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  Pope John XXIII presiding at the opening of Vatican II 11 October 1962 [ Wikipedia ;  photo ] Today, 11 October, is the Memorial of Pope St John XXIII, the date chosen because it is the anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council in 1962. I remember watching that on black and white TV early in my second year in the seminary. That time we were around 180 seminarians in St Columban's, Dalgan Park, here in Ireland. Today we are around 60 priests, mostly retired, not a seminarian in sight. Only one seminary remains open in Ireland. So things have changed since 1962. The Second Reading from the Office of Readings in the Breviary for the Memorial of Pope St John XXIII is an extract, below, from his address on the occasion of the opening of the Council. I have  highlighted  parts of it. From  the address  of St John XXIII, Pope . (At the solemn inauguration of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, 11 October 1962.) The Church is the most loving mot...

Children learn by doing. Take sharing, for example. Here’s what doesn’t work: Son, I’ve asked you to sit down with me today to discuss the multifaceted benefits of sharing, both for the individual who shares and for the community concerned with fairness. I realize you’re only two years old  [stop chewing on that electric cord, please],  but I believe even you can learn to appreciate why  [seriously, that’s dangerous–put down the cord]  sharing will enrich your young life. Here’s what works better: [Prying toy out of two-year-old’s death grip]  Honey, we’re going to give this little girl a turn with the toy. Why don’t you sing the ABC song with me? When we’re done with the song, she’ll give the toy back so you can have another turn. The detached exploration of abstract principles has its place, but typically not with young children. Children are concrete thinkers. Effective parents embrace that fact and use immediate, hands-on opportunities to help childr...

Vatican II can be properly understood only as being in continuity with the church's millennial traditions, not as a radical break with the past . Pope Benedict Man likes to be in control, even of God. Of course,  most of us would deny trying to box in the Almighty because we realize how ridiculous this sounds.  Yet because we really do not like to change, we end up resisting even God.  We like our comfort zone. We especially don't like the rug ripped from under us and that is usually how God must most often snag our attention. God is not stagnant. He is not the God of the past, but God of the present,  alive, a dynamic powerhouse seeking to heal, transform and draw us ever closer to His heart. This week I was wondering why so many Traditionalists are against Vatican II, labelling all the popes which came after as illegitimate and even heretics, especially Pope Francis. When I researched the question, an insightful homily popped up by Pope...

'I die His Majesty's good servant - but God's first.' St Thomas More A Man for all Seasons Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Matthew 22:15-21  ( New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition : Canada)  Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said.   So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality.   Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’   But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?   Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius.   Then h...