Family

Great Gift and Responsibility of Motherhood

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:51-05:00

God's best gifts come from above. They are perfect and unchanging. They make us more like Him. We are to conform our lives to them. Motherhood is one such gift. It is sacred and unchanging. However, our fallen world is doing much to try to change, devalue, even destroy motherhood. It is so great a gift that God provides us with two spiritual mothers: Our Lady and the Church. It is through them that God chooses to transmit His life (grace) to us. A mother [1] gives life and she [2] nourishes life. She must also strive to [3] bring the life of [...]

Great Gift and Responsibility of MotherhoodDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:51-05:00

More Saving Patterns from Cana and Baptism

DVRodriguez2020-02-11T10:42:53-05:00

Let us consider a few more patterns laid down by our Savior, as presented to us by Holy Mother Church, in Christmastide feasts: The Baptism of the Lord and the Wedding at Cana. (Both feasts are also part of the Mystery of Epiphany.) Note that Baptism [1] is the sure and clear way to Heaven; [2] brings about the indwelling of the Holy Ghost and habitual sanctifying grace; [3] and produces faith in the Triune God. The Wedding of Cana establishes patterns for validity in marriage, the purpose of marriage, and the importance of Our Lady and of sacrifice in marriage. [...]

More Saving Patterns from Cana and BaptismDVRodriguez2020-02-11T10:42:53-05:00

Patterns Learned from the Holy Family

DVRodriguez2020-02-11T10:32:16-05:00

God used the first Christmas and Epiphany to reveal His established order and His saving patterns. What He did then, He continues to do in our day and will do unto the consummation of the world. God does not change. St. Thomas explains, "Whatever is first in an order is the cause of everything which follows it." Thus, we ought to model our life upon these patterns. Today we note seven patterns regarding the family: [1] worship, [2] hierarchy; [3] unity; [4] respect for authority; [5] rejection of divorce; [6] the Last Things; and [7] accepting differences. If Christian families conform to [...]

Patterns Learned from the Holy FamilyDVRodriguez2020-02-11T10:32:16-05:00

Every Catholic Family

DVRodriguez2020-02-11T09:57:35-05:00

The Catholic family is to be led by the light of Christ (the Epiphany Star!). The Catholic family is to adore the Lord bringing gifts. These are symbolized by the Magi's gifts: love (gold), prayer (frankincense) and mortification (myrrh). Consider how much improved our society would be if families loved God, adored God and obeyed God. At present, there is horrendous disobedience against God and so many are being led astray by the devil. Simply compare God's Law to what is being approved by the leaders of nations and even of the Church. Fathers, mothers and children must strive to fulfill [...]

Every Catholic FamilyDVRodriguez2020-02-11T09:57:35-05:00

Holy Family Heals Our Families

DVRodriguez2020-01-27T08:47:16-05:00

On this feast, let us compare two diametrically opposed families living just six miles apart: The Holy Family and the family of Herod. Herod's was a worldly family filled with every kind of vice, envy, pride and murder. Yet to all fathers of families, Joseph is verily the best model of paternal vigilance and care. In the most holy Virgin Mother of God, mothers may find an excellent example of love, modesty, resignation of spirit, and the perfecting of faith. And in Jesus, who was subject to His parents, the children of the family have a divine pattern of obedience which [...]

Holy Family Heals Our FamiliesDVRodriguez2020-01-27T08:47:16-05:00

Heresy of Apollinarianism and the Tilma

wpengine2024-12-20T12:26:04-05:00

We have reason to rejoice in our Holy Mother: The Church and Our Lady. Mary is the perfect type of the Church. The miraculous tilma of Guadalupe points to numerous truths about the Church: She is divine, she is alive, Jesus lives in her, she is indestructible, she is sweet even as she corrects and reproves. We also recently celebrated Pope St. Damasus (+384), who battled an anti-pope, upheld the Sacred Scriptures, and condemned heresy. He defended the Person of Christ and His two natures. These truths dispel today's popular errors that animals may be resurrected, redeemed or have eternal souls.

Heresy of Apollinarianism and the Tilmawpengine2024-12-20T12:26:04-05:00

Commandments Not Unreachable Ideals

svfonline2019-09-06T06:04:00-04:00

A very dangerous idea that has crept into moral theology is that the Commandments of God are only ideals; hence, modern man can adapt them to his concrete circumstances. It is now claimed that a faithful indissoluble marriage directed towards procreation is just for those with heroic virtue, instead of a universal norm. This is gravely contrary to Christ's immutable teaching and a pastoral disaster. It turns all the Commandments into mere counsels or suggestions which may or may not be followed by a "good conscience." We need to hear from our shepherds the thundering voice of John the Baptist which demands [...]

Commandments Not Unreachable Idealssvfonline2019-09-06T06:04:00-04:00

Heaven Intervenes Only As Last Resort

svfonline2019-08-05T08:39:03-04:00

Angels and saints are standing by as a vast army ready to help the Catholic Church assure the victory; why do they delay? Everyone seems to be looking only to this extraordinary Divine intervention. Yet, miraculous aid will only follow after the ordinary has been accomplished and proven insufficient. Using other words, historically, God only works miracles when the normal means have failed. Heaven intervenes when man has done his part! Have we really done our part in making the normal means work? How well do we fulfill the duties of our state in life (consider reviewing them here for Christians, [...]

Heaven Intervenes Only As Last Resortsvfonline2019-08-05T08:39:03-04:00

Return to God Who Made You

svfonline2019-07-22T06:35:39-04:00

We are not created to obey the world, much less were we created to become the slave of our passions and appetites. Being noble children of the Most High God, we were born for greater things: to praise, adore and serve God. By these means we save our very souls. We came forth from God and we must return to Him. God is our reward and He is our salvation. Whatever may be the cost - we must save our souls. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but suffers the loss of his immortal soul? [...]

Return to God Who Made Yousvfonline2019-07-22T06:35:39-04:00

Christian Masculinity

svfonline2019-07-13T17:42:58-04:00

Men and women are different and hence they also love differently. In view of his headship, a man loves by ordering, leading and protecting. The man must be the spiritual head and provide discipline for his family. He must pray, sacrifice and exert great effort to order according to God's law, not selfishly (making his own rules). Men, be what God has called you to be! Effeminate men seek their own pleasure and gratification, shunning the burden of noble leadership and responsibility. Men should not discipline or lead to satisfy their own whims or pride. Woe to the man who abuses [...]

Christian Masculinitysvfonline2019-07-13T17:42:58-04:00