Each candle on the Advent Wreath represents a millennia and bears a name. The third candle is named after St. John the Baptist. This great prophet and martyr gave his life for the sanctity of marriage. On account of his moral courage, he was imprisoned and decapitated. He was also the Precursor of Christ. His spirit, which we are called to emulate, is embodied by his words: "I must decrease, He must increase."
How are we to respond to Epiphany - to this great manifestation of Jesus' divinity? We must [1] believe, [2] adore and [3] obey. This is the example of Mary and Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and the Three Kings. Obedience is first given to God. The star represents Faith, the light that comes from God. Then obedience is given to the human authorities God places on earth. This priority must be respected. Human authority can be abused; yet the virtue of obedience exists to conform our will to God's holy will.
The Church has many names, each giving insight into her mysteries. Perhaps the most beautiful is 'Holy Mother.' She gives us spiritual life, nourishes us, heals us, and strengthens us. If we make it to Heaven, it WILL be because of Her. Therefore we should truly love her! Never lose sight that she is the perfect and immaculate Bride of Christ despite the sinfulness of her members. No matter how terrible the storm, Christ will preserve and save her. Have confidence too in the powerful intercession of Our Lady and St. Joseph!
Consider, the immemorial witness of St. Agnes of Rome. Despite her young age, she withstood grandiose bribes and horrific tortures. As our world hurtles towards Sodom and Gomorrah, and many Catholics apostatize, will we be given the grace to endure martyrdom? More importantly, are we disposed for that grace? Measure yourself. One must live a white martyrdom now to best prepare for a red martyrdom.
Holiness consists in following and imitating Christ and His saints. Consider the life of St. Martin of Tours, a great bishop and confessor. Though born of pagan parents, he had a burning charity for Christ. He destroyed many pagan temples, converted many, and opposed heresies. He built many churches and insisted the faithful act reverently therein. St. Martin performed many miracles, even raising the dead. He practiced intense mortification and is a founder of Western Monasticism. Christian Europe held great celebrations on his feast (Martinmas) and the penitential aspect of Advent traces its origins to St Marin's Lent. May his life [...]
St. Bruno of Cologne (+1101) founded the Carthusians after witnessing the revival of the corpse of a man condemned for all eternity. This order is considered to be the most ascetic. It has never experienced radical change. The Order has never needed to be reformed because has never been deformed. The Carthusian motto: 'The Cross Stands Still While the World Turns.' The world is always restless. Modern man is rarely at peace and easily distracted. Covid and the vaccine have caused great disruptions. The Church too is greatly agitated from within. Yet tradition remains firm and consistent. Our love for the [...]
In any battle, it is more advantageous to hold the higher ground. John the Baptist held moral superiority over adulterous Herod. John's preaching based on divine authority trumps the opinions of fallen men. Yet today's cultural war suffers from a revolutionary inversion. Church leaders ceded the high ground by choosing to dialogue with the world, trumpeting tolerance and coexistence. Religious indifference and moral ecumenism dominate our pulpits. The anti-prophets now demand affirmation and approval of heinous sins, while condemning and silencing all opposition. They are moral crusaders fully committed to their cause while the Church weakly whispers and compromises. One may [...]
Holy Joseph of the Old Testament serves as a type prefiguring St. Joseph. Numerous details lead us to this spiritual insight, including his parentage, his cloak, his purity, his royalty, and his dreams. Yet the fulfillment is always greater than the prefigurement. He was Christ's example of manhood and an icon of God the Father for the Christ Child. He is the exemplar of what all human fathers should be. See good St. Joseph as a true example of holy masculinity and as a real father to you every day. The Church also possesses several relics from him: his leather belt, [...]
It is extraordinary what fear has done to us as a people. Despite the tremendous decline in virus related cases, which happened well before the introduction of any vaccine, the fear continues. Masks have become part of everyday life. Segregation is back: the vaccinated are ‘privileged’ but others are treated as ‘lepers.’ We have become silly and weak. We are afraid to die. Why? Because we are filled with a worldly spirit as opposed to the Holy Ghost. Can we ever see in our day anything similar to what martyrs and previous Catholics did for the glory of God? Consider the [...]
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 [...]
