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Moses before the Burning Bush , Domenico Fetti, 1613-14 [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)                                   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  Luke 20:27-38 [Shorter form, Luke 20: 27, 34-38]  ( Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition )  There came to Jesus some Sadducees, those who say that there is no resurrection,  [and they asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the wife and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and died without children; and the second and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. Afterward the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her

Psalm 46:10 -   “Be still, and know that I am God." 1   Kings 19:11-13   " And behold, the Lord passed by, and a strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave." 

God's Justice.  As God is complete in all that He is, we are not able to take away or add to His measure.  Since this is so, then God is whole. If God is perfect then His attributes must also be perfect.  God is one, God is the divine Trinity, the three divine persons in one God.  God is pure, and His purity must be perfect, with nothing lacking.  God is just, and His justice must also be perfect.  So God is pure, just and perfect.  As a result, if God's justice is perfect then His justice must not allow any one who is impure, vile or sinful into his presence, for this would not be just and it would be torture for the soul stained by sin to behold the beatific vision of God.   God is also mercy, and His mercy, because He is timeless is for all time God's mercy must also be infinite.  The fact of God's infinite mercy has lead souls down the path to the conclusion that no matter what they do, God's mercy is infinite and God will not allow them to go to Hel

This piece is  a reinterpretation of the  Deposition   done by Fra Bartolomeo. There were a few changes Ann made…she  added the crown of thorns down in the bottom left, and changed the face of the Virgin Mary a little. The original is in the Uffizi Galleries in Florence, Italy. About Ann Chapin   Ann became Catholic in 1999 and soon after that was exposed to the iconographic tradition in the Catholic and Orthodox churches. After doing some private study with some iconographers with the Prosopon School which teaches a traditional Russian style, Ann decided to embark on an experiment to create iconographic art that is particularly suited for the Western eye.  She’s been working on that project specifically for the past 7 or 8 years, and doesn't ever think she will finish. Last Supper - John the Beloved and Christ  This piece represents that moment in the Last Supper, when it says that John reclined on the bosom of Christ to ask him who would betray him. (John 13:21-26).

Me to my 7th grade daughter: "You can go to the school dance, but you can't slow dance with any boys." My 7th grade daughter: "The principal said we're not allowed to say no." This conversation, naturally, almost shocked me into a full-blown panic attack. Then it got worse. Me: "Are you  sure  that's what the principal said?" My 7th grader: "Yep! And she said she wouldn't tell  anybody  who we dance with. The teachers can't tell either." I think I actually felt my heart hiccup. Because we all know who "anybody" is, don't we? Paranoid parents like me. Why would the principal ally herself with the students as the one who knows their secrets and won't tell? I had to know. Click here to read more...

I’ve begun writing the third and final installment for my Women’s Christian Inspirational Fiction series. The first title is Elizabeth: A Holy Land Pilgrimage , the second is Miriam: Repentance and Redemption in Rome and the third is Sophia: Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend . I’m winding back to the United States with this book. The first takes place in Israel and the second in Rome. The reason I share all this with you is that in this last book, the main character Sophia (who is Elizabeth’s daughter and Miriam’s goddaughter) suffers from post partum depression—a topic that is very personal to me and one that I want to approach as honestly as possible in the book. My hope is to gather some feedback from different women who have suffered through any of the symptoms of this illness, regardless of the degree. I want to offer Sophia’s experience with PPMD as a ray of hope to women everywhere; the questions for which I am asking feedback on are designed for me to draw knowl

I have often thought that much of our life resembles  the life of an ant, a worker ant, not the queen. Ants scurry about, eyes trained on the ground in front of them, hauling loads of food that are bigger than they are. They are completely oblivious to the world around them, fixated solely their own tiny society. Often this narrow viewpoint leads to disastrous results, with whole colonies wiped out of existence when the macrocosm surrounding them crashes into their little world. Unfortunately, it is impossible to communicate with an ant, or to warn an ant of danger. Any offer of help frightens them because an ant perceives anything that intrudes into their microcosm as a threat. I cannot help an ant because I cannot communicate with him. I have often thought that much our life resembles the life of an ant. I run around busy with tasks, keeping my nose to the proverbial grindstone, oblivious to the realities of the rest of human society never mind the universe.  When nature

This is an account of a Pastors wife being told by God to rescue His lost sheep. It is a beautiful example of Christianity in action. It  incorporates  many elements of Christian living.  I hope you not only enjoy it but learn from it. -  http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2013/November/Extravagant-Love-The-Preachers-Wife-and-the-Stripper/

Elizabeth appears in the Gospel of Luke, where she is described as “righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly,”.  I imagine that she was warm, loving and obviously a safe harbour for young Mary, who was not married when she conceived.  When Mary came to visit her, Elizabeth was pregnant with St. John the Baptist and in her sixth month: “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And how have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, the moment that the sound of thy greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who has believed, because the things promised her by the Lord shall be accomplished.” 

UBI CARITAS ET AMOR. DEUS IBI EST Father Ignatius was on his way to the big city. He hadn’t been there for some years, and quite honestly, he didn’t regret it. He preferred his gentle life in a small town Parish church to the hustle and bustle of the big city and the Cathedral. Anyway, the reality is that he hated driving in the big city where everyone seems to go at high speed and never give you a chance to think where you’re going. Just point the car in one direction and drive – seems to be the maxim of the big city! He had been invited by Father Gerard as guest speaker at their Youth Club. An invitation he had postponed many times mainly because of the driving involved; but he was now running out of excuses. He tried other modes of transport, namely the train as his only option; but this involved a long journey, changing trains twice, and costing a fortune. So driving it had to be. As he approached the outskirts of the city he tried hard

This article is part of  a blog book tour for Erin's new novel. She writes just enough of an introduction to engage your heart and your perk curiosity about her story . Don’t  You Forget About Me.  This novel is a MUST read! It Is All About the Fiat:   I have a friend with ten kids. Okay, I’m a homeschooling Catholic mom, so I now have several friends  with ten kids (give or take), but this one has been my friend since before we started homeschooling.  She’s a friend who knows how I take my coffee, for whom I don’t need to clean before she comes over,  and who gets my Simpsons references. Actually, that friend has eleven kids. One of them is now in heaven. I was one of the only people she  told when she found herself expecting her eleventh. She called me because she knew I’d be happy for  her instead of rolling my eyes and saying, “You know they have a pill for that now?” She knew that I’d  pray for them both, for the whole family. I was honored with her confidence in

The rich man asked Jesus what was necessary to enjoy eternal life. Apparently the man had been a devout follower of the laws but still questioned what that final“piece” needed to be for his own salvation. I think it is interesting that the guy knew, in his heart, that more was still being asked of him. Unfortunately, the answer saddened the man, for Christ told him that he had to sell all his possessions—and the guy had a lot of stuff! We don’t know, based upon the reading of the text, if the man did or did not do as Christ instructed. We read that he walked away sad but that doesn’t necessarily translate into disobedience. I am often sad when I have to “do the right thing” but it doesn’t stop me from doing it. So let’s give this rich guy the benefit of the doubt and say that he forlornly sold his possessions but then followed Christ. We know, of course, that his sadness would have been fleeting, right? After all, he was now in a position to enjoy eternal rewards with Jesus.

 S hort Version:  For Private Use Only. The just shall be in everlasting remembrance; He shall not fear the evil hearing.   V. Absolve, O Lord, the souls of the faithful departed from every bond of sin,   R. And by the help of Thy grace may they be enabled to escape  the avenging judgment, and to enjoy the happiness of eternal life.  Because in Thy mercy are deposited the souls that   departed in an inferior degree of grace, Lord, have mercy.  Because their present suffering is greatest in the knowledge   of the pain that their separation from Thee is causing Thee, Lord, have mercy.  Because of their present inability to add to Thy accidental glory,  etc.  Not for our consolation, O Lord; not for their release from purgative pain, O God;   but for Thy joy and the greater accidental honor of Thy throne, O Christ the King, For the souls of our departed friends, relations and benefactors, Grant light and peace, O Lord.  For tho

I know you're there, waiting for me.  So, how's heaven, really?  Are the angels always flying around or do they stop and talk with you?  Do they walk with you?  Do you have a home where you live, or do you travel all over heaven walking with the angels or Our Loving Lord?     I have a friend you've never met, and she's quickly nearing the day when she will fall into  the open arms of God.  She and I have decided that we will meet at the river that flows through heaven when we both cross over.  How big is that river?  Will I be able to see her across the river?  Do you ever walk the banks of that river?  Are the waters really living? Click HERE to read more ...

       Humility was the most profound virtue of Saint Martin de Porres.  His feast day is celebrated on November 3rd. A devout and prayerful Catholic, he graciously shared his gifts of healing, always refusing earthly praise and honors. He was known as the "Friar of the broom" or "Fray Escoba",  as he always chose the humblest of tasks.     Many miracles of healing were, and continue to be, attributed to his close relationship with Jesus. He was well known for his fervent mystical prayer life, his love for the poor, his knowledge of healing herbs, his kind relationship with animals, his selfless generosity and his culinary skills..    Through Martin's divine gifts of intercessory prayer, healing and bi location, many unfortunate souls were healed and comforted by the love and mercy of Jesus. To learn more about this saint see: Saint Martin de Porres Biography @EWTN and Fray Martin, a film about Martin de Porres

I'm only half-kidding.  Australian woman Jodi Rose did in fact marry Le Pont du Diable bridge  (also known as the Devil's Bridge) on June 17, 2013. The union was not blessed by a Catholic priest, however. It was blessed instead by the mayor of the neighboring town. For those who are wondering, here are five reasons why the Catholic Church would never have allowed marriage between this woman and this bridge. 1. The bridge never consented.   Ms. Rose took advantage of the bridge's inanimate nature and married it even though the bridge could not possibly express its consent to the marriage. (Catechism, sec.  1626  ) 2. The bride never agreed to be faithful. "He understands that I love other bridges -- and men -- ours is a love that embraces the vagaries of life, as materialised in the swirling currents of the river that flow beneath his magnificent body," stated Ms. Rose on her blog. She clearly refused to pledge herself solely to her spouse. (Catech

Have you written a blog post on Catholic spirituality that your readers loved? Has another blogger's post inspired you to grow closer to Christ? Now is the time to nominate yourself or them for a 2013 Frankie Award. Named in honor of the great spiritual director and patron saint of journalists St. Francis de Sales, the Frankie Award recognizes the best in Catholic spiritual writing. The award winner will receive a special badge to proudly display on his or her blog, along with a $10 gift certificate to Mystic Monk Coffee. Plus, the winning post will be posted in full here at CSBN. I will promote it on social media and encourage CSBN members and our readers to do so as well. Read the rules at Catholic Spirituality Blogs Network.

Catholics should not be afraid of having a personal relationship with Jesus | CatholicHerald.co.uk Hi folks - I meant to post this on my own blog but it came up here - worth a read from my friend Francis Phillips - mom of 8 - I know her name is written in the male form - a long story!