Sunday Bible Reflections w/Dr. Scott Hahn 5/24/09

From The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology:
May 24, 2009 - Seventh Sunday of Easter

The Kingdom Remains

Readings:
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20
1 John 4:11-16
John 17:11-19

Today’s First Reading begins by giving us a time-frame—the events take place during the days between Christ’s ascension and Pentecost. We’re at the same point in our liturgical year. On Thursday we celebrated His being taken up in glory, and next Sunday we will celebrate His sending of the Spirit upon the Church.

Jesus’ prayer in the Gospel today also captures the mood of departure and the anticipation. He is telling us today how it will be when He is no longer in the world. By His ascension, the Lord has established His throne in heaven, as we sing in today’s Psalm. His kingdom is His Church, which continues His mission on earth.

Jesus fashioned His kingdom as a new Jerusalem, and a new house of David (see Psalm 122:4-5; Revelation 21:9-14). He entrusted this kingdom to His twelve apostles, who were to preside at the Eucharistic table, and to rule with Him over the restored twelve tribes of Israel (see Luke 22:29-30).

The twelve apostles symbolize the twelve tribes and hence the fulfillment of God’s plan for Israel (see Galatians 6:16).That’s why it is crucial to replace Judas—so that the Church in its fullness receives the Spirit at Pentecost.

Peter’s leadership of the apostles is another key element of the Church as it is depicted today. Notice that Peter is unquestionably in control, interpreting the Scriptures, deciding a course of action, even defining the nature of the apostolic ministry.

No one has ever seen God, as we hear in today’s Epistle. Yet, through the Church founded on His apostles, the witnesses to the resurrection, the world will come to know and believe in God’s love, that He sent His Son to be our savior.

Through the Church, Jesus’ pledge still comes to us—that if we love, God will remain with us in our trials and protects us from the evil one. By His word of truth He will help us grow in holiness, the perfection of love.

Strongman Competition

Finally got some pics of my little brother at the Fort Jackson Stronman Competition. The email that was sent made us laugh..the fellow that forwarded it wrote "Holy $%#%! Look at that guy"!

These pics show him flipping the 500lb tire.

American Idol Has Lost It's Family Flair

I am an American Idol fan. My family and I have watched every season together. Except this one.

The auditions, after season one, have consistently gotten more and more outlandish. Language and sexuality taking precedence over comedic value. This year was no exception. The audition battle between Kara Diogaurdi and Bikini Girl was so base and unappealing, we started screening every episode after that. Now the kids only watch the episodes after we have approved them.

Halfway through the season, Flo Rida was brought out to sing their song "Right Round", with lyrics such as "You spin my head right rough, right round/ when you go down, when you go down down." As well as references to strip club dancers and pole dancing. To Lady Gaga and her song about Russian Roulette. Idol is forgetting it's family oriented roots.

Last night's finale went too far with Bikini Girl and Dioguardi at it again (great examples for the millions of young girls watching) and the censorship of Black Eyed Peas performance. If you have to censor the song, don't sing it.

What used to be a fun family event has been cancelled because American Idol has forgotten it's core audience and reached for the ratings. Thus falling into the dark and nasty pit that has become prime time television.

The Year of The Priesthood 2009-2010

On June 19th, The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Holy Father will institute The Year of the Priesthood.

We have been very blessed to know some very holy Priests. The examples of Christ they have brought to my family are unforgettable. Their dedication to the Eucharist and Holy Mass are evident as central to their lives and vocations as Priests. By living out their priesthood unashamed and true to the teachings of the Church, they have inspired others to conversion and the active listening to God's call in their lives.

Being military we are not always lucky to have Our Lord, in the Tabernacle, at the center of the Altar. He is often removed to a side chapel because the chapel is used not just for church but other military ceremonies as well. A priest at one chapel made this room his special project. The tabernacle was shined and covered in a beautiful veil. Thick red Velvet drapes hung behind it and exquisite artwork of Our Lord and Our Blessed mother decorated the room. There were always fresh flowers offered to Our Lord. It held only two chairs and a kneeler. One of those chairs was usually occupied by Father. If he was not in his office, you could generally find him before The Lord. He preached the Sacrament of Confession always and he was always available to offer it. He didn't mince words. He spoke the truth from the pulpit. He taught us what the Church teaches. He was liturgically correct. He said the black and did the red. He was not loved by all in his parish. He was fond of saying if he was was loved by everyone, than he was not doing his job. At his new parish he wanted to reach out to the single soldiers. He had such a turnout that he had to schedule another Mass to accommodate the crowd of over 400 soldiers. His ministries are flourishing and his parish is blessed with conversions.

In this year of the Priesthood we must make a concerted effort as Catholic Faithful, to pray, fast and give alms for all of our Priests. Whatever you can do for your priest, do it. A rosary, an hour of adoration offered for your Priest and Priests throughout the world, will bring much graces and touch their hearts. We must pray for and support our shepherds. It is our duty to do so.

This particular prayer can be found on a note card from Trademark Stationary.

Remember to pray for Priests, especially after Holy Communion. Thank Jesus for the consecrated hands which have reached up to heaven, placed Him on the altar and into your heart. As Our Lord rests within, listening intently to your every heart beat, thank Him for this miracle, and ask Him to bless His priest by offering a prayer such as this one:

O dearest Jesus, look down with love on Thy priests; fill them with burning zeal for the conversion of sinners; keep unstained their anointed hands which daily touch Thy Immaculate Body; keep unsullied their lips purpled with Thy Precious Blood; keep pure and unearthly a heart sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious Priesthood; bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may those to whom they have ministered on earth be one day their joy and consolation in heaven. Amen.

Check out these blogs by Catholic Priests:

Vultus Cristi

Young Fogey's

That's My Brother! Fer Sure Fer Sure!

My sweet baby brother (36 years young on May 14th)recently participated in Fort Jackson's Strongman Competition. Unfortunately there were technical difficulties and no cameras were brought to capture this extraordinary event! Bummah! However, I do have these lovely photographs of him growing up to share :).

But that didn't stop him from pulling a Humvee, driver and all, 100 meters in 13 seconds! Yes, folks, I know. That's my brother! ;)


The one there on the right. Buff and all. This is right before boot camp.

Crazy guy! Well, he won the Humvee pull event. On to Tractor toss. He had to flip a 500lb tractor tire 7 times. Then, the Farmers hold. 250lbs in each hand..how long can they stand?!?! Then the South Carolina Stone Carry. Carry a 200lb stone 50 meters.

Well, he didn't win. He took 2nd Place overall! Congratulations little brother! We are so proud of you.
Oh, and he didn't train for this either. (Can you tell how proud of him I am:)!!!)
His boss asked him to give it a go and he did.


This is my little brother. Defending us all here at home!
Thanks little brother for your service and a job well done! Hooah!

A Little Mud for Lunch..OORAH!

Well, yesterday my family and I woke up at the crack of dawn, said farewell to my in-laws as they headed back up to Ohio, and prepared ourselves for a long day outdoors.

We were headed to the Marine Mud Challenge. This is the 2nd year that my family has participated. There are two obstacle courses. One is a mile run obstacle course for the kids under 12. The other course is 4.5 miles. Full of deep, red Georgia mud and obstacles that seem undefeatable. This year there were over 100 participants in the race. My guys and girls went as part of the Young Marines. They were tasked with handing out water to the groups as they crossed the finish line. Oh..and let me tell ya it was hot yesterday! Most of the folks just poured that water right over their dirty heads.

When all the groups had gone through the .50 cals, (that's their nickname) were allowed to run the course. My oldest and my hubby ran the 4.5 mile course and my 3 others ran the mile.


Dirty is not the word for what the two were. Socks and underwear straight in the can. They will never be the same again. Mud everywhere. I mean everywhere. The best part was standing under the giant stream of water from the fire department truck! They even held a push up competition in the "rain". Those crazy kids.
This was really a fun day. I didn't participate in the runs, but I yelled and screamed myself hoarse rooting on teams to the finish line. I love that. The kids had a great time and instead of being tired after the run, they were pumped up and excited! My hubby..well he was tired. :)

A Help for ADHD?

After reading my Mau's entries on the Feingold diet over at A Half a dozen Productions, I decided to do some research.

It seems like this Feingold diet could be on to something in the treatment of ADD and ADHD. Having family members who suffer from ADHD this became even more interesting to me.

If you have a child with ADHD or ADD please check this out. It could mean the difference between a medicated child for life and a medication free child. It can't hurt to try.

For my readers, if you have had any success or lack of with the Feingold diet please comment.