Monthly Archives: November 2008

Confession and Politics

Posted on November 30, 2008 by Deacon Bob

Take a look at The Modesto Bee, the Nov. 29 edition. (www.modbee.com).  An article about the local Catholic pastor advising his flock to return to the confessional if they voted for Obama.  According to the Modesto Bee, Fr. Joseph Illo … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Politics | 6 Comments

Hans Küng “On Being A Christian”

Posted on November 29, 2008 by Deacon Bob

I wrote a paper a while back on Hans Küng’s book, On Being a Christian.  An awful lot in the book, but it brought me back to the question of whether our Christology needs to be “bottom up”, or “top … Continue reading →

Posted in Christology | 2 Comments

Forgiveness and Gratitude

Posted on November 27, 2008 by Deacon Bob

Have been still thinking about forgiveness.  The Gospel reading our pastor used at Mass for Thanksgiving, and his homily, spoke to the point again.  The Gospel was the parable of Jesus healing ten men, only one of whom returned to … Continue reading →

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Pope Benedict on Faith and Works

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Deacon Bob

Pope Benedict said last Wednesday: ”For this reason Luther’s phrase: ‘faith alone’ is true, if it is not opposed to faith in charity, in love.  Faith is looking at Christ, entrusting oneself to Christ, being united to Christ, conformed to Christ, … Continue reading →

Posted in Sacraments, Scripture | Leave a comment

FOCA, the Death Penalty, and War

Posted on November 25, 2008 by Deacon Bob

The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is back in play it would seem, thanks to Obama’s win and the pro-choice advantage in the Congress.  If there is one issue that gets me boiling, it is this.  I simply refuse to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality | 2 Comments

Forgiveness

Posted on November 24, 2008 by Deacon Bob

In reading a book on the train today about marital infidelity, I discovered that the author came at the conclusion of her book to the subject of forgiveness.  She said that to offer forgiveness to one who does not acknowledge … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality | 2 Comments

St. Cecelia

Posted on November 22, 2008 by Deacon Bob

Memorial of St. Cecelia today.  What a wonderful reading this morning from St. Augustine on song.  He asks us to consider who would dare present themselves before the Lord who knows well the melodies of our lives, of our hearts. … Continue reading →

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Collegiality and Infallibility

Posted on November 21, 2008 by Deacon Bob

Started to read a book recently about the power struggles in the Church during the late 19th and 20th centuries.  Was referring to papal authority especially and the pontificates of Pius IX and Pius XII. I often wonder how reunification … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology | Leave a comment

Presentation of Mary

Posted on November 21, 2008 by Deacon Bob

Today’s memorial brings to mind what Augustine wrote in the second reading from the Office.  He says that Mary’s discipleship was of greater importance than her maternity of Jesus.  At first, this struck me.  Then, I thought that this certainly … Continue reading →

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The Dedication of the Basilicas St. Peter and St. Paul

Posted on November 18, 2008 by Deacon Bob

I am celebrating today’s optional memorial as I pray the Office.  I have so many memories of these two basilicas in Rome, and have spent considerable time in each, especially St. Peter’s in the Vatican.  I had what I consider … Continue reading →

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Monday of the 33rd Week

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Deacon Bob

I was lector at the 6:30 AM Mass this morning, so I proclaimed the reading from the beginning of the book of Revelation.  John wrote that the one who reads and proclaims these words is blessed and those who listen … Continue reading →

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St. Albert the Great

Posted on November 15, 2008 by Deacon Bob

Today is the feast of St. Albert.  He wrote a wonderful little piece on the Eucharist which I would like to share.  My translation, again, from the Italian: “‘He that eats of me will live by me’ (John 6.57).  Nothing … Continue reading →

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Friday of the 32nd Week of the Year

Posted on November 14, 2008 by Deacon Bob

The Office of Readings, as it typically does, has an interesting reflection this morning in the second reading.  An anonymous author from the 2nd Century in a homily wrote (my translation from the Italian):   “Fasting is worth more than prayer, … Continue reading →

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Church Struggles

Posted on November 14, 2008 by Deacon Bob

A local newsreporter for the Winona Daily News wrote the following in today’s (Nov. 14, ’08) online edition:  “If you need a reason to stay away from the Church, you can always come up with a  host of sore points.  … Continue reading →

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Hispanic Church

Posted on November 12, 2008 by Deacon Bob

I was reading last night a short history of the Hispanic experience in the American Catholic Church.  One thing struck me.  The Hispanic way of being Catholic is very different that the Euro-American way of being Catholic.  Hispanic Catholicism took … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology | 4 Comments

USCCB – More News

Posted on November 12, 2008 by Deacon Bob

Want to highlight a few of the comments the bishops are making at their fall meeting.  Bishop Joseph Martino of Scranton:  “we are going to have to speak as firmly as possibly to Catholic politicians who are not merely reluctant … Continue reading →

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USCCB’s Fall Assembly Baltimore

Posted on November 11, 2008 by Deacon Bob

I’d like to share another quote today, from Cardinal George at the Bishop’s fall assembly in Baltimore, currently convened. “We are, perhaps, at a moment when, with the grace of God, all races are safely within the American consensus.  We are not … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology | 2 Comments

USCCB – Quote By Cardinal George

Posted on November 10, 2008 by Deacon Bob

Found this quote on blog moderated by Greg Kandra today.  What do you think? “The common good can never be adequately incarnated in any society when those waiting to be born can be legally killed at choice.  If the Supreme Court Dred … Continue reading →

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Pope Leo the Great

Posted on November 10, 2008 by Deacon Bob

Yesterday was the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of John Lateran, and today is the memorial of Leo the Great.  An appropriate juxtaposition of celebrations it would seem.  Leo held back the barbarians from the city of Rome, … Continue reading →

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Natural Law and Discourse in Ethics

Posted on November 8, 2008 by Deacon Bob

The topic of sexual ethics surfaced today in a sacramental theology seminar in which I was a participant. All one needs to do is scratch the surface on any aspect of sexual behavior, and you will get a strident response … Continue reading →

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