Fr. Iakobus

The Golden Rose

DVRodriguez2025-04-05T20:32:39-04:00

The origins of Rose Sunday lie in antiquity. The Pope would bless golden roses and give them as gifts. The symbolism is deep: gold for Christ the king, flower for beauty, fragrance for the Gospel, and thorns for the passion. This tradition reminds us that Christian joy and suffering are inseparably bound. Those who desire a life of joy only (or pleasure) are always angry, for this can’t be attained. Suffering is inevitable. The soul that accepts suffering, unites it with Christ, and offers it to God, receives many graces and lives at peace.

The Golden RoseDVRodriguez2025-04-05T20:32:39-04:00

Christ Elevates Marriage to a Sacrament

DVRodriguez2025-03-30T13:26:07-04:00

God created marriage. At Cana, He elevated it to the level of a sacrament. Just as Christ was present at Cana, so He is present in every sacramental marriage. We should invite Our Lady to our marriage. Mary took note of the couples humiliating situation, interceded, and turned it to great joy. From water used for purification, Christ created a superabundance of the most exquisite wine, representing sacramental grace. Just as His disciples believed, so spouses should trust in Christ and His grace. What is a good reason for people to enter marriage? What should spouses do first thing in the [...]

Christ Elevates Marriage to a SacramentDVRodriguez2025-03-30T13:26:07-04:00

Duty and Peace in the Family

DVRodriguez2025-03-24T17:45:11-04:00

Marriage is under attack: its roles reversed, ends inverted, and duties abandoned. We must look to the Holy Family. The man has authority and must make difficult decisions for the good of the family. He provides, protects and leads prayers. The woman must embrace [monotonous] house work, support and obey her husband, and guide the children. Children must obey, be respectful, and ease the family’s burdens. (Obedience does have limits; it may never violate God’s law.) Pray for the light and grace to imitate the Holy Family. The Reign of Christ spreads in the world through true families.

Duty and Peace in the FamilyDVRodriguez2025-03-24T17:45:11-04:00

The Two Ends of Marriage

DVRodriguez2025-03-11T09:39:09-04:00

The primary end of marriage is to "increase and multiply" (Gn 1:28). God wants souls with which to share His goodness – Himself – for all eternity. Parents are 'stewards' of their children with the duty for help children reach the perfection God has planned for them (think of the parable of the talents). The secondary end is mutual help and the quelling of passion (Gn 2:18,23). Marriage demands a man and woman who are open to all the children God wishes to give them. They must be ready to die for their vocation, and not be motivated by self-interest or [...]

The Two Ends of MarriageDVRodriguez2025-03-11T09:39:09-04:00

The Marriage Vows

DVRodriguez2025-02-28T20:13:45-05:00

Marriage is under terrible attack in our society. Even many Catholics are succumbing to the errors which have proliferated society. In order to live holy matrimony well, the wedding vows and the nature of the sacred contract must be understood and appreciated. This contract can only end by death (God does not permit divorce). The primary end of marriage is the procreation and formation of children. The secondary end is the mutual good of the spouses. Unity and indissolubility are essential properties. These deep truths have very practical consequences for how marriage must be lived on a day to day basis.

The Marriage VowsDVRodriguez2025-02-28T20:13:45-05:00

The Family Needs Purity of Intent

DVRodriguez2025-02-11T09:03:13-05:00

Our Lady provides a great model for what it means to be pure, which is far more than just purity in body. Purity begins in the mind. A family can't be happy unless it is a pure family. Purity helps us resist pride, selfishness, and the world. It means not judging things by our feelings but according to what God wills. Parents, practice purity and form your children accordingly. Children should not face these things alone. It is far easier to shun vice when we know the truth. Marriage is not for pleasure or self, it is to die; to die [...]

The Family Needs Purity of IntentDVRodriguez2025-02-11T09:03:13-05:00

Man is Not Self Sufficient

DVRodriguez2024-10-02T12:24:58-04:00

There are many evils around us. Let us not be fearful, bitter or fall into despair. From all eternity God made us to live in this specific time and to be sanctified in this battle. He is ready to help us, but we must pray. If God did not require this of us we would forget Him and fall. By remaining in a state of grace, we are disposed to receive God's gifts. But we must still ask. Ask without ceasing and with sincere desire and firm confidence. We have the greatest prayer available – Holy Mass. Do not take it [...]

Man is Not Self SufficientDVRodriguez2024-10-02T12:24:58-04:00

By God’s Grace I Am What I Am

DVRodriguez2024-09-08T21:25:22-04:00

St. Paul humbly acknowledges his unworthiness because he persecuted Christ and His Church. Yet God loved him, elected him, and granted him an undeserved grace. Paul responded. He cooperated – and never went back. Thus, the grace was not in vain. And what of us? We are weak. But we too receive great graces. The world is noisy and blocks out inspirations of grace. Even if we have not cooperated before, let us begin now. Open your ears and be faithful to prayer.

By God’s Grace I Am What I AmDVRodriguez2024-09-08T21:25:22-04:00

What Does It Mean to Be Merciful

DVRodriguez2024-08-29T17:54:41-04:00

God shows His power most by being merciful. Yet this is terribly misunderstood. Mercy means we see someone who is suffering and are moved to act! Mercy means replacing an evil with a good and thereby alleviating the suffering. We find this mercy in the Sacrament of Penance. Too often Catholics lose respect and honor for the sacrament; then one fails to receive all the available graces. Review how to make a good confession. See the greatness of what God is giving us. The examples of Saints Mary Magdalene. Zacheus, and Dismas will help enliven our souls with true contrition.

What Does It Mean to Be MercifulDVRodriguez2024-08-29T17:54:41-04:00

Key to Cracking Our Hardened Souls

DVRodriguez2024-08-12T21:34:08-04:00

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. Despite so many chance, God's people reject Him. They devised a religion centered upon man. Yet we are no different. We should expect the situation we are in today because we have turned our back on God. If the first Four Commandments are not being practiced by Catholics, how can we expect anything to change? We must first place God at the center of our lives. Society and the nation will follow. Imitate Our Lady. She pondered God's deeds in silence, practiced fidelity in small things, and was constant in prayer.

Key to Cracking Our Hardened SoulsDVRodriguez2024-08-12T21:34:08-04:00