Fr. Linus Clovis

Avarice of the Pharisees

DVRodriguez2025-10-07T10:19:49-04:00

In his gospel, St Luke often focuses on the sicknesses that afflict men. The various physical ailments also represent spiritual illnesses. For example, a withered hand represents the inability to persevere in good works, leprosy stands for heresy, and dropsy (edema) for avarice. The pharisees were watching Our Lord, trying to trap him. These pharisees would violate the sabbath to save their beast, not out of compassion or fidelity to the law, but on account of their avarice. (In the question Jesus poses, the ox represents the Jews and the donkey the Gentiles.) Their avarice reflects their pride. Hence, Our Lord [...]

Avarice of the PhariseesDVRodriguez2025-10-07T10:19:49-04:00

Why You Must Take Our Lady Into Your Home

DVRodriguez2025-09-30T13:16:44-04:00

Every Christian land has shrines to Our Lady. Yet the focus in these shrines is on Her Son, not Mary. We see this same pattern in the Scriptures. Consider the Wedding at Cana, the Visitation, and Calvary. At His death, Jesus asked John to take Mary into his home. Also, God asked Joseph to take Mary into his home. Every disciple of Christ makes a place for Mary in his home. And if she comes to a home, we can be sure her Son will be with her. Our Lady takes every praise or prayer we direct to her, augments and [...]

Why You Must Take Our Lady Into Your HomeDVRodriguez2025-09-30T13:16:44-04:00

Temptations of an Implacable Enemy

DVRodriguez2025-08-08T16:37:51-04:00

Our life on earth is a constant battle against evil. It begins in the heart. We see it at the root of the crises in the world and Church. The devil never ceases to attack and tempt us. We should expect this. After baptism we must pass through wilderness to be tempted until we reach our blessed home. Our Lord underwent this process; so too did God’s people under Moses. Understand spiritual warfare: satan has three basic temptations and you must be adept at resisting them all.

Temptations of an Implacable EnemyDVRodriguez2025-08-08T16:37:51-04:00

Many Are Called Few Are Chosen

DVRodriguez2025-07-06T16:50:29-04:00

Hearing Scripture is not enough. We need to understand it. That means we need a proper interpretation; we must study the Scriptures with the mind of the Church. For example, we believe in the Communion of Saints. We know this from our Creed, liturgy, and life of devotion. Moreover, the Holy Ghost –through St. Paul– calls us to study and imitate (follow) the saints so as to arrive in Heaven. Look at the three apostles Jesus chose so as to imitate them. Peter was passionate, fervent, and always wanted to be close to the Lord. James was bold, fearless, and would [...]

Many Are Called Few Are ChosenDVRodriguez2025-07-06T16:50:29-04:00

Living Water from The Rock

DVRodriguez2025-04-06T00:19:48-04:00

Moses led the Hebrews –and Gentiles– in the wilderness. They had no water, which means certain death. God's people were ready to revolt and return to Egypt. Moses interceded, taking an impossible situation to God. But why was Moses unable to enter the Promised Land? Because he struck the rock (Christ) twice instead of obeying God. The two strikes from his wooden staff represent the two beams of a cross. This is a type of the Passion. Just as an abundance of water flowed from the Rock, so too an abundance of grace flows from Christ’s pierced side.

Living Water from The RockDVRodriguez2025-04-06T00:19:48-04:00

Demon Returns with Seven Worse Demons

DVRodriguez2025-03-31T09:06:18-04:00

With his characteristic brilliance and insight, Father explains one of the most confusing gospels (Lk 11:14-28). The dumb and deaf man can't hear God's word or praise God, representing Adam and all his offspring born in sin. The strong man is satan. Christ overcomes him. The Jewish people represent the cleansed man. Waterless places are the Gentile lands whom Christ has won. The demon returns to the Jews. Their home is clean but no one dwells there, meaning the religion is one of pure externals and hypocrisy. Thus the devil abides there with seven worse demons. This has been the Jews' [...]

Demon Returns with Seven Worse DemonsDVRodriguez2025-03-31T09:06:18-04:00

Understanding the Transfiguration

DVRodriguez2025-06-19T16:13:27-04:00

We can learn many lessons for the spiritual life by studying precious details within the mystery of the Transfiguration. Why did Our Lord select the three particular Apostles to accompany Him? Why did Moses and Elijah appear with Him? Why does Peter suggest building three tents? How is it all connected to the central mystery of Christ's identity and mission?

Understanding the TransfigurationDVRodriguez2025-06-19T16:13:27-04:00

Warfare is in Temptation

DVRodriguez2025-03-11T20:56:01-04:00

The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert to be tempted. The devil always attacks us at our weakest point, where we lack support. He tempts our Lord to satisfy his natural (bodily) needs with illegitimate means. The context of Jesus' scriptural rebuttal is the manna from Exodus, and hence highly Eucharistic. The devil then tempts Jesus with pride and avarice. satan wants to be worshiped as if he were God. This is the root of temptation, by which our first parents fell, the desire to "be like God." Yet Jesus strongly rebukes satan him for violating God's honor. Man should only [...]

Warfare is in TemptationDVRodriguez2025-03-11T20:56:01-04:00

The Woman and The Mother

DVRodriguez2025-02-28T20:13:16-05:00

Adam disobeyed because his wife enticed him. Eve was deceived as she lacked faith. These sins against obedience and faith require reparation. Mary believes. Jesus is obedient unto death. Since the devil attacked through the woman, the battle remains there. Emnity between her and the devil will always exist. Adam first called his wife Woman. After the Fall, he changes her name to Eve. Eve is the mother of all who must die whereas Mary is Mother of all who truly live. Jesus always addresses His Mother as Woman for she is created and always exists in original and absolute perfection.

The Woman and The MotherDVRodriguez2025-02-28T20:13:16-05:00

The Two Hearts

DVRodriguez2025-01-05T20:06:50-05:00

God has so intimately joined the Sacred and the Immaculate Hearts that it is impossible to separate them. These two devotions are linked by many parallels. For example, salvation is the central them of both. They focus our attention on hell, Purgatory and Heaven. They both request reparation and call for a consecration. When God commands, man is obligated to obey. If we do not, we suffer pestilence, war and other punishments. Like a good Father, God allows these, not to destroy, us but to turn us back to Him. Today we stand on the brink of a world war. Our society [...]

The Two HeartsDVRodriguez2025-01-05T20:06:50-05:00