Every Day Is A Gift

James 4:14 “What is your life? It is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” For those of us in our 4th quarter of life, this scripture verse speaks loudly. But people of every age should take note and live accordingly. Every breath we take is a gift from God and we know the end comes to all people. We just don't know when specifically our time is up. While personal and professional goals in life are important, always remember the number one goal for each of us is to get to Heaven, eternal life with Christ. Every day we should reflect on our eternal life, God's plan and purpose for the life we live on earth, and how best to please Him in our serving and loving others.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and He appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also."

During these 40 days after Easter, we as followers of Christ celebrate the anniversary of the beginning of the Christian faith. The resurrected Christ, after His defeat of death, taught His followers about God's Kingdom, enlightened them and instructed them to spread the "Good News."

We must not allow the "enemy" and his minions to deter us from responding to God's call; loving and serving others according to the gifts we have been given. "For our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground." (helmet of salvation, breastplate of justice, shield of faith, belt of truth, footgear of zeal, sword of the Spirit - the Word of God)  (Ephesians 6:12-13)

Let us use this time to remember and honor the faithful from over 2000 years ago by continuing their great work and that of all the "ambassadors for Christ" since then, as we are guided by the Holy Spirit. "For the present form of this world is passing away." (1 Corinthians 7:31)

Most pastors today are not preaching the full Gospel. Paul issued warning after warning about the wrath of God and the consequences of not following His commandments. 

Many Preachers are most interested in church growth, making their members feel good and how to obtain blessings in this life, how to be great leaders or the benefits of giving time, talent and treasure! All good things but not priority one - preaching the truth about "the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23), honoring God with godly living, rejecting satan and his lies, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide, protect and encourage!

One more subject - "Born again" John chapter 3  - Not all church going "Christians" are "born again from above" and filled with the Holy Spirit - as you know! What are we to think about "good people" who acknowledge Christ, know who He is and what He did for them, but just seem to be "lukewarm" about it with no personal relationship and no understanding of being born again! 

"Born Again"

My baptism shortly after birth was a commitment from my Godly parents to commit me to God and to invite the Holy Spirit to guide, protect and encourage me in the faith throughout my life. So very thankful to my parents for putting me on the correct path to know, love and serve God. But a personal relationship with Christ is my decision alone and must be made from my heart to God with my full knowledge and free will.

Growing up Catholic, confirmed in the fifth grade, altar server for many years, attended Catholic grade school, Catechism through High School...I always knew who Christ was and what He did for me and all of mankind through His birth, suffering, death and resurrection! Always had a great appreciation, reverence and devotion to Mother Mary and the Saints. In summary, I had all the head knowledge of my faith but never really felt in my heart, or knew how my daily, sinful and "lukewarm Christian living" was affecting my life...my eternal life! No personal relationship with my Creator and "friend" Jesus Christ! I knew who He was but I didn't "know" Him!

One day as a young man, not long after College, I went to the movie theater alone to see "The Late Great Planet Earth." Only thing I remember about that event was it got me to start thinking about eternal life and prompted me to start reading the Bible. Back in the 60's and early 70's, we weren't encouraged as Catholics to read the Bible, since Catechism and the Mass explained it all...and it does by the way...if your heart and mind are fully engaged. As I have since learned, the Mass is a walk through the Bible! After reading the Bible cover to cover, it was indeed interesting, informative and at times and in my simpleton ignorant ways, repetitive. I wondered why? But the seed was sown!

Not until many years later after marriage and two beautiful children did I again begin to read Scripture on a regular, consistent basis. Also began listening to Christian television more frequently, read more Biblically based books and joined as many Bible Study groups as I could. After about 10 years, really started studying Scripture intensely both from the Catholic and Protestant perspectives, watched many Bishop Fulton Sheen broadcasts from the 60's, Billy Graham crusade broadcasts and many many other religious programs. Best time for reading the Bible for me was early in the morning at work. To beat the traffic, I arrived at the office about 6:00 AM every day and usually spent about an hour in the Word.

One morning, months after beginning my daily Bible reading routine, while reviewing Romans Chapter 6, I came to verse 23. "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." A powerful emotional feeling came over me like a fever without the aches. Suddenly I began to weep like never before and immediately two scripture verses came to mind, Isaiah 6:5 "Then I said, 'Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts'", and John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not die but will have everlasting life." Guilt, grace and mercy combining to let me know "I belong to Him."

Since that day, my spiritual life dramatically changed and continues to grow with respect to learning about "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit." (2 Corinthians 13:13), the opening prayer of every Mass BTW! The Holy Spirit enlightens my mind with something new spiritually almost every time I read the Bible. When I open the pages, the soft whisper of the Holy Spirit seems to say, "Good morning Bobby, great to see you again!"

Attending Mass and receiving the transubstantiated body of Christ into my person is by far the highlight and most important hour of my every week! With humility I offer my life to Him and ask for His grace and mercy every day. Being Born Again has given me the spiritual eyes to recognize my faults and sins both now and in the past and a receptive heart today to be convicted by the Holy Spirit when I offend Him by my words, thoughts and deeds.

Well, that's my "Born Again" experience! Everybody has a different one and no one is better than the other. The only thing that matters is having a personal relationship with Christ, an open mind and heart to listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance and conviction, and putting God first in your life, seeking and accepting His will!

Below are a few of my favorite verses when I think about being Born Again!

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect."

2 Corinthians 5:17 "So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold new things have come."

2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in faith. Test yourselves..."

Ephesians 1:18 "May He enlighten your innermost vision that you may know the great hope to which He has called you..."

Ephesians 4:22-23 "You must lay aside your former way of life and the old self which deteriorates through illusion and desire, and acquire a fresh, spiritual way of thinking."

Sorry for the length and completely understand that everyone's experience in coming to know Christ is different. Will never argue with anyone about the love, grace and mercy of God.

Blessings to everyone!

I am a cradle Catholic with a passion for God and a passion to see Christians worldwide unite together in our battle against our common enemy the devil. Paul says, "The body is one and has many members, but all the members, many though they are, are one body; and so it is with Christ. It was in one Spirit that all of us were baptized into one body. All of us have been given to drink of the one Spirit." (Romans 12:12-13). 

My dream is for all Christians to be in unity as the Lord desires. As the Second Vatican Council pointed out: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one Baptism" (Ephesians 4:4-5). For "all you who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ ... for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:27-28).

We know there are obvious differences between Catholics and Protestants in terms of church leadership and theology. However, if we focus on our common beliefs, we would be in a much better position to deal with our common problem...the devil. Simply because we (Christians) attend different churches and have different preachers, priests and pastors does not mean any particular denomination has a more secure path to Heaven than any other true believer in Christ. Unity does not mean uniformity. 

My passion for many years has been Ecumenism (Christian Unity). I am currently working on developing a ministry dedicated to that goal. With the proper motivation, "All things are possible for God." We are God's servants and all we have to do is answer His call and begin moving forward...one step at time. 

"Genuine ecumenism is not about convincing non-Catholics to become Catholics, or convincing Catholics to become Protestant – or to pretend that we are not Catholic or Protestant. Ecumenism is an attempt for mutual respect and understanding, a quest for members of different traditions and denominations to honor everything that unites them, even as they discuss respectfully the things that divide them. True ecumenism starts with mutual love and respect." Archdiocese of Santa Fe

I see an incredible opportunity to "bridge the gap", not in a spirit to convert each other but in a spirit of cooperating with each other to present a solid witness for unbelievers and to energize the "lukewarm" (maybe the largest group in need). 

It occurs to me that now, in this climate of social, political and economic turmoil, is the time for all Christians to come together in prayer: "If My people, upon whom My name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek My presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from Heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14). 

Unless we come together in great numbers to get the media and politicians' attention necessary to reverse this Country's self - inflicted death spiral, we Christians are going to have another accountability issue with God on the day of our judgment. It's not only what we do, but what we fail to do, that God will be reviewing with us. 

We are facing a "911" situation in our Country and the world. This follows decades of moral and spiritual deterioration beginning with the attack on man's fellowship with God in the 60's with respect to the erroneous interpretation of "Separation of Church and State", and the sexual revolution. 

In 1973, the biggest assault by satan on mankind occurred: Roe v. Wade. Since then over 50 million babies have been killed in the United States alone...hundreds of millions worldwide. There has never been a greater violation of the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence than this satanic law. 

The Bible says there will be no tears in Heaven. I suspect however they are flowing every day in Heaven as thousands of God's little precious ones are being killed each and every day in the United States. "You knit me in my mother's womb." (Psalm 139:13)

The National Day of Prayer instituted by Congress in 1952 and The Week of Prayer For Christian Unity begun in 1908 by an Episcopal Priest and Anglican Vicar...and today sponsored by the World Council of Churches and the Catholic Church are two popular initiatives. However after one day in May or one week in January, momentum fades and is often lost. As many motivational speakers have said, "Success is not a one day event or a destination but rather a journey." Ecumenism has to be embraced by the masses in order to be successful. We need to have an "ecumenical movement." 

Irrespective of our differences let's focus on three things we can absolutely agree on: 1. Pro-Life 2. Marriage according to God's will (one man/one woman) 3. Biblical Stewardship (Time, Talent and Treasure) 

If tackling 3 issues at once is a little too much, my suggestion is let's have Pro-life as the pivot point of our unifying efforts. 

Let's begin with the basic tenets of our Christian faith - where there is no disagreement... 

1. We are all on a team with Jesus Christ as our Captain. He is the Son of the Living God who came down from Heaven by the power of the Holy Spirit and became man. The Holy Trinity is One God in Three Persons...God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God has no beginning and no end. 

He is omniscient, omnipotent and omni-present. This is a mystery which as Christians we believe with all our heart and may be explained to us one day after our earthly life is complete. 

2. The Bible is God's instruction manual to His children, inspired by Him and absolutely infallible, written by His chosen servants. "All scripture is inspired of God and is useful for teaching - for reproof, correction, and training in holiness so that the man of God may be fully competent and equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16).

3. Jesus Christ suffered, died and was buried. On the third day He rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. When Jesus ascended into heaven, He sent us a Helper, the Holy Spirit...to guide and protect us and to be with us always. Christ will come to earth again...at God's appointed time. "The exact time is not yours to know. The Father has reserved that to Himself." (Acts 1:7). 

Christ sacrificed Himself for the atonement of mankind's sins...past, present, and future. His supreme sacrifice singularly opened the door to Heaven...allowing every human being, though sinners, through free will, the opportunity to enter into the presence of God and be with Him forever in our next life. 

4. The entire Gospel teachings of Christ can be summed up in two commandments. "You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength." and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-40) Jesus said this sums up the entire law, and the prophets as well. 

5. Paul follows in his letter to the Ephesians which to me is the essence of a Christian's life: "May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, and may charity (love) be the root and foundation of your life. Thus you will be able to grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love, and experience this love which surpasses all knowledge, so that you may attain to the fullness of God Himself." (3:17-19). 

6. Jesus taught us how to pray: "Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us...and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen." 

7. As Christians we can all agree on the wisdom in this nugget of truth: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all things be mindful of Him, and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Now let's examine the root of all our problems... 

We must recognize that there is an active, powerful enemy of God at work in our midst. In fact he used to be on God's Team. However, he became prideful and haughty, and because of the status he held and the nature of his rebellion, God irrevocably kicked him off the Team. Earth happens to be his current residence. 

We know him by many names...satan, lucifer, devil, prince of the world, the tempter, the evil one, the enemy, father of lies, thief, and many other similar references. Since he knows what his ultimate fate will be, his only goal is to destroy the lives of as many human beings as possible, before God finally says...We are done. 

I think the father of lies and thief may be the best descriptions for satan, given to us by John in his Gospel. As John says, "The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy." (10:10). 

One of the most effective weapons he uses is divisiveness. Just look at how many Christians so often vehemently argue with each other over differences of opinion. 

Mahatma Gandhi is said to have studied Christianity intensely but declined to become a follower of Christ because he, "knew so many Christians who were so unlike Christ." 

Christians spend so much time and energy debating the differences among Catholics and Protestants that the common focus and beliefs are somehow diminished and marginalized. We then become a vulnerable target for the enemy. 

Matthew quotes Jesus in his Gospel, "A kingdom torn by strife is headed for its downfall. A household split into factions cannot last for long." (12:25), and later, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters." (12:30). 

This is how we fight the enemy...

Paul says we are engaged in Christian warfare and we must, "Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. Our battle is not against human forces but against the principalities and powers, the rulers of this world of darkness, the evil spirits in regions above. You must put on the armor of God if you are to resist on the evil day; do all that your duty requires and hold your ground." (Ephesians 6:11-13). 

Every evil in this world is the result of satan's activities. We must pray constantly to our Lord that He will prevent the liar from corrupting our lives and the lives of all people around the world. "In all circumstances hold faith up before you as your shield; it will help you extinguish the fiery darts of the devil." (Ephesians 6:16). 

Once we allow the Holy Spirit to indwell in our hearts, we can then have the confidence of knowing that, " Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4) and ,"No weapon formed against you shall prevail." (Isaiah 54:17). 

We know who wins...

God's Word says, "The devil who led them astray was hurled into the pool of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had also been thrown. There they will be tortured day and night, forever and ever." (Revelation 20:10).

But let's keep him from winning so many battles. "Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8).

And finally... 

As noted in the agreed upon Evangelicals and Catholics Together "ECT" statement in 1994, "Evangelicals must speak the Gospel to Catholics and Catholics to Evangelicals, always speaking the truth in love, so that 'working hard to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace . . . the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God'" (Ephesians 4:3, 12-13).

"All who truly believe in Jesus Christ are brothers and sisters in the Lord and must not allow their differences, however important, to undermine this great truth, or to deflect them from bearing witness together to God's gift of salvation in Christ." 

Pope John Paul II tells us in his 1995 Encyclical on Ecumenism: "In the eyes of the world, cooperation among Christians becomes a form of common Christian witness and a means of evangelization which benefits all involved." 

When it's all said and done, "What unites us is much greater than what divides us." (Pope John XXIII in 1963). 

Paul urges us in 1 Corinthians 1:10 "I beg you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree in what you say. Let there be no factions; rather, be united in mind and judgment."

Let us then always reflect Christ's influence in our lives...at home, at work, at church, and at play. 

Let's be like Joshua who said, "If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve...as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (24:15). It's an easy decision. 

As James put it in his letter, "You are a vapor that appears briefly and then vanishes." (4:14). We need to use what little time we have left in this life to move forward together...in love. 

"I pray for those who believe in Me through their word, that all may be one as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You. I pray that they may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (John 17:21) 

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Corinthians 13:13). 

God bless you. 

Bobby

roscoe.robson@gmail.com

C. S. Lewis’ Views on Christian Unity & Ecumenism

JUNE 9, 2019 BY DAVE ARMSTRONG
  0 COMMENTS

I think C. S. Lewis’s approach to ecumenism was quite wise. He had many close friends (several of the “Inklings”) who were (or eventually would become) Catholic, including George Sayer, who wrote a highly-acclaimed biography (Jack: C. S. Lewis and His Times, 1988), Jim Dundas-Grant, Humphrey Havard, Fr. Gervase Mathew, Dom Bede Griffiths, Christopher Derrick, Fr. Walter Hooper, Sheldon Vanauken, Fr. Martin D’Arcy, and J. R. R. Tolkien, who helped him to convert to Christianity, by describing it as a “true myth.”

Lewis himself held many views similar or identical to Catholic teaching (e.g., on purgatory), as somewhat of an Anglo-Catholic. In 1953 Lewis wrote the following in a letter to a friend who had become a Catholic:

Though you have taken a way which is not for me I nevertheless can congratulate you — I suppose because your faith and joy are so obviously increased. Naturally, I do not draw from that the same conclusions as you, but . . . I believe we are very near to one another . . . In the present divided state of Christendom, those who are at the heart of each division are all closer to one another than those who are at the fringes . . . Let us by all means pray for one another: it is perhaps the only form of “work for reunion” which never does anything but good. God bless you. (Letters to an American Lady, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1967 — letter from 1953, 11-12)

I am very much of this mind myself: I feel that people who are trying their best to follow the orthodox Christian traditions of their own denominations are kindred spirits in many, many ways, whereas the liberals and so-called “traditionalists” of my own camp, Catholicism (as well as the nominal Catholics not very committed to their walk with Jesus as a disciple), often seem like strangers to me. In my mind, I have much more in common with an ecumenical Calvinist or Anglican. I think that gets to what Lewis was trying to express. He made other similarly wise utterances in this regard:

That the whole cause of schism lies in sin I do not hold to be certain. I grant that no schism is without sin but the one proposition does not necessarily follow the other . . . what would I think of your Thomas More and of our William Tyndale? All the writings of the one and all the writings of the other I have lately read right through. Both of them seem to me most saintly men and to have loved God with their whole heart: I am not worthy to undo the shoes of either of them. Nevertheless they disagree and (what racks and astounds me) their disagreement seems to me to spring not from their vices nor from their ignorance but rather from their virtues and the depths of their faith, so that the more they were at their best the more they were at variance. I believe the judgement of God on their dissension is more profoundly hidden than it appears to you to be: for His judgements are indeed an abyss. (Letters: C.S. Lewis / Don Giovanni Calabria [25 November 1947], 37, 39)

Tomorrow I am crossing over (if God so have pleased) to Ireland: my birthplace and dearest refuge so far as charm of landscape goes, and temperate climate, although most dreadful because of the strife, hatred and often civil war between dissenting faiths. These indeed both yours and ours “know not by what Spirit they are led.” They take lack of charity for zeal and mutual ignorance for orthodoxy . . . Let us, however, with mutual prayers pray with all our power for that charity which “covers a multitude of sins.” (Ibid., [10 August 1953], 39)

‘That they all may be one’ is a petition which in my prayers I never omit. While the wished-for unity of doctrine and order is missing, all the more eagerly let us try to keep the bond of charity. (Ibid., 71)

All who profess themselves Christians are bound to offer prayers for the reunion of the Church now, alas, torn and divided. (Ibid., 99)

As a Christian, I am very much aware that our divisions grieve the Holy Spirit and hold back the work of Christ; as a logician I realize that when two churches affirm opposing positions, these cannot be reconciled.

But because I was an unbeliever for a long time, I perceived something which perhaps those brought up in the Church do not see. Even when I feared and detested Christianity, I was struck by its essential unity, which, in spite of its divisions, it has never lost. I trembled on recognizing the same unmistakable aroma coming from the writings of Dante and Bunyan, Thomas Aquinas and William Law.

Since my conversion, it has seemed my particular task to tell the outside world what all Christians believe. Controversy I leave to others: that is the business of theologians. I think that you and I, the laity, simple soldiers of the Faith, will best serve the cause of reconciliation not so much by contributing to such debates, but by our prayers, and by sharing all that can already be shared of Christian life.

If the unity of charity and intention between us were strong enough, perhaps our doctrinal differences would be resolved sooner; without that spiritual unity, a doctrinal agreement between our religious leaders would be sterile.

In the meantime, it will be apparent that the man who is most faithful in living the Christian life in his own church is spiritually the closest to the faithful believers in other confessions: because the geography of the spiritual world is very different from that of the physical world. In the latter, countries touch each other at their borders, in the former, at their center. It is the lukewarm and indifferent in each country who are furthest from all other countries. (Preface to the French edition of La Problem de la Souffrance, 1950)

. . . such silence need not mean that I myself am sitting on the fence. Sometimes I am. There are questions at issue between Christians to which I do not think we have been told the answer. There are some to which I may never know the answer: if I asked them in a better world, I might (for all I know) be answered as a far greater questioner was answered: “what is that to thee? Follow thou Me”. But there are other questions as to which I am definitely on one side of the fence and yet say nothing. For I was not writing to expound something I could call “my religion” but to expound “mere” Christianity, which is what it is and what it was long before I was born and whether I like it or not (Preface to Mere Christianity, New York: Macmillan, 1952, 7)

I hope no reader will suppose that “mere” Christianity is here put forward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions –- as if a man could adopt it in preference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in…When you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and of course, even in the hall you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and paneling. In plain language, th question should never be: “Do I like that kind of service?” but “Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this? Is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular doorkeeper?”

When you have reached your own room, be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still in the hall. If they are wrong they need your prayers all the more; and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them. That is one of the rules common to the whole house. (Ibid., 11-12)

In his essay, “Christian Reunion” (Christian Reunion and Other Essays, edited by Walter Hooper, London: Collins, 1990, 17-19) Lewis wrote:

The real reason why I cannot be in communion with you [Catholics] is not my disagreement with this or that Roman doctrine, but that to accept your Church means, not to accept a given body of doctrine, but to accept in advance any doctrine your Church hereafter produces. It is like being asked to agree not only to what a man has said but also to what he is going to say.

Lewis thus remains firmly in the Protestant camp insofar as he cherishes the right of private judgment more than the notion of submission to a higher human ecclesiastical authority, believed in faith to be protected from error and thus worthy of one’s allegiance without fear of being led astray (i.e., the Protestant Rule of faith rather than the Catholic one). One can only wonder, however, what he would have thought about present-day Anglicanism? We know that he was firmly opposed, for example, to women priests.

And I remain in the Catholic camp for the opposite reasons, and I think G. K. Chesterton’s observation is true:

It is impossible, I hope, for any Catholic to write any book on any subject . . . without showing that he is a Catholic. (Prefatory Note to The Everlasting Man, 1925 — one of the books which most influenced Lewis)

Yet I find myself in close agreement with (my favorite writer) Anglican C. S. Lewis’s ecumenical sentiments above, and that gives me hope for a type of ecumenism that is respectful of the distinctives of different Christian communions (so that it is not liberal) but also is passionately committed to as much unity and “community” as is possible (so that it is biblical and charitable).

John Wesley’s famous Letter to a Roman Catholic, dated July 18, 1749, and published in Dublin, in the context of great inter-faith bitterness, expresses the same wonderful spirit:

Brotherly love is utterly destroyed and each side, looking on the other as monsters, gives way to anger, hatred, malice, to every unkind affection . . . Can nothing be done, even allowing us on both sides to retain our own opinions, for the softening our hearts towards one another, the giving a check to this flood of unkindness? . . . Be our opinions right or be they wrong, these tempers are undeniably wrong . . .I think you deserve the tenderest regard I can show . . . How much more, if you are a person fearing God (as without question many of you are) . . .

Let us resolve, first, not to hurt one another, to do nothing unkind or unfriendly to each other . . . Let us resolve, secondly, God being our helper, to speak nothing harsh or unkind of each other . . . to say all the good we can, both of and to one another . . . Let us, thirdly, resolve to harbour no unkind thought, no unfriendly temper towards each other . . . Let us, fourthly, endeavor to help each other on in whatever we are agreed leads to the Kingdom. So far as we can, let us always rejoice to strengthen each other’s hands in God.

Obviously, I don’t think any of this rules out my own calling of apologetics (Lewis and I would likely disagree on that because he saw himself as an exponent of “mere Christianity” rather than as an advocate of Anglicanism or any other Christian communion — though I did write two books from a strictly “generic Christian” perspective, even titling one Mere Christian Apologetics). I think apologetics can be done with charity — as Lewis himself aptly demonstrated (though some will always be offended by it no matter how charitable one tries to be). And I think that disagreeing with a man’s ideas is not the same as insulting him or being “disrespectful,” etc.

That said, I wholeheartedly endorse what I quoted above.

Amazing Grace

Titus 3:3-7 "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded and slaves to various desires and pleasures.... But when the kindness and generous love of God our Savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of His mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, Whom He richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by His Grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life."

What does the spiritual term "Born again" mean? Jesus told the Pharisee, Nicodemus, in Chapter 3 of John's Gospel that, "no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." When Nicodemus asked, 'how can a person grown old be born again?', Jesus responded, 'no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit,' and then criticized Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, for not understanding.

Paul, reflecting on his life, humbly gives us a clear description in his letter to Titus, one of his co-workers, of what it means to be born again, to have once been lost but now saved. "Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound..." comes to mind!

Reminding ourselves of this truth each and every day enables us to bear any pain, any cost, any challenge and any obstacle that life inevitably gives us. Never too old to learn this; and for the younger folks who have the wisdom to "see the light" and respond, God bless them. Praying for a spiritual renewal (revival) to spread throughout the world and especially here in the USA!

From: Dr. Michael Youssef Ministries

James 1:22-25 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does."

The Bible contains God's plan of salvation. This instruction manual also contains directions for daily living. It shows us how to love God, how to treat other people, and how to become testimonies for Christ. Yet we cannot haphazardly read the Bible and expect to gain its full wisdom. There are some basic guidelines to properly studying God's Word.

We must be careful to study the Bible in the context of the whole passage so we will not misinterpret God's purpose and meaning. We cannot randomly pull out verses that seem to fit what we're searching for. While the truths and histories of the Bible are to be taken literally, we must also recognize its usage of metaphors. When Jesus said, "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out" (Mark 9:47), He was not instructing us to physically blind ourselves.

We will gain the most benefit from the Bible when we read it with the Holy Spirit's guidance. Without His help, we may overlook key insights, misunderstand meanings, or ignore the rebukes in a passage. We must also apply what we read in our daily lives. When we simply read the words but do not follow them, then we are missing out on the transforming power of God's Word. 

Weekend Meditation

Psalm 37:3-4 "Trust in the Lord and do good that you may dwell in the land and live secure. Find your delight in the Lord Who will give you your heart's desire."

"Those who have actually experienced daily fellowship with Christ know that it surpasses all worldly activities." - Billy Graham

Amen!

Assigned By God To Help Us

From: Turning Point Ministries - Dr. David Jeremiah

Matthew 4:11 "Then the devil left, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him."

The Bible is filled with amazing moments: the parting of the Red Sea, David’s victory over Goliath, Paul’s encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road, Jesus feeding the multitudes. But just as amazing were two lesser-known moments in Jesus’ life: when angels came to minister to Him in moments of need.

One was at the end of His forty-day fast in the wilderness. Physically weak from not eating, and spiritually spent from withstanding the devil’s temptations, "angels came and ministered to Him." What did they do or say to Jesus? Did they give Him food to eat? Did they strengthen Him in other ways? The second moment was in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was facing His coming death. While praying to the Father about what was coming, "an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him" (Luke 22:43). How did the angel strengthen Jesus? What words did the angel speak, if any?

Hebrews 1:14 tells us that angels are sent to do for us what they did for Jesus: strengthen us in our hour of need. We pray that, as His holy angels always serve and worship Him in heaven, so by His appointment they may help and defend us here on earth.

The Rosary

How To Meditate Praying The Rosary

After many years of praying the Rosary daily, led by the Holy Spirit, my spiritual journey has taken an unmistakably clear path! Not an easy, smooth path but a well lit, well defined, eternal path. Praying the Rosary has drawn me closer to Christ and has given me a much deeper understanding of the grace, mercy and love He has for all of us.

The Rosary Prayer has been a powerful influence in the Catholic Church for centuries, traditionally since 1214 when the Blessed mother appeared to St Dominic, a priest who founded the Dominican Order, and taught him how to pray the Rosary and for what purpose. Every mystery (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, Glorious) when prayed and meditated on points your focus to Jesus Christ, His birth, life, death and resurrection and what it means to us!

Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation. Announcement to Mary of her being chosen by God to be the mother of His Son by the Angel Gabriel. "Hail favored one. The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28) 
The Visitation. Mary visits her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, to tell her the good news of her assignment from God, and to aid and comfort her. "And the baby leapt in its mother's womb." (Luke 1:41)
The Nativity. The Birth of Christ. "And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." (John 1:14)
The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. The old man Simeon's glee. "Now Master, you may let Your servant go in peace according to Your Word." (Luke 2:29)
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple. Jesus was teaching at an early age. "All who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers." (Luke 2:47)

Pope John Paul II, in his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (October 2002), recommended an additional set called the Luminous Mysteries (or the "Mysteries of Light").

Luminous Mysteries

The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. "And a Voice came from the heavens saying, 'This my beloved Son with Whom I am well pleased.'" (Matthew 3:17)
The Wedding at Cana. The first earthly miracle from Jesus, turning water into wine. "His mother said to the servers, 'Do whatever He tells you.'" (John 2:5) 
Jesus' Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Beginning of Christ's ministry with His first major public sermon - "Sermon on the Mount - The Beatitudes." (Matthew 5:1-12)
The Transfiguration. A preview of His glory given to Peter, James and John along with Moses and Elijah. "A voice from Heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son with Whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.'" (Matthew 17:5)
The Institution of the Eucharist. The Last Supper - centerpiece of the Mass. "The source, center and summit of the Christian life." "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life and I will raise him on the last day." (John 6:53-54) 

Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden. Jesus asks Peter, James and John to be with Him during these difficult times. "He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (John and James) and began to feel sorrow and distress." (Matthew 26:37) They could not stay awake with Him for even one hour! "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41)
The Scourging at the Pillar. A devastating, bloody beating Christ willingly took for us! "By His stripes we were healed." (Isaiah 53:5) 
The Crowning with Thorns. Christ continues His suffering and humiliation at the hands of His oppressors. "Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'" (Matthew 27:29) 
The Carrying of the Cross. The long tortuous walk to Calvary. "Whoever wishes to come after Me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24)
The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord. The final, ultimate sacrifice for the sake of mankind - breathtaking thought! "Jesus cried out again in a loud voice and gave up His spirit." (Matthew 27:50)

Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection. Jesus exploded out of the grave! Hallelujah! "And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven, approached, rolled back the stone and sat upon it." (Matthew 26:2)
The Ascension. After 40 days of appearing to hundreds of people, including the Disciples Jesus went to be with His Father. "So then the Lord Jesus, after He spoke to them, was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at the right hand of God." (Mark 16:19) 
The Descent of the Holy Spirit. We thank God every day for His Holy Spirit to protect and guide us. "But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate (Holy Spirit) will not come to you. But if I go I will send Him to you." (John 16:7)
The Assumption of Mary. Tradition in the Catholic Church teaches that the Blessed Mother was assumed bodily into Heaven immediately after her physical death on earth. It was Jesus' mother and He is God, so it is very easy to believe!
The Coronation of the Virgin. Queen of Heaven! A most pleasant thought!

Pray The Rosary

"The Church believes that it is necessary for a Christian to meditate (prayerfully think about) the will of God, the life and teachings of Jesus, the price He paid for our salvation, and so on. Unless we do this we will begin to take these great gifts for granted and ultimately fall away from the Lord.

 

Every Christian must meditate in some way in order to preserve the gift of salvation (James 1:22-25). Many Catholic and non-Catholic Christians prayerfully read and apply Scripture to their lives, that is, meditate on them. With the rosary this can be done virtually anywhere and anytime."

 

http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/rosary/scripture.htm

 

APOSTOLIC LETTERROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAEOF THE SUPREME PONTIFFJOHN PAUL II  2002

TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY
AND FAITHFUL

ON THE MOST HOLY ROSARY

 

Link to Apostolic Letter:  http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_20021016_rosarium-virginis-mariae_en.html

 

The Rosary, a treasure to be rediscovered

28. In effect, the Rosary is simply a method of contemplation. As a method, it serves as a means to an end and cannot become an end in itself. All the same, as the fruit of centuries of experience, this method should not be undervalued. In its favour one could cite the experience of countless Saints.

This is not to say, however, that the method cannot be improved. Such is the intent of the addition of the new series of mysteria lucis to the overall cycle of mysteries and of the few suggestions which I am proposing in this Letter regarding its manner of recitation.

These suggestions, while respecting the well-established structure of this prayer, are intended to help the faithful to understand it in the richness of its symbolism and in harmony with the demands of daily life. Otherwise there is a risk that the Rosary would not only fail to produce the intended spiritual effects, but even that the beads, with which it is usually said, could come to be regarded as some kind of amulet or magic object, thereby radically distorting their meaning and function.

43. Dear brothers and sisters! A prayer so easy and yet so rich truly deserves to be rediscovered by the Christian community. Let us do so, especially this year, as a means of confirming the direction outlined in my Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, from which the pastoral plans of so many particular Churches have drawn inspiration as they look to the immediate future.

I turn particularly to you, my dear Brother Bishops, priests and deacons, and to you, pastoral agents in your different ministries: through your own personal experience of the beauty of the Rosary, may you come to promote it with conviction.

I also place my trust in you, theologians: by your sage and rigorous reflection, rooted in the word of God and sensitive to the lived experience of the Christian people, may you help them to discover the Biblical foundations, the spiritual riches and the pastoral value of this traditional prayer.

I count on you, consecrated men and women, called in a particular way to contemplate the face of Christ at the school of Mary.

I look to all of you, brothers and sisters of every state of life, to you, Christian families, to you, the sick and elderly, and to you, young people: confidently take up the Rosary once again. Rediscover the Rosary in the light of Scripture, in harmony with the Liturgy, and in the context of your daily lives.

That Stranger Could Be An Angel

From: Turning Point Ministries - Dr. David Jeremiah

Hebrews 13:2 "Do not neglect to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."

One verse in the Bible has the potential to transform our daily life. Hebrews 13:2 says that some of the people we encounter in our daily life may look like humans but are, in fact, angels. Angels! That’s all it says—no instructions on how to tell when an angel appears and when a person is, in fact, just a person. But there it is: an admonition to hospitality to strangers since that stranger might just be an angel in disguise.

Angels appeared to various people in the Old Testament: Abraham (Genesis 18), Gideon (Judges 6), and Manoah (Judges 13). The angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel, but the text uses the word “man” to describe him (Daniel 8:15; 9:21). And in Daniel 10, “a certain man” appeared to Daniel with a message from heaven (verses 5-9). 

Because the primary function of an angel is to be a messenger, their appearance is likely to be suited to the occasion or the recipient of the message. The fact that angels are among us compels us to be hospitable (kind, loving) to everyone regardless of who we think they are.

The Purpose Of My Ministry

The purpose of this ministry is not to teach, for I am not a teacher. Its purpose is not to preach, for I am not a preacher.

Its purpose is not to prophesy, for I am not a prophet. Simply, the purpose of this ministry is to encourage, for I am an encourager.

All Christians have received at least one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit that Paul describes in Romans 12:6-8...prophesy, ministry, teaching, exhortation (encourager), mercy, giving, and leadership. Some Christians have more than one, possibly all of them.

My encouragement to all Christians (Catholic and Protestant) is to agree that we all have a common purpose...to know, love and serve the Lord our God. We can do this because the one Triune God...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is with us, in us, and is guiding us. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you the wisdom and understanding to know your spiritual gift(s) and how to best serve our Lord.

We must be like the "industrious and reliable" servant Jesus described in the parable of the talents. He took his gifts and invested them. And upon his master's return, he heard what we all want to hear one day..."Well done good and faithful servant! Come, share your master's joy!" (Matthew 25:21).

From: Bryant Wright Ministries

Matthew 12:40 "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." 

Are you sometimes troubled while studying the Bible? Have you ever come across passages that just don’t seem to add up? They might even appear contradictory. It can be very disconcerting, because the Word of God just shouldn’t contradict itself – right? 

For instance, in my early days as a Christian, I was troubled by the above passage in Matthew. Now, this really bothered me, because no matter how many times I counted, I couldn’t see how Jesus was in the tomb for three nights! It took several years, until a teacher explained that first century writers would count both a day and a night if an event took place on any part of that day or night. So, Jesus died on Friday and was dead for Friday night, Saturday night, and part of Sunday – thus in that day, it was considered three nights. That insight pulled it all together for me; it finally made perfect sense.

In that light – I am so thankful that we have the Holy Spirit and wise teachers to help us understand things we don’t see when we first read the Word. That’s why Bible studies are so vitally important to connect us with the Holly Spirit Who guides us. We need the Holy Spirit to give us insight into areas that we can’t understand on our own.

Enjoyed the family fellowship this morning, giving praise and honor to Christ during Mass! Always reminded of God's mercy, "not getting what I deserve" and His grace, "getting what I do not deserve."

Happy Sabbath Day

Looking forward to Mass early tomorrow morning! Best day of the week is visiting God in His house with fellow believers sharing the Blessed Eucharistic meal in Holy Communion!

God's Instructions

Micah 6:8 "You have been told what is good and what God requires of you. It is only this: that you live justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God."

Sometimes we read bible verses that may be difficult to fully understand, but more often than not they are crystal clear. The prophet Micah was inspired by God to write with great clarity and succinctness the path we are to take as followers of Christ!

The Catholic Church's Teaching on Abortion

2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people, upon whom My name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek My presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from Heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land."

Could there be anything more important to deal with than this evil tidal wave engulfing the United States?

God give us the strength, courage and wisdom to reverse this path to self destruction.

PASTORAL CONSTITUTIONON THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLDGAUDIUM ET SPESPROMULGATED BYHIS HOLINESS, POPE PAUL VION DECEMBER 7, 1965

51. For God, the Lord of life, has conferred on men the surpassing ministry of safeguarding life in a manner which is worthy of man. Therefore from the moment of its conception life must be guarded with the greatest care while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes.

Pope John Paul II
EVANGELIUM VITAETo the BishopsPriests and DeaconsMen and Women religiouslay Faithfuland all People of Good Willon the Value and Inviolabilityof Human Life1995.03.25

CHAPTER III - YOU SHALL NOT KILL

"Your eyes beheld my unformed substance" (Ps 139:16): the unspeakable crime of abortion

58. Among all the crimes which can be committed against life, procured abortion has characteristics making it particularly serious and deplorable. The Second Vatican Council defines abortion, together with infanticide, as an "unspeakable crime".54

But today, in many people's consciences, the perception of its gravity has become progressively obscured. The acceptance of abortion in the popular mind, in behaviour and even in law itself, is a telling sign of an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense, which is becoming more and more incapable of distinguishing between good and evil, even when the fundamental right to life is at stake. Given such a grave situation, we need now more than ever to have the courage to look the truth in the eye and to call things by their proper name, without yielding to convenient compromises or to the temptation of self-deception. In this regard the reproach of the Prophet is extremely straightforward: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness" (Is 5:20). Especially in the case of abortion there is a widespread use of ambiguous terminology, such as "interruption of pregnancy", which tends to hide abortion's true nature and to attenuate its seriousness in public opinion. Perhaps this linguistic phenomenon is itself a symptom of an uneasiness of conscience. But no word has the power to change the reality of things: procured abortion is the deliberate and direct killing, by whatever means it is carried out, of a human being in the initial phase of his or her existence, extending from conception to birth.

The moral gravity of procured abortion is apparent in all its truth if we recognize that we are dealing with murder and, in particular, when we consider the specific elements involved. The one eliminated is a human being at the very beginning of life. No one more absolutely innocent could be imagined. In no way could this human being ever be considered an aggressor, much less an unjust aggressor! He or she is weak, defenceless, even to the point of lacking that minimal form of defence consisting in the poignant power of a newborn baby's cries and tears. The unborn child is totally entrusted to the protection and care of the woman carrying him or her in the womb. And yet sometimes it is precisely the mother herself who makes the decision and asks for the child to be eliminated, and who then goes about having it done.

It is true that the decision to have an abortion is often tragic and painful for the mother, insofar as the decision to rid herself of the fruit of conception is not made for purely selfish reasons or out of convenience, but out of a desire to protect certain important values such as her own health or a decent standard of living for the other members of the family. Sometimes it is feared that the child to be born would live in such conditions that it would be better if the birth did not take place. Nevertheless, these reasons and others like them, however serious and tragic, can never justify the deliberate killing of an innocent human being.

59. As well as the mother, there are often other people too who decide upon the death of the child in the womb. In the first place, the father of the child may be to blame, not only when he di- rectly pressures the woman to have an abortion, but also when he indirectly encourages such a decision on her part by leaving her alone to face the problems of pregnancy: 55 in this way the family is thus mortally wounded and profaned in its nature as a community of love and in its vocation to be the "sanctuary of life". Nor can one overlook the pressures which sometimes come from the wider family circle and from friends. Sometimes the woman is subjected to such strong pressure that she feels psychologically forced to have an abortion: certainly in this case moral responsibility lies particularly with those who have directly or indirectly obliged her to have an abortion. Doctors and nurses are also responsible, when they place at the service of death skills which were acquired for promoting life.

But responsibility likewise falls on the legislators who have promoted and approved abortion laws, and, to the extent that they have a say in the matter, on the administrators of the health-care centres where abortions are performed. A general and no less serious responsibility lies with those who have encouraged the spread of an attitude of sexual permissiveness and a lack of esteem for motherhood, and with those who should have ensured-but did not-effective family and social policies in support of families, especially larger families and those with particular financial and educational needs. Finally, one cannot overlook the network of complicity which reaches out to include international institutions, foundations and associations which systematically campaign for the legalization and spread of abortion in the world. In this sense abortion goes beyond the responsibility of individuals and beyond the harm done to them, and takes on a distinctly social dimension. It is a most serious wound inflicted on society and its culture by the very people who ought to be society's promoters and defenders. As I wrote in my Letter to Families, "we are facing an immense threat to life: not only to the life of individuals but also to that of civilization itself".56 We are facing what can be called a "structure of sin" which opposes human life not yet born.

60. Some people try to justify abortion by claiming that the result of conception, at least up to a certain number of days, cannot yet be considered a personal human life. But in fact, "from the time that the ovum is fertilized, a life is begun which is neither that of the father nor the mother; it is rather the life of a new human being with his own growth. It would never be made human if it were not human already. This has always been clear, and ... modern genetic science offers clear confirmation. It has demonstrated that from the first instant there is established the programme of what this living being will be: a person, this individual person with his characteristic aspects already well determined. Right from fertilization the adventure of a human life begins, and each of its capacities requires time-a rather lengthy time-to find its place and to be in a position to act".57 Even if the presence of a spiritual soul cannot be ascertained by empirical data, the results themselves of scientific research on the human embryo provide "a valuable indication for discerning by the use of reason a personal presence at the moment of the first appearance of a human life: how could a human individual not be a human person?". 58
Furthermore, what is at stake is so important that, from the standpoint of moral obligation, the mere probability that a human person is involved would suffice to justify an absolutely clear prohibition of any intervention aimed at killing a human embryo. Precisely for this reason, over and above all scientific debates and those philosophical affirmations to which the Magisterium has not expressly committed itself, the Church has always taught and continues to teach that the result of human procreation, from the first moment of its existence, must be guaranteed that unconditional respect which is morally due to the human being in his or her totality and unity as body and spirit: "The human being is to be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception; and therefore from that same moment his rights as a person must be recognized, among which in the first place is the inviolable right of every innocent human being to life".59

61. The texts of Sacred Scripture never address the question of deliberate abortion and so do not directly and specifically condemn it. But they show such great respect for the human being in the mother's womb that they require as a logical consequence that God's commandment "You shall not kill" be extended to the unborn child as well.
Human life is sacred and inviolable at every moment of existence, including the initial phase which precedes birth. All human beings, from their mothers' womb, belong to God who searches them and knows them, who forms them and knits them together with his own hands, who gazes on them when they are tiny shapeless embryos and already sees in them the adults of tomorrow whose days are numbered and whose vocation is even now written in the "book of life" (cf. Ps 139: 1, 13-16). There too, when they are still in their mothers' womb-as many passages of the Bible bear witness60-they are the personal objects of God's loving and fatherly providence.
Christian Tradition-as the Declaration issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith points out so well61-is clear and unanimous, from the beginning up to our own day, in describing abortion as a particularly grave moral disorder. From its first contacts with the Greco-Roman world, where abortion and infanticide were widely practised, the first Christian community, by its teaching and practice, radically opposed the customs rampant in that society, as is clearly shown by the Didache mentioned earlier. 62 Among the Greek ecclesiastical writers, Athenagoras records that Christians consider as murderesses women who have recourse to abortifacient medicines, because children, even if they are still in their mother's womb, "are already under the protection of Divine Providence".63 Among the Latin authors, Tertullian affirms: "It is anticipated murder to prevent someone from being born; it makes little difference whether one kills a soul already born or puts it to death at birth. He who will one day be a man is a man already".64

Throughout Christianity's two thousand year history, this same doctrine has been constantly taught by the Fathers of the Church and by her Pastors and Doctors. Even scientific and philosophical discussions about the precise moment of the infusion of the spiritual soul have never given rise to any hesitation about the moral condemnation of abortion.

62. The more recent Papal Magisterium has vigorously reaffirmed this common doctrine. Pius XI in particular, in his Encyclical Casti Connubii, rejected the specious justifications of abortion. 65 Pius XII excluded all direct abortion, i.e., every act tending directly to destroy human life in the womb "whether such destruction is intended as an end or only as a means to an end".66 John XXIII reaffirmed that human life is sacred because "from its very beginning it directly involves God's creative activity".67 The Second Vatican Council, as mentioned earlier, sternly condemned abortion: "From the moment of its conception life must be guarded with the greatest care, while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes".68

The Church's canonical discipline, from the earliest centuries, has inflicted penal sanctions on those guilty of abortion. This practice, with more or less severe penalties, has been confirmed in various periods of history. The 1917 Code of Canon Law punished abortion with excommunication. 69 The revised canonical legislation continues this tradition when it decrees that "a person who actually procures an abortion incurs automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication".70 The excommu- nication affects all those who commit this crime with knowledge of the penalty attached, and thus includes those accomplices without whose help the crime would not have been committed. 71 By this reiterated sanction, the Church makes clear that abortion is a most serious and dangerous crime, thereby encouraging those who commit it to seek without delay the path of conversion. In the Church the purpose of the penalty of excommunication is to make an individual fully aware of the gravity of a certain sin and then to foster genuine conversion and repentance.

Given such unanimity in the doctrinal and disciplinary tradition of the Church, Paul VI was able to declare that this tradition is unchanged and unchangeable. 72 Therefore, by the authority which Christ conferred upon Peter and his Successors, in communion with the Bishops-who on various occasions have condemned abortion and who in the aforementioned consultation, albeit dispersed throughout the world, have shown unanimous agreement concerning this doctrine-I declare that direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder, since it is the deliberate killing of an innocent human being. This doctrine is based upon the natural law and upon the written Word of God, is transmitted by the Church's Tradition and taught by the ordinary and universal Magisterium. 73

No circumstance, no purpose, no law whatsoever can ever make licit an act which is intrinsically illicit, since it is contrary to the Law of God which is written in every human heart, knowable by reason itself, and proclaimed by the Church.

63. This evaluation of the morality of abortion is to be applied also to the recent forms of intervention on human embryos which, although carried out for purposes legitimate in themselves, inevitably involve the killing of those embryos. This is the case with experimentation on embryos, which is becoming increasingly widespread in the field of biomedical research and is legally permitted in some countries. Although "one must uphold as licit procedures carried out on the human embryo which respect the life and integrity of the embryo and do not involve disproportionate risks for it, but rather are directed to its healing, the improvement of its condition of health, or its individual survival",74 it must nonetheless be stated that the use of human embryos or fetuses as an object of experimentation constitutes a crime against their dignity as human beings who have a right to the same respect owed to a child once born, just as to every person. 75

This moral condemnation also regards procedures that exploit living human embryos and fetuses-sometimes specifically "produced" for this purpose by in vitro fertilization-either to be used as "biological material" or as providers of organs or tissue for transplants in the treatment of certain diseases. The killing of innocent human creatures, even if carried out to help others, constitutes an absolutely unacceptable act.

Special attention must be given to evaluating the morality of prenatal diagnostic techniques which enable the early detection of possible anomalies in the unborn child. In view of the complexity of these techniques, an accurate and systematic moral judgment is necessary. When they do not involve disproportionate risks for the child and the mother, and are meant to make possible early therapy or even to favour a serene and informed acceptance of the child not yet born, these techniques are morally licit. But since the possibilities of prenatal therapy are today still limited, it not infrequently happens that these techniques are used with a eugenic intention which accepts selective abortion in order to prevent the birth of children affected by various types of anomalies. Such an attitude is shameful and utterly reprehensible, since it presumes to measure the value of a human life only within the parameters of "normality" and physical well-being, thus opening the way to legitimizing infanticide and euthanasia as well.

And yet the courage and the serenity with which so many of our brothers and sisters suffering from serious disabilities lead their lives when they are shown acceptance and love bears eloquent witness to what gives authentic value to life, and makes it, even in difficult conditions, something precious for them and for others. The Church is close to those married couples who, with great anguish and suffering, willingly accept gravely handicapped children. She is also grateful to all those families which, through adoption, welcome children abandoned by their parents because of disabilities or illnesses.
Code of Canon Law

Can. 1398 A person who procures a completed abortion incurs a latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication.