Home Away From Home

Our family just celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving at my sister’s house about 6 hours from our home. We delayed looking for a Sunday mass until Sunday morning and experienced a minor setback. The campground’s wifi was down so we could not check for mass times. I called my brother who checked the yellow pages and found us a couple of masses nearby. We were a few minutes late for the 9:00 mass at a parish we had gone to last summer, so my brother suggested that we go to the 9:30 mass at the cathedral. We arrived there right at 9:30 only to see a sign on the door stating that mass was actually at 10:30.

Without access to the yellow pages or wifi, we got back into the van to drive over to a parish in the neighbourhood where my other sister lives, only to find that that church had recently closed, so we popped into my sister’s house to borrow their internet. We found a 10:00 mass across town which we were able to get to just a few minutes after 10.

Success!

For those of you keeping score at home, it took us over an hour, 2 brothers, the phone book, and the diocesan website to find arrive at a Mass at the fourth church we investigated.

This is not the first time we have had an adventure seeking an out of town mass. This summer we drove 25km to find a mass, only to see the church locked up, On the way back to our campsite, we happened upon a Catholic church 5km from our campsite that didn’t have its mass times listed on the diocesan website.

We did not always go to these lengths to ensure we got to Mass every Sunday, especially when we were away from home. However as we have grown together in our faith as a family, we have made it a priority to fulfil our Sunday obligation and to worship along with our worldwide family of faith. This weekend will mark one year since we missed a Sunday mass.

Please do not mistake this as a rant about the state of tools used by travellers to find mass times. Quite the contrary. These tools make it incredibly easy for people away from home on Sunday to find a way to participate in ‘The Mass’. Yes, I capitalized, ‘The Mass’ . One of the things I am coming to understand by attending mass away from home is that I am truly part of, ‘One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church’. Part of the mystery of the Eucharist is that we are all part of the Body of Christ, and wherever or whenever we participate in the Mass, we are given the gift of being present at the one sacrifice given to us by Jesus on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Part of the mystery of the mass is that wherever we are, whether in Canada, The United States, in India, or at any Catholic Church throughout the world, we are united in “The Mass” through the merciful sacrifice of Jesus.

Books Worth a Second Look: “The Secret Archives of the Vatican” by Maria Luisa Ambrosini

“Secret”: From the Latin, sēcrētus; meaning something that is kept hidden.

This little word inspires more distrust – and mischief – than similar or more forceful words like “prohibited” or “private” or “confidential.” It’s ambiguous. “A secret?” we ask ourselves, “what could that mean? What are they trying to hide, anyway?” What is it about our human nature that refuses to leave any stone unturned?

And using the word as an adjective only deepens our wonder. Secret message. Secret agent. Secret hideout. The mystery of the unknown. It’s romantic. It’s alluring. Tempting.

But when the word is used in combination with “Vatican Archives,” the proverbial goo begins to fly. Conspiracy aficionados appear out of nowhere to enlighten us on all the knowledge that is being suppressed. All the horrible truths that will one day come out to reveal the masters and movers of the earth. The truth behind UFO’s and alien visitations. The damning evidence about Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Rumors grow into legends and legends into lies. There is apparently no limit to what the Pope has been concealing from the world for two thousand years.

Happily, some sanity prevails.

Shortly after the Second Vatican Council, in which Pope John XXIII “threw open the windows of the Church,” a young woman wandered into the Secret Vatican Archives hoping to find information on some statuary in the Italian countryside. What she found instead, over the course of several years, was a world of wonder contained in 85 kilometers of dusty shelves and bookcases. Every subsequent visit took her deeper and deeper into an epic adventure which she turned into one of the most compelling books to have been written about the Church.

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Death Will Be A Gain For You

We are all like a piece of clay that dissolves and disintegrates in the heavy rain. But those who live for Jesus will never face destruction.

All of us are very often influenced by the experiences, thoughts and beliefs of other individuals. But gradually their doctrines also come to an end. We see this in the case of Communism and Naxalism. Those who are unable to accept the changed doctrines keep changing their loyalty to their political parties and drift from one party to another. But the words and teachings of Jesus alone never change or die. The man without God is born into death, like the little baby aborted in the mother’s womb even before they are born into this world.

While we are alive, many people lead us to death by their words. They drown us in despair and grief. But the words of Jesus give us hope and new life. Mother Teresa, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Francis Assisi and many others understood the meaning of the words of Jesus and lived in accordance with His teachings. They are all living in our midst even today.

When various problems arise in life quite a few think that it is a good thing to die. But in reality it is much nobler to overcome the difficulties and survive. Jesus faced and overcame all kinds of difficulties in life:

• POVERTY : He was poor from His birth in a stable up to His death on a cross.

• THREAT : From infancy His life was threatened. Remember Herod sent his men to kill Him.

• HOMELESS : He was born homeless and all His life He wandered homeless fulfilling His Father’s will.

• BETRAYAL : Judas, His own disciple, betrayed Him with a kiss.

• MOCKERY : The rulers mocked Him; the soldiers spat on His face.

• TEMPTATION : In the desert and in Gethsemane

• TORTURE : He was scourged and crowned with thorns.

• SHAME : He was stripped naked.

• CRUELTY : Mercilessly nailed to the cross.

• UNDESERVED DEATH: Even though He was innocent He received death sentence. In this manner overcoming all problems and troubles Jesus accepted death nobly and lives among us today as a shining example.

If we live for Jesus we shall live even after we die. All the worldly gains will be lost at death. If we live only to satisfy our bodies, in the course of time the body will weaken. In old age we shall lose our faith in the body. It will become a burden to ourselves and to others.

If we live for name and fame some day other people will realize it and will talk about it; it will be tantamount to selling our own worth and dignity. Perhaps we may gain some temporary fame, but our successors will not care for us even a bit. An athlete may break all record but his record is not permanent. Others who follow will shatter his record and create new ones. Therefore let us run for God and complete our race in heaven. If we live for money, wealth and worldly possessions the result is the same. We will be foolish in the eyes of God, and not only that others may deprive us of our valuables or the coming generations may squander away what we treasured.

Jesus said, “If anyone will lose his life for my sake or for the sake of the Kingdom he will save it. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?” (Mk. 8:35-36) The words of Jesus are spirit and life (Jn. 6:63). If we live in accordance with the words of Jesus we shall obtain eternal life and everlasting peace. The message we shall give to the succeeding generations will be that we lived a life of obedience to the teachings of Jesus.

When we live in union with Jesus, He will satisfy all our wants. Walk with Jesus; live for Jesus, and you will be welcomed into heaven. You will then live and flourish in the hearts and tongues of millions of future generations. Death will be a gain for you; the angels will gaze at you in wonder and admiration because they are confident that you will shower down blessings from heaven to earth.

When the shadow of death approaches you, those in heaven and on earth will look at you with wide open eyes. You shall not die. You will live forever.

A Catholic Answer to Paranormal Questions

Do Catholics believe in the Paranormal?

The answer to this is emphatically: That depends.

The absolute core of our Faith as Catholics is the Supernatural.

God, as the creator of all things, is supernatural. He is “above” or “outside” of our created nature. When man was first put on earth, he was endowed with gifts that were beyond everything else in creation, even the angels. These gifts allowed him to partake in the perfection that was “natural” to God alone. His purpose and his destiny were divine.

God also made the angels, perfect creatures of pure spirit with infinite wisdom and an unending vision of their creator. We know that a number of them rebelled and were subsequently and permanently exiled from the presence of God. We know that God’s creation of the angels predates His creation of man, because it was a fallen angel who contributed to the fall of man. We know that angels have a hierarchy and are messengers, guards, guides, and attendants at the throne of God. We know the names of only three. (Everything else we may speak to about angels, and demons, though worthy, is purely theological speculation.)

Besides the supernatural gifts that enabled man, a purely rational creature by his nature, to participate in a God-like life, there were also “preternatural” gifts. These gifts elevated man to the highest “natural” perfection, beyond his very nature and equal to the created angels. From the Catholic Dictionary: “God exempted man from the inherent weakness of his nature … He made man immortal, impassible, free from concupiscence and ignorance, sinless, and lord of the earth.”

When man fell, he lost both the supernatural and preternatural gifts. Through the merits of a redeeming Christ though, and ONLY through the merits of a redeeming Christ, He has restored to man the supernatural gifts which we call grace, both sanctifying and actual, that will allow him to participate again in the inner life of the Blessed Trinity for which he was ultimately created. If he so chooses.

Now, how does any of this answer the question, “Do Catholics Believe in the Paranormal?”

Webster’s defines Paranormal as “not scientifically explainable” and “not understandable in terms of known scientific laws and phenomena.”

How much of the preceding is “explainable” or “understandable in terms of known scientific laws?” In this sense, a Catholic’s belief in the “paranormal” is essential. The stakes of his eternal life are set completely outside of the boundaries of “known scientific laws.” So: CAN we, as Catholics, believe in the paranormal?”

When it comes to the readily accepted examples of paranormal topics, the answer to this becomes fuzzy. Ghosts, UFO’s, Reincarnation, NDE’s, Bigfoot, ESP, Astrology, Tarot, Channeling, Astral Travel, Transcendental Meditation, Visions, Prophecies, Miraculous Cures, Charms, Curses, Crystals, Enneagrams, Labyrinths, etc. Most paranormal topics reach into the occult. The list goes on and on. Yes with caveats to a few, maybe to some, a definite no to others.

But how can the Church dictate what interests a person may or may not pursue? How can an interest in the paranormal hinder salvation?

Let’s focus first on things spiritual. Here’s what the Catechism has to say on just a few topics:

CCC2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

CCC2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity.

“Rejected.” “Gravely Contrary.” “Condemned.” “Reprehensible.”

There’s no room for misinterpretations. They mean what they say. You can’t compare these things to bird-watching. A curiosity is one thing. A belief is another. And an obsession is quite something else. Without care, one easily leads to the next.

The Council of Trent, Rule #9 regarding Prohibited Books, states:

All books and writings dealing with geomancy, hydromancy, aeromancy, pyromancy, oneiromancy, chiromancy, necromancy, or with sortilege, mixing of poisons, augury, auspices, sorcery, magic arts, are absolutely repudiated. The bishops shall diligently see to it that books, treatises, catalogues determining destiny by astrology, which in the matter of future events, consequences, or fortuitous occurrences, or of actions that depend on the human will, attempt to affirm something as certain to take place, are not read or possessed.

(Sortilege and all of the “-ancy’s” listed are forms of divination.)

Pope John Paul II reminded us more gently in his Angelus of September 6th, 1998: “If we want to give good direction to our life, we must learn to discern its plan, by reading the mysterious “road signs” God puts in our daily history. For this purpose neither horoscopes nor fortune-telling is useful. What is needed is prayer, authentic prayer, which should always accompany a life decision made in conformity with God’s law.”

None of this means that future events CAN’T be foretold, though. Saint John of the Cross, a Doctor of the Church, writes about this in Ascent of Mount Carmel: ” … although visions and locutions which come from God are true, and in themselves are always certain, they are not always so with respect to ourselves. One reason is the defective way in which we understand them; and the other, the variety of their causes. In the first place, it is clear that they are not always as they seem, nor do they turn out as they appear to our manner of thinking. The reason for this is that, since God is vast and boundless, He is wont, in His prophecies, locutions and revelations, to employ ways, concepts and methods of seeing things which differ greatly from such purpose and method as can normally be understood by ourselves; and these are the truer and the more certain the less they seem so to us. This we constantly see in the Scriptures. To many of the ancients many prophecies and locutions of God came not to pass as they expected, because they understood them after their own manner, in the wrong way, and quite literally.”

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, one of the most prolific of Catholic visionaries, also made it clear that her prophecies meant nothing outside of what the Church taught: “In spiritual things, I never believe anything except what was revealed by God and proposed for my belief by the Catholic Church. What I saw in visions I never believed in this way.”

Even if a paranormal topic is deemed possible, or believable, or even credible, it doesn’t necessarily follow that a Catholic should devote any time or attention to it. (See Saul’s recourse to the witch of Endor.) Some things are harmless, but others are lethal; lethal not necessarily to your body, but to your soul. And the care of your soul of course falls under the domain of the loving Church. The Church is here to save souls, to ensure that every single one of God’s supernaturally adopted children attains the divine life. It’s mission number one – to make us saints.

It is incumbent upon every Catholic to heed the warnings of the Church and trust in Her wisdom - wisdom that speaks from divine revelation and two thousand years of careful thought. Obedience to Church authority on all matters spiritual is one of the virtues of heroic degree shared by every single saint in heaven. Yet, this obedience is not easy. As Father John Hardin writes: “It is so easy, relatively speaking, to practice obedience towards God as God because we realize after all God is Master of the universe; He is Master of me, what else can I do except obey. The trouble with obedience for most of us is when the one whom we are to obey is a very human, human being and we’re to believe that that terribly human being has the authority from God to either order me or at least direct me, when I may know perfectly well that my way is better.”

This is where it gets to the heart of the matter. With each topic, a Catholic is obliged to look at it in light of their Faith. Is it contrary to Church teaching to believe in it? To practice it? To promote it? And even if the answer to these questions is no, one must still ask one more basic question: Does it point man TO God or AWAY from Him?

Scripture is filled with warnings:

“Dearly beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits if they be of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

“Now the Spirit manifestly saith, that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error, and doctrines of devils” (1 Tim 4:1)

“For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables.” (2 Tim 4:3-5)

Finally, the Catechism succinctly sums up the Catholic view regarding otherworldly knowledge:

CCC2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it …

Catechisms, Councils, Popes, Saints, and Scripture all are in line on this and what they are unambiguously stating is: Leave it alone.

Our surety lies in the Sacraments and in prayer. Be humble, if God wants you to know the future or He truly has a message He desires to get out, have faith, He WILL take care of it.

Lost and Found

Recently my darling pet dog Raffy ran away when the front door was open for a little while.

I went to search for him; at first, thinking he might be in the building compound itself, I did not change from my nightclothes. However, there was no sign of him. Thinking it would not be appropriate to go looking for him on the road, dressed in my nightclothes, I went home, changed and resumed my search. I went left, then right, asking people on the road if they had seen him. No luck.

I kept praying and suddenly, The Lord inspired me to return to my building and search in the compound. Voila, as I turned a corner, he came bounding towards me and meekly allowed me to put on his leash and lead him home.

As I was getting dressed to go to Church later, it suddenly struck me. The dog was so happy (and relieved) when I found him, because he thought he was lost. I remembered how when God found me, I was happy in the initial phases. Then, slowly, there was pressure from people in general to conform to what their idea of “someone who is with The Lord” should be. “If you are with the Lord, you cannot do this.” “If you are with the Lord, you cannot do that.” “You cannot wear these clothes.” “You cannot go there.” I began to view God as a killjoy.

In my weakest moments, I even began thinking, “My friends have all the fun. Why didn’t God find me 10 years later????” I completely understood what Adam and Eve must have felt when the serpent pointed out to them that God had denied them access to the fruit of “that” tree. Like them, I too took my eyes off the many things God had blessed me with and only focused on what He had “denied” me. There were times of intense struggle between what was spiritual and what was of my flesh. Occasionally, my flesh won.

But through it all, God was faithful.

He pursued me like the Hound of Heaven, finding me time and again when I chose to follow the way of the world and get lost. When I fell into pits, God would come and lift me out of them. When I got entangled in thorny bushes, God would extricate me from them. Experiencing His relentless love and limitless mercy, I “found” God. As in, understood that He was a Loving Father, Whose love did not fluctuate like the sensex, Whose love is unconditional, Whose love is unchanging. I saw Him as a Good Shepherd Who would go after the lost sheep and bring it back to safety.

Even the 10 Commandments which earlier seemed restrictive, with all the “Thou shall nots” were examples of His Fatherly love for me. I understood that if I was a parent, I too would have rules for my children, because I love them.

Because I do not want them to go astray. Because I want them to do well in life. Because I don’t want them to make the same mistakes. Because by virtue of being older and more experienced, I could see the likely pitfalls if they proceeded in a certain direction. And I thank God that through it all, He loved me and always invited me to return to Him and remain in Him. I thank God that His love endures forever. I thank God that His endless mercy follows me and His goodness will lead me home.

October 2009

Daily Intercessions through the Word of God – October 2009
Sanctuary Intercessors – India Branch of FBB
International Catholic Charismatic Missionary Intercessors of the Fellowship of the Burning Bush (FBB)
The ‘Intercession Diary’ has the approval and blessings of the Bishops’ Team of the Archdiocese and contains intentions of our Cardinal and the Bishops
(Join us in agreement to intercede each day according to the Scriptures, ask the Holy Spirit how to pray to actualize God’s promises in each situation)

Day/Date Interceding According to the Mind of Christ

Thu
1/10/2009 1 Cor 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God
Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor, Patroness of the Missions. Saint Therese of the Child Jesus preferred the anonymity of the cloister. She never went on missions; never founded a religious order, never performed ‘great works’. In the brief 24 years that she lived on this earth, her graces touched the lives of so many. She was devoted to simplicity and the accomplishment of small duties, in the service of God. Let us ask God to give us the grace to offer up all the things we do during the course of the day, however small and insignificant they may be, for the salvation of the world and the strengthening of His Church here on earth. This month we focus our prayers for our city and missionary work here and everywhere, that we in Mumbai may be true witnesses to the saving work of Jesus
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Let there be light!

Let there be light (Genesis 1:3) - four words.

But the result - total transformation.

Light - a symbol of life, goodness and virtue. Darkness, at the other end of the spectrum, is a symbol of death, evil and vice. Truly, the light is good (Genesis 1:4).

And so, enlightenment is sought after and the light is celebrated… Yet there are times the light is even shunned (“For everyone who does wicked things hates the light” – John 3:20). The majority in our motherland will celebrate the festival of lights this month. And yet the darkness of hatred, poverty, corruption and exploitation remain.

This month we focus on the Light of Christ, as we pray

Ø For our city - That the True Light of the world shines forth on Mumbai – the melting pot of great achievements and great inequality, great opportunities and great despair. Let us earnestly (James 5:16) pray for our city with full confidence as we “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile; pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). We pray for the light, wisdom and order of the Holy Spirit as our city and state face the upcoming assembly elections; that they be free and fair and focussed on real issues.

Ø For our citizens - That the Light of Christ will enkindle love and respect for life among our citizens, especially Christians. That we may be inspired by the example of Dr. Ernest Borges, Oncologist, whose Birth Centenary we celebrate this month - a man whose dedication to his duty and whose deep compassion for the suffering and marginalized flowed from his Christian faith.

Ø For our Church - That, truly, we may “Let our Light Shine”. As the Church in India prepares for the First Indian Mission Congress to be held in our city from 14th to 18th October, we pray, that the 1500+ delegates gathered there may be filled with the Holy Spirit, the chief agent of evangelization, and that He will orchestrate the proceedings and provide the direction as this event unfolds. That Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav may energise the whole Church to live out the theme: “Let Your Light Shine. Become the Message and the Messenger.” (Matthew 5:16)

Let me also share with you my joy, and give thanks to the Most Holy Triune God, for the awesome outreach at Mount Mary’s Bandra where thousands were introduced to the person of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Equally amazing (and encouraging) was the fervour shown by the many volunteers from the various Prayer Groups/Associations, as they volunteered time and sweat to support the outreach conducted by the Proclamation Cell (incidentally called “PremJyoti” (love and light).

May this month be truly a time for Love and Light. That guided by the beloved Saints Therese (of Lisieux and Avila) we may be enlightened to live in the love of Christ.

We pray with our fellow countrymen “Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya”. Lead me from darkness to light. May Mumbai and indeed the whole world follow Jesus Christ - the True Light of the World, who “the darkness cannot overcome” (John 1:5); that peace and harmony may prevail. Fiat lux. Let there be light. (Genesis 1:3)