Liturgical Year

Lock Me Up Tight I Will Still Escape

DVRodriguez2021-04-13T08:17:30-04:00

Christ is Risen. He descended into the realm of the dead, freed the imprisoned, and broke the bonds of death. Yet the devil and his followers are always trying to lockup and imprison Christ. Do we not feel the noose closing about the Church now? Yet they always fail. They dig a pit and fall into it themselves. One such terrible pit is gnosticism. It ebbs and flows with the occult. It has been around since the first centuries of Christianity, but today spreads rapidly under the guise of 'new age.' Even worse, its primary tenants have become mainstream in modern [...]

Lock Me Up Tight I Will Still EscapeDVRodriguez2021-04-13T08:17:30-04:00

Cause of Joy or Fear

DVRodriguez2021-04-13T08:32:07-04:00

Our Resurrected Lord appeared to His Mother first. The other women at the foot of the Cross approached the tomb despite guards, a sealed tomb, and a heavy stone. Love overcomes all fear and obstacles. They found an angel who proclaimed 'He is Risen.' No greater words have ever been announced in human history. This is a cause for joy which fills all true believers with hope and confidence. How can we be fearful or too anxious about worldly matters knowing Christ is risen? In fact, it is the enemies of Christ and of His Church who should fear such news. [...]

Cause of Joy or FearDVRodriguez2021-04-13T08:32:07-04:00

The Crucified One Is Risen

DVRodriguez2021-04-12T08:17:49-04:00

The Apostles give witness to the Resurrection, but they speak of Christ as our Pasch who is sacrificed. If one is looking for easy living and good times with Jesus - one will not find Him. We must seek Jesus of Nazareth who was Crucified. This is the Easter Message proclaimed by the angel. We make steps in faith by drawing near to the [glorious] wounds of the Risen Lord. Christians, to the Paschal Victim offer your thankful praises!

The Crucified One Is RisenDVRodriguez2021-04-12T08:17:49-04:00

The Holiest Week of the Year

DVRodriguez2021-04-12T15:28:40-04:00

The Passion and Death of Our Savior makes this week the holiest of the year. Holy Mother Church has us listen to the Passion narrative as told by each of the evangelists. After all, there is nothing more conducive to eternal salvation than to think—every day—upon the pains which Jesus Christ suffered for love of us. How can sin ever reign in such a soul? Be truly Catholic by observing this week as the holiest of the year. Make the extra effort to pray, fast, and offer sacrifices. Above all, make the resolution to live your life for God (more so [...]

The Holiest Week of the YearDVRodriguez2021-04-12T15:28:40-04:00

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

Why We Veil During Passiontide

DVRodriguez2021-03-24T15:16:36-04:00

At the start of Passiontide we cover the cross and statues inside our churches and the relics are hidden. Veiling teaches many lessons. Our Lord hides from those who wish to kill Him until His hour arrives. Theologically, the Church too follows the Lord in His Passion. Liturgically, we veil that which is sacred and contains great power. Morally, veiling calls to mind the importance of modesty. Psychologically, veiling reminds us that many things remain hidden to us at present. It signals us to mortify our disordered curiosity and unhealthy suspicions, abandoning ourselves to Divine Providence. Anagogically, this practice foreshadows Christ [...]

Why We Veil During PassiontideDVRodriguez2021-03-24T15:16:36-04:00

Rejoice Over the Crosses God Sends You

DVRodriguez2021-03-21T15:56:06-04:00

Today, the Church calls those who have been in sorrow to rejoice. This joy is not one connected to pleasures of the senses, but is a fruit of the Holy Ghost which brings great peace and tranquility of soul. It is a spiritual joy that comes from following Christ. It is a lenten joy that does not come without the Cross. It is a joy that comes through much pain and sorrow, yet it endures (unlike the passings joys of the senses). The Cross alone nourishes our love of God. So rejoice and be glad when God favors you with one [...]

Rejoice Over the Crosses God Sends YouDVRodriguez2021-03-21T15:56:06-04:00

Never Jesus Without His Cross

DVRodriguez2021-03-19T08:10:46-04:00

We must always adore Christ - that is at the center of our holy religion. We just die to our self love and offer Him our body, mind and heart. Yet no one can truly adore Christ without adoring His holy Cross. Our love of God is weak because our love of the Cross is weak and our rejection of the Cross all too frequent. Attachment to the world and love of self are so strong in us, that we must unceasingly strive to purify ourselves by fasting, prayer and almsgiving. This is the only way to grow in our love [...]

Never Jesus Without His CrossDVRodriguez2021-03-19T08:10:46-04:00

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

Pray to Accept and Love the Cross

DVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:03:11-04:00

Without the Cross, there is no growth in holiness. If we eliminate the Cross, we eliminate Christ. The sign of the Cross is a most terrible weapon against the devil. And yet the Cross remains a scandal and stumbling block - even for very devout Catholics. In theory, we praise it; but in practice, we lose courage, complain, and run away as soon as the possibility of suffering arises (just think how Mass and the public practice of our faith have recently been cancelled). The Cross is precious because: [1] It make us resemble Christ. [2] When well carried, it is [...]

Pray to Accept and Love the CrossDVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:03:11-04:00