Fog Over The Political Pond

Harry Reid held an invitation only, no questions allowed town hall meeting on Obamacare during which several people were forcibly removed.  Drink that Obama laced Kool-Aid and keep your pie holes shut!  What is the Russian word for Reid’s concept of a town hall meeting?  That would be “soviet”.  I suspect his implied definition of “town hall meeting” helps account for this.

MIT economist Johnathan Gruber has on a number of occasions defended Obamacare without letting people know he was on the payroll of Health and Human Services.

Paul Kirk and Democrat leaders in Massachusetts (and Harry Reid) are apparently prepared to ignore the will of the voters of that state if Scott Brown wins the election for Ted Kennedy’s seat. HERE.  Be sure to read the update as well.

Aquinas’ Homily Notes On The Gospel

Chapter and verse numbering follows the Latin Vulgate, as do the names of some of the books. This post is included in my Resources for Sunday Mass.

The Seekers Of The Lord
On The Gospel For The First Sunday After Epiphany (Lk 2:42-52)

Behold! Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.

Many things are taught in this Gospel according to the letter, as is manifest, but in this word we are taught to seek God, to which we are frequently exhorted in Holy Scripture.  three things are noted in these words-(I) Firstly, the seekers, “Behold!  Thy father and I.”  (II) Secondly, the manner of seeking, “have sought Thee sorrowing.”  (III) Thirdly, the person sought for, “sought Thee.”

I  On the first head it is to be noted that the seekers were Mary and Joseph, in whom two kinds of men are represented by which the Lord is sought-(1) He is sought by the contemplative in contemplation; (2) by the active in action.  Mary signifies the illuminated, and typifies the contemplative who in contemplation receive the Divine illuminations.  (the name of) Joseph is interpreted “increase,” and he signifies the active, who ought to have increase from works of mercy.  The Lord is sought by both these, and to both can be applied Ps 105:3-4-“Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.  Seek the Lord and His strength.”  The first portion of this refers to the contemplative, who are in continual joy and jubilation; the second portion to the active, who now and then need to be strengthened.  Again, by Mary, Star of the Sea (see note 1), faith is signified; and by Joseph, the increase of charity.  Faith seeks for God, inasmuch as He is our Father; charity, inasmuch as He is the chief good (see note 2).  Of these two Cant 5:6 states: “My soul failed when He spake.  I sought Him, but I did note find Him”  Inasmuch as He speaks, insomuch did I seek, for faith cometh by hearing.  “As far as he is beloved he seeks charity, which is the life binding the lover with the beloved,” as St Agustine says.  So plainly, if He be sought by charity, afterwards he he shall be found.

II.  On the second head it is to be noted that He ought to be sought for in seven different ways-(1) With purity of mind, that we may be held to be free from every defilement of sin: “All that had separated themselves from the filthiness of the nations of the earth to seek the Lord the God of Israel” [1 Esd 6:21 see note 3].  (2) With simplicity of intention: “Seek Him in simplicity of heart” [Wis 1:1].  (3) From the whole heart, that we may think only upon Him; (4) from our whole will, that we may only desire Him-of these two (i.e., whole heart/whole will) 2 Chron 15:15 speaks: “They have sworn with all their hear, and sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found of them.”  (5) Quickly, ere the time in which He can be found pass away, as Isa 55:6 warns: “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.”  (6) Perseveringly, without cessation, in accord with Ps 105:4: “Seek His face evermore.”  (7) With sorrow for sin: “Be in pain and labor to bring forth the daughter of Zion….the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies” (Micah 4:10).

III.  On the third head it is to be noted that we ought to seek God, and to do this for four reasons-because (1) He is just, (2) merciful, (3) good, (4) Life.  God is just, since on one who seeks as he ought to do shall fail to find Him; merciful, since He so graciously receives those seeking Him-of these two (i.e., God is just and merciful) Zeph 2:3 speaks: “Seek ye the Lord…seek righteousness, seek meekness.”  He is good, that H may magnify and reward those seeking Him-“The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him” (Lam 3:25).  He is Life, since He gives eternal life to those who are seeking Him-“Your heart shall live that seek God” (Ps 69:32).

Notes:

1.  Etymologists still do not agree as to the origin and meaning of the name Mary, though most today think it means “princess.”  Many older writers speculated that it sa derived from Maris, meaning star, hence the designation of Mary as “Star o the Sea.”

2.  “Charity, inasmuch as He is the chief good”.  God is love.

3.  “1 Esd 6:21”- The Latin Vulgate and many older Catholic translations employed the names of OT books as found in the Greek Septuagint.  1 Esdras is now generally designated as Ezra; 2 Esdras is Nehemiah; 1 & 2 Paralipomenon are now 1 & 2 Chronicles, etc.  See here for more info

Aquinas’ Homily Notes For 1st Sunday After Epiphany

Chapter and verse numbering follows the Latin Vulgate.  Romans 12:1-5 was the Epistle reading for this Sunday in St Thomas’ day; in the 1962 Missal the reading is Colosians 3:12-17. This post is included in my Resources for Sunday Mass.

The Elements Of Human Perfection
From The Epistle (Rom 12:1-5)

And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed in the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and the acceptable and the perfect will of God.

The Apostle in these words exhorts us to three things, in which consists the entire perfection of man.  Firstly, that the form of this world be relinquished-“Be not conformed to this world.”  Secondly, that the form of the new life be assumed-“but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  Thirdly, that the will of God may be known-“that ye may prove what is the good, and the acceptable, and the perfect, will of God.”

I.  On the first head it is to be noted, that the form, or manner of existence of this world is threefold.  (1) In the lust of concupiscence.  (2) In the desire of earthly goods.  (3) in the pride of life.  Of these three see 1 Jn 2:16: The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”  It is to be remembered that this threefold form has likewise a threefold manifestation-the “lust of the flesh” has a sensual form; the “lust of the eyes,” an earthly form; the “pride of life,” a devilish form.  Lust makes a man sensual; avarice makes him earthly; pride makes him like the devil.  Of these three, St James 3:15 states: ‘This wisdom descendeth, not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”  By the first, we are “conformed to this world” through gluttony and  reveling; by the second, through avarice; by the third, through pride; so that they themselves will perish with the perishing world.  As St Gregory the Great says, “He who leans upon that which is failing must of necessity come to ruin when it perishes.”  1 Jn 2:15, 17, tells us “love not the world.”  Why not?  “The world passesth away and the lust thereof.”

II.  On the second head it is to be noted that the form of the new life is also threefold.  It consists (1) in holiness of will; (2) in truth of speech; (3) in justness of deed.  The first informs the heart; the second, the mouth; the third, the hands.  Concerning the first (holiness of will), Eph 6:6-7 states: “Doing the will of God from the heart, with good will.”  Concerning the second (truth in speech), Eph 4:25 states: “Putting away lying, speak every man the truth with his neighbor.”  Concerning the third (justness of deed), Gal 4:10 tells us: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men.”  And concerning all three of these things Eph 5:9 tells us “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness (i.e., justness), and truth”-in “goodness” of heart, in “righteousness” of deed, in “truth” of speech.  The form of goodness makes us angelical, since by goodness man became like unto the angels.  The form of righteousness makes us celestial; by righteousness we are likened unto the saints in heaven.  The form of truth makes us divine; by truth we are made like unto God.  Of these three Rom 12: 1 exhorts us to “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”  Living by faith according to Heb 10:38-“The just shall live by faith.”  “Holy,” which is cleansed.  “Acceptable to God,” through the truth, for God is truth.

III.  On the third head it is to be noted that the “will of God” is threefold.  Firstly, “good;” secondly, “acceptable;” thirdly, “perfect.”  This is to be understood in many ways, but chiefly in three.

(i) In a moral sense, the will of God was (a) “good” in creating; (b) “acceptable” in recreating; (c) “perfect” in glorifying.  “Good” in giving the gifts of nature; “acceptable” in giving the gifts of grace; “perfect” in the bestowal of glory.  Concerning the first (good in creating/giving gifts of nature), Rev 4 11 states: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasrue they are and were created.”  For they were in idea in the Divine mind, and they were created to have an existence of their own.  Concerning the second (acceptable in recreating and giving the gifts of grace), Psalm 30:7 says: Lord, by Thy favor [tua voluntate, Vulg.] Thou hast made my mountain to stand strong;” since, in recreating, the Lord renewed the Divine beauty in us, and strengthened it by the favor of the Holy Ghost.  Concerning the third (bestowing glory), St John 17:24 says: “Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory.”  And Psalm 73:24: “Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”

(ii)  In another sense, the will of God is “good” in us by cleansing us from all impurity; “acceptable” through the showing forth of pity; “perfect” from the fervor of charity.  Concerning the first (good cleansing from impurity), 1 Thess 4: 3 states: “This is the will of God, even you sanctification,” i.e., cleansing.  Concerning the second (acceptable showing pity), st Matt has this: “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.”  Concerning the third (perfect from the fervor of charity) we have this in Lk 12:49: “I am come to send fire on the earth, and what will I if it be already kindled?”  By fire charity is understood.

(iii)  In the third sense, the “will of God” can be viewed as “good” in those who are married; “acceptable” in the continent; “perfect” in prelates who are preserved for perfection.  In the married, as exciting them to works of mercy; in the continent, to do good to others like them; in prelates, to lay down their lives for the brethren.  Concerning the first (good in the married) can be understood Ps 113:10: “Teach me to do Thy will.”  Concerning the second (acceptable in the continent), 1 Thess 4:4: “That everyone should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lust of concupiscence.”  Concerning the third (perfect in prelates), Ps 103:21 has this: “Ministers of His that do His pleasure.”  The reward of His will is eternal life-Ps 30:5: “In His favor [voluntas, Vulg] is life.”

Spiritual Thought: January 9th

O Lord our God, you did create us to your image and likeness (Gen 1:26), it is plain, that we might contemplate you and have fruition of you.  No one who contemplates you reaches fruition of you save insofar as he becomes like you (cf. 1 Jn 3:2).  O splendor of the highest Good, you ravish with desire of you every rational soul; the more a soul burns for you, the purer it is in itself; the purer it is, the freer it is from bodily things to turn rather to spiritual things.  Free then from the servitude of corruption that inner force of ours which ought to serve you alone: I mean by this our love.  For it is love that, when it is free, makes us like to you, to the degree in which we are drawn to you by the sense of life.  And through this whoever lives by the Spirit of Life experiences you.  Such a one, as the Apostle says, beholding the glory of the Lord with open face, is transformed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord (cf. 2 Cor 3:18).~Willian of St Thierry, from the Preface to his Exposition Of The Song Of Songs.

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 Jn 3:1-3)