THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for October 16th, 2014
Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch
Liturgical texts here
from Brian Jekel’s Consider the Sparrows
‘WHAT is the Pope doing? What are the bishops doing?” Many are asking these questions on the heels of confusing language and abstract statements emerging from the Synod on Family Life. But the question on my heart today is what is the Holy Spirit doing? Because Jesus sent the Spirit to guide the Church to “all truth.” [1]John 16:13 Either Christ’s promise is trustworthy or it’s not. So what is the Holy Spirit doing? I will write more about this in another writing.
But the fact the Spirit is guiding us does not mean that the road to the fullness of truth is not bumpy, narrow, and frought with difficulties. But it means that we’ll get there. We always have. We always will. Why? Because the Church is not an institution, but Christ’s possession.
In Christ we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will… (First reading)
Ah, there again, another bit of good news: God is accomplishing the destiny of His purpose for us according to His will—not Satan’s. Not the Antichrist’s. Not even the Pope’s, per se—but His will.
Furthermore:
…[we] were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
God doesn’t govern us like a distant, fearsome deity. He possesses each one of us like a husband possesses his wife, and she her husband. It is a passionate, irrational love, right down to the details.
Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. (Today’s Gospel)
The times before us… the confusion that is here and coming, the tremors of the earth, the shaking of the nations… all of it can make us afraid. But know even if everything seems to be coming apart, you are His. You are loved.
Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God… Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken
and mountains quake to the depths of the sea,
Though its waters rage and foam
and mountains totter at its surging.
Streams of the river gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be shaken;
God will help it at break of day.
Though nations rage and kingdoms totter,
he utters his voice and the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
St. Ignatius, pray for us… for courage.
Have you read The Final Confrontation by Mark?
Tossing speculation aside, Mark lays out the the times we are living in according to the vision of the Church Fathers and the Popes in the context of the “greatest historical confrontation” mankind has gone through… and the last stages we are now entering before the Triumph of Christ and His Church.
You can help this full-time apostolate in four ways:
1. Pray for us
2. Tithe to our needs
3. Spread the messages to others!
4. Purchase Mark’s music and book
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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
The end result was hope and joy! …a clear guide & explanation for the times we are in and the ones we are rapidly heading towards.
—John LaBriola, Onward Catholic Solder
…a remarkable book.
—Joan Tardif, Catholic Insight
The Final Confrontation is a gift of grace to the Church.
—Michael D. O’Brien, author of Father Elijah
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—the late Fr. Joseph Langford, MC, Co-founder, Missionaries of Charity Fathers, Author of Mother Teresa: In the Shadow of Our Lady, and Mother Teresa’s Secret Fire
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Footnotes
| ↑1 | John 16:13 |
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