Q. What do the letters I.N.R.I. above the cross stand for and what is the meaning?
John 19:19-20 gives us the answer to this question.
"And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin." (KJV).
The letters I.N.R.I. represent the first letters of the Latin inscription "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum."
Taken from http://www.scborromeo.org/glad/c12.htm#q12
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Catholic FAQ: Abstaining from Meat on Fridays
Q. Why can't you eat meat on Fridays during Lent?
Q. During Lent we do not eat meat on Fridays. Isn't fish considered meat?
Q. Why do you give up stuff for Lent?
The practice of abstinence (doing without certain things) goes back to the Old Testament and the Jewish dietary laws which were carried over into parts of the early Christian church until the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15). The theological reasoning is that it is a method of atoning for sin since chastising the body brings it under control of the spirit. Abstinence is first mentioned in a Church document in a decree of the Council of Toledo in the year A.D. 447 where the custom was to abstain primarily from meat on all Fridays and on days of penance. Canon 1251 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law prescribes "abstinence from meat, or from some other food as decided upon by the Episcopal Conference (conference of bishops) on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday."
The National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States made abstinence from meat mandatory on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent and recommended that it be observed on all Fridays of the year but has allowed individual Catholics to substitute another penance on Fridays if they could not abstain from meat. For purposes of abstinence, fish is not considered to be meat because it comes from a cold-blooded animal rather than a warm-blooded one.
Secondarily, early Christian art and literature used fish as a symbol of the Eucharist because the Greek word for fish, ichthus, is an acrostic (the first letters form the word) for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."
The 40 days of Lent (Sundays are excluded from the count since we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord on this day) signify the change which we wish to make in our life. Throughout Holy Scripture, the number 40 signifies a time of change. During this time abstinence from something, whether it be sweets, coffee or TV is an offering to God and a method of prayer. Every time we are tempted by whatever we have decided to abstain from, we are to remind ourselves that we have given this up for God so that He can bring us closer to Him.
Recommended reading:
Father Sheedy's Ask Me A Question, Our Sunday Visitor, Huntington, IN 46750, 1989, pages 15-16
Q. During Lent we do not eat meat on Fridays. Isn't fish considered meat?
Q. Why do you give up stuff for Lent?
The practice of abstinence (doing without certain things) goes back to the Old Testament and the Jewish dietary laws which were carried over into parts of the early Christian church until the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15). The theological reasoning is that it is a method of atoning for sin since chastising the body brings it under control of the spirit. Abstinence is first mentioned in a Church document in a decree of the Council of Toledo in the year A.D. 447 where the custom was to abstain primarily from meat on all Fridays and on days of penance. Canon 1251 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law prescribes "abstinence from meat, or from some other food as decided upon by the Episcopal Conference (conference of bishops) on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday."
The National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States made abstinence from meat mandatory on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent and recommended that it be observed on all Fridays of the year but has allowed individual Catholics to substitute another penance on Fridays if they could not abstain from meat. For purposes of abstinence, fish is not considered to be meat because it comes from a cold-blooded animal rather than a warm-blooded one.
Secondarily, early Christian art and literature used fish as a symbol of the Eucharist because the Greek word for fish, ichthus, is an acrostic (the first letters form the word) for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."
The 40 days of Lent (Sundays are excluded from the count since we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord on this day) signify the change which we wish to make in our life. Throughout Holy Scripture, the number 40 signifies a time of change. During this time abstinence from something, whether it be sweets, coffee or TV is an offering to God and a method of prayer. Every time we are tempted by whatever we have decided to abstain from, we are to remind ourselves that we have given this up for God so that He can bring us closer to Him.
Recommended reading:
Father Sheedy's Ask Me A Question, Our Sunday Visitor, Huntington, IN 46750, 1989, pages 15-16
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Forgetful Servant
By Jon Walker
“All of you, serve each other in humility, for God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5 NLT)
Serving others requires forgetfulness on your part: You need to forget your own needs.
You cannot be self-centered and serve the real needs of another person. “Don’t be selfish ...,” Paul says in Philippians 2:3, “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.” (NLT)
Jesus gave his disciples an example of this humility when he stooped to wash their feet: “So during the meal Jesus stood up and took off his outer clothing. Taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:4-5 NCV)
Foot-washing was customary back then (not just for pedicures!) because people wore sandals or walked barefoot on dusty roads. Usually a host had his servants do the dirty chore, but Jesus saved this service for himself, “taking the very nature of a servant ….” (Philippians 2:7 NIV)
It is interesting to note that the disciples hadn’t already taken care of the dirty feet, not even slipping into a self-service scrub. Could it be they considered this task beneath their dignity?
But it wasn’t beneath Jesus.
He placed his disciples’ needs above his own – even as he approached his darkest hour.
So what?
· The forgetful servant – The life of a servant requires a kind of forgetfulness, the ability to forget our own needs in the process of tending to someone else’s. “We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't please himself.” (Romans 15:2-3 NLT) Look to the needs of others, and trust God to supply your own needs. (Philippians 4:19)
· Live well for others – “We want to live well,” Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:24 (MSG), “but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well.” Everyone we serve is someone important to serve.
· Do what Jesus does – “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14 NIV) How would this change your marriage (or some other family), if you began to serve one other person before you considered your own needs?
http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/devarchive.aspx?ARCHIVEID=2215Sunday, February 8, 2009
BSC Lenten Campaign For The Poor 2009
Watch Out
for this much-anticipated event
coming soon from this
1st March 2009!
"In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of
the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me."
Matt 25:40
BSC Lenten Campaign For The Poor 2009
Opening Mass
1st March 2009; 10.45am
Blessed Sacrament Church
Blessed Sacrament Church
Friday, January 9, 2009
Losing the spark?
Q: I just started college, and slowly I am turning away from the Church. I know I shouldn't and I try to still live a holy life, but my heart isn't into it. Can you offer any advice that can help me get my heart in the right place?
Man, you bring up a question that all of us have to deal with at some point in our lives. Whose faith is it anyway?
It's easy to question what purpose the Mass and our faith community may serve in our lives as we grow older. Sometimes we try to find ourselves by breaking away from the context of our childhood, which is common for cradle Catholics. We lose sight of the reality of a community faith and forget the nourishment, both psychological and spiritual, that grows from being a part of it. So let me offer a suggestion in three parts by looking at the words that we use for the Mass.
The word Mass itself comes from a Latin word "Missa." It means "to be sent," and today we use the same concept when the Priest gives the final blessing, saying, "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord." We are supposed to be sent into the world to live our faith.
God has given us something much more precious than we can even understand right now.
Eucharist comes from a Greek word that means "to return thanks." It's a verb, an action. So being part of the Mass should mean being an active participant. Not just having some vaguely religious thoughts float through our minds, but actually taking part in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Compare it to other acts of thanksgiving in your life. If someone gives you a terrific gift, you don't just think pleasant thoughts about that person inside your mind while keeping your voice silent and your body motionless. You do something to give or return tanks. You at least say it out loud and give that person a hug, maybe write a thank you note or send a card, or perhaps even do a little something special, too. God has given us something much more precious than we can even understand right now. It's called salvation from death. It's called eternal life. That's big stuff; as big as it gets. We need to say thanks. We need to do thanks. That's what the Eucharist is all about.
The word Liturgy gives us another insight into what the Mass is all about. It's another Greek word, and it means "a public work of service." The main thing is that it's something people do, or build, together.
There is an Amish tradition of the community coming together to build a house or a barn for a newly married rural couple. Building the house or barn is really a celebration what they're all about as a community, and the house or barn they build is a gift (I watched "Witness" 100 times so I know this).
Well, Liturgy is something like that. God doesn't need a new barn; and that's not the gift we give when we do Liturgy. We give Jesus, the perfect gift. Jesus becomes present on our Altar. He's just as real there, just as present there, as He was to Mary and Joseph as a baby in Bethlehem. Just as real and just as present there as He was to Peter and James and John and Mary and Martha and all those other people two thousand years ago in Galilee. He only looks different. He looks like bread; He looks like wine, but remember what the Bible says:
"Take and eat it, this is my body. Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant" -Matthew 26:26-27
That was His choice of how to be remembered, how to be present, how to live the gift of His life for us, how He wanted us to come together and celebrate what we're all about.
This celebration of the Mass looks and feels different from one time to another, from one church to another. The truth of the celebration remains the same no matter where ever you are, but the style and feel of the community varies. The Mass can be very formal and austere as in many Cathedrals. Or the Mass can also feel more like home, like a family gathering. Both atmospheres offer a distinct experience of the Mass, and we may prefer one over the other, but when we come to Mass, we're all still a family gathering together, and there are many different styles of doing that. Try to enjoy all the different ways of celebrating these things. And never forget what is really happening there.
Imagine that Jesus shows up on your doorstep one Sunday. He's carrying songbooks and magazines and sketchbooks. He says, "I'd like to plan the perfect Mass and I want your help." Draw or write about the perfect Mass that you and Jesus plan together. Consider the following questions:
What is the most important message you want to get across to everyone who comes?
* Who would you and Jesus want to be there?
* Where would the perfect Mass be?
* Who would celebrate the Mass?
* Would there be music? What kind?
* What would happen during Mass?
* What would you and Jesus change about the Mass now? Why?
* What would you keep?
* What would you do during Mass?
* How would your Mass change people? How would that carry into their lives?
I hope doing the exercise above helps you to see that you have some pretty decent ideas about the liturgy. Maybe the people in your parish or school who plan liturgies could use some of your ideas. Or maybe your parish youth group is looking for someone like you to help plan a special liturgy for people your age. Ask a parent, teacher, catechist, or pastor for ways to put your ideas to work.
Meanwhile, we haven't yet done anything to change those Sunday Masses that may leave you feeling less than enthusiastic. You may need to look for ways to pump up your interest, and these ways don't all have to be deeply holy, officially religious things. God accepts us at Mass for whatever reason gets us there. Search for the golden nugget. Hidden inside every liturgy is that little something that will talk to you if you look for it and listen to it. It makes you think, raises an interest.
Please know that you are in my prayers.
http://www.lifeteen.com/default.aspx?PageID=FJQADETAIL&__DocumentID=856
Man, you bring up a question that all of us have to deal with at some point in our lives. Whose faith is it anyway?
It's easy to question what purpose the Mass and our faith community may serve in our lives as we grow older. Sometimes we try to find ourselves by breaking away from the context of our childhood, which is common for cradle Catholics. We lose sight of the reality of a community faith and forget the nourishment, both psychological and spiritual, that grows from being a part of it. So let me offer a suggestion in three parts by looking at the words that we use for the Mass.
The word Mass itself comes from a Latin word "Missa." It means "to be sent," and today we use the same concept when the Priest gives the final blessing, saying, "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord." We are supposed to be sent into the world to live our faith.
God has given us something much more precious than we can even understand right now.
Eucharist comes from a Greek word that means "to return thanks." It's a verb, an action. So being part of the Mass should mean being an active participant. Not just having some vaguely religious thoughts float through our minds, but actually taking part in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Compare it to other acts of thanksgiving in your life. If someone gives you a terrific gift, you don't just think pleasant thoughts about that person inside your mind while keeping your voice silent and your body motionless. You do something to give or return tanks. You at least say it out loud and give that person a hug, maybe write a thank you note or send a card, or perhaps even do a little something special, too. God has given us something much more precious than we can even understand right now. It's called salvation from death. It's called eternal life. That's big stuff; as big as it gets. We need to say thanks. We need to do thanks. That's what the Eucharist is all about.
The word Liturgy gives us another insight into what the Mass is all about. It's another Greek word, and it means "a public work of service." The main thing is that it's something people do, or build, together.
There is an Amish tradition of the community coming together to build a house or a barn for a newly married rural couple. Building the house or barn is really a celebration what they're all about as a community, and the house or barn they build is a gift (I watched "Witness" 100 times so I know this).
Well, Liturgy is something like that. God doesn't need a new barn; and that's not the gift we give when we do Liturgy. We give Jesus, the perfect gift. Jesus becomes present on our Altar. He's just as real there, just as present there, as He was to Mary and Joseph as a baby in Bethlehem. Just as real and just as present there as He was to Peter and James and John and Mary and Martha and all those other people two thousand years ago in Galilee. He only looks different. He looks like bread; He looks like wine, but remember what the Bible says:
"Take and eat it, this is my body. Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant" -Matthew 26:26-27
That was His choice of how to be remembered, how to be present, how to live the gift of His life for us, how He wanted us to come together and celebrate what we're all about.
This celebration of the Mass looks and feels different from one time to another, from one church to another. The truth of the celebration remains the same no matter where ever you are, but the style and feel of the community varies. The Mass can be very formal and austere as in many Cathedrals. Or the Mass can also feel more like home, like a family gathering. Both atmospheres offer a distinct experience of the Mass, and we may prefer one over the other, but when we come to Mass, we're all still a family gathering together, and there are many different styles of doing that. Try to enjoy all the different ways of celebrating these things. And never forget what is really happening there.
Imagine that Jesus shows up on your doorstep one Sunday. He's carrying songbooks and magazines and sketchbooks. He says, "I'd like to plan the perfect Mass and I want your help." Draw or write about the perfect Mass that you and Jesus plan together. Consider the following questions:
What is the most important message you want to get across to everyone who comes?
* Who would you and Jesus want to be there?
* Where would the perfect Mass be?
* Who would celebrate the Mass?
* Would there be music? What kind?
* What would happen during Mass?
* What would you and Jesus change about the Mass now? Why?
* What would you keep?
* What would you do during Mass?
* How would your Mass change people? How would that carry into their lives?
I hope doing the exercise above helps you to see that you have some pretty decent ideas about the liturgy. Maybe the people in your parish or school who plan liturgies could use some of your ideas. Or maybe your parish youth group is looking for someone like you to help plan a special liturgy for people your age. Ask a parent, teacher, catechist, or pastor for ways to put your ideas to work.
Meanwhile, we haven't yet done anything to change those Sunday Masses that may leave you feeling less than enthusiastic. You may need to look for ways to pump up your interest, and these ways don't all have to be deeply holy, officially religious things. God accepts us at Mass for whatever reason gets us there. Search for the golden nugget. Hidden inside every liturgy is that little something that will talk to you if you look for it and listen to it. It makes you think, raises an interest.
Please know that you are in my prayers.
http://www.lifeteen.com/default.aspx?PageID=FJQADETAIL&__DocumentID=856
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Confession Session
Are you scared of confession?
Heard about this one yet?
The new priest is nervous about hearing confessions, so he asks an older priest to sit in on his sessions. The new priest hears several confessions, then the old priest asks him to step out of the confessional for a few suggestions.
The old priest suggests, "Cross your arms over your chest and rub your chin with one hand." The new priest tries this.
The old priest suggests, "Try saying things like, 'I see, yes, go on, and I understand, how did you feel about that?" The new priest says those things, trying them out.
The old priest says, "Now, don't you think that's a little better than slapping your knee and saying, 'No way! What happened next?'"
Undo
- Rush of Fools
I've been here before, now here I am again
Standing at the door, praying You'll let me back in
To label me a prodigal would be
Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be
[Chorus]
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You�re the only one who can undo
What I've become
I focused on the score, but I could never win
Trying to ignore, a life of hiding my sin
To label me a hypocrite would be
Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be
[Chorus]
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You�re the only one who can undo
What I've become
Make every step lead me back to
The sovereign way that You
[Chorus]
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You�re the only one who can undo
What I've become
"They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, 'Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!'" - Mk 6:50
SITUATION EXPLAINED
What are you scared of? Dying? Losing a loved one? Public speaking? The dark? Not getting into the college you want? Getting fired? Sharks? Snakes? Taxes? Tap water? How about Confession? I don't know about you, but there were times I've been in line for confession and wished that I were getting fired, doing taxes or swimming with sharks, instead.
SOLUTION OFFERED
Maybe you've never been scared of confession (consider yourself lucky) because...whoa, it REALLY used to scare me. I thought about what used to make me so uncomfortable about confession ....here's MY top ten (see how many you can relate to):
1. It's never easy to admit that I'm wrong.
2. It's never easy to admit to someone else that I'm wrong
3. Standing in line made me even more nervous...heart pounding, palms sweating.
4. The confessional "box" scared me.
5. I hoped that the priest wouldn't recognize my voice.
6. I would talk REALLY softly to be sure the people waiting outside couldn't hear me.
7. If the priest did recognize my voice, I hoped that he wouldn't remember my sins.
8. I was worried the priest would tell someone, maybe even my parents.
9. I would try to sandwich the "big sins" in the middle of the small ones.
10. I was scared I'd forget the "Act of Contrition," and hoped that the penance was easy.
What I want to say is that it's OKAY if you get nervous about confession.....it's just not necessary. Ask yourself this question, why would Jesus give us the gift of confession if He wanted to make us miserable? Why would Jesus WANT us to be afraid?
The answer? He doesn't. God isn't trying to scare us....Jesus doesn't want us to dread confession more than a trip to the dentist. The problem isn't with the GIFT that Jesus gives us in reconciliation, the problem is with us, and how we react to and misunderstand the gift. He tells us fourteen times in the gospels, "Do not be afraid." (see bottom for list)
Jesus is NOT a liar.....confession is a gift that He gave to us. Now, obviously, I don't expect you to read this and "all of the sudden" stop being afraid of confession. I can offer you one thought from personal experience, though. If you ever say to yourself, "When I pray, I just don't hear anything," or if you ever just feel like when you pray, your prayers are hitting the ceiling....that's when I know that it's been too long since I went to confession. Sin acts as a barrier between us and God, it muffles God's voice and makes it more difficult for us to hear Him. Confession destroys that barrier of sin, and allows God's voice to be heard more clearly again.
Try to get to Confession this week, especially if you haven't been in a while.....TRUST me...you'll be glad that you did. Take the initiative, make the time, and do it. Do it for yourself. ACCEPT the gift of His forgiveness.
SALVATION GIVEN
"They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, 'Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!'" - Mk 6:50
Don't wait another day......everything else can wait.....it's time for some spiritual house cleaning.
DO NOT BE AFRAID!" - MT 10:26, MT 10:28, MT 10:31, MT 14:27, MT 17:7, MT 28:10, MK 5:36, MK 6:50, LK 5:10, LK 8:50, LK 12:4, LK 12:7, LK 12:32, JN 6:20
Adapted from LIFE TEEN's "Spread the Word" by Mark Hart
Heard about this one yet?
The new priest is nervous about hearing confessions, so he asks an older priest to sit in on his sessions. The new priest hears several confessions, then the old priest asks him to step out of the confessional for a few suggestions.
The old priest suggests, "Cross your arms over your chest and rub your chin with one hand." The new priest tries this.
The old priest suggests, "Try saying things like, 'I see, yes, go on, and I understand, how did you feel about that?" The new priest says those things, trying them out.
The old priest says, "Now, don't you think that's a little better than slapping your knee and saying, 'No way! What happened next?'"
Undo
- Rush of Fools
I've been here before, now here I am again
Standing at the door, praying You'll let me back in
To label me a prodigal would be
Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be
[Chorus]
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You�re the only one who can undo
What I've become
I focused on the score, but I could never win
Trying to ignore, a life of hiding my sin
To label me a hypocrite would be
Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be
[Chorus]
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You�re the only one who can undo
What I've become
Make every step lead me back to
The sovereign way that You
[Chorus]
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You�re the only one who can undo
What I've become
Friday, November 14, 2008
Mass - Boring?
Q: How can I get more out of the readings at Mass? They’re so boring sometimes.
I want to say that I really appreciate your honesty. Probably 95 percent of the people reading this right now have felt that some way at one point or another. (The other 5 percent are lying about it.)
Let me ask you a few questions, and offer a few ideas and solutions.
1. Where are you sitting and who are you sitting next to?
Speaking for me, I have a short attention span, and if I am sitting next to someone who might “take my attention” out of Mass by something they say or do, than I’m not putting myself in a position to listen. Read 1 Cor. 7:35.
Solution - Get as close to the altar area as you can, and try not to sit next to any friends who might distract you
2. If I were to ask you, right after Mass, what books the readings (you heard at Mass) came from…on most Sundays would you be able to tell me?
Most Catholics can’t tell you where the readings came from if you are to ask them. That might not seem like a real big deal, but it actually tells us a few things. It tells us that people have selective listening…that “who” the message was written to, is not as important as the message itself. While that may be true, most of the time we don’t understand the Scriptures because we don’t understand what was going on when they were being written. The audience and situation are huge when trying to understand what an author is trying to get across in scripture. Read 2 Cor. 11:3, 1 John 2:12.
Solution - Read the Sunday Mass readings at least once or twice before you go to Church. If you don’t know where they are, check your Church bulletin…most bulletins list the readings. By reading ahead of time you’re putting yourself in a position to get so much more out of the Mass. Also, if there’s something you don’t understand, you’ll have a chance to ask someone about it before Mass.
3. What if I sit closer and read them ahead of time but I still don’t “get anything” out of them?
Many Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the Real Presence, the TRUE Body and Blood, but statistics tell us that most do not. (That breaks my heart). Still, for the Catholics that do believe in the Real Presence, it is usually much easier to “experience God” in the Eucharist than it is in His Word. Why is that? While the Eucharist is a very unique and special presence of God, is God any less present in His Scriptures? Absolutely not. So the key is to begin to experience and appreciate God in the Word with the same desire we have to experience Him in the Eucharist. Read Luke 4:4.
Solution - Pray and ask the Lord to open your eyes to His Word in a new way, to fill you with a passion to read it more frequently, and a trust in its ability to transform your life. Start praying this everyday. You won’t be the same if you do.
Keep reading…whatever you do…keep reading.
http://www.lifeteen.com/default.aspx?PageID=BGQADETAIL&__DocumentId=446
I want to say that I really appreciate your honesty. Probably 95 percent of the people reading this right now have felt that some way at one point or another. (The other 5 percent are lying about it.)
Let me ask you a few questions, and offer a few ideas and solutions.
1. Where are you sitting and who are you sitting next to?
Speaking for me, I have a short attention span, and if I am sitting next to someone who might “take my attention” out of Mass by something they say or do, than I’m not putting myself in a position to listen. Read 1 Cor. 7:35.
Solution - Get as close to the altar area as you can, and try not to sit next to any friends who might distract you
2. If I were to ask you, right after Mass, what books the readings (you heard at Mass) came from…on most Sundays would you be able to tell me?
Most Catholics can’t tell you where the readings came from if you are to ask them. That might not seem like a real big deal, but it actually tells us a few things. It tells us that people have selective listening…that “who” the message was written to, is not as important as the message itself. While that may be true, most of the time we don’t understand the Scriptures because we don’t understand what was going on when they were being written. The audience and situation are huge when trying to understand what an author is trying to get across in scripture. Read 2 Cor. 11:3, 1 John 2:12.
Solution - Read the Sunday Mass readings at least once or twice before you go to Church. If you don’t know where they are, check your Church bulletin…most bulletins list the readings. By reading ahead of time you’re putting yourself in a position to get so much more out of the Mass. Also, if there’s something you don’t understand, you’ll have a chance to ask someone about it before Mass.
3. What if I sit closer and read them ahead of time but I still don’t “get anything” out of them?
Many Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the Real Presence, the TRUE Body and Blood, but statistics tell us that most do not. (That breaks my heart). Still, for the Catholics that do believe in the Real Presence, it is usually much easier to “experience God” in the Eucharist than it is in His Word. Why is that? While the Eucharist is a very unique and special presence of God, is God any less present in His Scriptures? Absolutely not. So the key is to begin to experience and appreciate God in the Word with the same desire we have to experience Him in the Eucharist. Read Luke 4:4.
Solution - Pray and ask the Lord to open your eyes to His Word in a new way, to fill you with a passion to read it more frequently, and a trust in its ability to transform your life. Start praying this everyday. You won’t be the same if you do.
Keep reading…whatever you do…keep reading.
http://www.lifeteen.com/default.aspx?PageID=BGQADETAIL&__DocumentId=446
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