Is the Church Opposed to Science?

I have been hearing so much regarding Church vs. Science recently. It's a disheartening argument. Many people believe that the Catholic Church is against truth, common sense, advancement, etc., simply because the Church isn't progressive in things like: contraception, stem cell research, and darwinism (notice, I didn't say evolution; the Church accepts the possibility of evolution as long as intelligent design is recognized).

Ironically, what many individuals fail to realize is that without the Catholic Church, we wouldn't have colleges or universities today; nor would we have hospitals.

"Thousands of Catholics, both clerics and laypersons alike, have made significant contributions to the development of science and mathematics from the Middle Ages to today. These scientists include Galileo Galilei, Rene Descartes, Nicolas Copernicus, Louis Pasteur, Blaise Pascal, André-Marie Ampère, Gregor Mendel, Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, Pierre de Fermat, Antoine Laurent Lavoisier, Marin Mersenne, Alessandro Volta, Augustin-Louis Cauchy, Pierre Duhem, Jean-Baptiste Dumas, Roger Boscovich, Pierre Gassendi, and Georgius Agricola, to name a few.

Catholic scientists are considered the fathers of numerous scientific fields, including, but not limited to, modern physics, acoustics, mineralogy, modern chemistry, modern anatomy, stratigraphy, bacteriology, genetics, analytical geometry, and heliocentric cosmology. Inventions from Catholic scientists include the battery, the barometer, the stethoscope, the mechanical calculator, braille, mechanical movable type printing, and the Foucault pendulum. Three electrical units are named after Catholic scientists as well: the amp, the volt, and the coulomb."

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Catholic_scientists or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Roman_Catholic_cleric-scientists for a more comprehensive list of Catholic Scientists

It further saddens me that "science" today is often more important than human dignity. If the Church is slow to progress or even completely refuses... it is because she considers the dignity of the individual first and foremost.

For instance, let's talk about contraception. Outside of marriage, contraception is an easy way to use another individual: pleasure without consequences. Contraception is an easy way to have no commitment to the other person in the relationship.  The attitude is, "I am not going to give you all of me. I refuse to give you my fertility. I don't want to have a baby with you. I am not committed to you for life." Even, when sexual relations are moral -- that is, in marriage, the tendency to use one's spouse as a sexual object increases with contraception. Since marriage is a unitive act, it ought not have any barriers, including a contraceptive mindset, which can happen even when practicing NFP. Does it really make sense that the two shall become one -- oh, except in the most intense unitive act ever!!!! No. Therefore, respecting the dignity of persons is not coming together for self-serving reasons, rather it is an openness to life.  

I think it is clear in regard to contraception that the Church is not against "women's health" or whatever.  Rather, the Church is against narcissism -- selfishness.  The Church asks men to love their wives as Christ loves the Church.  Asking a women to suppress a part of her, her fertility is not love, it is not taking the bullet. Likewise, the Church asks women to submit to their husbands. When women refuse to give their husbands their fertility, are they submitting their whole selves? 

There is also the debate that certain contraceptives increase and may even directly cause breast cancer. If this is so, wouldn't this make science be against science, aka women's health?

There are many issues that seem to put the Church as a "hater" of science, but I bet that if people take a closer look at why the Church doesn't move forward in certain areas, they may see that what the Church teaches is more beautiful and more healthy way of living.

     

COVETOUSNESS vs GRATITUDE - Day 6

A series inspired by the Introduction to the Devote Life would not be complete without a snippet from St. Francis De Sales.

Meditation III: Of the Benefits of God

Preparation

1. Place yourself in the presence of God.

2. Ask him to inspire you.

Considerations

1. Consider the bodily gifts which God has bestowed upon you; your body, so many conveniences for its support, so many lawful consolations for it, such friends, such helps. And compare your case with that so so many others who are worth more than you, and who have not received these benefits: some disabled in body, in health, in limb; others abandoned to the mercy and reproaches, and of contempt and dishonor; others oppressed with poverty; and God has not willed that you be so miserable.

2. Consider your gifts of the mind; how many persons are there in the world who are dull-witted, raving, insane; and why not you of that number? God has been favorable to you. How many there are who have been brought up boorishly and in extreme ignorance; and Divine Providence has allowed you to receive a good education and honorable upbringing.

3. Consider your spiritual graces: O Philothea, you are a child of the Church; God has taught you to know Him from your youth, How many times has He given you His Sacraments? How many times has He given you inspirations, interior lights and reproaches you for correction? How many times has He delivered you from the occasions of spiritual ruin, to which you have been exposed? And during these past years have you not had leisure and opportunity to make progress in the good of your soul? Consider a little in detail how sweet and gracious God has been to you.

Affections and Resolutions

1. Marvel at the goodness of God. Oh! how good God is towards me! Oh how good He is! O Lord, how rich in mercy is Thy Heart, and generous in loving kindness. O my soul, let us recount for ever the graces which He has given us.

2. Marvel at your ingratitude. But what am I, O Lord, that Thou are mindful of me? Oh! how great is my unworthiness! Alas! I have trampled underfoot Thy benefits; I has dishonored Thy graces, misusing them in contempt of Thy sovereign goodness; I have opposed the abyss of my ingratitude to the abyss of Thy grace and favor.

3. Stir yourself up to gratitude. Well then, O my heart, be no longer faithless, ungrateful and disloyal to this great Benefactor. And shall not my soul henceforth be subject to God, who has wrought so many wonders and graces in me and for me?

4. Ah, then, Philothea, withdraw your heart from such and such pleasures, consecrate it to the service of God who has done so much for it; apply the powers of your soul to know Him and be grateful to Him, by such and such exercises which are conductive to that purpose; make a careful use of the means which are in the Church to save yourself and to love God. Yes, I will be assiduous in prayer, in the frequentation of the the Sacraments, I will listen to the Word of God, I will put into practice the inspirations and counsels that I receive.

Conclusion

1. Thanksgiving -- Thank God for the knowledge which He has now give you of your duty, and all the benefits which you have hitherto received.

COVETOUSNESS vs GRATITUDE - Day 5

GRATITUDE, GREED, AND GRUMBLING

 by Jamie Munson

The totality of God’s gifts is much more than we deserve. Though many Christians would nod their heads in agreement, few live as though it were actually true. Rather than gratitude for God’s grace we exhibit greed for our own gain. The difference between these two outlooks influences and directs every aspect of life:

	Gratitude	Greed
Attitude	Humility (Phil. 2:3)	Grumbling (Phil. 2:15)
Perspective	Grace: “I am a sinner who deserves death but Jesus paid the price and gave me his perfect righteousness.”	Entitlement: “I am a good person who deserves heaven—plus a comfortable, pain-free existence in the meantime.”
Desire	Jesus is enough to satisfy my life.	Jesus is not enough. I want wealth / fame / comfort / power as well.
Money	God gives. Therefore my money is his, and I use it to glorify him.	I earn. Therefore my money is mine, and I use it however I please.
Possessions	Contentment: I have enough	Covetous: I never have enough
Church	Serve as a member of God’s family	Be served as a consumer
Job	Work heartily for the Lord; cultivating thanks for God’s provision (Deut. 8:17; Col. 3:23)	Work begrudgingly for the man; becoming bitter and jealous against others (James 3:16)
Family	A blessing to embrace	A burden to escape
Future	Eternal: optimistic/hopeful (2 Cor. 4:7–9)	Temporal: pessimistic/anxious
Worship	Time, energy, and resources go to God	Time, energy, and resources go to me
Identity	Jesus and his achievement	My abilities and my achievements
Giving	Generous	Guilt- or gain-motivated (or non-existent)

via Have It All or Want It All? | The Resurgence.

Which column most accurately describes your life? In which areas are you encouraged? Where do you need to repent and seek forgiveness? Your church, your small group, and your family are following your example, for good or ill.

COVETOUSNESS vs GRATITUDE - Day 4

Of Greed and Gratitude

by Roger Berry http://reachingoutmag.com/issue-61/of-greed-and-gratitude/

The fable is told of a greedy fox who was gorging himself on an animal he had killed. As he ate, a bone stuck in his throat, and he could not swallow it. The pain was so excruciating that the fox ran around and around seeking relief. He promised he would give anything if someone would remove the bone from his throat. He tried to get all the animals he met to remove the bone, but not one dared. Finally the crane agreed to try. The fox opened his mouth as wide as he could, and the crane stuck its long beak down his throat, loosened the bone, and pulled it out.

The crane asked for the promised reward, but the fox grinned wickedly and replied: “Be content. You have put your head into a fox’s mouth and taken it out again safely. That ought to be reward enough for you.” The moral of the story is, “Gratitude and greed do not go together.”

The fox certainly pictures the person who is continually grasping for things, perhaps making a show of gratitude or thankfulness, then continuing in ungratefulness.

How many young people have you met who were like the fox? They were only too happy to ask for help when they had a desperate need. However, when you helped them they showed little or no gratitude. You felt used and unappreciated.

What Is Greed?

In the Bible, “greed” is often called covetousness. The English word comes from a Latin word meaning cupidity or desire. People want what they want, when they want it, in whatever way they can get it. They will run over other people and disrespect them in their greedy quest for what they want.

Covetousness or greed involves many areas of life. People are greedy for material possessions and money. They may cheat, lie, steal, and even murder to get the things they want. When they get it, they repeat the vicious cycle to get even more. Greed often controls sexual desire. People will do whatever they can to fulfill their desires, even if it means ruining another’s marriage to get it or using another person only to hate and discard that person after they have what they want. The Bible often links greed and immorality together and condemns them. “No whoremonger [immoral person], nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:5).

What is the Solution to Greed?

We must beware that we be not guilty of greed and ingratitude as was the fox. Greed is sin and rebellion against God and against other people. Fleeing from greed and ingratitude will dramatically improve our relationship with other people and, most of all, with God. Taking God’s way will bring us peace and satisfaction and will give us purpose for living. Greed will be replaced by respect and appreciation for others and thankfulness to God for changing our lives. Greed will be replaced by generosity and gratitude that reach out to help others and please God.

Genuine gratitude and greed cannot exist side by side in one person. Gratitude can come only from a heart and mind that is changed and rooted in the things of God. “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1, 2).

May we not join the masses around us who live in greed and selfishness. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

COVETOUSNESS vs GRATITUDE - Day 3

Hoarding, Greed in Disguise....

For the last two days I have been cataloguing and organizing dvds. I have only gotten through a little over two hundred, out of maybe 600?  Right now there are bets on how many we own. Originally, one family member suggested 300, other guesses were in a similar ballpark.  My current guess is 600-750. Ridiculous, huh?

How did we accumulate so many???

Slowly, through sales. Slowly, as gifts. Slowly, by trends.

The rate that we give it away? Almost non existent.

As  Dr. H. P. Bianchi once wrote: "I would maintain that Americans love stuff, buying it, admiring it, holding on to it, and hate giving it away. In short, we are addicted to stuff." http://catholicreview.org/blogs/fertile-soil/2012/05/27/america-s-addiction-to-stuff

And I agree with him that, "A return to the state of poverty or a job loss is not necessary to understand the true value of goods. We do not need to reject stuff but possess them with moderation, enjoying goods without attachment, giving away more than we keep."

Therefore, one family goal of ours is to eliminate all the movies we can. If it were up to only me, I would get rid of most of them, and keep only a handful - enough to fit on one shelf. I really don't need more than that. However, since this is a family vote, I imagine, we will be keeping an amount way beyond "handfuls".

The next huge pile I need to go through is books.... This is a personal attachment for me and a more active level of greed... "Book sale? Where?" With books, I am addicted to amount and quality. I want to be able to brag to people, "Oh, yeah? Well, have you seen my library?" Having a large and sophisticated library makes me feel important, even more intelligent. Even if no one ever physically sees my library, knowing that I have so many books, I feel well off. However, if there was ever to be a fire and I lost all these books, I would only actually mourn two: my personal everyday Bible (with my notes), and St. Faustina's Diary.  Although, the other individual books could be replaced; I would miss the number more than the books, themselves. I would feel "poor".

To me that is sad. I have often contemplated joining a third order that includes poverty as a vow, but I am too greedy. Books are my obstacle... "Yes, I haven't read that in eight years, but I will NEED it one day! Yes, I NEED every work ever written by Aristotle!!! Yes, I have two copies of that book; but they are different translations so I NEED both of them!" 

Clutter Personalities

I found this on sexrespect.com and thought I'd pass it along...

The Clutter Personalities

The Clutter Personalities: Orderliness as a virtue and bad excuses not to have it Orderliness is a virtue. When we are simple and orderly, we are happier than when we allow our time and possessions to bring disorder to our lives. We do not have to be ‘rigid’ in our orderliness, because that puts order ahead of love for people, but orderliness should be a virtue for each member of the family to develop from a young age. “An orderly person follows a logical procedure which is essential for the achievement of any goal he sets himself – in organizing his things, using his time, carrying out his activities on his own initiative, without having to be constantly reminded,” writes David Isaacs in his book “Character Building”. Jesus was orderly. He had a mission from his Father and he kept his life simple and orderly in order to accomplish it. Living in a materialistic society, we think we need a lot more ‘stuff’ than we really do need. Wal-Mart and Target thrive on us buying things we don’t really need to live. Many adults struggle with too much ‘stuff’; whether it is papers, books, clothes, shoes or knick-knacks. On our January 26th radio show, I presented some of the clutter personalities and remedies for them. We like to get to the root of the problem which sometimes is our own thinking! How many of these are we guilty of? (The Hoarder, The Procrastinator, The Rebel, The Perfectionist, the Sentimentalist) The Hoarder: “This might come in handy some day!” Hoarding is rooted in insecurity, a lack of trust in God that he will not provide for all of our needs, or in fear of financial poverty. Hoarders think that they may never have what they need if they let go of the current ‘stuff’ they have. Remedy: Remind yourself that resources will always be available. You get them or even borrow them when you have a need. Magazines are indexed at the library, information is always available on the internet, those kitchen gadgets - oh c’mon how many years did we prepare food well without them? The empty margarine containers and egg cartons – if you aren’t using them each month – let them go! The Procrastinator: “I’ll think about that tomorrow”Guilty of the great set-aside? The items that need repair, the old newspapers, bills, the craft items you will work with next week...or next year, the dishes you leave in the sink, the wet laundry molding in the washing machine that didn’t get to the dryer, the leaves you never raked that are under the snow… it’s all still there. The best remedy for procrastination is to take action now! Instead of putting it off and dragging energy out of tomorrow, get started now for only 15 minutes. You will find that this usually creates a momentum that is needed to finish the job. It’s easier to keep a rolling stone in motion than to push it the first time. Push. See how much you can get done before you go to bed so you wake up happier and without a burden. The Rebel: “You can’t make me do it so I don’t want to.”You never internalized your parents’ efforts to teach you responsibility. You rebelled against it when you were 4 and 14 and now you are in charge. You don’t have to put your clothes in the hamper anymore or your cereal bowl in the dishwasher. But hey – they are still there! Remedy: Remember you are the grown up now. Your family deserves an adult on the job, your kids deserve a good example and your spouse deserves a co-parent, not another child. Rebel against that inner laziness. It’s the devil who is your enemy. He wants you out of order and rebellious. Your ‘mommy’ shouldn’t have to pick up after you anymore. The Perfectionist: “Until I can do it perfectly I will leave it that way”You know it will take you 2 days to clean out that closet and you don’t want to leave a mess in between, so you never get to it. You are actually the best organizer in your house – when you decide to do it. Not wanting to do a less than perfect job, the clutter stays there. Clutter pollution = spiritual pollution. And you want to be perfect, remember? Be perfectly organized! Perfectionists must give themselves permission to complete the first 20% if the job – which actually takes care of 80% of the problem. Sort and organize that drawer now, don’t wait until you find the perfect color of drawer liner paper. Put a piece of newspaper in the bottom and find the perfect liner later. You’ll be happy that the drawer is clean. The Sentimentalist: “Oh, how could I ever part with that memory.”You are in love with every item because it is attached to a memory. Remedy for the sentimentalist: Wake up to brains-over-emotions! When you throw away your 7th child’s blue pudding handprint, you are not throwing away your child – or even the memory of him or her. You probably have so many boxes that you couldn’t find your child’s first grade report card if you wanted it. Select 2 boxes of your most important keepsakes. Take photos of any others that are special, or spend one day making a video of you holding that item and telling the story, then call the dumpster and carry out the heavy load that is dragging you down. To all clutter personalities:Read the story of Jesus and the Rich Young Man Luke 18:18-27 and see if you can find a few lines in which Christ is speaking to you. “And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich (read ‘weighed down with ‘stuff’). And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches (read ‘ clutter’) to enter the kingdom of God!” He couldn’t follow Christ because he had too much “stuff”. He went away sad because he couldn’t give it up. Could it be that your ‘stuff’ is dragging you down? First, it probably bothers the people you live with. Secondly, it weighs you down knowing that you need to clean it out and get rid of most of it. How long have you been saving it and what are you saving it for? Consider placing all your trust in God. Depend on Him for all your needs. Sell your stuff on e-bay, give it to a church garage sale, or call the St. Vincent DePaul Society now for a pick up! God wants you to be detached from ‘stuff’. Attach to him. Go pray, then clean house! Pretend your house was on fire (it might be if you don’t get those old magazines out of there), and think of what you would carry out with you. That’s all you really need to save along with a weeks worth of clothes. Whether you need to set small goals like throwing away ten bags a week, or cleaning out 1 hour a day, or go big, like renting a dumpster for the weekend and have the whole family work to fill it up! Make yourself happy by de-cluttering! Pray for an increase in Faith, Hope and Love. Believe that God will provide for all of your needs. (This is America, our poorest are better off than half of the world.) Place your hopes in eternal life and detach from the stuff. Love your neighbor who really has nothing – and give your stuff away to the homeless shelter. For the spouse of the Clutterer Jesus came, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. I ask you to be Christ to your spouse the clutterer, too. If you admonish and criticize, you are another source of discouragement. Instead, be the ‘helpmate’ you promised to be when you said you would love and honor your spouse all the days of your life. We all have faults. Yours are probably the opposite of your spouses – that’s why God put you together. Make your clean-out times fun for both of you. Put on your favorite music, laugh, throw those papers in the garbage and find freedom together. Set the timer, make a deadline, order in dinner at quitting time. Light the candles you just found that you’ve saved since your first dinner at home. Melt them down with your love.

COVETOUSNESS vs GRATITUDE - Day 2

Scripture verses that address covetousness:

Ex 20:17: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

Deut 15:7-11: If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,"so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

Deut 5:21: "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor's house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

Josh 7:20-26: And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: 21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. 22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. 23 And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD. 24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. 25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. 26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

Prov 11:24-28: One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. 26 People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. 27 He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. 28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Prov 22:9: A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. 

Eccl 5:10:  Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

Mic 2:1-11: Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand. 2 And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage. 3 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil. 4 In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, and say, We be utterly spoiled: he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed it from me! turning away he hath divided our fields. 5 Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD. 6 Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame. 7 O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? 8 Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war. 9 The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever. 10 Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction. 11 If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

Mark 7:20-23:  He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him `unclean.' 21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man `unclean.'"

Luke 3:14: Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely-be content with your pay."

Luke 6:38: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Luke 12:15: Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Luke 12:32-34 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Rom 1:28-32: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Eph 5:1-10: Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Eph 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 3:1-5 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

1 Tim 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

2 Tim 3:1-7: But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Cor 9:6-15: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Phil 4:10-13 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I  have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Phil 4:18-19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ
Jesus. 

COVETOUSNESS vs. GRATITUDE

Today, starts the second week of my seven week series on Capital Sins and their corresponding Virtues (see Introduction to the Devote Life by St. Francis De Sales).

What does covetousness mean?  (Covetousness is a word we don't often hear outside of the Ten Commandments:"Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's goods.")

Dictionary. com offers:

cov·et

   [kuhv-it] 

verb (used with object)

1.

to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others: to covet another's property.

Word Origin & History

covet 

early 13c., from O.Fr. coveitier, probably ult. from L. cupiditas"passionate desire," from cupidus "very desirous," from cupere"  to long for, desire."

In other words, "covetousness" is greed.  It is the desire and subsequent action to have "in excess".  It is an addiction to "not having enough".

What is the opposing virtue?

Many conclude charity.

Charity is my favorite virtue; I understand it to be the virtue of highest perfection and the culmination of all virtues.  However, it seems to me that most people understand charity to mean almsgiving or kindness.

While, I do see that almsgiving, kindness, and selflessness are all opposed to greed, I think that gratitude is what underlies these actions and most counteracts the greedy mindset.

Gratitude is being thankful for what one has or what one is given.  It is appreciating possessions and talents in an appropriate way.

Therefore, while almsgiving and kindness are practical means to overcome covetousness, I believe that a grateful heart is the true cure. 

An Audio Too Good not to Share!!!

08/20/12 EWTN Homily- Fr Wade Menezes CPM

http://ewtn.edgeboss.net/wmedia/ewtn/audiolibrary/th_08212012.mp3

Alumnus football -- Grantland Rice

Bill Jones had been the shining star upon his college team.

His tackling was ferocious and his bucking was a dream.

When husky William took the ball beneath his brawny arm

They had two extra men to ring the ambulance alarm.

Bill hit the line and ran the ends like some mad bull amuck.

The other team would shiver when they saw him start to buck.

And when some rival tackler tried to block his dashing pace,

On waking up, he’d ask, “Who drove that truck across my face?”

Bill had the speed-Bill had the weight-Bill never bucked in vain;

From goal to goal he whizzed along while fragments, strewed the plain,

And there had been a standing bet, which no one tried to call,

That he could make his distance through a ten-foot granite wall.

When he wound up his college course each student’s heart was sore.

They wept to think bull-throated Bill would sock the line no more.

Not so with William – in his dreams he saw the Field of Fame,

Where he would buck to glory in the swirl of Life’s big game.

Sweet are the dreams of college life, before our faith is nicked-

The world is but a cherry tree that’s waiting to be picked;

The world is but an open road-until we find, one day,

How far away the goal posts are that called us to the play.

So, with the sheepskin tucked beneath his arm in football style,

Bill put on steam and dashed into the thickest of the pile;

With eyes ablaze he sprinted where the laureled highway led-

When Bill woke up his scalp hung loose and knots adorned his head.

He tried to run the ends of life, but with rib-crushing toss

A rent collector tackled him and threw him for a loss.

And when he switched his course again and dashed into the line

The massive Guard named Failure did a toddle on his spine.

Bill tried to punt out of the rut, but ere he turned the trick

Right Tackle Competition scuttled through and blocked the kick.

And when he tackled at Success in one long, vicious prod

The Fullback Disappointment steered his features in sod.

Bill was no quitter, so he tried a buck in higher gear,

But Left Guard Envy broke it up and stood him on his ear.

Whereat he aimed a forward pass, but in two vicious bounds

Big Center Greed slipped through a hole and rammed him out of bounds.

But one day, when across the Field of Fame the goal seemed dim,

The wise old coach, Experience, came up and spoke to him.

“Oh Boy,” he said, “the main point now before you win your bout

Is keep on bucking Failure till you’ve worn the piker out!”

“And, kid, cut out this fancy stuff – go in there, low and hard;

Just keep your eye upon the ball and plug on, yard by yard,

And more than all, when you are thrown or tumbled with a crack,

Don’t sit there whining-hustle up and keep on coming back;

“Keep coming back with all you’ve got, without an alibi,

If Competition trips you up or lands upon your eye,

Until at last above the din you hear this sentence spilled:

‘We might as well let this bird through before we all get killed.’

“You’ll find the road is long and rough, with soft spots far apart,

Where only those can make the grade who have the Uphill Heart.

And when they stop you with a thud or halt you with a crack,

Let Courage call the signals as you keep on coming back.

“Keep coming back, and though the world may romp across your spine,

Let every game’s end find you still upon the battling line;

For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name,

He writes – not that you won or lost – but how you played the Game

http://www.greatmomentsofsportsmanship.com/not-that-you-won-or-lost-but-how-you-played-the-game/

I'm Back...:-)

Hi. Thank you for being patient with me. I am back from vacation and ready to continue sharing my journey with you.

Whatever you are doing and wherever you are at, may the dear Lord bless you.