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My Prayer Box
the
Newsletter of My Catholic Tradition
“You cannot strengthen the
weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help the
wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You
cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You
cannot help men permanently by doing for them what
they could and should do for themselves.” -
Abraham Lincoln
To subscribe to the newsletter, please follow this
link. |
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In celebration of the year of Paul the Apostle,
here is the final part story of his life. |
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Who
is |
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Paul, the Apostle, Part II |
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The
Travels
From this point, Paul assumed
leadership of the mission, which up to
that time was lead by Barnabas. Paul
then starts his apostolic travels to
spread the word. It was during this
time that Mark, a cousin of Barnabas
abandoned the group and left Paul and
Barnabas the work. Paul spoke of the
vocation of Israel and preached in
synagogues, spreading the word of the
Lord.
At this
time the question of the status of the
Jews in the new Christian faith came
up. Some Judeo-Christians coming down
from Jerusalem claimed that the
Gentiles be circumcised. Paul and
Barnabas protested against this and
they decided to meet to solve the
problem.
The
disciples decided, first, that the
Gentiles were exempt |
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from the Mosaic
law. Secondly, that those of Syria and Cilicia
must abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from
blood, from things strangled, and from
fornication. Thirdly, that this injunction was
laid upon them, not in virtue of the Mosaic law,
but in the name of the Holy Ghost. These are
vindication of what Paul believed. |
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But still the
difficulties between the Christians and the
Jews persisted, which led to the dispute
between Peter and Paul.
At the start
of the second mission a discussion concerning
Mark, whom Paul refused to accept as
travelling companion. Consequently Barnabas
set out with Mark for Cyprus and Paul chose
Silas or Silvanus, a Roman citizen like
himself and an influential member of the
Church of Jerusalem.
They brought
to the decrees of the Apostolic council of
Jerusalem to the lands, and promulgated the
decrees. Paul continued to spread the word of
the Lord throughout the cities by preaching in
synagogues, whenever they were available. He
stays in each city until persecution |
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forced him to
escape to another city and begin preaching again.
When the conflict
between the new Christians and the Jews became
intolerable, Paul established a new Church with
his followers as the nucleus. |
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Paul continued
from and wrote the Letters to the
Thessalonians during the early months of his
second journey.
It was in this
part of his journey Paul brought back to life
the young Eutychus, who had fallen from a
third-story window while Paul was preaching
late into the night. At Miletus he pronounced
before the ancients of Ephesus the touching
farewell discourse which drew many tears. At
Caesarea the Holy Ghost by the mouth of Agabus,
predicted his coming arrest, but did not
dissuade him from going to Jerusalem.
St. Paul's
four great Epistles were written during this |
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third mission: the
first to the Corinthians from Ephesus, about the
time of the Pasch prior to his departure from that
city; the second to the Corinthians from
Macedonia, during the summer or autumn of the same
year; that to the Romans from Corinth, in the
following spring. |
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Captivity
Paul was falsely accused by the Jews of
bringing Gentiles into the temple. He was
persecuted and led in chains to prison where
he was kept for two years refusing to purchase
his freedom. Later Paul was sent to Jerusalem
to be tried in the presence of his accusers.
But knowing the traps that his enemies planned
for him Paul appealed to Caesar.
It was decided then that Paul will only tried
in Rome.
It was
during this period of captivity that Paul gave
his five discourses.
The first was delivered on the steps of the
Antonia before a threatening crowd where Paul
related his conversion and vocation to the
Apostolate. He was interrupted by the hostile
shouts from the crowd. On the next day Paul
delivered the second before the Sanhedrin.
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In the third, Paul
proved his innocence before his accuser Tertullus
in the presence of the Governor Felix. In his
fourth discourse Paul explained the Christian
Faith before Felix and his wife Drusilla. During
the fifth Paul again related before the Governor
Festus, King Agrippa, and his wife Berenice, the
story of his conversion. |
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Later, Paul was
sent by the centurion Julius along with his
fellow-prisoners on a merchant vessel, which
Luke and Aristarchus were able to take
passage. After the difficult voyage, Paul and
the other prisoners were transferred to an
Alexandrian vessel bound for Italy. However,
but the winds sent them to Crete. Against
Paul’s advice, the vessel continued sailing
despite the strong winds that left the ship
drifting aimlessly for fourteen days, until
finally being shipwrecked on the coast of
Malta.
They finally
reach Rome where he remained for two years
where he was later acquitted of all the
charges against him. |
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Note: |
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The last part of
St. Paul's life is wrapped in deep obscurity for,
lacking the account of the Acts, we have no guide
save an often uncertain tradition and the brief
references of the Pastoral epistles.
Ancient
tradition makes the following points: |
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- Paul
suffered martyrdom near Rome at a place
called Aquae Salviae (now Tre Fontane),
somewhat east of the Ostian Way, about two
miles from the splendid Basilica of San
Paolo fuori le mura which marks his burial
place.
- The
martyrdom took place towards the end of the
reign of Nero, in the twelfth year (St.
Epiphanius), the thirteenth (Euthalius), or
the fourteenth (St. Jerome).
- According
to the most common opinion, Paul suffered in
the same year and on the same day as Peter;
several Latin Fathers contend that it was on
the same day but not in the same year; the
oldest witness, St. Dionysius the
Corinthian, says only kata ton auton kairon,
which may be translated "at the same time"
or "about the same time".
- From time
immemorial the solemnity of the Apostles
Peter and Paul has been celebrated on 29
June, which is the anniversary either of
their death or of the translation of their
relics.
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For a very
thorough account of Paul life,
please click here to go to the Catholic
Encyclopedia. |
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Health Notes |
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Food for (Positive) Thought |
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Alcohol Is Not Your
Weight-Loss Buddy
Whether it's
cocktails on ladies' night out, a beer at the
pub, or a glass of wine with a delicious
gourmet meal, most of us enjoy a drink (or
three!) every now and again. But remember what
I've been teaching you: In addition to being
aware of the foods that are good for you, it's
important to know which ones are truly bad for
you. And let's face it — alcohol is in the
latter.
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Alcohol can
sabotage your weight-loss efforts. It's a
simple carbohydrate and your body treats it as
sugar when breaking it down. Alcohol also
causes an increase in blood sugar and fat
storage, and because it doesn't contain any
fiber, it will also cause a sugar crash as
well as an increased appetite for carbs.
If you
choose to have a drink, avoid sugary
cocktails. Stick to clear alcohols like vodka
and rum with calorie-free mixers like club
soda. And you can always drink it straight (or
on the rocks). A low carb beer or a glass of
wine are a better choice as well.
It's also a
good idea to eat something around the time
you're going to be drinking. Try to have a
meal that's high in protein, which will help
curb the release of carbs from the alcohol and
create more balance in your blood sugar
levels. The meal will also serve to fill you
up so you'll be less likely to make unhealthy
food decisions or succumb to cravings when
you're hungry and tipsy later.
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From a Company
Newsletter |
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Our
Faith: What you might want to know |
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Liturgy Diversity
and The Sacrament of Baptism |
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The Office of Catechism
of the United States Congress of Catholic Bishops
website puts our knowledge of the Catholic
Faith to a test!
This
is just a sample. |
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1. |
True or
false.
It is
imperative that differences in liturgical
traditions be overcome by unity of rite, for
only them will unity of faith be guaranteed.
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What are the
sacrament(s) of
initiation? |
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a. |
Baptism |
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b. |
Baptism and
Confirmation |
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Baptism and
Eucharist |
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Baptism,
Confirmation and the Eucharist |
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Baptism,
Reconciliation and the Eucharist |
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Give the
chapter and verse, or quote the passage, which
gives the clearest biblical warrant for
Baptism. |
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True or false.
Baptism is necessary for salvation. |
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Which is the
following are the essential
elements
for Baptism? |
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Immersion
in water and invocation of the Trinity |
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Immersion
or sprinkling of water, presence of a
priest, and invocation of the Trinity |
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Immersion
or sprinkling of water, presence of a
priest, and invocation of Christ, the
Second Person of the Trinity |
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d. |
Immersion
or sprinkling of water and invocation of
the Trinity |
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Immersion
or sprinkling of any liquid, and
invocation of the Trinity |
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6. |
Which of the
following is a
fruit of Baptism?
Choose any combination of the following.
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Forgiveness
of original sin |
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Forgiveness
of all personal sins |
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Becoming an
adopted child of God |
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Incorporation into the Church |
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A sharer in
the priesthood of Christ |
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7. |
True or false.
Baptism cannot be repeated. |
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The Church
confidently declares that certain people can
be
saved
even if they are not baptized.
Choose any combination of the following.
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Those who
die for the faith |
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Unbaptized
children |
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Those who
die in mortal sin |
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Catechumens |
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Those who
do not know the Church but acts under the
inspiration of grace |
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9. |
Which of the
following is
false
regarding infant baptism. |
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It
highlights the utter gratuitousness of the
grace of salvation. |
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There is
explicit testimony to this practice as far
back as the second century. |
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There
exists no biblical evidence which could
support infant baptism. |
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Infant
baptism is in harmony with the role of the
parents as the nurturers of the life God
has entrusted to them. |
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The faith
in which infants are baptized is the faith
of the Church. |
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10. |
True or false.
Under certain conditions, even non-Christians
can baptize another into the Christian faith. |
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To
learn more about Our Faith, please
click here. |
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Twenty-sixth
Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 28,
2008
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First Reading from the Book of Ezekiel |
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Ez 18:25-28 |
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Thus
says the LORD:
You say, "The LORD's way is not fair!"
Hear
now, house of Israel:
Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not
your ways unfair? When someone virtuous turns away
from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is
because of the iniquity he committed that he must
die.
But if he turns from the wickedness he has
committed, he does what is right and just,
he shall preserve his life; since he has turned
away from all the sins that he has
committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. |
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Responsorial From the Book of Psalms |
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Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10,
14 |
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R. Remember your
mercies, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
The sins of my youth and my frailties remember
not;
in your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Good and upright is
the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord. |
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Second Reading from the Letter to the
Philippians |
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Phil 2:1-11 or 2:1-5 |
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Brothers and sisters:
If there is any encouragement in Christ, any
solace in love, any participation in the Spirit,
any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being
of the same mind, with the same love, united in
heart, thinking one thing.
Do
nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others as more important
than yourselves, each looking out not for his own
interests, but also for those of others.
Have in you the same attitude that is also in
Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of
God, did not regard equality with God something to
be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a
slave, coming in human likeness; and found human
in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming
obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and
bestowed on him the name which is above every
name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should
bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under
the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. |
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or |
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Brothers and sisters:
If there is any encouragement in Christ, any
solace in love, any participation in the Spirit,
any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being
of the same mind, with the same love, united in
heart, thinking one thing.
Do
nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others as more important
than yourselves, each looking out not for his own
interests, but also for those of others.
Have in you the same attitude that is also in
Christ Jesus. |
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Reading From the Gospel of Matthew |
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Mt 21:28-32 |
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Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of
the people:
"What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He
came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and
work in the vineyard today.'
He said in reply, 'I will not, '
but afterwards changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the
same order.
He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, ‘but did not go.
Which of |
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the two did his father's will?"
They answered, "The first."
Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax
collectors and prostitutes are entering the
kingdom of God before you. When John came to
you in the way of righteousness, you did not
believe him; but tax collectors and
prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that, you did not later
change your minds and believe him."
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Suggested Readings |
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Happiness Is a Serious
Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual
by Dennis Prager.
In this unique blend of self-help and moral
philosophy, talk-radio host Dennis Prager
asserts that we're actually obligated to be
happy, because it makes us better people.
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Praying With Frederic Ozanam
(Companions for the Journey Series)
-
Paperback, by Ronald Cm Ramson (Author) |
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Praying With Louise De
Marillac (Companions for the Journey Series)
by Audrey Gibson (Author), Kieran Kneaves
(Author) |
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Praying with Vincent de
Paul (Companions for the Journey)
2004, by Thomas McKenna
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The Rise of Christianity:
How the Obscure, Marginal, Jesus Movement Became
the Dominant Religious Force ....
(Paperback) by Rodney Stark
(Author)
From the Publisher
"... this account of Christianity's remarkable
growth within the Roman Empire |
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is already the subject of much fanfare. "Anyone
who has puzzled over Christianity's rise to
dominance... must read it," ...
Read the first page. |
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Living Liturgy:
Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for
Sundays and Solemnities, Year A,
2008 (Paperback) by C.PP.S. Joyce Ann Zimmerman
(Author), Thomas A. Greisen (Author), S.N.D. de
N. Kathleen Harmon (Author), M.S. Thomas L.
Leclerc (Author) |
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"Perfect for home use or to prepare for weekly
liturgy . . . It includes help for the
celebration, ideas for catechesis on the
particular event, and ways to understand the
readings more deeply. Finally, it includes
sample questions from which priests, deacons,
lay groups, ministers and others can jump off
into deeper discussion." |
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Straight Answers, Answers
to 100 Questions about the Catholic Faith
by Ph.D Rev. William P.
Saunders (Author)
Review by: Reverend William G. Curlin Bishop of
Charlotte
Straight Answers offers Catholics a simple and
direct response to the many questions concerning
the Catholic Church. It spells out profound
truths in very |
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simple language for all who seek a better
understanding of their Faith. I highly recommend
it for Catholics, both young and old. |
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The Power of Intention:
Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way
From Amazon:
After years of spiritual study and reflection,
inspirational speaker and |
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bestselling
author Wayne Dyer has emerged a highly esteemed
teacher. His current message about tapping into
the power of intention may sound like good old
positive thinking: just stay focused on what you
want, rather than focusing on the lack of having
what you want. But the teaching here goes deeper
than just controlling thoughts (although he does
acknowledge that thought control is a
surprisingly challenging and significant
endeavor).
This book might
help readers land a better job, but it's more
relevant for those who are ready to detach from
an ego-driven life filled with quick fixes of
happiness and step into a more authentic,
joyful, and spiritually fulfilling life. His
core teachings speak to tapping into a universal
source of energy that can also be called the
"power of intention." |
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The Chariot of Israel:
Exploits of the Prophet of Elijah
THE CHARIOT OF ISRAEL: When Elijah was caught up
to heaven, his disciple Elisha cried out, "the
chariot of Israel, and its horsemen." Elisha was
referring not to the chariot but to the prophet.
This study of Elijah’s life will captivate you
as it walks you through a pivotal period in
Israel’s history, and illustrative maps will
give you a better picture of the physical
geography of this ancient land. |
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Read
more about the Liturgical Year |
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The Origins of the
Liturgical Year (Pueblo Books)
by Thomas J. Talley (Author) The Rev. Dr.
Thomas J. Talley, Professor of Liturgics
at the General Theological Seminary in New
York, is one of the leading liturgists in
the country. He gives us a fresh
examination of the complex history of the
Liturgical Year. |
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The Cultural World
of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday, Cycle C.
(Bestseller! the Cultural World of Jesus:
Sunday by Sunday)
by John J. Pilch (Author)
Reader
Review: The book by Pilch provides those
who not only fill the pulpits across this
country but also all interested in the
cultural world in which Jesus lived with a
lot of pertinent information that sheds
light on a lot of areas that have been
"muddled" in the past. Yes, I highly
recommend this book. - James Mauldin |
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Learn
more and read the Old Testament. |
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Preaching from the
Old Testament
by Elizabeth Achtemeier (Author) Reader
Review: The author of these thirty-two
short chapters begins and ends with the
assumption that problems we experience
with the Old Testament are our problem,
not the Bible's. This subordinating of the
Bible reader to the well-weathered book he
holds in his hand opens doors, not to
forced harmonisations of problematic
passages, but to fresh reappraisal of
difficult texts on their own terms. -
David A. Baer |
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The Navarre Bible:
Pentateuch (The Navarre Bible: Old
Testament)
This volume helps you make the first five
books of the Old Testament a vital part of
your spiritual reading and practical
growth in the Christian life. It contains
the full English and Latin texts of these
books, along with extensive and faithfully
Catholic commentaries. Like other volumes
in the world-renowned Navarre Bible
series, these commentaries draw on Church
documents, the exegesis of Fathers
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and Doctors of the Church, and the works of
contemporary spiritual writers — particularly
St. Josemaría Escrivá, who initiated the
Navarre Bible project. |
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Comments and Suggestions are Most Welcome.
If you have any comments or contributions,
please
use the form in this link.
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and the website is powered by Site Build It!
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by
This
volume of commentary on the New English Bible text of the First Book of Kings
follows the pattern of the now well-established series on the Old and New
Testaments. The main divisions of the text are those provided by the New English
Bible itself, but these are further subdivided for the purposes of the
commentary, which is printed in short sections following the relevant portion of
the text.
