To Your Health!

"...And they all ate and were satisfied." (Matt 14:20a)

I have never previously herein participated in the activity known as Recipe-Sharing, and I suspect that I will not be doing so with anything approaching regularity. Just the same, I feel I owe it to my fellow man, for the advancement of the common good, to present this one formula which, having concocted and tested, I now propose and recommend:

Michael’s Anti-Cholesterol “Knock-Out-Punch” Cereal
*Chestertonian Certified*
Suitable for Hermits, Recluses, and other Human & Canine Life-Forms

¼ cup Bob’s Red Mill® Oat Bran Cereal
2 TBLSP Ground Flax
2 TBLSP Ground Walnuts
Cinnamon to taste (I use a bunch!)

1 TBLSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¼ cup Kellogg’s® All-Bran Buds®
1 Cup Water

Put all of the above in a big cereal bowl, and microwave for 3 ½ minutes (depending..)

Then slice a banana on top, and stir the whole thing well.

Pour up to ¼ cup milk, or even half-n-half on top.

Enjoy! It works.
(I reduced my bad cholesterol 75 points in 5 months with this)

"Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself..."

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it. You shall ove your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37-40

I am not all together certain why this passage, and a particular insight that accompanies it have visited my consciousness so insistently over the past several days. Likely it is owing to the fact that I am not particularly loving of my neighbor; or at least quite selectively exclusive in my determination of exactly "who is my neighbor."

I will attempt to describe the insight that came rushing upon me like a Pentecost wind as I thought of this passage from Sacred Scripture. Throughout my life, I always have taken these verses to mean that I should love God, and then sort of "measure" how I love myself, and apply that measure of love to others around me. The disturbing insight of which I have become aware of late is, I think, more than simply a nuance. In the command to love my neighbor as myself, I now understand that I am to consider that my neighbor "is" myself. In so doing, I will of course love my neighbor. This command fights fiercely against my narcissism; for if I consider for even a moment that my neighbor is myself, then all of the great concern and interest which I normally reserve for my own needs and wants is now focused on someone else. I must love my neighbor exactly as though my neighbor were, in fact, me.

The very thought of such a thing frightens me and, I must say -- in the interest of full disclosure--makes me feel rather ill. First off, there are more than several people for whom I have no desire at all to have such consideration. Secondly, that fact that there are indeed people for whom I do not desire to have this sort of love makes me feel guilty and sinful; not a spiritual sensation of which I am at all fond.

Perhaps I have, at long last stumbled upon an Examination of Conscience in capsule form. I may not need to fumble for a pamphlet, or look for a marked page in the back of my missal again. These few verses from the Gospel shed much light upon the state of my soul; upon the state of my relationship with God and those with my fellow men. As I reflect, I cannot presently remember a sin which I have in the past committed that does not relate directly to these two commandments: Love God, and love thy neighbor as thyself.

"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee..."

Then again...

"Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us." Titus 2:7-8

Over this past weekend, as I've read, prayed, and most importantly listened with regard to the "Fr. Corapi / Black Sheepdog" matter, I have arrived at some points for reflection. One of the most interesting things I have read with regard to this present concern is a blog entry by Fr. Corapi's former Bishop and the Episcopal Founder of the S.O.L.T. to which he belongs. The Bishop's post may be found at: http://www.sanctepater.com/2011/06/thoughts-on-father-corapi-by-bishop.html.

Here are the reflection points to which I am drawn:

1. Much of my initial reaction to Fr. Corapi's "Black Sheepdog" announcement is expressive of my pain at "losing him." As I've mentioned, his preaching was instrumental in my "re-version" to the Catholic Church.

2. Much of my negative reaction to the "Black Sheepdog" moniker is an emotional response to what I continue to view as a dark and "creepy" image of some visually nondescript beast staring at sheep. My reaction to the name also fails to take into account the fact that Fr. Corapi has frequently used "special forces/military" language in his public expressions.

3. I have assumed that Fr. Corapi's statement meant that he was leaving the Catholic Church, and formally renouncing the priesthood. In fairness, his actual words do not explicitly state either of these things.

4. I was, until today, not aware that Fr. Corapi had initiated a civil suit against the woman who has become his principal accuser. It is at least possible that this civil action may result in his vindication. He would be unable to continue the civil suit while at the same time defending himself in an ecclesial proceeding, as the ecclesial process requires that no "pressures" such as civil litigation be applied against any "witnesses."

5. As some others have stated, there is so much here that we do not know, that it is inherently foolish and dangerous to engage in deep commentary and speculation.

6. There is much in Fr. Corapi's statement which can be, and no doubt is being used to attack the Church and her bishops. This is a direction in which no Faithful Catholic may follow. We must pray for Fr. Corapi; he is a priest forever -- and thus, as others have said, he is a target of Satan until the moment of his death.

7. As long as Fr. Corapi makes it abundantly clear that he is not speaking or ministering as a priest (which point he is certainly making), he is canonically free to speak in accord with the Truth; no Catholic is forbidden from doing such.

8. There is much about Fr. Corapi's present methodology that causes me to wince. I must resist the temptation to allow those things to cause me to reject or condemn.

9. Our Church, our Holy Father, our Bishops, our Priests, our Deacons, and our Religious are all under constant Satanic attack. On any day in which we fail to earnestly pray for them, we fail in our responsibilities as Faithful Catholics.

10. "I have often regretted speaking too much, but have never regretted holding my tongue." -St. Arsenius, The Great

The Shepherd, rather than the sheepdog

"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If any one serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him." John 12:25-26

I heard it said, although I no longer remember who I heard utter the words, "So far as you are from Peter, so far are you from Christ." In my old, schismatic days, I heard Fr. John Corapi say "If you believe what the Catholic Church believes and teaches, you are morally obliged to unite yourself to her." He also said many things, on many occasions regarding authority, obedience, submission, and faithfulness. He was direct, non-glossy, hard-hitting, and clear: The Catholic Church is the Bride of Christ, and for any of her human blemishes, she is the bride chosen by the Lamb -- and woe to those who stand against her.

The many such things said by Fr. Corapi caused me no small amount of discomfort as I sat in the midst of my personal rebellion against the Church. I had managed, for the most part, to dupe myself into believing that my exodus was not only justifiable; it was even a call from God to serve Him in another "part" of His Church. This line of rationalization afforded me what I came to believe was the freedom to accept ordination with an independent Anglican community.

Like many good "Anglo-Catholics," I sought out Catholic input for my preaching and teaching. My input of choice was various programs aired on EWTN. Often, I would sit watching Fr. Corapi while squirming uncomfortably. His words carried a Truth that burned like fire, and cut like a two-edged sword. His chapter-and-verse knowledge of both Scripture and of the Teachings of the Church left me at a loss to dispute his assertions. Here was a man, a priest grounded in Truth, standing firmly upon The Rock; that which he said was not simply his own words. It was the Truth.

So, what do I make of the "important announcement" Fr. Corapi made yesterday via YouTube? How does his statement square with what I have known of this man, this priest over the years?

To be fair, I required of myself that I should review Fr. Corapi's statement several times. Each time, my initial reactions were confirmed and deepened. His statement seems dark and frightening.

He appears to hide behind an image that, to me, conveys fear and evil; the very dark, piercing eyes of some animal -- supposedly a "black sheepdog" -- bearing stationary reflections of sheep. The image does not seem to convey the idea of this animal as a brave protector; rather it is possible, based on the image, that the sheep might have a good deal to fear from the one whose eyes are so intently trained upon them.

Imagery aside, Fr. Corapi's actions are disturbing. Has he rejected the authority of those to whom he has vowed and promised obedience? Has he stripped himself of his office and title as priest, and has set himself up as the speaker of Truth? If so, he has committed nearly all of the essential steps of apostasy, and may be well on the road to formal heresy should he at some point expand his "truth" beyond that which has been revealed.

The Fr. Corapi who has made this recent statement, and taken these actions seems to run far afoul of the Fr. Corapi who has, in the past, taught faithfully the unvarnished Truth of the Catholic Faith. His present course does not seem to correspond to his many previously made admonitions with regard to authority, obedience, and Godly submission.

Has he fallen victim to the most dastardly temptation of all? Has he set himself up as the sole authority over John Corapi's life? If so, he sets himself at odds with the Church; and thus at odds with the Shepherd. Is he indeed a guardian sheepdog, or he has become a lone wolf; answerable only to his own thinking.

If Fr. Corapi has divorced himself from that which made his previous words true and powerful, we must certainly pray for him. We must even more certainly be vigilant so as not to follow where he presently seems to have gone.

If given the choice between the black sheepdog and the Shepherd; I will stay close to the Shepherd.

"Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." John 12:35-36

The Devil Doesn't Go on Spring Break

"Thou wretched Babylon's daughter, blessed be, who shall repay thee what thou didst to us! Blessed be who taketh they babes, and dasheth them against the rock!"

And...

"To arms ! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Lo! All the beacon-fires are lighted,
Let all hearts be now united!
To arms ! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!"

Well! Perhaps somewhere, however I am wagering that the two quotes above have never, or only rarely appeared together.

This post, after a far too lengthy hiatus, will be short and to the point:

Catholics -- and by that term I only refer to Faithful Catholics in union with the Holy See -- we are at war. No longer do we have the leisure (if indeed we ever did) of tolerating wimpy, withdrawn, teetering, hand-wringing or apologizing, "cafeteria catholics." These are, I am quite certain, something further removed from the Catholic Church than could be any sincere protestant. These rebellious "sob sisters" are, to use a term from Eastern Orthodoxy, Anathema! (I believe the term is usually said rather loudly, and repeated thrice as a curse)

If, therefore, you are "taken aback" by the negative press of late regarding the Church and our Holy Father, then I advise you to consider well your course of action.

You have, as I see it, the following options:

1. You can believe the rubbish proffered you by the so-called news media (actually "news producers," for they produce it as a product packaged for sale). Should this be your choice, it is probably best for you to hang up your beads -- if indeed you remember whence you last put them -- and leave. Spiritually, you likely left a good while back.

2. You can consider that Christ Himself was falsely accused by the "news producers" of His earthly day, who coerced and bribed "witnesses" to testify to all manner of falsehood against Him, blaming every real and imagined malady on His preaching, teaching, and actions. Make no mistake, the same crowd that cheered Him on Palm Sunday clamored for Him to be ripped limb from sinew on Good Friday. The crowds were "convinced," the "latest polls" called for Him to be deposed, many who had followed Him now distanced themselves from Him, and even Peter would not be associated with His name.

Should this be your choice, then you must "gird your loins," and "put on the full armour of Christ." You must not shrink before the lies and blasphemies being uttered against Christ. Yes, against Christ! Just as Jesus and the Father are One, so Christ and His Church are One. He who attacks Peter, attacks the Church. He who attacks the Church, attacks Christ. There is no separating Benedict XVI from Peter, from the Church, nor from Christ.

The Sacred and Holy Triduum is nigh, and the hour of our Salvation is at hand. In the secular world -- in which "news producers" and other wretched creatures reign -- it is "Spring Break." Make no foolish misjudgments; Satan and his minions do not go on "Spring Break." They live to "make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." They live to make war on the Catholic Church! We must not stand idly by!

"Lo, all the beacon fires are lighted, (think of this at the Easter Vigil)
Let all hearts be now united!
To Arms! To Arms! To Arms!"

Vivat Benedictus XVI!

Where Have all the Catholics gone? or How the Traditonal Catholics may Save Catholicism

With due apologies to Pete Seeger and Joe Hickerson:

Where have all the Catholics gone?
Long time passing;
Where have all the Catholics gone?
long time ago;
Where have all the Catholics gone?
They've all gone secular;
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

This blog post has been "brewing" for a bit, and while I am sure it would continue to improve, like a good Irish Stout, with a bit more time in the barrel, I have decided to open the tap now, and share it with my friends...and even my enemies.

I begin with a few examples of Catholic "know-nothings" which have brought me nearly to the point of screaming and pulling out my few remaining hairs --

1) "Catholics" who really don't have a clue as to why on earth the Godparents for their children should be Catholics;

2) A Hispanic family who tried to arrange a quinceanera (15th birthday blessing) for their daughter--at a local Catholic parish-- but didn't want anything "Catholic," because most of their family doesn't go to Church anymore;

3) "Catholics" who get their dander up at the funeral of a loved one, because the celebrant dares to gently explain that only Catholics "who are able" may receive Holy Communion;

4) "Catholics" who turn their attention "on" when the entrance song for Mass begins, and turn it "off" again after the closing song -- after all, the show's over;

5) "Music Ministers" who choose songs which are far more focused on the people than on God -- or, even worse, songs which are worded as though the singer is God;

6) "Catholic Catechists" who use non-catholic versions of the bible to teach Catholic Children;

7) "Music" selections for the Mass, which have all the musical depth and breadth of the Barney Theme Song, or perhaps the Oscar Meyer Wiener jingle;

8) Deacons, Priests, and Bishops who fail to faithfully transmit the teachings and discipline of our Holy Catholic Faith--some even using their collars to legitimize their contradiction of Church teachings;

9) Priests who allow known and celebrated members of the Masons to have funerals in the Catholic Church -- with Masonic emblems brought into the Church for the Mass;

10) Deacons and Priests who close their eyes to the fact that many of their "marriage prep" couples are living together--having sexual relations--and have been continuously receiving Holy Communion in their parishes;

11) Priests who tell their congregations that the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" is not a binding document; despite John Paul II promulgating it "by virtue of my apostolic authority" as "a statement of the Church's faith and of Catholic doctrine..." and declaring "it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith..."; and

12) Masses that are "noisy," leaving no time whatever for silence, and feeding a growing lack of reverence that encourages behavior appropriate to a sports venue.

Where have all the Catholics gone?

To be sure, there are yet many Catholics among us. I regret to say that I believe them to be -- at least in this country -- in the minority. By this, I do not mean that the parishes are entirely populated by people of 'bad will.' I do mean that many parishes are led and populated by people of ignorance -- ignorance of the Catholic Faith.

This ignorance is the result both of poor catechesis and willful laziness. These two are malevolent twins which prowl about seeking souls to devour. The poor catechesis itself is a combination of actual mal-intent and sloth. There really are those within the Catholic Church who are driven by what they perceive is an opportunity to create the "American Catholic Church" after the image of their socio-political ideology. Their liturgical color is green (of course), climate change and carbon footprints are their favorite gospels, and their sacrament is a blend of forced inclusivity and tolerance (of anything except orthodoxy). These "teachers" are actually evil, and I now understand why Catholics in increasing numbers are home-schooling their children in religious education.

The majority of poor catechesis these days, however, comes from well-intentioned but ignorant catechists. They have taken their courses, and earned their "certifications," but they know precious little of the Catholic Faith. On more than one occasion I have stumped a so-called catechist by asking him (or her) to list three vital differences between Catholicism and Methodism. Most often I have been responded to with silence, or something with the theological depth of "well, they don't believe in Mary."

The ignorance with which these catechists operate is, to some degree, the fault of those who catechised them -- or better perhaps, those who failed to do so. That being said, this ignorance is -- to a greater degree -- a product of their own laziness. When people have within their reach the means of learning and knowing the Truth, and do not do so, they assume the fault for their ignorance. Why am I among a minority because I own, read, and use a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church? Why am I among an even smaller minority of those who own, read, and use a copy of the Documents of the Second Vatican Council? If I have been able to find these treasures, can they really be so well hidden from the rest of the Church? This says nothing of the many other, timeless, and dependable sources of Catholic teaching which are available at our fingertips. But, to read them takes a certain commitment; and sloth mitigates against commitment.

It is so much less bother to "just let people be people." Why "rock the boat" by telling a couple they need to stop having sex, and live separately before they can begin marriage preparation? Someone answered this for me recently by saying "If we did that, we'd have no weddings at all here -- we'd just turn everybody off." My God! I could hardly believe what I heard. I am reminded of the words of Chesterton, "the religion which begins by including everyone ends by converting no one."

We have come through 45 years of bland, secular catechesis. That is to blame for much of the ignorance we now carry about in place of Catholicism. Our laziness kicks in because of the spiritual atrophy brought about by these years of semi-pious fluff. It's "too darn hard to start over and learn about being a Catholic now! I'm sure God understands! We just need to treat people as we would like to be treated, and everything will be fine." And, sadly, for many "catholics," the foregoing has become their operative creed.

Thanks be to God for the pontificate of His Holiness Benedict XVI. We are standing at a crossroads, a turning point for the future of the Catholic Church. Our seminaries are once again, albeit slowly, filling with students attracted to orthodoxy; young men who bravely respond to the call to live and proclaim Love in Truth.

Fortunately, there are still Catholics who follow faithful priests. Many of these "sheep" come from a pasture long neglected by the more progressive types; "the traditional Catholics." These are those, who have clung to the teachings of the Catholic Church, often at great cost and sacrifice. They have taught it to their children--and to their children's children. They have learned and practiced the "old truth" which the Church has always taught as The Truth, and they are willing and happy to follow holy priests who will proclaim it in love and faithfulness. Within the ranks of these "traditional Catholics," are those who have maintained the True Faith within the so-called modern church, and those who sought refuge and strength in the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass --with the sanction of the Holy See and their bishops. As the Irish monks have lately been credited with saving civilization by their careful preservation of the great elements of human culture, so these traditional Catholics may well be credited one day with saving Catholicism for a world which so desperately needs it.

With apologies to typing teachers of old, "Now is the time for all good Catholics to come to the aid of their Church." The choice is yours! The decision is yours! The Truth is learnable and knowable. The resources are many. This is a call to arms! Adults; educate yourselves in the faith. Read, Study, Pray. Teach the True Faith; the Holy Catholic Faith, to your children. Support, encourage, and pray for good, holy priests who bravely follow and proclaim the teachings of the Catholic Church. And, do not shrink from confronting those who teach falsely. Confront respectfully and charitably, but do confront; you are responsible for whatever you allow.

To Arms! For God and His Holy Church! For our Blessed Lord, our Blessed Lady, and the Holy Company of Saints! Be Not Afraid! Be Catholic!

A Great Abomination, standing where it ought not

"When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him understand. Then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains: And he that is on the housetop, let him not come down to take any thing out of his house: And he that is in the field, let him not go back to take his coat." (Matthew 24:15-18)

A friend of mine sent me a message the other day inquiring as to what might be the reaction of the Holy Father to the decision yesterday of "The Episcopal Church USA," in which they authorized bishops to bless same-sex unions.

While I worded my response kindly, my gut-feeling is that the Holy Father will give this about as much attention as if it had been a decision reached by a group of WICCANS during a break from tree & shrub hugging. The Episcopal Church USA is as much of a non issue as anything can possibly be. While I feel deeply for the innocent faithful who have been sore wounded by the wanton apostasy and heresy of their church, the shameful truth must be told.

The Episcopal Church USA is not a "church" in the Christian understanding of that word. Of the essential 4 Marks which identify the True Church established by Jesus Christ; One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic; I submit that the Episcopal Church USA bears not one.

The Episcopal Church USA, first off, is not "one." Not only is it relegated to some sort of observer or affiliate status within the world-wide Anglican Communion, but it is openly at war with its own dioceses--and within dioceses it wages legal wars against parishes and clergy. There is no oneness of faith either; as has always been the case in Anglicanism, one can believe nearly anything (or, even nothing) and be faithful. Teachings vary from priest-to-priest, and from diocese-to-diocese. Nothing is absolutely wrong, it seems, and nothing is always right. If there is any oneness to be found in the Episcopal Church it is the singular lack of unity which is most notable.

The Episcopal Church USA is not "holy." It has repeatedly espoused as holy the very things condemned as profane and evil in the Holy Scriptures. The ranks of its clergy are filled with divorced and remarried persons, homosexuals, pedophiles (surprised?), trans-gendered persons, and every imaginable abomination. It's official pro-gay-agenda organ, Integrity, has literally engineered the last several "General Conventions" of the church. Two conventions ago, when its present presiding bishop was elected, the Episcopal Church rejected a resolution which reaffirmed that the scriptures of the old and new testament are the written Word of God. They have rejected scripture, and have called holy those things which are not holy.

The Episcopal Church is not "Catholic." It is not even "catholic," nor *catholic. No matter how you couch or twist the term, this church is not a Catholic body. It neither has nor shares in anything remotely universal, with the glaring exception of sin. Dressing up in the liturgical garb does not make one Catholic. The Episcopal Church has far more in common with Unitarianism than with any "brand" of Catholicism. Unitarians in vestments--are yet Unitarians.

The Episcopal Church is not "Apostolic." While clinging ceremoniously to the laying on of hands from one bishop to the next, this outward show accomplishes absolutely nothing. The Episcopal Church does not now intend to do what The Church intends to do when The Church ordains and consecrates. Lacking that singular intention of ordaining priests and bishops into the sacrificial priesthood of Jesus Christ, the Episcopal Church has no valid claim to Apostolic Succession, despite its rigorous defense of the so-called pipeline theory in which valid consecration simply flows or trickles down through the generations--apparently regardless of intention. Aside from the question of valid ordination, the Episcopal Church USA cannot be Apostolic simply because it has rejected the clear and consistent teachings of the Apostles and of the Apostolic Fathers.

There are indeed orthodox Anglicans. There are Anglicans who likely possess valid orders. The Episcopal Church USA is no legitimate home for such persons of faith--nor has it been for many years. The Episcopal Church USA has--by design--become a pagan sex-cult. Wanton sexual perversion--and the official blessing of it has replaced Christ as its cornerstone. It has become an anti-church; a dark and distorted shadow church.

The "Good Ship Episcopal" is mortally damaged, and is going only one place--down to the bottom. To sit stubbornly in her deck chairs hoping to be saved is spiritual suicide. The faithful among her members should have long ago made their way to the lifeboats; to not do so now is inexcusable. Some will simply put blindfolds on, turn up the music, and go down with the ship; that is their choice of course, but I do not--and cannot respect them for doing so.

Orthodox Anglicans will find no hope in their association with the See of Canterbury, for she is taking on murky water as well. They will need to do serious soul searching, and tether themselves to a vessel that is not sinking--or they too, at length, shall dwell in the dark abyss of shame and abomination.