Sixteen weeks ago, I began my first day here at Rowan and, despite being a junior, the adjustment process was still a bit bumpy.
Now, almost as quickly as it began, the semester is over. I survived, and have a good deal of writing to add to my growing resume portfolio. I would have never guessed an entire blog would be added in, though!
As I've mentioned in the past, Abide With Us was a semester-long project for my Online Journalism I course. Friends and my professor have all commented since about my ability to be personal here, and I couldn't help but smile. Allow me to let you in on a little secret: I've been a blogger in various forms for eight years now. ;) Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled when I learned that blogging would be the cornerstone of this course.
And suddenly, almost strangely, I don't have to write here anymore.
Of course, that doesn't mean I'm shutting the site down. It will remain up, with all multimedia intact, until the Internet explodes. Who knows, now and again I may return with comments on the Church and the media. I'd love to work the religion beat someday. A girl can dream, right?
Thank you to Fr. Larry Polansky, Msgr. John Burton and Fr. Tom Kiely for giving your time (and faces!) to make my feature stories come together. Thanks also to Lois Dark and Ann Polo for allowing me to record at CCM meetings. I'm blessed for having all of you as mentors.
Mark Berkey-Gerard, my professor, made this blog possible, and has turned me into a multimedia princess in the process. I'll be back on the web with him next semester--I'll post a link when things settle down.
And for those of you who have read faithfully or have just stumbled here while looking for cupcake recipes, I appreciate you coming along on both my faith journey and that of Rowan's Catholic community.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Peace be with you!
Melissa
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Resources
There's so much more I wish I could write about here, but given the Catholic faith spans nearly 2000 years, it's ground I won't be able to cover on my own. However, I do want to leave you my top five book recommendations that will further explain much of what Abide With Us has explored.
* Catholicism for Dummies by Frs. John Trigilio and Kenneth Brighenti- This should be the first book purchased by anyone curious about Catholicism. The For Dummies series is famous for its simple, engaging writing style, as well as mini-lessons, handy charts and trivia. Written by two priests, it's incredibly thorough and has an index for looking up specific questions.
* Swimming with Scapulars by Matthew Lickona- When I grow up, I want to be Matthew Lickona. He's a newspaper columnist for the San Diego Reader, writing reviews of various worship services in the area. His new book is about living as a young, devout Catholic in today's world. Funny, honest and sometimes intense, if you like what you've read in this blog even a little, pick up this book.
* Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn- To be a bit personal, this book was a huge player in leading me back to the Church, and many others credit Dr. Hahn for influencing their faith. Hahn and his wife Kimberly recount candidly and rationally their gradual conversion to Catholicism. This includes tons of Scriptural support for every step of their "journey home." I recommend all of Hahn's work, but this one is a favorite.
* Saints Behaving Badly by Thomas Craughwell- I mentioned this book before when I covered saints, and definitely have to add it to the list. Not only is it educational, but it gives a very real sense of how human and imperfect the Church's saints are. Some of the examples are actually downright comical.
* Introduction to Mary by Mark Miravalle- This book is written by an ordained deacon and covers all of the central elements of Mary's role in our salvation. It also deals with uniquely Catholic beliefs like the Immaculate Conception, Assumption, and her perpetual virginity. This is an easy read and a solid springboard into other Marian works.
Ten more days until Christmas. It's not too late!
* Catholicism for Dummies by Frs. John Trigilio and Kenneth Brighenti- This should be the first book purchased by anyone curious about Catholicism. The For Dummies series is famous for its simple, engaging writing style, as well as mini-lessons, handy charts and trivia. Written by two priests, it's incredibly thorough and has an index for looking up specific questions.
* Swimming with Scapulars by Matthew Lickona- When I grow up, I want to be Matthew Lickona. He's a newspaper columnist for the San Diego Reader, writing reviews of various worship services in the area. His new book is about living as a young, devout Catholic in today's world. Funny, honest and sometimes intense, if you like what you've read in this blog even a little, pick up this book.
* Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn- To be a bit personal, this book was a huge player in leading me back to the Church, and many others credit Dr. Hahn for influencing their faith. Hahn and his wife Kimberly recount candidly and rationally their gradual conversion to Catholicism. This includes tons of Scriptural support for every step of their "journey home." I recommend all of Hahn's work, but this one is a favorite.
* Saints Behaving Badly by Thomas Craughwell- I mentioned this book before when I covered saints, and definitely have to add it to the list. Not only is it educational, but it gives a very real sense of how human and imperfect the Church's saints are. Some of the examples are actually downright comical.
* Introduction to Mary by Mark Miravalle- This book is written by an ordained deacon and covers all of the central elements of Mary's role in our salvation. It also deals with uniquely Catholic beliefs like the Immaculate Conception, Assumption, and her perpetual virginity. This is an easy read and a solid springboard into other Marian works.
Ten more days until Christmas. It's not too late!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Gathering God's Gifts: A New Future for the Diocese
Note: This post is my final project for my coursework, and is therefore a bit more formal and lengthy. Consider yourself warned. ;) Click the play button to the left of each media player to hear clips from audio interviews. Comments are always welcome!
After over two years of intense debate, discussion and prayer, Bishop Joseph Galante of the Diocese of Camden made a sobering address to Catholics of South Jersey: it was time to reconfigure.
In 2006, there were around 175 priests in active ministry for the diocese. That number has been steadily dropping since, and trends suggest there will be only 85 remaining by 2015. This shortage of priests has only further constricted the tight schedules of those still active; some are already serving as pastor for two or more parishes. Similar problems can be found in areas nationwide. In the most dire situations, some parishes are no longer able to celebrate daily or even weekly Masses.
The solution has come in the form of mergers, clusters and closures of many churches in the area. It has been a difficult process that is still progressing in many places, but a few have already completed their mergers.
The initiative, called Gathering God's Gifts, began in 2004 when Bishop Galante first arrived in South Jersey. He held "speak up sessions" throughout the diocese, inviting clergy and laypeople alike to openly express their concerns and suggestions for strengthening the Church locally. From these talks, six points of focus were developed, among them worship, lifelong formation (growth in faith), and young adult ministry.
Parishes then submitted a proposal to the bishop with their suggestions for the future of their community. Galante considered these proposals and on April 3, 2008, declared his intentions for each parish in the diocese. According to an article from the Associated Press, the diocese's 124 churches will be cut down to just 66.
After over two years of intense debate, discussion and prayer, Bishop Joseph Galante of the Diocese of Camden made a sobering address to Catholics of South Jersey: it was time to reconfigure.
In 2006, there were around 175 priests in active ministry for the diocese. That number has been steadily dropping since, and trends suggest there will be only 85 remaining by 2015. This shortage of priests has only further constricted the tight schedules of those still active; some are already serving as pastor for two or more parishes. Similar problems can be found in areas nationwide. In the most dire situations, some parishes are no longer able to celebrate daily or even weekly Masses.
The solution has come in the form of mergers, clusters and closures of many churches in the area. It has been a difficult process that is still progressing in many places, but a few have already completed their mergers.
The initiative, called Gathering God's Gifts, began in 2004 when Bishop Galante first arrived in South Jersey. He held "speak up sessions" throughout the diocese, inviting clergy and laypeople alike to openly express their concerns and suggestions for strengthening the Church locally. From these talks, six points of focus were developed, among them worship, lifelong formation (growth in faith), and young adult ministry.
Parishes then submitted a proposal to the bishop with their suggestions for the future of their community. Galante considered these proposals and on April 3, 2008, declared his intentions for each parish in the diocese. According to an article from the Associated Press, the diocese's 124 churches will be cut down to just 66.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
I Confess
I still remember very well the day I walked into my church two years ago and made the first honest confession of my sins. I didn't know the priest; he had arrived after I left the faith, and was new to my parish. I rambled about it having been a long time, about always lying in the past to the priests and bragging afterward. He told me it would be okay, just to sit, relax and talk about it.
I told him everything, and when I was done, I heard these familiar words: "God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever. The Lord has freed you from your sins; go in peace."
Just like that, ten tons of weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Everything was behind me. I was home.
Most converts and "reverts" like myself can tell a story like this one. It's usually one of the most difficult things they'll ever do for their faith, but the majority will admit that when it's over, the joy is indescribable.
Some get upset with the Church when they hear we confess our sins to a priest. Men can't forgive sins, they might say, and there is no mediator between God and man but Jesus. So where do flawed priests get the authority to forgive sins? How is the Sacrament of Confession biblical at all? These two verses explain the foundation:
[Jesus said to Peter,] "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." --Matthew 16:19
"(Jesus) said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.' And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.'" --John 20:21-23
Jesus gave His Apostles the power to wipe away sins in His name, and because the Apostles passed their authority on to others, all our priests can forgive sins. It's not his own authority that does it, but the power of God working through him. We confess our sins simply because the Bible tells us to; the book of James says plainly, "Confess your sins to one another" (5:16). Why would Jesus allow men to forgive sins if he didn't want us to confess to them?
Confession gives us the closure that is sometimes absent from just asking God to forgive us. Like all our Sacraments, it's a real and physical way to express what is happening spiritually. The best part is that our priests are bound to utmost secrecy. Every priest I've spoken with has said that they forget our sins almost immediately, no matter how heinous. Plus, it's also good to have an objective confidante who can counsel us, and spot patterns or motivators we would otherwise overlook.
This video, while humorous, does a fantastic job shedding more light on Confession. There are six minutes of actual content and then bloopers, so it's really not that bad. Check it out; you'll be glad you did.
One last note: kneeling behind the screen is optional today. Many people, particularly in my generation, were raised confessing in a comfortable and well-lit room, face to face with their priest. You usually have a choice of both options. It's also a good idea to choose a priest with whom you feel comfortable.
I told him everything, and when I was done, I heard these familiar words: "God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever. The Lord has freed you from your sins; go in peace."
Just like that, ten tons of weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Everything was behind me. I was home.
Most converts and "reverts" like myself can tell a story like this one. It's usually one of the most difficult things they'll ever do for their faith, but the majority will admit that when it's over, the joy is indescribable.
Some get upset with the Church when they hear we confess our sins to a priest. Men can't forgive sins, they might say, and there is no mediator between God and man but Jesus. So where do flawed priests get the authority to forgive sins? How is the Sacrament of Confession biblical at all? These two verses explain the foundation:
[Jesus said to Peter,] "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." --Matthew 16:19
"(Jesus) said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.' And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.'" --John 20:21-23
Jesus gave His Apostles the power to wipe away sins in His name, and because the Apostles passed their authority on to others, all our priests can forgive sins. It's not his own authority that does it, but the power of God working through him. We confess our sins simply because the Bible tells us to; the book of James says plainly, "Confess your sins to one another" (5:16). Why would Jesus allow men to forgive sins if he didn't want us to confess to them?
Confession gives us the closure that is sometimes absent from just asking God to forgive us. Like all our Sacraments, it's a real and physical way to express what is happening spiritually. The best part is that our priests are bound to utmost secrecy. Every priest I've spoken with has said that they forget our sins almost immediately, no matter how heinous. Plus, it's also good to have an objective confidante who can counsel us, and spot patterns or motivators we would otherwise overlook.
This video, while humorous, does a fantastic job shedding more light on Confession. There are six minutes of actual content and then bloopers, so it's really not that bad. Check it out; you'll be glad you did.
One last note: kneeling behind the screen is optional today. Many people, particularly in my generation, were raised confessing in a comfortable and well-lit room, face to face with their priest. You usually have a choice of both options. It's also a good idea to choose a priest with whom you feel comfortable.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
New beginnings...
Over Thanksgiving break I was home in Vineland, so I went to Mass at St. Isidore's to visit everyone. I've been going to Mass at the Newman House since October, and it was so nice to return to all the "smells and bells" for a little while.
I picked a good day to show up, and admittedly had planned it that way. Our usual elaborate decor has been stripped down, replaced by plain purple banners that hang behind the altar. Most of the flowers were taken away, and evergreen branches laid in their place. The scent was light, but the transition made me aware of the changes to come on more than just an intellectual level.
This past Saturday evening began the Advent season, the beginning of the new liturgical (Church) year. Our year is broken up into seasons:
Advent- Four weeks before Christmas.
Christmas- Dec. 25 and eight days after.
Ordinary Time- The "normal" time of the year; nothing particularly special celebrated.
Lent- Starts with Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days until Easter, not counting Sundays. (Sundays are treated as breaks in our fasting, so they aren't included.)
The Triduum- Three days before Easter; the most solemn time of the Church year that includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Saturday night, where new converts are baptized and/or confirmed. (Wikipedia, while usually unreliable, is particularly good with explaining the Vigil).
Easter Season- Begins at the Easter Vigil and continues for 50 days until Pentecost.
Ordinary Time- Picks up again until Advent.
The liturgical year is based entirely on the life of Jesus. It makes sense, then, that Advent is a solemn period of reflection and prayer to prepare ourselves to celebrate His birth. The same thing occurs on a larger scale during Lent, which includes fasting. Advent is also at the end of the standard calendar year, and we use it to reflect on the other arrival of Jesus: the Second Coming at the end of time.
I love Advent. Things may be a bit subdued and solemn, but there's also an expectancy reflected in the prayers, songs and rituals we use. It's time to start over. Joy is coming, and this month is perfect for readying ourselves to receive it.
It also means that the carols start showing up at Mass. ;) Here's one you may recognize, performed by guitarist Trace Bundy and singer/songwriter Josh Garrels. The latter writes very raw, sometimes dark, and entirely non-cheesy Christian music. Do check him out.
I picked a good day to show up, and admittedly had planned it that way. Our usual elaborate decor has been stripped down, replaced by plain purple banners that hang behind the altar. Most of the flowers were taken away, and evergreen branches laid in their place. The scent was light, but the transition made me aware of the changes to come on more than just an intellectual level.
This past Saturday evening began the Advent season, the beginning of the new liturgical (Church) year. Our year is broken up into seasons:
Advent- Four weeks before Christmas.
Christmas- Dec. 25 and eight days after.
Ordinary Time- The "normal" time of the year; nothing particularly special celebrated.
Lent- Starts with Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days until Easter, not counting Sundays. (Sundays are treated as breaks in our fasting, so they aren't included.)
The Triduum- Three days before Easter; the most solemn time of the Church year that includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Saturday night, where new converts are baptized and/or confirmed. (Wikipedia, while usually unreliable, is particularly good with explaining the Vigil).
Easter Season- Begins at the Easter Vigil and continues for 50 days until Pentecost.
Ordinary Time- Picks up again until Advent.
The liturgical year is based entirely on the life of Jesus. It makes sense, then, that Advent is a solemn period of reflection and prayer to prepare ourselves to celebrate His birth. The same thing occurs on a larger scale during Lent, which includes fasting. Advent is also at the end of the standard calendar year, and we use it to reflect on the other arrival of Jesus: the Second Coming at the end of time.
I love Advent. Things may be a bit subdued and solemn, but there's also an expectancy reflected in the prayers, songs and rituals we use. It's time to start over. Joy is coming, and this month is perfect for readying ourselves to receive it.
It also means that the carols start showing up at Mass. ;) Here's one you may recognize, performed by guitarist Trace Bundy and singer/songwriter Josh Garrels. The latter writes very raw, sometimes dark, and entirely non-cheesy Christian music. Do check him out.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Belated Turkey Day wishes...
My Online Journalism professor, being the saint that he is, was kind enough to let us take a hiatus from our blogs this week and enjoy the holiday.
I was so excited at the thought of coming home to turkey and my own bed that I totally forgot to say anything here. Oops. Mea culpa.
Regardless, I hope all of my readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Personally, I'm thankful for the opportunity to blog for a grade. That's almost as good as getting paid to play video games!
I'll be back with regular posts on Monday or so. Peace!
I was so excited at the thought of coming home to turkey and my own bed that I totally forgot to say anything here. Oops. Mea culpa.
Regardless, I hope all of my readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Personally, I'm thankful for the opportunity to blog for a grade. That's almost as good as getting paid to play video games!
I'll be back with regular posts on Monday or so. Peace!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Saints: An Interactive Timeline
Behold! I come bringing you another super cool multimedia project. :) (What can I say? I get giddy late at night.)
I talked a bit about the saints in a post at the beginning of this month, and I wanted to dig into the topic a bit further with this project. You'll find that I've chosen ten saints from various periods in history, beginning with the time of Christ and ending with the contemporary era. I picked five men and five women saints that have made what I believe are significant contributions to the Catholic Church and the Christian community at large. Some others were virtually unknown while alive, but because I happen to like their stories, I've included them as well.
If you're wondering how we decide who is recognized as a saint, there is a good resource here. Keep in mind that all canonization does is allow the Church the opportunity to formally honor an individual. Everyone in heaven is a saint, and God desires all of us to become saints.
Feel free to click on anything in the timeline you find interesting to explore in greater detail. Click on the plus signs at the bottom to view other entries. There are plenty of links and videos to keep you busy for a while, if you so choose. Enjoy! (I recommend you start with the description tab for each saint.)
Note: Ignore the years listed with the entries; those were required for the timeline to display properly. The dates, however, are accurate and reflect the saint's feast day.
I talked a bit about the saints in a post at the beginning of this month, and I wanted to dig into the topic a bit further with this project. You'll find that I've chosen ten saints from various periods in history, beginning with the time of Christ and ending with the contemporary era. I picked five men and five women saints that have made what I believe are significant contributions to the Catholic Church and the Christian community at large. Some others were virtually unknown while alive, but because I happen to like their stories, I've included them as well.
If you're wondering how we decide who is recognized as a saint, there is a good resource here. Keep in mind that all canonization does is allow the Church the opportunity to formally honor an individual. Everyone in heaven is a saint, and God desires all of us to become saints.
Feel free to click on anything in the timeline you find interesting to explore in greater detail. Click on the plus signs at the bottom to view other entries. There are plenty of links and videos to keep you busy for a while, if you so choose. Enjoy! (I recommend you start with the description tab for each saint.)
Note: Ignore the years listed with the entries; those were required for the timeline to display properly. The dates, however, are accurate and reflect the saint's feast day.
Friday, November 20, 2009
The Fight for Life
Please note: In the interest of being open and honest with my readers, the following post contains some personal opinions that may be considered abrasive or offensive. Also, be aware that some descriptions of abortion procedures will be graphic.
Wednesday night's CCM meeting was far from the lively and lighthearted discussions one can usually find. In fact, by the end of the hour, not a sound could be heard from any of us in the house. No one was laughing, either.
Melinda Saffioti had made stoics out of us all, and with very good reason: as part of our pro-life night, she came to speak about the reality of abortion. Personally, I've never been particularly vocal about the things those on the political right call "life issues"--abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research among them--but after last night, I find it hard to be silent.
Every day, 3800 children in America are killed by abortions. The reasons vary, and it might be assumed that rape, incest and health reasons top the list, but that's not true. In fact, the vast majority of abortions are performed purely for the convenience of the mother. The Guttmacher Institute, a respected research facility for sexual health, says that:
True as that may be, Saffioti argued, it doesn't mean the baby that was given life must suffer the consequences. "It's like the cops showing up at your house and sending you to jail because your dad had a DUI," she said.
Saffioti, a 2002 graduate of Rowan University, is a licensed social worker who works as a counselor for women who are considering or have experienced abortion. While Guttmacher reports there is no evident link between abortion and mental health problems, she said that many of the women she counsels have at least some form of post-traumatic stress disorder.
It makes sense, especially considering the various methods of abortion in use today. Suction aspiration uses a vacuum-like device to literally suck the baby out while the mother is usually conscious; an abortive D&C involves scraping the uterus, and saline injections involve burning the baby from within the womb before inducing labor.
Harsh? Yeah, I thought so, too.
What does this have to do with Catholicism, though? Truthfully, the abortion issue is one that doesn't have to involve God--it's the taking of an innocent life, which is intrinsically wrong. However, as Catholics we believe that God is the author of all life, and it is therefore our responsibility to defend it from the very beginning. This beginning isn't birth, but conception. At the very instant conception occurs, there are 46 chromosomes present in the new fetus, 23 from each parent. From these, we can tell the child's gender, hair color, eye color, and more before it even begins to resemble a child.
A life is a life, regardless of age, and each should be given a chance to fulfill its potential. There are millions of couples worldwide clamoring for the opportunity to be parents. There are options, and abortion doesn't have to be one of them.
Wednesday night's CCM meeting was far from the lively and lighthearted discussions one can usually find. In fact, by the end of the hour, not a sound could be heard from any of us in the house. No one was laughing, either.
Melinda Saffioti had made stoics out of us all, and with very good reason: as part of our pro-life night, she came to speak about the reality of abortion. Personally, I've never been particularly vocal about the things those on the political right call "life issues"--abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research among them--but after last night, I find it hard to be silent.
Every day, 3800 children in America are killed by abortions. The reasons vary, and it might be assumed that rape, incest and health reasons top the list, but that's not true. In fact, the vast majority of abortions are performed purely for the convenience of the mother. The Guttmacher Institute, a respected research facility for sexual health, says that:
Three-fourths of women cite concern for or responsibility to other individuals; three-fourths say they cannot afford a child; three-fourths say that having a baby would interfere with work, school or the ability to care for dependents; and half say they do not want to be a single parent or are having problems with their husband or partner.But it's her right to choose, pro-choice supporters may say. She didn't ask to get pregnant.
True as that may be, Saffioti argued, it doesn't mean the baby that was given life must suffer the consequences. "It's like the cops showing up at your house and sending you to jail because your dad had a DUI," she said.
Saffioti, a 2002 graduate of Rowan University, is a licensed social worker who works as a counselor for women who are considering or have experienced abortion. While Guttmacher reports there is no evident link between abortion and mental health problems, she said that many of the women she counsels have at least some form of post-traumatic stress disorder.
It makes sense, especially considering the various methods of abortion in use today. Suction aspiration uses a vacuum-like device to literally suck the baby out while the mother is usually conscious; an abortive D&C involves scraping the uterus, and saline injections involve burning the baby from within the womb before inducing labor.
Harsh? Yeah, I thought so, too.
What does this have to do with Catholicism, though? Truthfully, the abortion issue is one that doesn't have to involve God--it's the taking of an innocent life, which is intrinsically wrong. However, as Catholics we believe that God is the author of all life, and it is therefore our responsibility to defend it from the very beginning. This beginning isn't birth, but conception. At the very instant conception occurs, there are 46 chromosomes present in the new fetus, 23 from each parent. From these, we can tell the child's gender, hair color, eye color, and more before it even begins to resemble a child.
A life is a life, regardless of age, and each should be given a chance to fulfill its potential. There are millions of couples worldwide clamoring for the opportunity to be parents. There are options, and abortion doesn't have to be one of them.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Trial By Fire
When Catholics mention areas of our faith like praying for the dead, and the mysterious realm of purification we call Purgatory, others may raise their eyebrows in skepticism. There can't be a Purgatory--it would negate the entire point of Jesus coming to die, they might argue. Jesus suffered so we won't have to. He paid the price and wiped us clean.
These are all true statements, but this viewpoint is missing a few key details that are essential to understanding what Purgatory is, and why we believe it exists.
God is perfect in every sense of the word. He is the epitome of holiness, purity, and love--in the Bible, every person who has come face-to-face with Him has gone straight to his or her face in awe. In reality, this is how facing God at the end of our lives will be for all of us; in our fallible human state, in the sight of that beauty, we'll be crippled. We can't handle God in His perfection because we are imperfect.
Jesus was sent to die so we gain the opportunity to join God face-to-face in heaven. Of course, sin hinders us on that journey, and if it's serious enough, it can sever our connection to Him altogether. Jesus may wash away the initial mark of our sins, but the hurt they leave in our lives and the "puncture wounds" made in our soul afterward cannot always be healed completely in life. This is where Purgatory comes in.
Check out this passage from 1 Corinthians: If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, the work of each will come to light, for the Day will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire (itself) will test the quality of each one's work. If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire.
The foundation Paul mentions here is Jesus, and what we "build" is our life--those deeds and choices that either honor or disobey Him. When we die, we're immediately judged by both our faith in Christ and the things we've done. If all of our works don't stand up to God's standards (and they never can), we need to be purified before we enter Heaven. Voila--Purgatory.
It's important to note here that Purgatory and Hell aren't the same thing. Once you go to Hell, you're there for good, eternally separated from the love of God because you have consciously rejected Him. "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." ;) On the other hand, there is joy in Purgatory; while tradition tells us that Purgatory is worse than even the greatest human pain, the dead are encouraged in knowing that in the end, they'll emerge completely new in eternal peace. This may be a crude analogy, but it's a bit like putting bleach on clothes that were stained after coming out of the washing machine.
That's why we pray for all those who have died. We pray that their time of purification might pass quickly, so they can join God as soon as possible.
"May these, and all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace."
These are all true statements, but this viewpoint is missing a few key details that are essential to understanding what Purgatory is, and why we believe it exists.
God is perfect in every sense of the word. He is the epitome of holiness, purity, and love--in the Bible, every person who has come face-to-face with Him has gone straight to his or her face in awe. In reality, this is how facing God at the end of our lives will be for all of us; in our fallible human state, in the sight of that beauty, we'll be crippled. We can't handle God in His perfection because we are imperfect.
Jesus was sent to die so we gain the opportunity to join God face-to-face in heaven. Of course, sin hinders us on that journey, and if it's serious enough, it can sever our connection to Him altogether. Jesus may wash away the initial mark of our sins, but the hurt they leave in our lives and the "puncture wounds" made in our soul afterward cannot always be healed completely in life. This is where Purgatory comes in.
Check out this passage from 1 Corinthians: If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, the work of each will come to light, for the Day will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire (itself) will test the quality of each one's work. If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire.
The foundation Paul mentions here is Jesus, and what we "build" is our life--those deeds and choices that either honor or disobey Him. When we die, we're immediately judged by both our faith in Christ and the things we've done. If all of our works don't stand up to God's standards (and they never can), we need to be purified before we enter Heaven. Voila--Purgatory.
It's important to note here that Purgatory and Hell aren't the same thing. Once you go to Hell, you're there for good, eternally separated from the love of God because you have consciously rejected Him. "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." ;) On the other hand, there is joy in Purgatory; while tradition tells us that Purgatory is worse than even the greatest human pain, the dead are encouraged in knowing that in the end, they'll emerge completely new in eternal peace. This may be a crude analogy, but it's a bit like putting bleach on clothes that were stained after coming out of the washing machine.
That's why we pray for all those who have died. We pray that their time of purification might pass quickly, so they can join God as soon as possible.
"May these, and all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace."
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Imaculee Ilibagiza: Forgiveness in Rwanda
On August 15, 1981, the Feast of the Assumption, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three high school and college students in Kibeho, Rwanda with a message: repent and turn to God in prayer. Pray the rosary. Destruction is coming, and if the whole world turns to God, it can be stopped.
The apparitions continued for eight years, and then in 1994, the inconceivable happened--the majority tribe of Hutus began to murder entire families of the upper class Tutsi tribe. These murders quickly turned into widespread, hand-executed genocide that killed over a million people in a span of three months.
Immaculee Ilibagiza was home from university for Easter break when the genocide began, and 15 years later, she is telling the story of her survival that she credits to the grace of God. I had the opportunity to see Immaculee speak this past Tuesday at Assumption Parish in Atco, NJ. She was a dynamic speaker with a powerful and (believe it or not) almost comedic testimony that I'd like to relay for you. Unfortunately, I was unable to take photos or audio at the event; you can find both at the two links above.)
The apparitions continued for eight years, and then in 1994, the inconceivable happened--the majority tribe of Hutus began to murder entire families of the upper class Tutsi tribe. These murders quickly turned into widespread, hand-executed genocide that killed over a million people in a span of three months.
Immaculee Ilibagiza was home from university for Easter break when the genocide began, and 15 years later, she is telling the story of her survival that she credits to the grace of God. I had the opportunity to see Immaculee speak this past Tuesday at Assumption Parish in Atco, NJ. She was a dynamic speaker with a powerful and (believe it or not) almost comedic testimony that I'd like to relay for you. Unfortunately, I was unable to take photos or audio at the event; you can find both at the two links above.)
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