pellegrino counsels that we also can relate tests that we have had or may still have in our lives.
A Focus on Baptism
The Readings also focus on Baptism. In the First Reading, By Fr. Phil Bloom reminds us that we remember the covenant God made with Noah
– a covenant that God continues in the voice of conscience. And in the
Second Reading, St. Paul tells us that Noah prefigures baptism because
he and his family "were saved through water." During Lent we look
forward to the baptism of our elect - and the renewal of our own
baptism. Like our ancestors we often do not listen to that voice; we
give in to temptations. Jesus has a concrete plan of repentance that
includes prayer, fasting and financial sacrifice. Repent, and believe in
the gospel. And we challenge you with our burning question for the week: Why do Catholics baptize infants?
A Focus on Prayer
The
life-implication of Mark's gospel is that we must pray as Jesus prayed
if we hope to love God as he did with an undivided heart when our time
of trial is upon us. Fr. Campion P. Gavaler, OSB reminds us that our
task then is to sustain private prayer as a habit in our lives,
even if we have neither the insight nor the courage to see and address
all the double-standards and moral blind spots in our lives. We need to pray regularly. Fr. Ron Rolheiser tells us that if we sustain genuine prayer in our lives, eventually sincerity will weed out insincerity, selflessness will weed out selfishness, and grace will weed out sin.
And so, Fr. John Foley, S. J. suggests, what about letting each Lenten day partake of certain retreat practices? For instance, what about setting aside a little time daily to let your insides settle down for a while, to create space within you to welcome God. Maybe set up a special place in your house or elsewhere just to pray. And why not take some time to read in advance the Gospel from the upcoming Sunday Mass? Sit down, read it slowly, and let the scene described take place within your mind and heart.
Celebrating Lent
John Cardinal O’Connor gives us a Lenten homily on Scrupulosity.
He explains that those of us caught up in scrupulosity honestly
believe that forgiveness is impossible for us; God himself can not
forgive us despite the crucifixion of his Son. Scrupulosity always
involves fear: fear of dying without being able to get to confession,
fear of not being forgiven by Almighty God, fear of going to hell. It's
like having a little sharp stone in one's shoe. This - a sharp little
stone - by the way is what the Latin word scrupulus really means. And so the Catholic blogger that goes by the name of The Anchoress proposes we start Lent by going back to the Sacrament of Confession. If it has been a long time since you’ve been to Confession, she presents an an article that features two videos that can helpfully explain the process. And then Marcellino D'Ambrosio lists "40 Ways to Get the Most out of Lent." This, of course, is not an exhaustive list of Lenten ideas. But it’s a start!
Last year, at the Vatican, Pope Benedict celebrated Mass on Ash Wednesday at the Basilica of Santa Sabina, marking the start of Lent and the ancient tradition of the station churches in Rome. And following the station church tradition, the faithful this year also make their way to a different church each of the 40 days of Lent for Mass and the singing of the litany of the saints. The tradition started as early as the third century to honor the martyrs of Rome. Similar to the 15 meditations of the Stations of the Cross, the 40 designated station churches offer time for mediation on the lives of the martyrs and prayers of intercession to these Roman saints.
Yay! It's Lent!
Lent is a beautiful time the Church gives us every year to hope again in hard times and to turn our mourning into dancing. Fr. Peter deSousa explains. Mike Gormley agrees. he says Lent is the happiest of all seasons in the Church calendar and the most joyful of all times in life. Say what? Let's allow him to explain.
Meanwhile Msgr. Charles Pope tells us that on Lenten Sundays, rejoicing in the Lord must be our strength. Although Lent is a time of penance, ne reminds us that nevertheless Sunday remains a day of Joy. The Sundays of Lent are not numbered among the forty days of Lent. Between Ash Wednesday are 46 days. The extra six days are the Sundays of Lent.
Developing a Spiritual Wellness Program
Have you ever heard of something called a wellness program?
Maurice Blumberg says the idea behind it is to develop a lifestyle
that will keep you healthy and make you less vulnerable to illnesses
that require a doctor’s attention. The same applies to our spiritual
lives. Judith Costello explains that spiritual fitness is a process
of tuning into the silence of the heart in order to connect with God.
It’s not easy. But that step of finding some quiet time is only opening
the door of the gym. It’s the very basic first step. Lots of people
open the door, but seem to change their minds and shut it again!And if you're among those who are suffering this Lenten season, Mark Henderson offers five simple things a day you can do to stay sane. Simple activities such as gardening or mending a bicycle can protect mental health and help people to lead more fulfilled and productive lives, a panel of scientists has found.
More on the Sin of Artificial Contraception
Jennifer
Fulwiler reports that a couple of weeks ago, her parish priest gave a
homily about contraception. There were over a thousand people packed
into the building, and a slight but noticeable tension developed as he
inched closer and closer to the subject. The question of how the people
will react to a discussion about this most controversial Church teacing
was unexpectedly answered when, as Fr. Jonathan returned to his chair
at the side of the altar, the pews erupted in spontaneous, thunderous
applause. If there are priests out there wondering whether to take on this topic from the pulpit, consider that your congregation might already be telling you, "Father, We're Ready for that Homily on Contraception Now."
Candy, Lent & Elvis
We go to Hollywwod to close this week's edition. First we give you everyone's favorite Catholic comedian, Judy McDonald, who shares a few timely thoughts for this Lenten season. Dreaming of candy, she asks, what are you giving up for Lent?
And
expect a real nun wearing a habit to strut across the stage at this
year's Oscar Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26. Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B., a
former actress turned cloistered nun, will attend her first Academy
Awards show since 1959 to show support for “God is the Bigger Elvis,”
an Oscar-nominated documentary about her and her abbey. Mother
Dolores, 73, was an award-winning actress who performed in two Elvis
Presley movies. In 1963, she was about to sign a seven-figure contract
and was engaged to a Los Angeles businessman when she decided to join
the Benedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Conn, where she is
now prioress. Here's a related story we ran on her a few years back.For years, i've been telling you all that Catholicism is becoming mainstream. With the positive support the Church is getting from all corners in response to the HHS mandate, this highly visible Catholic display on Oscars nighty should make for an interesting evening in Hollywood. Catch the show this Sunday.
Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.
Keep the Faith. Peace.
Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief
BURNING QUESTION: Why do Catholics baptize babies?
FEATURED BLOG: Father, We're Ready for that Homily on Contraception Now
PASTORAL HISPANA: Jesus nos invita a ir al desierto con El
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--
The
scribes are shocked and scandalized to hear Jesus proclaim forgiveness
of sins. Instead of rejoicing to hear that this wonderful power is now
available, they chose to cling to their own narrow interpretation of
religion. Human knowledge alone is ultimately pessimistic. Fr. Phil
Bloom sees this example in the way many "Catholics" today are handling
the contraception mandate. He points out that what we are witnessing is 
For hundreds of years, Fr. Orlando, Sapuay, M.S. explains, the people of Israel had been 
As
always with the Gospels there are some interesting points to note. In
this Gospel story, the obvious point made was how it was the man’s
friends who brought him to Jesus and surmounted great obstacles -
bringing the sick man through the roof - on his behalf. Jesus himself
recognises their faith and the implication by Mark is that it is not
because of the paralytic’s faith but because of the faith of his friends
that Jesus heals him.
What are you thinking, my brothers and sisters, Fr. Richard Lifrak SSCC asks. Do you sometimes 
Lent
starts next week on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012. It's the one day of
the year when the churches are most packed. Once can't help but marvel
at how many people pack into Church to get ashes on their forehead.
Even sadder, many of them don’t seem to want communion as much. In fact
significant numbers walk out the door after ashes are given and do not
stay for communion. 
Before
Ash Wednesday comes Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras and the traditional King's
cake or pancakes. Although the drinking, revelry and debauchery
associated with the festival of Mardi Gras may not seem to have any
association with religion, the truth is that without one of the holiest
of Catholic holidays, this highly festive celebration would not exist
at all. Danielle Rose explains 
Finally,
with official unemployment at just under 9% (the real percentage is
probably much higher), it is likely that we all know friends and family
affected by this tough economy. It may be difficult to admit, but at
some point we run out of helpful advice. We may even start to avoid
these wonderful people who need our assistance because we feel
embarrassed that we don’t know what to do or how to help. What is the
solution? Randy Hain offers "
The
leper approached Jesus and while kneeling cried, "If you wish, you can
make me clean." Fr. Phil Bloom says this plea contained 
This gospel story gives us a beautiful picture of
From Washinton DC, Msgr. Charles Pope rebuts 
From
Hollywood, a recenlt released new study done over a decade surprised
many entertainment insiders. Wanna make money in Hollywood? Release
patriotic movies that promote conservative values and do not denigrate
Christianity. 
Sunday's
Scripture readings find poor Job saying that life is nothing but
drudgery. Every so often, we also hear someone lament how life just
seems like a series of problems. Do you ever feel this way? Perhaps this
has been a particularly difficult week for you. Certainly, as a
country, it seems as if we just move from one crisis to another. Perhaps
we can gain some insight from the Sunday Readings on how to deal with
these feelings. 
Today's Gospel presents 
The
HHS contraception mandate of Obamacare remains a very volatile issue
between Catholics and teh Obama administration. Rev. Robert Barron
continues the discussion be reflecting on how the mainstream media has
clearly identified the Catholic Church as the enemy. He does, however,
find a back-handed compliment in this. Liberal totalitarians understand
now that 
This
entire week is Catholic Schools Week. And I would like to point out one
way in which every Catholic benefits from Catholics schools: Catholic
schools produce vocations to the priesthood and religious life. It is
particularly fitting that we consider this benefit this week on January
31, the feast of St. John Bosco – the schools which he founded produced 
How
can we make sense of the suffering we see around us? Sometimes we feel
so overwhelmed. Sometimes we feel so weary just trying to make a
difference in our small corners of the world. Bo Sanchez offers two
reflections this week. In "
Finally, we go back 100 years to 1910 and look with amazement at 
