Monthly Archives: October 2016

Pondering the Teachings of the Church: Purgatory

The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.   The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines PURGATORY as a “purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven,” which is experienced by those “who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified” (CCC 1030).  It notes that “this final purification of the elect . . . is entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (1031). Purification is necessary because, as Scripture teaches, nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Rev 21:27) and, while we may die with our mortal sins forgiven, there can still be many impurities in us, specifically venial sins and the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven (c.f.1032).

Thus, throughout November the Church commemorates in a special way all her faithful children who have departed from this life, but have not yet attained the joys of heaven. St. Paul warns us that we must not be ignorant concerning the dead, nor sorrowful:  “At the signal given by the voice of the Archangel and the trumpet of God, the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise …” (1Thess 4:16).  The Old Testament too speaks of prayers and alms being offered for the souls of the dead “so that they might be released from their sin.” (2Macc12:43 ff;  also Ps 35 13; 1Sam 1:31; 2Sam 1:12)   

Please pray for the dead and have Masses offered for the repose of their souls.

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THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

For the past three weeks, the liturgy of the word has been prompting us to review our prayer lives.  If we refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (numbers 2559ff ) we read there:

‘Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God  or the requesting of good things from God.’ (St John Damascene, De fide orth)

But when we pray do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or ‘out of the depths’ of a humble and contrite heart? (see Ps 130)   For the person who humbles himself will be exalted; (see Lk18:9-14)  Humility is the foundation of prayer. “O God, be merciful to me – the sinner”, prays the contrite tax collector.  This utter humility of his is what made him at rights with God.  And this is the message of today’s parable: It’s a lesson on humility, honesty, repentance and openness, and is what Jesus wants of us! And notice the context of that man’s humility, honesty, repentance and openness: it’s prayer!  –  That act by which we come before God with the totality of our lives and making ourselves vulnerable to his gracious mercy. (see Eccles 35: 16).

Let us pray!!

Fr Philip Sainter

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PONDERING THE WORD OF GOD
– WHICH INVITES US TO PRAY

Last week’s encouraging words from Luke’s gospel were:

1. To seek and pray for mercy (Kyrie eleison!).
2. To seek reconciliation (“Go and show yourself to the priest”).
3. To come before the Lord in humble prayer.

This Sunday our first reading portrays Moses leading God’s people towards the Promised Land. In the face of adversity, Moses prays. The moment he stops praying, disaster strikes.   We then hear Jesus telling his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart.

So, God’s Word is reinforcing the necessity of prayer.  Pray continually and never lose heart!

Pray on your own, pray spontaneously, pray the prayers of the Church, pray together with your friends … but never cease to pray!

Fr Philip Sainter

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PONDERING THE WORD OF GOD

We often associate “the peripatetic” with Aristotle (+ 322BC) who taught philosophy while walking in the Lyceum of ancient Athens.  Luke’s gospel portrays Jesus also adopting the “peripatetic style” as he taught his disciples, and the crowds who followed him, as he made his way to Jerusalem.

This Sunday’s story of the Ten Lepers has lessons which must be learned by us as we journey through life, endeavouring to proclaim Jesus and our faith in him. Combining two stories – Jesus healing ten lepers (vv 11-14) and the return of the grateful Samaritan who thereby earned Jesus’ praise and salvation (vv 15-19) – Luke instructs us and encourages us:

1. To seek and pray for mercy: “Jesus, Master ! Have mercy on us” ( – Kyrie, eleison! Christe, eleison! Kyrie, eleison! )
2. To come before the priests to seek reconciliation “Go and show yourself to the priests”. (Please read Leviticus 14,  Romans 14:11-12, 1 John 1:9 & James 5:16)
3. To come before Jesus, the divine Son of God in humble prayer: humbly falling on our knees in reverence, praise and thanksgiving to Jesus our Lord and Saviour.

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