Evils of our Day

St Sebastian and the Purge

DVRodriguez2021-03-28T06:13:29-04:00

St Sebastian joined the Roman army to assist Christians being persecuted by pagan officials. Yet he so distinguished himself by excellent service to the empire that he became commander of the emperor's personal praetorian guard. He survived one execution, rebuked the most powerful man in the world, and suffered a 'second martyrdom.' We have experienced many disappointments this past year and are filled with concerns. I encourage you to fight for the faith and endure whatever trials may come your way. Be alert! A great purge is in progress. Nevertheless, like St. Sebastian we can live and work in this passing [...]

St Sebastian and the PurgeDVRodriguez2021-03-28T06:13:29-04:00

Te Deum Laudamus

DVRodriguez2021-03-18T05:11:25-04:00

Many people were longing for an end to the year 2020. But perhaps we overestimate just how bad the year was. The Church officially responds to the end of every year by giving thanks to God and providing indulgences. Yes, there were many terrible things, but like the saints and holy Job, let us recognize the Hand of God in disasters and thank Him for it. As Christians we know that all things, save sin, come from the will of God. Let us thank God for 2020. It was a year in which we learned more about ourselves as a people [...]

Te Deum LaudamusDVRodriguez2021-03-18T05:11:25-04:00

A Spirit of Entitlement

DVRodriguez2021-03-09T08:48:24-05:00

There is a an entitlement complex among many youth: as if the world owes them something. Bitter complaints follow unrealistic and unmet expectations. This problem is not new. Man wishes to divorce Christ from His Cross and take the glory of Tabor without the passion of Calvary. The post-Christian West has created a cheap effeminate Christ by expecting resurrection without a cross. Today’s feast reminds us that these two mysteries of Christ (His transfiguration and death) are intimately related. This connection between glory and humiliation both moderates our joys and comforts us in our trials. A price must be paid for [...]

A Spirit of EntitlementDVRodriguez2021-03-09T08:48:24-05:00

The Church Seemingly Possessed

DVRodriguez2021-03-09T08:01:31-05:00

Consider Bl. Miriam of Jesus Crucified (+1878) as a type for the Church. God allowed the devil to possess this Carmelite mystic for forty days as a victim soul. She suffered terribly but never sinned as God preserved her soul in grace. Could Holy Mother Church presently be enduring a similar trial? The Church has so many failures and is seemingly possessed, yet she remains the holy and immaculate Bride of Christ. This has caused a breakdown in authority. All faithful souls feel a certain aloneness as they struggle to defend their fortress. We need great patience, perseverance and fortitude to [...]

The Church Seemingly PossessedDVRodriguez2021-03-09T08:01:31-05:00

Gender Confusion within Gods Sanctuary

DVRodriguez2021-02-15T06:36:23-05:00

The liturgical revolution has turned God’s sanctuary into a place that mirrors the grave errors of our day. Ancient tradition established seven steps leading to the priesthood (minor and major orders). Yet in 1972, Paul VI suppressed the minor orders and subdiaconate or turned them into “lay ministries.” Women then began to assume “lay ministerial roles” - even within the sanctuary. Francis is now accelerating this liturgical collapse with his revolutionary change that women may be permanently enrolled in the office of lector and acolyte. The next obvious step is to ordain women to the diaconate. If women can receive the [...]

Gender Confusion within Gods SanctuaryDVRodriguez2021-02-15T06:36:23-05:00

Jesus is Inseparable from the Holy Family

DVRodriguez2021-02-11T08:05:14-05:00

Jesus brings us salvation — but He does not come alone. He comes as a member of the family. With His Incarnation and Nativity, He brings the model for all families. Through this Christmas feast, Christ teaches: [1] Marriage is something supremely sacred. It comes from God. He has willed it to be a primary instrument of our salvation and provides the laws which govern it. (Never fall into the deadly trap of thinking man can redefine marriage or determine how it ought to be lived.) [2] Marriage is meant by God to bring forth life — specifically life in Christ. [...]

Jesus is Inseparable from the Holy FamilyDVRodriguez2021-02-11T08:05:14-05:00

Active Love is a Harsh and Fearful Thing

wpengine2021-01-26T08:04:54-05:00

At Christmas, we celebrate how God became man so that man might become god. The serpent tempted Eve with this good. Fallen man still wants to make himself god without God-made-man, without His Church, without Christmas. Yet to enter into Heaven, we can't bypass Christmas and the Mystery of Christ's Incarnate Love. So many think that they have the right answer (idealists). Clinging to this "love in dreams," man actually carves out a pit into which he falls once reality sets in. Active love is a hash and fearful thing as compared to love in dreams. One must humble himself, stop [...]

Active Love is a Harsh and Fearful Thingwpengine2021-01-26T08:04:54-05:00

Vote for the Cause of Christ the King

DVRodriguez2024-10-27T17:21:58-04:00

In this upcoming election, the choice is very clear for any faithful Catholic. Though it may be that none of the candidates are "worthy" and all have positions contrary to the Catholic Faith, one of them will clearly - by his own promises and statements - do far greater damage to the cause of Christ the King. Catholics have a serious obligation to vote in a manner which most advances the cause of God's law, of good morals, of law and order, of our holy Faith, and of the truths enshrined in Natural Law. There are only two candidates who have [...]

Vote for the Cause of Christ the KingDVRodriguez2024-10-27T17:21:58-04:00

Fatherhood Patriotism and Voting

DVRodriguez2024-10-27T17:20:33-04:00

Good fathers are always needed to lead families and nations. Many old nations have saintly men as 'founding fathers.' The word patriotism patria, Latin for [love of] one's fatherland. We certainly live in confusing times. A revolution is underway. We are not called to 'choose a lesser to two evils' for one can never choose evil. Rather, we are called to choose in favor of life and of limiting evil as much as possible. This indeed is a good we can choose. Voting done well is indeed a virtuous act of legal justice and of true patriotism. Exercising one’s right to [...]

Fatherhood Patriotism and VotingDVRodriguez2024-10-27T17:20:33-04:00

Fatherhood in the Ditch

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:46-05:00

The Church Fathers provide insightful understandings into the parable of the Good Samaritan. Our father, Adam, is the man going down from Jerusalem (Heaven) to Jericho (hell). He is waylaid by satan and his minions. The Old Testament priests and prophets are powerless to help him, as they too are on their way down. It is Jesus (the Good Samaritan) who saves man with His own flesh (beast of burden, cross) and entrusts him to the Church (inn) until His Second Coming (return). God's Fatherhood is needed to rescue man's fatherhood. Today, fatherhood is once again in the ditch; we are in [...]

Fatherhood in the DitchDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:46-05:00