God created all things, and among the things which he created are angels – non-corporeal persons. When we say non-corporeal, we mean that they do not, according to their natures, have bodies such as humans and lesser animals. When we say that they are persons, we mean that they are individuals of a rational nature. That they are created is a fact that distinguishes them from God, who is also non-corporeal and personal.
The Divinization of Humanity through the Humanization of Divinity
“That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. So that he is no longer a slave, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.” (Gal 4:5-7) We should meditate on this truth often. The humanity of Jesus Christ was something new upon the earth, something new in creation. It was new because it was not humanity like any other. This humanity, while truly itentical to ours, was also for the firs time up to that point, truly holy.
An Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger
“You shall find an Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12) This was given as a sign by the angel. a sign that this was somebody special, that this was who they were looking for. In other words, this was a little out of the ordinary. What, then, does the Lord’s birth portend? He, the creator and Lord of all, unlimited power and majesty, born in a stable. And hardly a stable at that, we are told, a hollow on the side of a cave, exposed to the elements. Born in obscurity, only the cloths of the poor to be wrapped in. If the birth of a King is commensurate to his dignity or his kingship, then what can we say about the birth of Jesus? He has come to rule the humble.
Trust in God’s Plan and leadership
The Propers of Christmas Eve are very much about the relationship of the Messiah to His people. And what is that relationship? The prophet Jeremiah tells us, “They shall be my people and I shall be their God.” (Jer 32:38) But today’s Propers point out which conditions He will be our God as well as the significant benefits of this arrangement.
Immaculate Conception
Mary was conceived in the womb of St. Ann, and in that moment, and for all eternity, she was and will remain untouched by any and every stain of sin. Not since the sin of Adam had such a child been conceived, and only one child would be conceived after her in that way. That child would be God Himself, conceived in the womb of the Immaculate Conception.
Live like you were dying
As trees are shedding their leaves and winter is rolling in, things die. And we celebrate the month of the Holy Souls in purgatory. We contemplate the end of all things. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 13:31-35) tells us about the death of the just, the death of the saints. The Gospel does this by using two figures – the mustard seed, which becomes a great plant, and the leaven which is introduced into the measures until the whole is leavened. This, we are told, is a parable indicating that only at the end of our lives will the merits be exchanged for eternal reward. So we want to make sure that the whole measure is leavened.
Spiritual Poverty: Our Citizenship is in heaven
From the Lesson for the 23rd Sunday of Pentecost (Phil 3:17-21; 4:1-3) – “Their end is ruin, their god is the belly, their glory is their shame, they mind the things of earth. But our citizenship is in heaven from which also we eagerly await a Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will refashion the body of our lowliness, conforming it to the body of His glory by exerting the power by which He is able also to subject all things to Himself.”
The World, material things, power, prestige, ego – they all come to nothing in the end. Their God is the belly – pleasure, comfort. Their glory is their shame – those things which they hold as dear now will be seen in the end to be empty. The problem is not the things of the earth, the problem is minding the things of Earth, because we are citizens of heaven. To be poor in spirit is the opposite of minding the things of the earth.
Caesar can have his coins, God gets the person
Taken from the Sunday Sermons of the fathers and the doctors of the church, a commentary on today’s reading (22nd Sunday after Pentecost – Matt 22:15-21):
The Pharisees sent their disciples with the Herodians. St. John Chrysostom likens the Pharisees to running water – they have only one objective in mind, one end, one goal. If they’re blocked in one place they simply go around and try again from another angle. They continue to pursue their end by any other path. Never do they consider that perhaps it is better that they break off their pursuit, that they might be wrong despite how many times Our Lord confounds them, even in spite of His just having exposed them. Still, they continue.
Men’s Retreat Talk 3 – Lukewarmness
Lukewarmness ought not to steal our peace. Many people get discouraged when things aren’t happening in their prayer life. They think it is lukewarmness and it is very upsetting for people. However, we must remember that everything is a grace from God, an opportunity to grow in holiness, especially our disappointments. Primarily what we are talking about is combating tepidity itself. The tepid or lukewarm soul is that which has ceased to be concerned about its own faults.
Men’s Retreat Talks
Note: Due to technical difficulties, only the first section of the Talk 2 is available.
Men’s Retreat Talk 2 – Discovering our Predominant Fault
Note: Due to technical difficulties, only the first section of the Talk 2 is available.
“Each of us has a predominant fault, that is, one defect in us that tends to prevail over the others, and thereby over our manner of feeling, judging, sympathizing, willing and acting. It’s pervasive. It has an intimate relationship to our individual temperament.”
To discern your temperament, Father recommends ‘The Four Temperaments’ by Fr. Conrad Hock and ‘The Temperament God Gave You’ by Art and Laraine Bennett. This talk is based on Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange’s ‘The Three Ages of the Interior Life’.
Men’s Retreat Talks
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