59: The Spiritual Combat - Ch. 61-66

Episode #59.THE LAST SHOW ON SPIRITUAL COMBAT. Final Perseverance. Microwave culture. Repetition isn't always bad; sometimes it's good. Can't things be, if not good, at least not bad for too long? Living with reality. What is our first motion when we encounter difficulty - turning to God or becoming discouraged? Chronically trusting God. Muster up. The Sin of Presumption, I presume. Well, but I'm a good person, aren't I? Glory without merit. You know, there's not a lot of evidence that this guy made it. Does our "trying" flow into action? Forgiveness without conversion - not likely. Be prepared. Constitutive. First Commandment Christians and Second Commandment Christians. Contemplation precedes action. Always. D-Day is not the time for training. No one talks about the devil anymore. A glockenspiel for the end of the plague. Your deathbed is the wrong time for apologetic debates. The responsibility of a parent is to prepare their children for death - really, to make sure they get to heaven. A wreath of greenery, or unfading glory from God? Which will we choose? And in conclusion, my friends...

P.S.
Bonus Coverage

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Duration: 54:13
File size: 49.64 MB

Scripture:
Romans 8:28
Song of Songs

CCC:
2092

Related Resources:
The Spiritual Combat
Trent, Session 6, Chapter 12
Denzinger 805
John of the Cross: Living Flame of Love
Glockenspiel

58: The Spiritual Combat - Ch. 55-58

Episode #58. Shiny little globe. The Feast of Corpus Christi (for you guys, at least). Coveting liturgy. Mmmmmmm... iconostasis. God is the perfect good. Spiritual Communion. Recalling God's love for us. God can only create that which he wants. Untainted Love. God is not a vending machine. Our love, properly understood, is not for US, but for who we love, especially when we love God. Under the accidents of bread and wine, The Lord gives himself completely to us. The essence of sin is separation from God. Nothin' causes Him to do nothin' - so there. The "Grampafication" of God. I promise Just get me out of this trap, and I promise... I'll never try to get the cheese again! The PRIMARY prayer we prays should be: THY WILL BE DONE. A harsh lesson in "don't do that." Jesus didn't heal everyone - but that doesn't mean He doesn't love everyone. Spiritual Communion. I'll pray... sometime, I'm sure I will. Really. So it's a cliche, but the attitude of gratitude is still the correct. You can't have a divided heart. The offering of Christ to His Church and from the Church to Christ in the Eucharist. Transforming union. The end is near. Almost.

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Duration: 1:08:32
File size: 62.7 MB

Scripture:
Psalm95
Psalm106

Catechism:
1322

Related Resources:
The Spiritual Combat
Fr. Yuri Kolasa on CA Live
Iconostasis
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
Gaudium et Spes
The Theology of the Body

Not Into the Deep: Mike Lee Un-Skyped!

Bonus Coverage!! As you may have heard, Mike Lee is headed back the US for a couple of weeks of work, play, cheeseburgers, teaching, sushi, and fellowship! You can check out his schedule at the Friends of the Mike Lee Family

There will be talking, bowling, teaching, eating, and of course... more eating, talking, teaching and eating!

Right on.

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Duration: 13:47
File size: 12.6 MB

Pro-Family Policies...

While this might not be the exactly perfect solution, but it is the right kind of solution, and should be encouraged.

Across the advanced world, countries with larger public old-age pension systems tend to have lower fertility, even after accounting for a very wide range of other social and economic variables, such as income levels, female labor-force participation and schooling.

Before entitlement programs were developed, most people relied on their children to take care of them in old age. Entitlements socialized this arrangement: Now each generation relies on its children collectively.

The modern system minimizes the suffering of older people who were childless or unlucky. But it creates a free-rider problem. Some people make the financial sacrifices required to raise children, but everyone gets the benefits.

I guess I never really thought about this part, but it does makes sense:

By raising kids and paying payroll taxes, on the other hand, parents make two layers of contributions to the fiscal health of entitlements. This unfairness has consequences.

In the absence of Social Security and Medicare, many Americans, particularly those with high incomes, would simply save more for their own retirements. But many would also raise more kids.

Our old-age programs, as currently designed, harm both the economy and family formation. Supply-siders should seek to mitigate both distortions.

57: The Spiritual Combat - Ch. 53-58 & 60

Episode #57. Into the Deep: Another big chunk. The Most Terrible of all Weapons. Or... the Swedish Jesus. A Veggie Tales viking. Power in death, power over death. Barabbas means "son of the father" Vs. the True Son of the True Father. Going for the sword and power rather than God's power; power made perfect in weakness. Propagate the mystery of the Mystery. A better deal than the Apostles got. The Eucharist and spirituality. Ritualism which cancels the grace. Bad Thing. We get to choose because our favorite choice is to choose. Hasty generalizations. Rugged individualism: okay for running an economy, not so good as a way to get to heaven! Protecting the common good: Plato, Aristotle, St. Thomas... you know, those guys. Being the body of Christ, being built into the body of Christ, by the body of Christ! "We" (not "I") Receive the body of Christ to become the body of Christ. It's PUNISHMENT! Or... maybe it's healing? A book and a pair of scissors. Do we hide under a parachute, in a mysterious metaphysical way? Sacrilege. A tragedy. Jesus with skin on. Priests want to forget your confession - really! Driving to Jerome. Shutting up while one is ahead. Accidents, substances, and the close physical communion of the time immediately after receiving the Eucharist. Stunned into silence... we are, after all, Into the Deep. That's Right, and THE END.

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Duration: 59:53
File size: 54.83 MB

Scripture:
John 20

Related Resources:
The Spiritual Combat
Interior Castles
Henri de Lubac
Confessions
Ecclesia de Eucharistia
Congregation for Divine Worship: The Year of the Eucharist, Suggestions and Proposals
Lumen Gentium
The Monks in Jerome

Frank is Back...

Glad to see that Francis Beckwith has rejoined Feddie at Southern Appeal.

If you didn't know, Mr. Beckwith was an Evangelical Christian theologian who became a Catholic in 2007. Here's an interview he gave on the subject.

What do I have that is truly "mine"...

Well, according to this typically fantastic commentary by Fr. Cantalamessa, all we have that truly belongs to us is sin and misery...

Communion means exchange, sharing. Now, this is the fundamental rule of sharing: that which is mine is yours and what is yours is mine. Let’s try to apply this rule to Eucharistic communion. In doing so we will see its greatness.

What do I have that is truly “mine”? Misery, sin: This alone belongs to me exclusively. What does Jesus have that is “his” if not holiness, the perfection of all the virtues? So, communion consists in the fact that I give Jesus my sin and my poverty, and he gives me holiness. In this the “admirabile commercium,” or “wonderful exchange,” as the liturgy defines it, is realized.

The entire piece is about unity, but I couldn't help being struck by the line about what is truly ours, as I often forget that I should be thankful for my every breath as they are each a gift, and that all that is truly my own is my sin.

Family policy IS fiscal policy...

Jennifer Roback Morse has an interesting article up about the economic costs of the fractured nuclear family.

This is not, I think, any sort of attempt to reduce everything to economics, as a way to entice the fiscally-oriented to support family issues. Instead I think it's an effort to show those folks who are focused on social/cultural issues, and tend to ignore economic issues, that their "family" positions ARE economic positions. And to let them know that to ignore economics is to ignore the family.

56: The Spiritual Combat - Ch. 45-52 & 59

Episode #56. Into the Deep: Ever-effervescent. No chance for that hoped-for brevity. Suggestions not requirements. [cobbled]. Fundaments. 1. Yes. 2. No. 3. Not at this time. Those are the three answers to prayer. Garth Brooks? Weird Al? Petitionary prayer is good, but we ALSO need meditation; and we have to know what we're meditating on. The Passion of the Christ. Resurrection people, yes; but you can't get there without going through Good Friday. The Prodigal Son? How about his big brother? Yeah. Sensible devotion and dryness. A segue, nailed. The artifices of the devil. That's cuz you're so SMART. Suh-Mart. Smart. It was almost like, well... like a supernatural event. Heh. Set aside any notion of consolation. A divided heart. Loving ourselves through God... the Tony Robbins Prayer Plan - NOT. Hilarity ensued.

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Duration: 49:48
File size: 45.6 MB

Scripture:
Romans 5
Psalm 63


Related Resources:
The Spiritual Combat
Interior Castles
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Compare and Contrast...

Well... first, there's this guy, who uses the "New Deadly Sins" (mis)report to say that Catholics are anti-science hypocrites who should have no say over how policy is crafted. Bad.

On the other hand, this is interesting. Catholic legal and social thought (as opposed to leftist thought expressed by Catholics) has gotten pretty good exposure in this administration. This article is reasonably fair, too. Other than the bit at the end about Catholics wanting judges to "eventually outlaw [abortion]." Hardly anyone wants judges to outlaw abortion - we want judges to stop preventing the people from outlawing it. Letting the states decide would be a great step towards subsidiarity. Good. (LvNRO)

Mmmmm...Latin!

Heh. Documenta Latina

Amazing Experiences...

Two finals down, three to go. I needed a study break and just had to share this...

We have lived in Europe for nearly two years now. Although, much of it is very secularized there are still pockets of deep, Catholic beauty and culture to be found. This beauty breaks forth every now and again in the most amazing ways. These experiences are tremendous gifts of the Lord often easily overlooked but so rich and wonderful if seen for what they really are. I had one of those experiences today.

There is perpetual Adoration at the Kartause Maria Thron; the church where the International Theological Institute and the Franciscan University Austrian Program worship. The time is split between the students of both institutions. My family has an hour-and-a-half of Adoration on Saturday morning. I was there with the Lord when I heard quite a commotion behind me. This is not unusual in that there are many tours that come through the church - often through the Adoration chapel. I was trying to ignore them but caught a atypical sight in my peripheral vision, so I had to look. I was surprised to see about 20 Cistercian monks genuflecting and passing through to another chapel that is above the Adoration chapel. One of our instructors, Dr. Michael Waldstein, has a son who is a Cistercian at the Stift Heiligenkreuz. (Here are a few photos I took when we visited.) This monastery has been in continuous service to the Church since the 12th Century. It is amazing to think that they have been chanting the Divine Office in the same place continuously for about 900 years! They just got a record deal to sing plainchant for Universal (see article here). I hear that they have already recorded the album and now are in the midst of mixing it.

Anyway, as they filed past I realized what might be happening...YES!!! They went up to the chapel to sing the Office!! So imagine, I am alone with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament while listening to the Cistercian monks chant the Office in Latin! The acoustics of the chapel and the stairway where the chant proceeded down was magnificent. I sat there filled with the Presence of the Lord listening to the ancient praises being sung. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and wonder. Such a simple gift but so profound. It is amazing how the Lord is forever giving us little tokens of his love. It seems that we never have the time to pray. We must make it. When we do, God is never outdone in generosity. I will never forget those few minutes of chant and the gift of love that they were...


As a side-note, the cross with which the bishop blesses at the end of the video is the largest relic of the true Cross north of the Alps.

LOOK OUT BOISE, I AM COMING HOME!!

I am so excited! I just bought my ticket to come home for a couple weeks this summer. With that said, I'd like to announce:

“That They May Have Life, and Have It Abundantly: Spirituality and Theology in the Gospel of John for Today.”

What: A three-day mission.

Who: Me! :-)

Where: Nazareth Retreat Center; 4450 N. Five Mile Road, Boise

When: June 17, 18, 19

Time: Morning Session 10:00am-12:00pm
Evening Session 7:00pm-9:00pm

Cost: No cost - freewill donation.

Please bring a Bible, pen, and paper.

Description: We will dig deeply into the key themes and terms in the Gospel of John in order to deepen our relationship with the Blessed Trinity. Key themes and terms include: gift, glory, obedience, love, belief, "signs", kingship, and light to name a few. We will discover that the depth of the Gospel will draw us to know, live for, and love our Lord in a new and more profound manner. I hope to see you there!!

Clarification: The retreat/mission consists of 3-sessions. The same presentations will be made in the morning session and the evening session. You can mix and match at will! :-)

UPDATED: Mike has added additional sessions for “That They May Have Life, and Have It Abundantly: Spirituality and Theology in the Gospel of John for Today.”

WHEN: June 10, 11, 12; 7PM - 9PM

WHERE: Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Caldwell, Idaho.

055: The Spiritual Combat - Ch. 44

Episode #55. Prayer, of which we've discussed before. Occasionally. Listen to our previous podcasts on prayer. Confidence in God, and distrust of self. The Vital Necessity of prayer. Presumption... that's not good. Instead, try "fear of the Lord" - you know? Don't mistake the "holiness" of your surroundings for your own personal holiness. Yank out your bookmarks and throw them away! The problem is not giving it your best effort and making a mistake - but in not putting forth an effort. Don't be all legalistic about prayer. Concretize. The Catechism and prayer. Read it. The virtue lies primarily in the will. His will be done. Mmmm.. latin... No smooth roads in prayer. Be plucky. Raising kids right. Stick. Belly. Eeek. Thanks be to God for prayers answered. Diggin' holes. Three parables. We'd rather do it poorly than not do it at all.

Download as MP3

Duration: 47:48
File size: 43.7 MB

Scripture:
John 3:30
Philippians 2:7
Luke 11:5
Luke 18:1
Psalm 62:5


Catechism:
2744
2092
2558
2607
2613


Related Resources:
The Spiritual Combat
The Fulfillment of All Desire
Interior Castles
Introduction to the Devout Life

Working Man

Just returned from a Newsboys concert...

Mmmmm... Loud.

There was an opening band I'd never heard of before.. NewWorldSon.

They're quite good.