Liturgical Year

Guardians of Chastity

DVRodriguez2020-02-26T08:55:06-05:00

One thing that greatly tarnishes mankind is the sin of impurity - lust. It darkens our intellect and stains our souls. It is thrust upon us everywhere we go and seemingly wherever we turn our eyes. We must practice the virtue of chastity. Yet our holy tradition reminds us that chastity is a fragile virtue. It is easily tarnished or broken. Chastity is like a precious vase that needs guardians to protect it. These guardians, the saints teach us, are other virtues, including humility, obedience, temperance, and love of Jesus and Mary.

Guardians of ChastityDVRodriguez2020-02-26T08:55:06-05:00

Idolatry of Natural Morality

DVRodriguez2020-02-26T08:39:03-05:00

Epicureanism, Stoicism and Pragmatism are each ethical systems that man have turned into a form of idolatry. Though some of these systems may be better than others, they all share a fundamental flaw: they are purely natural and lack a supernatural perspective. Christian morality, patterned upon Christ, is based on supernatural charity and is epitomized by a willingness to sacrifice for the good of another person. Lent is coming! This is a privileged time to grow in this sacrificial love. There will indeed by unexpected crosses and tests to help us fill up what is needed tp perfect our supernatural love.

Idolatry of Natural MoralityDVRodriguez2020-02-26T08:39:03-05:00

Chair of St. Peter

DVRodriguez2020-02-26T08:28:52-05:00

Two brief daily sermons. * The teaching office of St. Peter and his successors points us to Christ, for it is Christ who entrusted the Church with the mission of preserving, preaching and transmitting, until the end of time, His teaching - integrally and faithfully. By virtue of baptism, each one of us has the responsibility of persevering in this saving doctrine. Many Catholics are confused regarding the Church's dogma on the pope's teaching authority, so here we briefly review it. * Blessed ashes are a holy symbol of three spiritual exercises: [1] Sorrow and contrition for one's sins; [2] Penance and mortification; and [3] [...]

Chair of St. PeterDVRodriguez2020-02-26T08:28:52-05:00

Saint Simeon and a Faithful Servant

DVRodriguez2020-02-20T06:59:50-05:00

Tradition tells us that as St. Simeon translated the Scriptures, an angel prevented him from adjusting the word 'virgin' to 'young maiden' in Isaias' prophecy (7:14). The angel then revealed that Simeon would not die until he had seen the long-awaited Messiah (Lk 2:26). Upon that predestined day, though he was quite old, he hastened to the Temple with the spring of youth. Simeon’s eyes immediately noted the Child Jesus, he reverently approached the Holy Family, and falling to his knees, adored the Divine Child in Mary's arms. The old man then prayed to God to release him from this life (Nunc Dimittis). St. [...]

Saint Simeon and a Faithful ServantDVRodriguez2020-02-20T06:59:50-05:00

Blessed Candles and the Heart of Mary

DVRodriguez2020-02-18T06:40:12-05:00

The Christmas Season engrains in our minds Our Lady's great love for Jesus. This is what is characteristic of her heart. Mary teaches us to contemplate Jesus, for her eyes and ears were only focussed on Him. What about us? Today's feast also reminds us that Our Lady has a sorrowful suffering Heart. She suffers so that our hearts will be purified. In Christmastide, God is giving us the heart of His Blessed Mother, so that we may love, contemplate and suffer for Jesus after her example. Today is also Candlemas, the end of the Christmas season, when the Church uses [...]

Blessed Candles and the Heart of MaryDVRodriguez2020-02-18T06:40:12-05:00

Idolatry of Technology

DVRodriguez2020-02-18T06:23:05-05:00

Our lack of mortification prevents us from receiving grace and drawing sufficiently near to God. Too often, our appetites, passions and desires are unruly and out of control. We can only rein them in by dying to our selves. Lent is a privileged time for us to grow spiritually by practicing such penance. Perhaps the most pervasive manner in which we indulge our passions, seeking ease and entertainment, is through technological gadgets. Through technology, man easily avoids his duties of state and can escape from reality into a virtual world. Why not take the challenge of giving our 'tech rewards' for [...]

Idolatry of TechnologyDVRodriguez2020-02-18T06:23:05-05:00

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

Rend Your Hearts

DVRodriguez2020-02-11T09:14:20-05:00

Holy Mother Church grants us the liturgical time of Septuagesima to prepare for Lent. This is a time for conversion, conversion, conversion! Lent is a time, more than any other, to turn away from sin to God. God asks that we give Him our heart. If you want to know to what degree you love God, honestly assess how you use your time and your money. God further asks that we change our heart. Yet this is not easy, which is why people usually don't do it. We need the light of Christ to see sin - in the world and [...]

Rend Your HeartsDVRodriguez2020-02-11T09:14:20-05:00