tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61239407211708525952024-03-05T13:19:47.728+00:00Fr Paul JohnsonWill you come with me as we venture along the path through Priesthood? It is a shared journey since God has deigned we be here together, and that must be for a reason...Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.comBlogger429125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-86508275198263007612011-06-26T14:34:00.001+01:002011-06-26T14:36:47.158+01:00Perfect for Corpus Christi<object style="height: 260px; width: 430px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cZ5aYoSr3Hg?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cZ5aYoSr3Hg?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="260" width="430"></embed></object>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-2529413190217555882011-02-26T21:05:00.005+00:002011-02-26T21:17:14.829+00:00Don't leave the baby on the bus!Homily for 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A<br /><br />Readings: <a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/022711.shtml"> Is 49:14-15; Ps 61; 1 Cor 4:1-5; Mt 6:24-34</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM75dNwLFfiaD-9ZOwqsbsMM_o1K-udrMChOF4v1tXoWgyzrktnlZUrp24L9bkz7PYA8q_iKclFtEfg1J18HZD6ZQC1gTRRlXj62pjcrtgIKxsRFEvZ7pU4BeBo0wGBFHkLK7IIBq_1AS/s1600/London+Bus.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM75dNwLFfiaD-9ZOwqsbsMM_o1K-udrMChOF4v1tXoWgyzrktnlZUrp24L9bkz7PYA8q_iKclFtEfg1J18HZD6ZQC1gTRRlXj62pjcrtgIKxsRFEvZ7pU4BeBo0wGBFHkLK7IIBq_1AS/s320/London+Bus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578110075713304674" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> 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mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Choosing a card for s</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >omeone, perhaps for their birthday, is a revealing thing.<span style=""> </span>Whether it is cheap or expensive, early or late, well meant but never sent or barely thought about and given without care – all teaches us about ourselves.<span style=""> </span>A particular card I recall seeing in a shop one time, which made me laugh out loud, showed a picture along the lines of the late 1950s soap advertising range.<span style=""> </span>You know the ones with women in period dress.<span style=""> </span>Anyway, this card depicts a scene of a woman pushing an empty blue pram looking utterly panic-stricken and in the background you see a departing red double-decker London bus – the bubble caption reads: <span style=""> </span>‘I left the baby on the bus!’<span style=""> </span>Clearly it’s meant to be funny, but we might ask why?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Probably, because like our first reading from the prophet Isaiah, it is something we imagine just not happening.<span style=""> </span>It’s almost unnatural that a mother would leave her baby on the bus, not least as she has a pram to get off with!<span style=""> </span>Yet I’m sure it happens.<span style=""> </span>I know it happens.<span style=""> </span>So it’s not the best example of reminding us of God’s faithfulness.<span style=""> </span>Like the loving mother with her baby at the breast he’s never going to leave us on the bus!<span style=""> </span>Just to underline the point and show the shortcoming of our feeble state in regard to child-forgetting, Isaiah says God’s faithfulness is like a son in the womb – you cannot forget him surely?<span style=""> </span>You cannot get off the bus without your son in the womb!<span style=""> </span>Let’s not go down the route of discussing the horror of abortion, save to say that the prophet seeks simply to remind us that we, like those early Israelites, do forget God from time to time, but he will never abandon us.<span style=""> </span>He will never forget us!<span style=""> </span>That’s true love!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >We can, and do, respond to that love through service:<span style=""> </span>Service of God and of neighbour, which is ultimately the same thing.<span style=""> </span>This is what Paul is trying to tell the Corinthians.<span style=""> </span>People will judge us on whether we have been good Christians or not.<span style=""> </span>Have we, honestly, presented what it means to be a Catholic in today’s world?<span style=""> </span>By their fruits you shall know them – how many people would describe us as a good Catholic?<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >In the end it doesn’t matter, of course, what other people say.<span style=""> </span>Even if we think we are a good Catholic, or even if we know we are because others say we are a good Catholic, or even if our own consciences is clear, St Paul reminds us, it is what God thinks that determines where you spend eternity.<span style=""> </span>He is the final judge and I suspect that He will be a little less harsh than you are about yourself!<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >But Jesus, in continuing his Sermon on the Mount, reminds us today that you cannot serve both God and money.<span style=""> </span>You cannot, in other words, have two masters.<span style=""> </span>Either everything about you points to serving God or it does not.<span style=""> </span>The example that Jesus uses is one about worry or anxiety – you either trust the Lord will provide or you do not.<span style=""> </span>This is not an excuse to do nothing to provide for your own or your family’s needs, there is no merit in simply raising your eyes to heaven and saying ‘oh, the Lord will provide’ and waiting for him to do it via other people.<span style=""> </span>Laziness is, above all, the sin of sloth and deadly at that!<span style=""> </span>No, today Jesus wants us to be certain that our own efforts, commendable though they be, will be no match when compared to the plentiful nature of feeding the birds nor the beauty of flowers so let us not worry and become anxious, rather let us trust in the Lord who loves us above all things.<span style=""> </span>After all, did he not want to be certain the world was perfect before he created us on the sixth day?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >So this week, when you’re thinking about a card to send or some other token which shows the love you have for another, do it in a way that clearly demonstrates you are, indeed, a steward of our Lord and God and whatever you do – don’t leave the baby on the bus!</span></p>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-46471476972177404402011-02-08T21:48:00.000+00:002011-02-08T21:49:17.597+00:00WYD 2011<object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gxOTpuQe6M4&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gxOTpuQe6M4&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-52346780116240987942010-11-04T20:20:00.002+00:002010-11-04T20:23:20.226+00:00Smile whilst you're singing!Thanks to <a href="http://blog.beliefnet.com/deaconsbench/2010/11/what-if-you-were-shopping.html">The Deacon's Bench blog</a> for this excellent post. Deacon Greg writes:<br /><br /><div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">...and suddenly everybody did THIS (see below)? </div><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;"> It happened at Macy's last weekend, when 600 members of the Opera Company of Philadelphia, mingling with the other shoppers, unexpectedly burst into the "Hallelujah!" chorus. Just watch and try not to smile. <br /></div></div></blockquote><div><br />And of course he's quite correct - watch and smile...<br /></div><span></span><br /></div></div><object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wp_RHnQ-jgU&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wp_RHnQ-jgU&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-81114276590952206352010-10-29T14:10:00.003+01:002010-10-29T14:20:13.952+01:00The lonely death of Jimmy Mubenga<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnPyRL-S9MQVt24cC15ZH45Sfo7hX-hCzk1gTl6-RtwwhHSP0b-MYblysC-HuF4Xhr6AY-XVuJEiL9FfWNDNs4IkR8yMNuSMrvj6nEDBfzl2u665bZpXbGVFX2_MWFuWteXTjbGIV7JNa/s1600/Jimmy+Mubenga.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnPyRL-S9MQVt24cC15ZH45Sfo7hX-hCzk1gTl6-RtwwhHSP0b-MYblysC-HuF4Xhr6AY-XVuJEiL9FfWNDNs4IkR8yMNuSMrvj6nEDBfzl2u665bZpXbGVFX2_MWFuWteXTjbGIV7JNa/s320/Jimmy+Mubenga.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533456813437894322" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It may be that you have already seen the story of Jimmy Mubenga's untimely death. If you have not, then do take the time to read about it. For a few days I've been away on vacation so I haven't, to my shame, even been aware that it's been in the news. Reading about Jimmy's case, however, really brings home the need to bring the best of British to the quagmire that is immigration, and especially asylum seekers, to these shores. By the best of British I mean: compassion, hospitality, protecting the vulnerable and fairness. Such values which we find littered across our Christian roots!<br /><br />You can read Jimmy's story <a href="http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=17002">here</a>, from ICN, and the Guardian story <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/jimmy-mubenga">here</a>.<br /><br /><span class="page_byline"></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><span class="page_byline">Jerome Phelps writes: </span>Jimmy Mubenga died on the runway at Heathrow Airport last Tuesday night. He died a very public death, in the final row of seats of British Airways flight 77 to Luanda. Witnesses have claimed that he shouted that he could not breathe for over ten minutes, as three large security guards forced his head down into his lap. No-one helped him.</blockquote></div><br /><br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-84250589841507939262010-10-18T21:53:00.004+01:002010-10-18T22:08:37.382+01:00St Luke and Seminarians<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRpr5QJGQ5Xzr82JUUBrbEyEEdVjNlFtn2Wbup0RscmSNDpdMs4f9MD1OuvESjYcwDhiC5KFBtCy2PMGwP50VTElBSeoNp904y5ADHsoVTD7bNbfOT7wHRdk-G0Z7bGq4mnMILGezvEw_/s1600/10_09_18_Oscott_01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRpr5QJGQ5Xzr82JUUBrbEyEEdVjNlFtn2Wbup0RscmSNDpdMs4f9MD1OuvESjYcwDhiC5KFBtCy2PMGwP50VTElBSeoNp904y5ADHsoVTD7bNbfOT7wHRdk-G0Z7bGq4mnMILGezvEw_/s400/10_09_18_Oscott_01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529494410384766082" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Wow, so much to do and such little time!<br /><br />Happy Feast to Luke (you know who you are) and did you read the letter from the Holy Father to seminarians? You can follow this link <a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/letters/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20101018_seminaristi_en.html">here</a>. My favourite passage is:<br /><br /> <blockquote>Anyone who wishes to become a priest must be first and foremost a “man of God”, to use the expression of Saint Paul (1 Tim 6:11). For us God is not some abstract hypothesis; he is not some stranger who left the scene after the “big bang”. God has revealed himself in Jesus Christ. In the face of Jesus Christ we see the face of God. In his words we hear God himself speaking to us. It follows that the most important thing in our path towards priesthood and during the whole of our priestly lives is our personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ.</blockquote><br />I kind of wish I'd realised that myself when I was in seminary! Time flies so quickly and before you know it you're ordained. Still, at least the Pope reiterates that this personal relationship is the centre of all that a priest is.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lEhEW5ayLRbMvAh-MKmon_f5yeD_wrVFoHgvxPQXdK3LdTl6CtXxOgxbc3xfYS6tKBlFMiu5PlqNc6B1iV4_e19FnnJuChJ3G3kEbD4kCZuhOkhYOU6Guk_-1MjjwAlwE0HNmH1sEfVe/s1600/Luke+by+El+Greco.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lEhEW5ayLRbMvAh-MKmon_f5yeD_wrVFoHgvxPQXdK3LdTl6CtXxOgxbc3xfYS6tKBlFMiu5PlqNc6B1iV4_e19FnnJuChJ3G3kEbD4kCZuhOkhYOU6Guk_-1MjjwAlwE0HNmH1sEfVe/s400/Luke+by+El+Greco.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529495554934993970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >St Luke</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Pray for Us</span><br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-26068055892945773152010-10-16T14:19:00.003+01:002010-10-16T14:26:57.466+01:00The Sacred Heart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtz5Hz7433VkIZ5z9__ETsDDjXpq4lT3HMUx3IXf1dK3BPC1-Fdjab1Xz1uOYZS9ECHycNsbbJSCCm1SX4_saGamPIHpzPqn8cQSTfXj5cSant-FXzhyEIc4lqcv-kgc39fKhrkrfWKoQ/s1600/IMG_2003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtz5Hz7433VkIZ5z9__ETsDDjXpq4lT3HMUx3IXf1dK3BPC1-Fdjab1Xz1uOYZS9ECHycNsbbJSCCm1SX4_saGamPIHpzPqn8cQSTfXj5cSant-FXzhyEIc4lqcv-kgc39fKhrkrfWKoQ/s400/IMG_2003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528634622743722354" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">On feast of St Margaret Mary Alocoque, which we celebrated at Mass this morning, we recall her passion in drawing us ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.<br /><br />The above photo is the statue of the Sacred Heart in the centre of the sanctuary at Fatima. Please pray for all those who make this pilgrimage, as the parish did earlier this year, that they may be drawn to a deeper appreciation of the love which Mary shows for her Son.<br /><br />St Margaret Mary, pray for us.<br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-85425989743969340492010-10-16T13:22:00.004+01:002010-10-16T13:28:59.065+01:00Pope John Paul II and the Priesthood<div style="text-align: justify;"><object style="height: 260px; width: 420px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cEjwtEnGTI0?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cEjwtEnGTI0?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="260" width="420"></embed></object><br /><br />Today, 32 years ago, the Holy Spirit prompted the conclave of cardinals to elect a new Pope: John Paul II. This is the power of saying 'yes' to God, none more so than when a young man says 'yes' to serving Christ as His priest. Perhaps, in our midst, is a future pope who simply needs your encouragement to enable him to say 'yes' to Christ when He says "come" and become His priest...<br /><br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-49834070959669022102010-10-15T11:52:00.002+01:002010-10-15T11:55:18.007+01:00St Teresa of Avila<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj2s9A1Ep10y73f9YrQF7tYKat5ZbDZC7JheE4sQ71fLkNf_HuXpvuroLB9IFmD038T9Bu7r5Z7VlL9vxKmSV-PnRnGrfUt9PsgEDx_9XZCbKoTW8i82NPpYrMD_-y99CvZEzVMWR5_c_/s1600/Teresa+of+Avila.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj2s9A1Ep10y73f9YrQF7tYKat5ZbDZC7JheE4sQ71fLkNf_HuXpvuroLB9IFmD038T9Bu7r5Z7VlL9vxKmSV-PnRnGrfUt9PsgEDx_9XZCbKoTW8i82NPpYrMD_-y99CvZEzVMWR5_c_/s400/Teresa+of+Avila.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528224512348872418" border="0" /></a><br />Fearsome old battle-axe or joy filled advocate?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">St Teresa of Avila, Pray for us</span></span><br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-91982181638422163082010-10-15T11:36:00.004+01:002010-10-15T11:51:28.144+01:00Orthodoxy<a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EgLV1XG-dBIDwCtfEIYEx_BimdRLnIG1gVgJfANaoJMLQpMw3iVSmIQ5qZCDtcCy4fjw-RFpSfBRuAy29Qe70qsZZ8dDhgiUh2RK_Q8Hf4raJvNqbelWaocMStAqt0GIUahdHpkuVxsd/s1600/chesterton_orthodoxy_larger2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EgLV1XG-dBIDwCtfEIYEx_BimdRLnIG1gVgJfANaoJMLQpMw3iVSmIQ5qZCDtcCy4fjw-RFpSfBRuAy29Qe70qsZZ8dDhgiUh2RK_Q8Hf4raJvNqbelWaocMStAqt0GIUahdHpkuVxsd/s320/chesterton_orthodoxy_larger2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528223358154294562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" ><img src="file:///C:/Users/PAULJO%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" />One of the blogs I catch up with from time to time is <a href="http://donotbediscouraged.blogspot.com/">Illegitimi non carborundum</a> written by Fr James Farfaglia. I'll leave you to work out the translation if you're not familiar with Latin, but a short cut is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegitimi_non_carborundum">here</a>.<br /><br />I digress. Today, Fr James is defending himself against some critics of a recent article he has written in regard to the new translation of the Roman Missal, widely reported to be introduced to these shores on the first Sunday of Advent, 2011. You can read the response to the critics <a href="http://donotbediscouraged.blogspot.com/2010/10/reaching-out-to-my-disgruntled-critics.html">here</a>, and the original article written <a href="http://www.catholic.org/hf/faith/story.php?id=38684">here</a> (beware there are annoying little pop ups). Again, I </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >digress. What caught my attention was this quote from Chesterton in regard to Orthodoxy. I'm not sure the orthodox church comes out in the best light, but the style and force of Chesterton's statement is worth repeating in full...<br /><br /></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;font-family:courier new;color:black;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:large;">“This is the thrilling romance of Orthodoxy. People have fallen into a foolish habit of speaking of</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> orthodoxy as something heavy, humdrum, and safe. There never was anything so perilous or so exciting as orthodoxy. It was sanity: and to be sane is more dramatic than to be mad. It was the equilibrium of a man behind madly rushing horses, seeming to stoop this way and to sway that, yet in every attitude having the grace of statuary and the accuracy of arithmetic. The Church in its early days went fierce and fast with any warhorse; yet it is utterly unhistoric to say that she merely went mad along one idea, like a vulgar fanaticism. She swerved to left and right, so exactly as to avoid enormous obstacles. She left on one hand the huge bulk of Arianism, buttressed by all the worldly powers to make Christianity too worldly. The next instant she was swerving to avoid an orientalism, which would have made it too unworldly. The orthodox Church never took the tame course or accepted the conventions; the orthodox Church was never respectable. It would have been easier to have accepted the earthly power of the Arians. It would have been easy, in the Calvinistic seventeenth century, to fall into the bottomless pit of predestination. It is easy to be a madman: it is easy to be a heretic. It is always easy to let the age have its head; the difficult thing is to keep one’s own. It is always easy to be a modernist; as it is easy to be a snob. To have fallen into any of those open traps of error and exaggeration which fashion after fashion and sect after sect set along the historic path of Christendom—that would indeed have been simple. It is always simple to fall; there are an infinity of angles at which one falls, only one at which one stands. To have fallen into any one of the fads from Gnosticism to Christian Science would indeed have been obvious and tame. But to have avoided them all has been one whirling adventure; and in my vision the heavenly chariot flies thundering through the ages, the dull heresies sprawling and prostrate, the wild truth reeling but erect.”<br /><br />Taken from 'Orthodoxy' by GK Chesterton and available to buy <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Orthodoxy-G-K-Chesterton/dp/0385015364/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287139588&sr=8-1">here</a>.</span><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-45094490649946453222010-10-11T12:06:00.002+01:002010-10-11T12:09:42.893+01:00Blessed Pope John XXIII<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wXcGdiv9-2M?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wXcGdiv9-2M?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Blessed Pope John</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">:</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Pray for us</span><br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-82043472227902181062010-10-08T22:44:00.003+01:002010-10-08T22:51:21.017+01:00Ushaw College may close...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN-FXuh7A2qX4A0fc3saLD8DHVLWjF7wgF2Cuq7yaz3HOcUQSBPsEIHcGISM0UZ1RKGCpeDQFfQauX9ArL4mdyQXHxYCIpcwVjZZZjl9pa9BpUxSLnXH-I5XJPJsASrDJ3Z-o8TxitXBi/s1600/545px-Ushaw_College,_Durham.svg.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN-FXuh7A2qX4A0fc3saLD8DHVLWjF7wgF2Cuq7yaz3HOcUQSBPsEIHcGISM0UZ1RKGCpeDQFfQauX9ArL4mdyQXHxYCIpcwVjZZZjl9pa9BpUxSLnXH-I5XJPJsASrDJ3Z-o8TxitXBi/s200/545px-Ushaw_College,_Durham.svg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525796130242903762" border="0" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wear-11504840">BBC </a>write:<br /><br />Historic Catholic college in County Durham to close<br />Ushaw College Ushaw College is close to the city of Durham<br /><br />A Roman Catholic college that can trace its roots back to the 16th Century is to close, its trustees have announced.<br /><br />Ushaw College in County Durham is home to St Cuthbert's Seminary, which trains young men to become priests.<br /><br />Run as a charity, it also provides conference and event facilities and accommodation, but maintenance and running costs have increased.<br /><br />The college is due to shut in June 2011, and its 26 students will transfer to another seminary.<br /><br />Ushaw College can trace its roots back to Douai College, which was founded in 1568 in the Spanish Netherlands, now northern France, to provide priests when traditional Catholicism suffered persecution under Queen Elizabeth I.<br />Drastic step<br /><br />Students and staff later relocated to County Durham and eventually settled at Ushaw in 1808.<br /><br />Kay Wightman, director of finance and commercial development at Ushaw College, said the business had been facing tough times for many years.<br /><br />She said: "We are a charitable organisation and as such unfortunately we've had to bear increasing costs of maintaining and running the facilities we provide, and this has led to the sad proposal that Ushaw is to close."<br /><br />Monsignor John Marsland, president of the college, added: "Words cannot express how sad we are that we are considering such a drastic step.<br /><br />"We have long tried to find a development partner and it would be nice to believe that a partner will still come forward with a viable business plan, but unfortunately time is running out and we have to face the reality of the situation we are in."<br /><br />H/T to <a href="http://forestmurmurs.blogspot.com/2010/10/ushaw-to-close-in-june-2011.html">Forest Murmers</a> for the story.<br /><br />When we were in Valladolid the shock of the closure of the Scots college in Salamanca was quite devastating for all those concerned and tonight we think and pray for those who will be effected by the closure of the northern seminary, if it becomes necessary. Can't help but feeling, however, that the northern bishops are taking a strong and courageous lead on the issue...<br /><br />Sad, really sad!Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-48859492087683167392010-08-14T15:22:00.003+01:002010-08-14T15:36:07.848+01:00Papal Infallibility & The Assumption<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVd2jl-qhahxrKbCj5WVDBYlZUAJU4l2us2dtiSvN6PFVg_u4VHgl1ZV2v5GvSgMcHfJkkqZ8p_FLlSvc4qtFAJNg5yqs1_6j8sK2aJ6VdKm4cT5qqy6xNY3aLdzaj3dVffl10PNrvnsU4/s1600/Assumption+our-lady-of-the-assumption-murillo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVd2jl-qhahxrKbCj5WVDBYlZUAJU4l2us2dtiSvN6PFVg_u4VHgl1ZV2v5GvSgMcHfJkkqZ8p_FLlSvc4qtFAJNg5yqs1_6j8sK2aJ6VdKm4cT5qqy6xNY3aLdzaj3dVffl10PNrvnsU4/s400/Assumption+our-lady-of-the-assumption-murillo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505271694143916338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Murillo, <b><i>Assumption of the Virgin</i></b>, 1670,</span>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Oil on canvas. The Hermitage, St. Petersburg)</span>
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mso-columns:2 even 35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/081510a.shtml">Readings for the Assumption</a>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Do you believe the Pope to be infallible?<span style=""> </span>Do you think, in matters of faith and morality, the Pope is able to speak with such authority that it must be held to be true by all Catholics?<span style=""> </span>Well, that is our understanding.<span style=""> </span>This is the teaching of the Church going back well over a century now and yet it has often been cited as one of the whacky things that Catholics believe.<span style=""> </span>It will be raised in the media as we prepare for the Holy Father’s visit next month.<span style=""> </span>Surely no man can be without error, people will say.<span style=""> </span>Of course these people misunderstand the teaching of Papal Infallibility, yet today is a perfect example of what we mean by it.<span style=""> </span>Let me explain.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >In 1946 Pope Pius XII polled the Catholic bishops throughout the world and after their affirmative response; he officially promulgated the dogma of Mary’s assumption on 1<sup>st</sup> November 1950. <span style=""> </span>The Pope spoke, <i style="">ex cathedra,</i> infallibly.<span style=""> </span>We, therefore, as dutiful Catholics hold this dogma of our faith to be absolute.<span style=""> </span>Quite simply:<span style=""> </span>Mary was assumed into heaven.<span style=""> </span>No doubt whatsoever.<span style=""> </span>Now, do we know this to be true because the Pope says so, or is it, as I suspect, because we simply know it as truth and, therefore, believe it.<span style=""> </span>It’s a simple question to always ask yourself:<span style=""> </span>is it true because we say it is, or do we believe because it is true!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Whilst there may be no explicit evidence within scripture for this truth; I don’t recall reading the Angel saying to Mary, “oh, and by the way, because you have said yes to be the Mother of God it means that you’re going to be assumed into heaven one day”, there is none the less clear signs within both Scripture and especially within our Tradition that bears witness to this special honour for Our Lady.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >In the Gospel Elizabeth says two very interesting things during her greeting of Mary:<span style=""> </span>she refers to Mary as “the mother of my Lord” and also “she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.”<span style=""> </span>Thus, we have long held that the ravages of the tomb would never touch such a chosen one as Mary.<span style=""> </span>Once Christ had died and then rose from the dead, it must surely be only natural that which was the way of the Son would be replicated in the mother.<span style=""> </span>It is interesting to wonder if the dragon in the book of the Apocalypse somehow represents the decay of the tomb from which the child is snatched up to heaven and the woman is safely removed to the desert to await her turn and thus follow the son.<span style=""> </span>To be assumed into heaven in due course.<span style=""> </span>We will hear, in a moment, the priest say to God:<span style=""> </span>you would not allow decay to touch her body, for she had given birth to your Son.<span style=""> </span>In a sense, Mary’s assumption is pretty obvious really.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >When Pope Pius declared this to be true, then, he wasn’t coming up with something new.<span style=""> </span>Often, the harsh critics of Papal Infallibility will say:<span style=""> </span>if the Pope loses the plot then, and says so and so, you have to believe it!<span style=""> </span>As though Catholics were not born with reason and will believe anything and thus, subtly, those who would criticise us can declare all truth to be flawed:<span style=""> </span>All truth to be simply a matter of choice and why is your choice any more important than mine?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >We are not talking about who is right and who is wrong.<span style=""> </span>We are taking about the truth revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ.<span style=""> </span>Always, this is our starting point.<span style=""> </span>Everything points to this.<span style=""> </span>Mary’s assumption has its basis in being the Mother of God:<span style=""> </span>thus is makes clear sense that she should be born immaculate and that she is, for us, the model of all humanity.<span style=""> </span>Not only our personal model but also she shows the Church the way; not only in destiny but via the right route.<span style=""> </span>We prayed at the beginning of Mass:<span style=""> </span>May we see heaven as our final Goal and come to share her glory.<span style=""> </span>We will conclude by praying: may we “be led to the glory of heaven by the prayers of the Virgin Mary.”<span style=""> </span>Amen!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Thanks to Mary, and her assumption, we are able, therefore, to make very clear to people exactly what we mean by Papal Infallibility.<span style=""> </span>This has been our understanding for well over a century now; can anyone actually name a time when it seemed like a daft idea.<span style=""> </span>We love the Pope and we will give him due reverence and we are proud to listen to him speak!<o:p></o:p></span></p> Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-34861032698928929112010-08-13T23:13:00.005+01:002010-08-13T23:18:57.994+01:00St Margaret of Scotland<div style="text-align: justify;">I know we're a little early (16 Nov) but it's always good to seek the intercession of those whom you feel close to, spiritually. So, with this in mind:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn1wxCf_9P6FP1OekPyxyb56wSnv_IWA1f21awmvcjPYc8rjp37PHEXCH88TWunjWWUht3nBpFX5Vs-EP1CNQv9HuBlETDPadb0XifAzpx5liCY-vwnJsuA_gIDpktrxTaBUJ7IBmSSiT/s1600/Margaret+of+Scotland+%28Edinburgh+Castle%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn1wxCf_9P6FP1OekPyxyb56wSnv_IWA1f21awmvcjPYc8rjp37PHEXCH88TWunjWWUht3nBpFX5Vs-EP1CNQv9HuBlETDPadb0XifAzpx5liCY-vwnJsuA_gIDpktrxTaBUJ7IBmSSiT/s400/Margaret+of+Scotland+%28Edinburgh+Castle%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505021863438121570" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >St Margaret of Scotland</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" >Pray for us</span><br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-28224939917714695562010-08-13T09:32:00.003+01:002010-08-13T09:35:03.921+01:00First Blessings<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PBwPFJg70Cc?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PBwPFJg70Cc?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">H/T to Vincenzo over at <a href="http://www.sanctepater.com/2010/08/first-blessing-of-newly-ordained-priest.html">SANCTE PATER</a> for this video of an FSSP priest giving first blessings. It's lovely to see the crowds who, clearly, seek the spiritual blessings. At the risk, however, of sounding Palagian, I thought he might have put a little more effort into his work!<br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-1237956483729235402010-08-12T20:16:00.002+01:002010-08-12T20:22:26.433+01:00Quote of the day...<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsYvoXf3G0idTemE58ZD1y7Q6FmSneZ_8_CmgCdyV2TScDC99vcbqIZr829UZBsOclCboLHLEwvaRcv9ljn-Vz62eOPSREox85DhqwRqEvxTetHsoXVPU_JtADMK7oYmbw7uuarNqSpFt/s1600/marcus_aurelius.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsYvoXf3G0idTemE58ZD1y7Q6FmSneZ_8_CmgCdyV2TScDC99vcbqIZr829UZBsOclCboLHLEwvaRcv9ljn-Vz62eOPSREox85DhqwRqEvxTetHsoXVPU_JtADMK7oYmbw7uuarNqSpFt/s200/marcus_aurelius.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504605723961483298" border="0" /></a>Recently a parishioner gave me the following quote from Marcus Aurelius, one time Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher...<br /><br />Press on steadily. Keep to the straight road in your thinking & doing and your days will ever flow on smoothly. The soul of man, like the souls of all rational creatures, has two things in common with the soul of God: It can never be thwarted from without, and it's good consists in righteousness of character and action and in confining every wish thereto.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Wonder what Russell <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Crowe</span> thinks of that, then!</span><br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-24232938208181139712010-08-11T22:10:00.004+01:002010-08-11T22:15:40.239+01:00Lead Kindly Light<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cb9BVwQ9nKLbRWerlTABxWC0SZ6HMnAXnk700lBKqm99johO2cUNmDngHW9vmVJxFVirsSUrter5sA1sMiAwbPdKf0w6i4qNrm6iGiOmjwgWsVZAjD8XotX6DwdvaSy4zODcWdkZ0wPm/s1600/Newman+Picture+at+Oscott.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cb9BVwQ9nKLbRWerlTABxWC0SZ6HMnAXnk700lBKqm99johO2cUNmDngHW9vmVJxFVirsSUrter5sA1sMiAwbPdKf0w6i4qNrm6iGiOmjwgWsVZAjD8XotX6DwdvaSy4zODcWdkZ0wPm/s400/Newman+Picture+at+Oscott.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504263467014467890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Newman, centre right, 3rd cleric from the right with cotta)</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jackie Parkes, I see, has a new blog: Lead Kindly Light, which you can link to <a href="http://spreadthyfragrance.blogspot.com/">here</a>. Delighted to see she has a copy of the unfinished portrait of the meeting of the hierarchy at Oscott College in 1852 (if memory serves me correctly). It is a delight to see the painting again, which I passed many a time on my way up to see the Rector, over the years!<br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-79585007083433163562010-08-11T00:01:00.000+01:002010-08-10T23:04:05.863+01:00Newman RIP<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/E1wrFNfOfpw&hl=en_GB&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/E1wrFNfOfpw&hl=en_GB&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-66304432766200358192010-08-10T12:39:00.002+01:002010-08-10T12:42:34.040+01:00Deacons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghViizc6GOJmQnch02Td674CwZtCQEc0prI7Lxhgs8UDj_hYfIiSzBIo1OeRv-qwNwCFtxNBhu2hCKfieOzEAUG_pG8aCAEMN9tSaC-JzghJOJLCmfH6pxMg0DyxiH8961ComPq48Z2Ac-/s1600/martyrdom_of_st_lawrence.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghViizc6GOJmQnch02Td674CwZtCQEc0prI7Lxhgs8UDj_hYfIiSzBIo1OeRv-qwNwCFtxNBhu2hCKfieOzEAUG_pG8aCAEMN9tSaC-JzghJOJLCmfH6pxMg0DyxiH8961ComPq48Z2Ac-/s400/martyrdom_of_st_lawrence.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503745225868761138" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Remember, today, in prayer all those who are ordained Deacon, both transitional and permanent. Especially, we pray for Deacons Gerry and Pat, here in the parish, and for Craig and Padraig at Oscott, who are preparing for ordination to the presbyterate next summer.</div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-1129791642730106292010-08-08T10:14:00.002+01:002010-08-08T10:17:55.040+01:00Fides et Ratio<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinD2cQ9bnXrsEZyhL5pZplV3jYjEVvo5kBcUZaqINZKoAZ4tRh5e03Pld7rMdsFx9xrcpD-wJQPmyD0uItmnXQWUX0lYvQeZTMhgHgroceLkWe2YhvGq4PxxeHS7RFRl1_l6K_nwyESZDr/s1600/Butterfly6.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinD2cQ9bnXrsEZyhL5pZplV3jYjEVvo5kBcUZaqINZKoAZ4tRh5e03Pld7rMdsFx9xrcpD-wJQPmyD0uItmnXQWUX0lYvQeZTMhgHgroceLkWe2YhvGq4PxxeHS7RFRl1_l6K_nwyESZDr/s200/Butterfly6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502965764248817890" border="0" /></a>
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mso-columns:2 even 35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/080810.shtml">Readings for 19th Sunday, Year C</a>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”<span style=""> </span>These are the words of the great Doctor of the Church, St Thomas Aquinas.<span style=""> </span>On the face of it we may conclude that if you don’t have faith, then you will never understand what it is that Catholics believe.<span style=""> </span>Or you might conclude that it is only to those whom the Lord has given the gift of faith that salvation is possible suggesting that Catholics are the lucky ones and everyone else is condemned.<span style=""> </span>This is simply not true.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Faith is a gift, a wonderful gift, which comes from the Creator of all humanity.<span style=""> </span>I can think of no reason why God would not give a person this enlightening gift.<span style=""> </span>Rather it is a little like we are given a birthday gift which relies upon batteries.<span style=""> </span>How often have we found ourselves searching through draws and boxes on Christmas morning looking for batteries for the children?<span style=""> </span>Perhaps in an age which relies so heavily upon battery operated items this is now less a problem, but I digress.<span style=""> </span>The gift of faith, which we have all been given, relies upon the batteries of reason to get it going.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Pope John Paul II, in his mind-blowing encyclical letter, <i style="">Fides et Ratio</i> says:<span style=""> </span>Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.<span style=""> </span>This brings to mind an image of the human spirit like some graceful butterfly, full of colour and wonder and beauty soaring toward heaven and coming ever closer to being with Jesus.<span style=""> </span>As though heaven were some distant plane upon which we know we shall find the most treasured and striking of flowers upon which to land, toward a light that gives warmth, love and comfort.<span style=""> </span>Surely this is something we all seek in an age of ugliness amid the harsh reality of our lives.<span style=""> </span>It’s not a daydream, however, but rather it is our destiny.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Oscar Wilde, I think it was, said that scepticism is the beginning of faith.<span style=""> </span>He talks, one suspects, of the need for reason in matters of faith.<span style=""> </span>Faith may well be blind, but we need the clear sight of reason to bring that faith into its full light and beauty.<span style=""> </span>If faith is gift, then we might say reason is natural to us.<span style=""> </span>We all, regardless of our faith, have an innate desire to know the truth.<span style=""> </span>Those, however, who have found the batteries can get the toy going and see creation in all its wonder.<span style=""> </span>Pity those who have batteries, but no toy to play with!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Perhaps the greatest of all scientist, a man of outstanding reason you might say, Albert Einstein, said once:<span style=""> </span>There are only two ways to live . . . one is as though nothing is a miracle . . . the other is as if everything is.<span style=""> </span>So today we have that choice of how we are to live our lives.<span style=""> </span>Do we believe, or do we not.<o:p></o:p></span></p> Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-75048659882493254072010-08-06T10:38:00.003+01:002010-08-06T10:42:23.626+01:00Transfiguration<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPo48slfyPkZjsY5sZBEUzzcKpRawOkdBFB7iXlb_mpxIL2ldx5XJljuBPi2rA3bZKdkGB6c08TKWBK0LZJLsKjsORqFKeGFVsbMeNw5RyAr6amL3K4dKn9mjPx0K8nyf8PzSJhT8Ech5u/s1600/Transfiguration+Raphael.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPo48slfyPkZjsY5sZBEUzzcKpRawOkdBFB7iXlb_mpxIL2ldx5XJljuBPi2rA3bZKdkGB6c08TKWBK0LZJLsKjsORqFKeGFVsbMeNw5RyAr6amL3K4dKn9mjPx0K8nyf8PzSJhT8Ech5u/s400/Transfiguration+Raphael.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502229777444260802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In thanksgiving, on this wonderful feast, for our friends at St George's, Worcester and for a God-given opportunity to gaze upon the original earlier this year! It never ceases to amaze me that though once I had the opportunity and money to see all that I wanted, it just never happened. Giving it all up, seemingly, has opened horizons I could only ever dream about. Thanks, Jesus.<br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-33414003747953204002010-08-04T11:20:00.004+01:002010-08-04T11:33:38.716+01:00Newman by Fr Michael Rear<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjk7koucKG4h62BPEWzghcSgxMAEUW4OlWGgHDhUrDYtk6Vaig_ag-VXkwYRDlG-SaP35ia4KmQ3HzZGCOoUhnkXSHr-j1c8bQc_XKwOUzPSPGg9UGTzvar21KS4mjg1lhfTAfW2DpgXa/s1600/newman+michael+rear.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjk7koucKG4h62BPEWzghcSgxMAEUW4OlWGgHDhUrDYtk6Vaig_ag-VXkwYRDlG-SaP35ia4KmQ3HzZGCOoUhnkXSHr-j1c8bQc_XKwOUzPSPGg9UGTzvar21KS4mjg1lhfTAfW2DpgXa/s200/newman+michael+rear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501500628977210370" border="0" /></a>There is little time within an Assistant Priests schedule for reading, it seems to me. Perhaps, one wonders, if I spent a little more time in prayer then I would have the time for uplifting spiritual reading as contained within <a href="http://www.stpauls.org.uk/default/blessed-john-henry-newman.html">Blessed John Henry Newman</a> by Fr Michael Rear. Fr Michael presents a short but excellent biography of Newman. Clearly, in this fervent time of Newman-appreciation in which we are all gripped, it's good to take time and learn about the man who will be declared Blessed by the Pope in a few weeks time.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />If you have time for only a brief introduction to the man, then Fr Michael's account comes very highly recommended. The blurb on the back of the book states:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote>Newman’s life spanned nearly the whole of the 19th century, spent almost equally in the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church. Michael Rear begins by exploring Newman’s immense influence on the Anglican Church, and the events that led to him being denounced as a traitor’ and virtually expelled from that Church.<br /><br />Only after four years of prayer and of his study of the development of doctrine, did Newman find his way clear to enter the Catholic Church. Founder of the Oratories, of a school, and a university in Ireland, his views on the laity, papal infallibility, education, and conscience led to misunderstanding, until, at the age of 78, he was made a Cardinal. A century later he was called an ‘unseen presence’ at the Second Vatican Council, and revered for his holiness.<br /><br />His prediction of the secular society, in which Religion, ‘is a private luxury, which a man may have if he will; but which… he must not obtrude upon others, or indulge in to their annoyance’, has a very contemporary feel.</blockquote></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Treat yourself: though at £4.95 it's not great value for such a brief book. Mind you, better value than other's I've read! Buy it <a href="http://www.stpauls.org.uk/default/blessed-john-henry-newman.html">here</a>.<br /><br />A great pleasure to spend time with one holy priest on the feast of another. St John Marie Vianney: Pray for us. Soon-to-be Blessed John Henry Newman: Pray for us.<br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-26103711036452304332010-08-02T22:53:00.003+01:002010-08-02T22:57:51.466+01:00It's getting very exciting now...<object height="270" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8ltonghNx64&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_GB&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8ltonghNx64&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_GB&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="270" width="450"></embed></object><br /><br />H/T to <a href="http://loveundefiled.blogspot.com/2010/08/papal-visit.html">Love Undefiled</a> by Robert Colquhoun for pointing out this great video. I'm so excited I could crush a grape!Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-38756858936107565632010-07-31T19:31:00.002+01:002010-07-31T19:35:00.069+01:00Need not Greed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-LSatPksaXe12wrNfaznK0a-QQ2g117BGm0yszOTJBunYnMxbnHHc3xccUS2Akq2Dt-aJknOyZ2zStVKHR7or2UBImTodXGXFveO7Tuwrp_yf19C0JWiAxGRbSDuSShPNo0Sul4W57OZ/s1600/Need+not+greed.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-LSatPksaXe12wrNfaznK0a-QQ2g117BGm0yszOTJBunYnMxbnHHc3xccUS2Akq2Dt-aJknOyZ2zStVKHR7or2UBImTodXGXFveO7Tuwrp_yf19C0JWiAxGRbSDuSShPNo0Sul4W57OZ/s400/Need+not+greed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500140643746681650" border="0" /></a>
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mso-columns:2 even 35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/080110.shtml">Today's readings</a>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >O that today you would listen to his voice!<span style=""> </span>This response to our psalm is more urgent now than it has ever been.<span style=""> </span>It recalls a time at Meribah when the Israelites were travelling through the desert and they doubted God speaking through the prophet Moses.<span style=""> </span>How many of us listen to today’s Gospel and think that Jesus is talking about someone else?<span style=""> </span>How many of us assume that it is good to make ourselves secure in this life with material possessions?<span style=""> </span>Perhaps we convince ourselves that we’re saving to ensure our children have a secure life – it is surely good to save for a rainy day, is it not?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Only a fool would deny that we are gripped by economic hardship.<span style=""> </span>Massive cuts in public spending are afoot; we know we are in for a rough ride; hard times are upon us.<span style=""> </span>So perhaps we are saving, or at least being a little more economic.<span style=""> </span>We don’t know what the future holds, so we are playing it safe.<span style=""> </span>Now I don’t want to get into the politics of economic policy but we do need to refocus on our priorities.<span style=""> </span>There is a lovely short story written by Leo Tolstoy called ‘How much land does a man need?’<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >A peasant, named Pahom, is fearful of the devil and is heard to exclaim ‘if I had enough land then I would not fear the devil’.<span style=""> </span>A laudable cry!<span style=""> </span>A local landowner decides to sell some land and many in the village buy a small piece each, including Pahom.<span style=""> </span>He works the land and soon repays his debts but becomes very possessive and seeks to buy more land so he moves to a larger town buying more land and earning more and more money.<span style=""> </span>He has become quite secure but seeks yet more security, more land.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Pahom hears of a nearby people who have plenty of land and are willing to sell so he sets off to negotiate as much land for as little money as he can get.<span style=""> </span>He seeks a bargain.<span style=""> </span>The Bashkirs, however, have an unusual policy of disposing of the land.<span style=""> </span>They offer him as much land as he likes for only 1,000 rubles on one condition:<span style=""> </span>he may steak out as much land as he likes but must return to the exact spot from where he starts within the same day.<span style=""> </span>If he fails to return to the spot, then the Bashkirs will keep the money and all is lost.<span style=""> </span>Pahom is excited as he is a fit man and can cover quite a distance in one day, so he goes to bed to get a good night’s rest.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >That night Pahom has a terrible dream.<span style=""> </span>He sees himself lying dead at the feet of the devil who is laughing!<span style=""> </span>The very next morning Pahom sets off at the break of day.<span style=""> </span>He covers a vast swathe of land and notices that the land is getting better and better the further he travels.<span style=""> </span>Soon the sun begins to set and Pahom makes to return to the spot from where he began.<span style=""> </span>It is some way and he has to move quickly to reach the point.<span style=""> </span>Eventually, just as the sun sets he finally makes it and falls face down on the spot from where he started, now totally exhausted.<span style=""> </span>The Bashkirs rejoice at his great triumph but are surprised when Pahom fails to respond.<span style=""> </span>As they roll him over, they see he has died with exhaustion.<span style=""> </span>Pahom is then buried in a grave exactly six feet long – the amount of land perhaps a man needs!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Today’s Gospel is not about need.<span style=""> </span>It is about greed.<span style=""> </span>The man was already rich and had no need of more.<span style=""> </span>Perhaps a telling tale of our times is that we simply don’t know how rich we are.<span style=""> </span>We may worry about the level of debt we now have in our country and yet we were in far harsher economic times just after the war in the 1940s.<span style=""> </span>Everything, it may seem, is relative.<span style=""> </span>What is never relative, however, is that we do well to listen to St Paul’s advice to the Colossians:<span style=""> </span>you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.<span style=""> </span>Now, how wealthy do we seem in these terms?<span style=""> </span>Suddenly we see that all we possess is as nothing!<span style=""> </span>It is but vanity of vanities, the Preacher says.<span style=""> </span>Vanity of vanities.<span style=""> </span>All is vanity!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >O that today you would listen to his voice!<o:p></o:p></span></p> Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6123940721170852595.post-21018027942568982662010-07-29T23:15:00.008+01:002010-07-29T23:30:51.590+01:00The guilty pleasure of Caravaggio<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy3KInGo_WD4lBNExlRmF9LGWJuZ2kRo6uhpHjcFRLYn5So_wvtZXffRNfpzUY9jXqorbzNSit04QodTfyC-L3oRKluy8t4lqih1yp8McRxa7sZNQ9u289LjWkFuwO_eZBe5mSaf6jIC8/s1600/Taking+of+Christ.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy3KInGo_WD4lBNExlRmF9LGWJuZ2kRo6uhpHjcFRLYn5So_wvtZXffRNfpzUY9jXqorbzNSit04QodTfyC-L3oRKluy8t4lqih1yp8McRxa7sZNQ9u289LjWkFuwO_eZBe5mSaf6jIC8/s400/Taking+of+Christ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499458567277063522" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks to <a href="http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2010/07/in-this-month-of-400th-anniversary-of.html">Rorate Caeli</a> for today's post with a film all about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Taking_of_Christ_%28Caravaggio%29">The Taking of Christ</a> by <a href="http://caravaggio.com/preview/home.html">Caravaggio</a>. It was a pleasure to watch, perhaps even a little self indulgent, and wonderful to learn more about both the artist and his work. The film got me to thinking about why I'm such a fan of this sixteenth century Italian painter and, more specifically, his art. Caravaggio's life was, at best, far from the Christian ideal but it was real and it was of it's time and it was what it was. From this God brought forth great pictures that help us to enter into the mystery of his passion. As the film notes, The Taking of Christ is a reflection of the first act of violence which began the passion of our Lord. The film was, as I say, a pleasure to watch and I encourage you to spend some time thinking about the passion of the Lord, perhaps even through the medium of art.<br /></div>Fr Paul Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107161894913745109noreply@blogger.com0