One Hour Fast Before Eucharist: Is Water Included in the Fast?

Our discussion last night included the question, "Is water included in the one hour fast?" Well, brothers and sisters, here's the quote from Canon 919, in the book of Canon Law:

Can. 919 #1 Whoever is to receive the Blessed Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before Holy Communion from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water and medicine. #2 A priest who, on the same day, celebrates the Blessed Eucharist twice or three times may consume something before the second or third celebration, even though there is not an hour's interval. #3 The elderly and those who are suffering from some illness, as well as those who care for them, may receive the Blessed Eucharist even if within the preceding hour they have consumed something.

Now, for those of you who had to do the fasting from midnight on before Sunday Mass prior to the change in Canon Law, rejoice! Our fathers and shepherds are trying to remove unnecessary restrictions for people to come and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. It's a pastoral change they are able to make and rightly so, given the implications medically, spiritually and even emotionally that comes from too harsh of restrictions.

For those who are irritated at the change, why are you irritated? Permit me to list several questions to help you see what applies to you to help you through this:

1. Have you someone you care about suffered enormously in the past because of the previous restrictions and are needing some soul care?

2. Are you angry that people nowadays don't have to go through the trouble you went through when you were younger? You want them to go through what you went through?

3. Do you have too high an expectation that changes like this should never have to occur? The shepherds should have gotten it right in the first place and eliminate the needless suffering?

4. You have seen people leave the church over what you consider silly rules, and therefore harbor a grudge or grievance for them?

5. You misunderstand the presence of a hierarchy of teachings in the Catholic Church, where disciplinary rules such as this are lower on the list?

6. Are you afraid that changes like this means that there is no infallibility in the Church, or that infallibility is a joke?

7. Do you feel like you're kept in the dark and because of this, feel set up?

Feel free to enter into the discussion. Let's open it up, so that if there are roots of bitterness that have been unearthed in the cultivation of our souls in the Four Pillars class, let's identify them and get rid of them! Life is hard enough without this stuff distracting us from our mission. Right?

The Normal Catholic Life...

Hello everyone,

I'm working on an idea of a book I may write someday entitled "The Normal Catholic Life." I'm not sure if there is an actual book with that title, or if one is in the making. If you know of one, please let me know. I Googled the title in quotes to see what could be found and I didn't find anything except quotes by schismatic SSPX'ers saying that as long as the Vatican allows the Novus Ordo, a "normal Catholic life cannot be lived." PHOOEY!!! I say!

The title works off an equivocal understanding of the term "normal." Webster defines normal several ways, as 'conforming to a typical standard; functioning in a natural way.' If "normal" concerning the Catholic life is governed by a standard, then which standard do we use? If we turn to the status quo, it certainly is a standard to choose, but is it truly Catholic, if by Catholic, we mean that which is part of the whole, including Christ and the Most Holy Trinity? So far, status quo Catholicism has closed the doors of many churches in the Green Bay Diocese, and will probably close many more. Is this normal? I say not if Jesus is the standard. If boring dead-head ritualism is the norm, then it's time we change the norm.

I want to propose another meaning of normal, a standard that is natural to what it means to be Catholic...supernatural. The life of Jesus Christ in us is what is normal, if we're faithful to what it means to be Catholic. I would suspect that anything that exemplifies, say CHRIST! would be normal.

As I shared in last week's class about what the Little Flower says about Purgatory, I am convinced that Catholics choose a route of mediocrity in life that does not draw people, that does not inspire people, because they see God as grace-pinching skinflint who wants purity at the expense of joy, love and life. This view of God is not our God!! He gives grace to desire a holy life and the grace to accomplish it in magnanimus ways, ways which blows our mind! He gives himself completely to us as an oath, a sacrament of salvation. Is he going to hold back so that we spend useless time suffering for that which he gives grace for us to overcome? Why settle for Purgatory when heaven is available to all who respond? That is the message of the Little Flower!

There is a rampant form of Catholicism, better a Catholic Phariseeism, which calls itself "orthodox" and has a de facto primary purpose of straining at liturgical gnats, analyzing any statement coming out of the mouths of Catholics for doctrinal purity, and consequently is destroying love. Now, I'm NOT advocating slip-shod liturgies or messy doctrine. I'm talking about taking what are important means, sound doctrine and solid liturgies, and making them ends in themselves instead of Christ and the Holy Trinity. It is mediocrity on parade, a loss of "First Love" that is pale and lifeless in comparison to a passionate love for God found in the likes of St. Catherine of Siena, who calls God her Heavenly Lover..."a Divine Madman insane with love"or "drunk with love" for His creatures.

This pervasive mediocrity, finding its home in clergy or laity alike, sets the standard for what is normal. It is this mentality that sees a vibrant joyful exuberant Catholic life as odd; as if something is wrong. Catholics who are on fire are a strange phenomenon, quirky folk whose devotion is a matter of a high strung personality trait...or even a personality disorder, or God forbid, someone who is acting "too Protestant!"

It is time for Catholics to be serious followers of Jesus Christ, beginning with ourselves, whether people join us or not--a people who are not afraid to be lumped as people who are quirky, strange, personality-disordered people. Normal means we follow the standard of Jesus Christ. And as we do, it is eternally important that we be people who will not fall into the trap of spiritual pride--a pride that takes the easy route to devotion by simply lamenting the state of the Catholic Church, false devotees who "wonders" why more people are are not devout. We need to stop this! It is futile and self-promoting; it is bragging in reverse. How do I know? BECAUSE I HAVE DONE IT. YES. I HAVE DONE IT AND IT IS A DEAD END.

The book I would write would include excerpts of the lives of saints who were joyful, charismatic, and evangelistic. It would include writings by Popes like John Paul the Great who exhorts us to non- characteristic living of the life of Christ in our own unique states in life. It would pull liturgical prayers and blessings common in the life of the Church that show HOW INTENTLY OUR GOD WANTS US TO LIVE THIS SUPERNATURAL WAY.

That's what I'm thinking...I'm wondering if it will catch on. If someone else beats me to it, more power to them!!! Or if someone wants to join me...interested?

Whata'yall think?

How We Got Into This Mess

Hi everyone!

I read a great article at the New Oxford Review by Michael McIntire in Secularizing the Catholic University that spells out the history of the culture of death over the last 100+ years. Very enlightening, with things like John D. Rockefeller III's interest in Eugenics, a Darwinian notion that we have the capability to develop a super race, who funded research in 1930's Germany. Can you imagine the horror of it? After WWII, his network of trusts and research groups changed the name "Eugenics" to "Population Control", putting pressure on the Vatican to accept contraception as a viable means to control overpopulation.

This is a must read that shows WHY the Church rejected contraception outright as being beneficial or good. Praise God for a faithful and courageous Church! Take your time, if you have it, and give it a look over. Then when you're done, pray. The issues have not died, but are alive and well. And pray for my school Marquette University, who is in the same "death throws". Lord, have mercy; Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy...

The Grace That Sustains Us...

Dear Ones:

The grace that sustains us in not off and on, capricious or sparse. The grace that flows from Calvary is with us today. As you begin this new week, having partaken of Christ in the Eucharist on the first day of the week, yesterday, walk in faith today. Love our Lord Jesus with all your heart in EVERYTHING you do today. Make everything count, even the most mundane of tasks, as love to Christ. And may the God of Peace be with you today. Enjoy our dear brother Michael W. Smith and "Agus Dei." Pax!

All Things New

My heart is overflowing today with the joy and love of Christ on this First Friday in commemoration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I thank our Lord Jesus for helping me find this wonderful music video that I want to share with you. Watch, listen and worship our Lord right where you are sitting as you see how the heart of Jesus and Mary are woven together in this beautiful and moving video. This illustrates how True Devotion to Mary will ALWAYS be focused on devotion to our Lord Jesus. May God bless you today on this First Friday, and if you can, attend Mass. You'll be blessed, the Entire Trinity will be blessed, the Blessed Mother and all the saints will rejoice with you! After you see the video, I have a link to a wonderful article on "The Two Hearts and Consecration," John Paul II's teaching on Mary. But, first, enjoy the video.




IF YOU WANT FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF JESUS AND MARY, go to The Alliance of the Two Hearts covering John Paul the Great's teaching on this awesome bond between Jesus and Mary.

First Friday Meditation: The Very Glory of Jesus is in the Eucharist, Though Veiled

I love to listen to Scott Hahn speak of the Eucharist. He's passionate, he's clear, he's intelligent, and he's provocative. In preparation for next week, take about 10 minutes of your time and consider with Dr. Hahn, the glory we celebrate in the Eucharist. In fact, he shares that when Jesus returns to judge all mankind, coming in the clouds, in glory, will have no greater glory than He does RIGHT NOW in the Eucharist! Come back as often as you like. He shares a lot of information and you'll learn something new each time. God bless you!

Lesson V Recap

We covered chapters 12, 13, & 14 in the USCCA.

By the way, what a wonderful class last night. Great participation, and an eagerness to learn our faith always blesses my socks off! Also, I'm wanting all of you to be on the lookout for "Holy Spirit moments", where you have experience God's presence, intervention, or answer to prayers in your life, whether in private or public times, at work or at home, in the most mundane or sublime moments. The Holy Spirit is with you at all times. Develop that sensitivity to His leading, His voice, His promptings and make a point of remembering. You'll be blessed at how active the Holy Spirit is in your life. Okay?

Now for the recap.

Chapter twelve deals with Mary, our Blessed Mother. She was chosen by God to bear His Son, the Word of God, the Second Person of the Trinity. Below are some De Fide doctrines you must believe as a Catholic:

1. Mary as Mother of God--Declaration by Council of Ephesus, 431 A.D. Defended an attack against the divinity of Christ by the Nestorians, who believed that the Word of God rested on Christ after birth, but ascended before Christ's death. Based on a Neo-Platonic belief that the Word of God is entirely transcendent and could never become human. A later council at Chalcedon in 451 would finalize the dogma of the divinity and humanity of Christ in one Person. Here, the Nestorians were attacking Christ's mother...da bums.

2. Immaculate Conception, declared ex cathedra by Pope Pius IX in 1859: For Christ to be sinless and human, he had to acquire his humanity from Mary. It would mean that Mary had to be sinless too, but how? By grace. Because of the grace from the redemption in Jesus, Mary was prevented from having Original Sin. She was "full of grace". The USCCA says that Mary was redeemed, which did raise the hackles of a few students. Upon further discussion, we identified that we think of redemption in terms of saving sinners. Mary didn't sin, so how could she be redeemed? Redemption is a purchase. In fact all of humanity, past, present and future have all been redeemed. But, not all are saved. That is an important distinction. So, Mary, being fully human, needed grace like we all need grace. However, the grace she received was prior to sin; we on the other hand, after our sin. Her choice of Motherhood of the Son of God was a gift to her. She received this honor because of grace. Remember, folks, Mary is a human being. She's not a goddess--she's one of us, but without sin. She's a creature of grace, like us, yet without sin.

3. The Perpetual Virginity of Mary: Beware, there are Catholic theologians who cunningly lead their readers to conclusions to doubt this de fide doctrine. You cannot doubt this and have Catholic faith!! Mary was virginal prior to the Annunciation, during birth, and afterward until the end of her earthly life. She conceived of the Holy Spirit, so she did not have relations with Joseph. She gave birth Jesus in her virginity, so her virginity was not violated by Christ's birth. Virginity is lost in sexual intercourse. Afterward, she remained a virgin. Think of it, you have a woman who has a child. There is a husband involved in the creation of this child. In the case of Mary, who is the husband? Think...RIGHT! The Holy Spirit! Mary is called the spouse of the Holy Spirit, so in terms of fidelity, Mary had to maintain her spousal integrity. She could not join to another, in this case, Joseph. Another thing, since she carried the Second Person of the Trinity in her womb for 9 months, she became a living tabernacle of God. Literally! For that matter, one could never profane such a glorious womb with a human being. Lastly, a student reminded me that the term "brothers ?of Jesus mentioned in the Scriptures were not actual brothers, born of Mary, but were cousins. The names James, Joses, Jude were sons of Mary, wife of Clopas. Jesus action on the cross to give Mary to John is the action of an only child. After His death, no sibling would take care of Mary since none existed. John, and ultimately, you and I, are to take Mary in. Thank you Jesus for giving us your Mother!

4. Assumption of Mary, excathedra pronouncement by Pope Pius XII in 1950: A declaration not found in Scripture, BUT not contrary to Scripture. We have two, perhaps three people in Scripture who were bodily assumed into heaven. Do you remember? Yes, Elijah, who went up in a fiery chariot. The other one is Enoch, in the Book of Genesis, who pleased God so much that God took him without dying. The other possibility was Moses, who appeared with Elijah to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. So, is it possible that God can do this without it having to be written down and verified by an Affidavit, made official by a notary public? Sure. Also, if God can do it with those who have sin, it is even more possible that God can do it with those without sin, right? Besides, another student remarked to me last night that if you're Jesus, do you leave the one person who gave you your humanity, to death and decay that is the result of sin, which this person does NOT have? Of course not.

As to our Devotion to Mary, all true devotion to Mary will ALWAYS have devotion to Christ as the central focus. There is NO competition between the Mother and Son. The Mother, as a human creature, adores Her Son and urges us to do the same. True devotion to Mary honors her as the greatest disciple and follows her example in devotion to her Son. She shows us how to adore Him perfectly! Second, we love Mary as Christ loves her. In this case, we have much room for growth, do we not. Here's a link to St. Louis DeMontfort's "True Devotion." Take some time to look it over. See if you too, can become a slave to Jesus through Mary. If you want to consecrate yourself, go St. Louis DeMonfort Act of Consecration. For more on what DeMontfort thinks, read, Love of Eternal Wisdom. Good stuff!

Chapter 13: Our Eternal Destiny

I will not take up much space here, other than to summarize. We have two choices, heaven or hell. Purgatory, though often viewed as a third option, is really a part of heaven. However, Purgatory, whether it has actual fire or not, is a place where the restitution we need to fulfill is finalized before we enter heaven. Status quo thinking among Catholics is that we expect to go to Purgatory. Going directly to heaven is very rare. One very precious doctor of the Church, St. Therese, the Little Flower, teaches that our expectations are too low because we don't believe. We have such a poor view of God and his grace that we grieve Him. We need to be children again. BELIEVE! Here are some links about St. Therese that you will enjoy: St. Therese's teaching on Purgatory and Von Balthasar's Take on the Little Flower. Good stuff!


Chapter 14: Celebrating the Paschal Mystery

We ran out of time on this chapter, but the salient points are these.

1. The Paschal Mystery is Christ's Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven.

2. Our participation in this Mystery comes to us through the Liturgies, the Sacraments.

3. The term "liturgy" means a public work, and in our case, the public work is the work of Christ, the Christus Totus, the entire Body of Christ, lead by Christ in worship, thanksgiving, prayer and reparation to the Father. We are included in this glorious public act, which is obligatory, but more so, an infinite honor and privilege.

4. The Sacraments, or oaths, are the actions of Christ to us and in us.

5. The ministers of the Sacraments, the priests, act in persona Christi. So when your priest processes up to the altar in Mass, in faith, in reality, it is Jesus Christ who enters and leads us to worship. Kinda changes our viewpoint a bit, don't you think?

We'll be weaving this chapter in the next several classes.

NEXT WEEK'S READINGS: Chapters 15, 16 & 17, with a majority of the time spent in class on chapter 17, the Eucharist. The Eucharist, is the source and summit of all the Sacraments. So we will cover Baptism and Confirmation, but prep for the Eucharist.

Peace to all of you, dear family!!

Sam