The Inspired Traditionalist: September 2005

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Just One of God's Miracles

Happy 45th Anniversary Mom and Dad.
Wow! Can you try and do this again??? for another 45 years???
This is quite the accomplishment and sacrifice of love.
God Bless and Thank You for being my parents.

Friday, September 23, 2005

Electronic candles??

I had to share this story because the modernism in the church is so visible and disturbing. I know that since Vatican II there has been a lot of modern art in the churches. You see the architectural design and wonder what in the world are they thinking about? Where is the beauty of our old architecture and structures of the old churches. There are elaborate statues and beautifully designed stained glass that surrounds us in the older churches. The statues were just so awesome to gaze at when you contemplate in prayer. The surroundings exhuberated such fine respect and devotion to God. Now I know that there is much to say about modern churches and the lack of statues and beauty. It is plain ugly to look at and does nothing for the human being whose tendencies are towards visual objects. Everyone enjoys beauty in every aspect. God created beautiful people, and people created beautiful objects. Some of these banners and wall hangings are atrocious and although the message printed on them is meant to be inspiring it is just plain tacky. There is no comparison between the new and old church even if it is the most desperate need of repair. Some new modern up to date churches even have those linoleum looking floors (UGHHHH!!!)
To see what is happening to our churches view this web site www.immaculateconceptionpreservationfund.org
I don't want to think of what the replacement church would look like.
This is all part of the modernism that needs to be stopped.

I have to tell this story. I walked into a church this afternoon. I wanted to sit in the church and get away from it all during my lunch hour from work. I started to head to the doors and saw the plain glass doors. I tried not to think that I was walking into a department store. I looked around and of course, the tabernacle was off to the side (how I despise our Lord off to the side). I saw these banners hanging all over and I feel that although the messages were beautiful and quoting scripture, this is not what I want to look at. I know that if it wasn't for the tabernacle in these modern churches you would swear you were in another denominational church. I walked down the aisle and tried to focus on the crucifix and the poor housing of my Savior. I sat about the middle of the church. I turned around to look about and I saw a statue of the Blessed Mother with the votive candles below her. I thought I would stop and light a candle when I left. When I walked to the back of the church I knelt down and looked for the amount to put in for my offering. The sign said $2.00 for 5 days. I had never seen this before. I then reached in my pocket for the money and looked towards the candles and noticed the most strangest thing I had ever seen. These were not real candles. These candles were glowing devices representing candles with a little button on the top to click onto to light them up. I have seen everything now. I looked at the Blessed Mother and said to her "WHY"??? I think this is too much. What is going to be next? Computerized Masses?? Please help me pray for this to end and to bring back some reverence to our churches. This whole thing makes me sick.

Friday, September 16, 2005

St Therese of Lisieux

This saint is my favorite saint. She is truly the closest saint, beside the Blessed Mother, that I hold dearest in my heart. I know she has been there praying for me and she has guided me to a closer union with God. This was her purpose in her life here on earth, and her continued plan for life in eternity with Christ. She wanted to bring souls to Jesus even after she was in heaven. This is what she asked of our Savior. She has been granted this time and time again. Her little, simple, and quiet ways are so acceptable to God, and very fulfilling to my soul. Patterning after this has been a special joy in my life. I smile when I don't receive recognition and offer this to the Lord. It is a wonderful discovery that everyone should benefit from. There is a peace about her life. The books on her life are quite comforting. "The Story of A Soul", about her biography, is an awesome book. She truly loved mankind and she never ceased praying for the conversion of sinners. When she was just a small child she prayed for people who were truly in need. She loved like a little child all through her short life. She lived her life making every act an offering to the Lord. Even the most menial tasks were done with constant reminder of why she was doing them. Her biography was written under obedience. I am sure she would have never written her story otherwise. She was just so humble. Thank God her superiors wanted her to share her thoughts. She was truly happy abandoning herself to God. Even as an adult her childlike relationship with her father and sisters are very inspiring and touching. She wasn't afraid to die and longed to be with Jesus. She suffered much with illness and offered it all in His name. Never have I encountered a saint with such a genuine love for our Savior. She is a wonderful role model for all women and men alike. She was what the religious life should be all about.
I have felt her touch personally in my life. I know that she is still working on conversions. She is a powerful saint. Pray for her intercession.
We need to remember our religious who are so devout and holy. They truly offer themselves without any regard for fanfare. Sitting in the background praying for our souls is the most humble and beautiful thing they could do for us. God has certainly rewarded her for her true love for Him, and it gives us the strength to try to imitate her way. She is certainly a saint worth getting to know.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

???? Forgotten Devotions ????

When was the last time you practiced a Novena? When was the last time you followed the First Five Saturdays? How about First Fridays? Oh, how about saying a chaplet??? Well you are not alone, if you haven't practiced any of these devotions, or not in quite some time. Most people say that they are too busy and don't have enough time? That is nonsense. What are we making time for? Are we sitting in front of that television to entertain ourselves. Do we put our children in front of video games? We are all guilty of the worldly distractions to some degree. We need to make time for our spirituality and worry about where our soul is going instead of where we can head off to, and in what direction it pleases us.
We can achieve such great satisfaction and pleasure in truly immersing ourselves in the presence of our Savior. He can give us the peace and rest we are trying to look for after a hard days work. If you are looking to relieve stress and most of us are, then turn to prayer. Spend an hour in Eucharistic Adoration quietly and contemplate with the Lord. Physically, this relaxes you as well as benefitting from it spiritually. Praying the Rosary or Divine Mercy or other chaplets lets you give honor and glory to Jesus through Mary and through the saints intercession.
What about fasting? We don't fast along with prayer as we should. When was the last time you fasted on a Friday outside of Lent, or fasted on any other day for that matter? Remember Ember Days? What happened to those beautiful penances involved in offering up to Our Lord? Couldn't we all afford (well most of us) to lose a few pounds, for a good cause, (our souls)?
I have heard people say that, " they get bored with the same old prayers". There are many prayers. If you do some research, maybe you will come across some prayers you've never said or ever heard of. Some people may not know where to start. Your priests can give you wonderful advice on prayer and spiritual reading. The saints are a great influence and there are plenty of books to keep you occupied and away from the television set. Our children can benefit from books on the Saints as well. What child doesn't like a story? Most kids want a hero. Why not let our Saints be there models, instead of a superhero beating the brains out of a bad guy? For us adults, take a book and sit quietly in your church and read or pray. If you need time alone and can't get a break from the children, or arrange for a babysitter, then switch off with your spouse and make time for yourself. You will all benefit from this, and it is good to pray for each other.
Some people like organization. Then recite a Novena and make a committment to that particular intention and follow through on it. "The True Devotion to Mary" by St. Louis de Montfort is a great book to read. Read The story of Fatima and know the teachings of Our Blessed Mother. If you don't know this story, than you will be in for an eye opener. Most people need this today, in this mass destructive world we live in.
Most importantly our concerns should be reaching our goals. Most people would agree that reaching goals, and formulating their accomplishments in this lifetime is extremely important. Very true, but what is it based on? Now this is where we need to make the most significant choices. First of all, this is not eternity! Our goal should be living eternity in true peace with Christ. Not in Damnation. We have to remember to make correct choices. Ask yourself an honest question? What do we want out of life? Honestly, we are all selfish human beings. We want for ourselves and what can be good for us and make us happy, RIGHT? Oh, we most certainly do! Well, we can have that good and true happiness if we achieve the goal of reaching heaven. We can make ourselves truly happy if we make it there and after all isn't that what God wants for us?
So maybe, if we start practising devotions that are forgotten, or not done so much anymore, then maybe we can all benefit from the graces and indulgences that we can gain from doing so. What have we got to lose?

Monday, September 05, 2005

My View on Marriage

To have a completely Christian marriage is to truly love Christ first. This means that we want to treat our spouse as if they were the most important, fragile gift ,that they are, and respect them totally. One of the ways to do this is by letting them be themselves, as individuals, and not trying to conform them to what you would like them to be. Christ made us all individuals. Jesus would not want us to change the plans He has made for that persons life. This is why it is so important to let your spouse be an individual first. Let God mold them. You should support everything they do, and need, or want to do. Of course there has to be understanding and discussions if you feel that what they do can harm themselves or your marriage. You can't be selfish and that is where people get themselves into the most trouble. There has to be roles, and a respect for each other in these roles. Husbands should respect their wives and wives, respect and obey ( I know that this word upsets many people) but yes, obey their husband. Christ asks this from us as our role as a wife. We should be proud of this. This also doesn't make the husband some sort of "glorified king" by any means in a way of abusing his role. This is just a respect for him as head of his household. If you make smart choices in regards for selecting the right partner then this can be a very happy way of life.
The Marriage is a covenant between two indiviuals with God for a lifetime together. The marriage is a sacrifice as well. You give of yourself to benefit the other and do it graciously and lovingly and without any resentment. The husband should provide for his wife a suitable home and a comfortable place to raise a family. This does not mean he has to buy his wife everything she asks for and give her possessions. He just needs to make sure that she is provided for adequately for her survival. He can harm her spiritually if he bases his affections on wordly goods and doesn't concentrate on her spirituality. The same is true for the wife. She needs to support him and take good care of him with love and gentleness. If God blesses you with children, then their spirituality is both of the parent's main concern. Of course their well being is not to be neglected and must be provided for. Remember also that your children are individuals and each of them is being molded by God. We have to allow for this as well, and take into consideration any harm they can cause themselves, and protect them at all cost.
We are all God's precious gifts and we should treat each other as He has asked us to. If things are not going according to His plan, then you need to change what you are doing. Your priest can be of great assistance in guiding you back on the right path. If you have never had the right path then anytime is a good time to start. This is not easy and probably the hardest thing to do in life, but it is necessary to the salvation of your souls and those of your children. Marriage is a serious covenant and not an easy one. If it is done correctly and in accordancce with Christ's teaching, it can be very beautiful and satisfying to ourselves and to God.
It is one thing to have a marriage, but another to have a truly Christ centered marriage. Not many find this way together in life, but to those who have, surely received a gift from God.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

The Confessional

I hear so many people say that the reason that they don't go to confession is that they don't want to confess their sins to a priest! They say that they don't need to confess to another human being. This is just another poor excuse for not dealing with their sins, or maybe they are just unaware of the proper teaching of our faith. They say I will talk to God about my sins. Indeed you are when you go into the confessional. You are speaking to God through the priest. The Holy Spirit works through the priest to forgive us.
This sacrament can only be administered by a priest and is the only way to be absolved from your sins. Talking to God outside the confessional is not valid confession. You need to be absolved by the priest. For these reasons our priests are ordained. There are also graces that come from going to confession.The Sacrament of Reconciliation is extremely vital and should be frequented often especially if you have committed a mortal sin. The Cathechism is a great guide for the discernment of mortal sin. It is very important to know what mortal sin is, and to confess it immediately. If you should die in this state, it could cost you your inheritence into the kingdom of God. It is a good practice to frequent more than the alloted times that our Catholic Church requires. It is very beneficial to go to confession once a month. It strengthens us spiritually and it is a good habit to get into.
Remember that Jesus is merciful and forgiving. Our priests want nothing more than to see you confess sins and wipe your slate clean to begin again. This gives our priests their strength to overcome their sins and weaknesses as well. If we are all receiving graces from God through this Sacrament we can overcome the hand of Satan.
Just open your eyes to what is happening in the world. There is so much destruction out there. Morally we are in so much trouble and there is temptation everywhere you turn. I believe strongly that the happenings in the world are a sure sign telling us to repent, or we will be very sorry.
In the times of Noah there was the Flood, so in our times are our warnings by severe weather. We need to open our eyes and minds to heed these warnings swiftly. Jesus and Mary have been warning us for a very long time. Reading about Fatima can give real insight to Mary's warnings to us as her Son has asked. Forgiveness of sin is indeed imperative.
More than ever we need forgiveness, and it is a constant battle with the enemy. The priest is not our enemy in that confessional. He is there to help us offer ourselves to God and ask for our pardoning. Don't be afraid, or offer excuses for why we don't go, use this sacrament for our benefit. Our souls are in much need of forgiveness. Knowing that you are wiped clean of your sins the minute you step out of the confessional, should be enough for you to want to frequent this Sacrament.
Another thing I would like to mention is that I don't think it is fair to our priests to confess face to face. If you are comfortable with this, your priest may not be. If you confess by directly looking at him, he will remember who you are, and what your sins are ( for he is only human). This may make him uncomfortable every time he sees you he knows your sins and I feel that he does not need this burden. This may not be the case for every priest, but I wouldn't want to take the chance. He will have to try very hard to put your sins out of his mind. I don't know that this is possible. He, of course, does not judge you, or would he ever betray you. Even if you think this is good for you it may not be good for him and could put him in an occasion of sin by via his thoughts. Let us try to keep each other from sin and to help each other obtain the goals of heaven together.
The confessional originally was set up so that you spoke through a partition, and you were to be contemplating that this is Jesus I am speaking to. The face to face confessional was something adapted later and should have never been put into place. Face to face meetings should be left for counseling sessions or meetings with your spiritual director. Confession is between you and God through the priests intercession and done in the proper place.
Remember to pray for poor sinners and those souls in purgatory every day.