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"In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one" (Eph. 6:16). Intense spiritual warfare calls for intense trust in God. An on-duty Roman soldier was always dressed for battle but didn't employ his shield, helmet, and sword until the fighting started. But we as Christians must be ready for battle at all times because our enemy is relentless. We can't afford to overlook a single piece of armor or slip into complacency or neglect. In that regard, Ephesians 6:16 says in effect, "Now...

“Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Ephesians 5:20). Sincere thanks to God will result at all times if we are truly filled with the Spirit. I’m convinced that gratitude is the single greatest act of personal worship we can render to God. And today’s verse plainly asserts that thankfulness should be a well-rounded, consistent response to whatever God allows to happen in our lives (see 1 Thess. 5:18). Such a thankful attitude is impossible in our own strength, but as the Holy Spirit indwells us, He graciously...

On the Length of the Homily Msgr. Charles Pope • September 17, 2018 • During a recent day trip to Sicily, Pope Francis said that homilies should not last more than 8 minutes and that the entire Mass should be completed within 40 (although he may have been exaggerating on this second point). He has said similar things before.He is entitled to his opinion, of course, but I disagree. No sweeping generalization about sermon length is necessary. There are cultural and even local differences that come into play. In my own parish I offer two rather brief masses, on...

My beloved Jewish friend, may I ask you these very personal questions on the Day of Atonement? Where is YOUR atonement for your transgressions against the Holy Law of Almighty G-d (Lev. 17:11, Isa. 53)? Where is YOUR sin-offering for your cleansing of transgressions against the Holy Law of Almighty G-d (Lev. 4, 17:11, Isa. 53)? Where is YOUR lamb to offer in your place for your transgressions (Lev. 17:11, Isa. 53)? Where is YOUR propitiation that FULLY satisfies the PERFECT RIGHTEOUS DEMANDS OF THE HOLY LAW OF G-D (Isa. 53:10-11, Zech. 12:8-14)? Have you PERFECTLY kept the LAW of...

Proverb 18 (NKJV) The Name of the LORD Is a Strong Tower 01 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; 00 He rages against all wise judgment. 02 A fool has no delight in understanding, 00 But in expressing his own heart. 03 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; 00 And with dishonor comes reproach. 04 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; 00 The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. 05 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, 00 Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 06 A fool's...

Proverb 18 (NKJV) The Name of the LORD Is a Strong Tower 01 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; 00 He rages against all wise judgment. 02 A fool has no delight in understanding, 00 But in expressing his own heart. 03 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; 00 And with dishonor comes reproach. 04 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; 00 The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. 05 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, 00 Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 06 A fool's...

Franciscan Media Image: Detail | Stained glass window in Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Dayton, Ohio | photo by Nheyob Saint Robert Bellarmine Saint of the Day for September 17 (October 4, 1542 – September 17, 1621)  Saint Robert Bellarmine’s Story When Robert Bellarmine was ordained in 1570, the study of Church history and the fathers of the Church was in a sad state of neglect. A promising scholar from his youth in Tuscany, he devoted his energy to these two subjects, as well as to Scripture, in order to systematize Church doctrine against the attacks of the...

"Stand firm . . . having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:14-15). Standing firm while in the conflict requires the right kind of spiritual footwear. I'll never forget a game that took place at the Rose Bowl during my college football days. Being winter time and late in the football season, the field was in bad shape from several days of rain and an entire season of wear and tear. However, the grounds crew painted the field green, so it looked much better than it actually was. I had two pairs of football...

“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). If we are Spirit-filled, we will have songs of praise in our hearts and on our lips. Once a Christian knows about being Spirit-filled and walking by the Spirit, it is still fair for him or her to ask, “But how can I know if the Holy Spirit is really at work in my life?” Ephesians 5:19 answers this question by declaring one of the unmistakable evidences of the Spirit’s full operation in our lives—we will have...

A Picture of the Spiritual Life from Job Msgr. Charles Pope • September 16, 2018 • I am teaching out of the Book of Job for our parish bible studies. Consider the following insight by Job on the spiritual life:God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has withstood him and remained unscathed? (Job 9:3)At first glance, we might read this to mean that we don’t dare talk back to God or resist Him lest He punish us, but this would be a superficial interpretation. The text surely speaks more richly, of the spiritual life and the...

Dear friends, I just wanted to share the notes of todayÂ’s message with you on my thoughts on Ephesians with you. As I prepared the notes, I am overwhelmed with how little we actually spend thinking of what it means to be seated in Christ. This one thought truly was impressed upon my heart. I think we are not aware of our position in Christ and this is severely undermined by the sin-conscious Gospel we continue to preach in our churches. We teach that we are still nature of GodÂ’s wrath when we were. Past tense. Even that we quote...

Key words: Proverb 17 (NKJV) The LORD Tests Hearts 01 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, 00 Than a house full of feasting with strife. 02 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, 00 And will share an inheritance among the brothers. 03 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, 00 But the LORD tests the hearts. 04 An evildoer gives heed to false lips; 00 A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue. 05 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; 00 He who is glad at calamity will...

Franciscan Media Image: Stained glass window in Catholic Church of Saint-Corneille | photo by GFreihalter Saint Cornelius Saint of the Day for September 16 (d. 253)  Saint Cornelius’ Story There was no pope for 14 months after the martyrdom of Saint Fabian because of the intensity of the persecution of the Church. During the interval, the Church was governed by a college of priests. Saint Cyprian, a friend of Cornelius, writes that Cornelius was elected pope “by the judgment of God and of Christ, by the testimony of most of the clergy, by the vote of the people, with...

"Stand firm therefore . . . having put on the breastplate of righteousness" (Eph. 6:14). A righteous life testifies to God’s transforming power and brings Him glory. We've seen the importance of donning the breastplate of righteousness, but Scripture also discusses the consequences of failing to do so. These consequences serve as warnings to anyone who is prone to neglect righteousness. If you're not committed to righteousness, you not only make yourself spiritually vulnerable, but also forfeit some of God's wonderful blessings. David prayed, "Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation" (Ps. 51:13). His sin had robbed him of...

“Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). God wants every aspect of the believer’s being to be under the complete control of the Holy Spirit. Pleroo, the basic Greek word for “be filled,” offers three shades of meaning that illustrate what Paul’s command to be Spirit-filled means. First, the word describes the pressure of wind filling a ship’s sails and moving the vessel across the water. That parallels the Holy Spirit’s leading us down the pathway of spiritual obedience. We aren’t primarily motivated by our own plans and desires, but we allow the Spirit’s gracious pressure to move us in...

Question: Do you think PA District Attorney Josh Shapiro is a friend of the Catholic Church? Remnant Underground's Michael J. Matt not only steps outside the box but also smashes it to bits as he analyses what's really going on with the clerical sex abuse crisis. What is the Viganò Effect? How do Vatican II and the New Mass come into this? With the Catholic Church clearly occupied, should faithful Catholics just join the lynch mob? What's a faithful Catholic to do? There's more to this...much more. Watch this video and share it far and wide.

Not Your Average Messiah - A Homily for the 24th Sunday of the Year Msgr. Charles Pope • September 15, 2018 • Jesus is Messiah and Lord, but He confounds every notion we have ever had about these titles. His power reaches perfection in “weakness” and He reigns from the cross. To the world this is utter absurdity, but the Lord insists that we meet Him at the cross. He chooses the foolish to shame the wise; He chooses the weak to shame the strong; He chooses the lowly and despised things of the world—and the things that are...

The Francis Show in Palermo… The Blessing that Wasn’t: Francis omits “Papal” Benediction because it could offend Non-Catholics On Saturday, Sep. 15, the Francis Show made a stop in Sicily, with the “Pope” visiting the dioceses of Piazza Armerina and Palermo. As always, Francis had a lot to say, cranking out such incredible nuggets of wisdom as, “Those belonging to the mafia are not living as Christians”, and, “…those who give themselves find the meaning of life and win” (source). The Vatican web site has posted the entire program of the trip to Sicily here. One of the highlights of...

"Stand firm therefore . . . having put on the breastplate of righteousness" (Eph. 6:14). Practical righteousness is moment-by-moment obedience to God. We've seen the importance of putting on the breastplate of righteousness as protection against Satan's attempts to pervert your thinking and emotions. But Scripture speaks of three kinds of righteousness: self-righteousness, imputed righteousness, and practical righteousness. Which did Paul have in mind in Ephesians 6:14? Paul wasn't speaking of self-righteousness because that is what the breastplate of righteousness is designed to protect you from. Self-righteousness deceives a person into thinking, I can please God and reach heaven on...

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Those who walk by the Spirit will lovingly bear one another’s burdens. The Lord Jesus presents love for God and love for our neighbor as the great summary of the entire Law (Matt. 22:37-40). It only makes sense, then, that love will characterize the life of any Christian who is walking by the Spirit. Love will also be an integral part of any Spirit-assisted ministry to others. Paul tells us in today’s verse that when we help other believers hold up their particular burdens, we are obeying...