The iPadre Catholic Podcast

Here is a small reflection on next Sunday’s Gospel (26th Sunday In Ordinary Time – B). Below is just a section of the text from Sunday’s Gospel.

“And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mk 9:43-48)

Our Lord warns us to remove the sin from our lives or risk the fires of hell. Each one of us is not only called to live a moral life, but we are warned not to lead other poor souls astray by the choices we make. How many people, even active Catholics believe in the reality of hell. Hell is a dogma of the faith. Jesus taught clearly about a place of punishment for those who for one reason or another do not make it into the kingdom of God. Our Lord calls this place of punishment Gehenna. In the Jewish, Christian and Islamic scripture, Gehenna is that place where evil doers will be punished for all eternity. In Matthew 5:22, we read: “But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, `You fool!’ shall be liable to the hell of fire.” Further on Matthew again quotes our Lord in regards to fear. Jesus said that we should not fear people that can hurt the body alone. “rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Mt 10:28) And of course there are many other places, both Old and New Testament that speak of punishment in a place called hell or Gehenna. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, attests to this belief. “The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, ‘eternal fire.’ The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs” (CCC 1035).

If Jesus were to have related what we read in this Sunday’s Gospel, I wonder what He may say. He might say the following: “If your vote for a pro-abortion candidate causes you to sin, better for your to enter life (heaven) without your retirement fund, than to be thrown into hell with all the money in the world.” “If your election causes you to sin, better for you to remain faithful to Christ and His Church and loose the election, than to be case into hell with all your votes.”

I would pray that all of our Catholic politicians and faithful take this weekend’s Gospel seriously, for sure as “HELL” God does!

I returned from my day off to find a fax from the Association of US Catholic Priests. Their purpose is to bring priest together to “exercise their collegial powers and responsibilities.” On of their main objectives is to speak out against the new and corrected translation of the Roman Missal. On this three page fax, there is a quote from a a letter to the editor of America Magazine in which the Msgr.  states that the new translation “cannot be discussed without appearing disloyal or suspect.” He states the the new translation will be a hinderance to the “new evangelization.”

Somehow the new translation was implemented without their input and approval. And, “rather than belonging to a fraternity, many priests within their diocese fell they are employees of a multi-national conglomerate.” The ACP put together a resolution that was mailed to the president of the USCCB. In it they state their right to form an association and go on to complain how the new Roman Missal “has caused disharmony, disruption and discord among many” laity and clergy alike. And, that the new translation hinders active participation of the faithful. They want to the USCCB to tell “Vatican authorities, the problematic prescriptions of Liturgiam Authenticam.”

This group sounds like a bunch of whiners. I wonder how much time and energy they put into preparing their parishes for the implementation of the new translation. Of course everything isn’t perfect with the new missal, but is there ever a perfect translation? I would dare to say the form miss-translation was much further from the mark. If the new translation is “arcaic”, the former translation was “childish”.

It’s time to drop the fight and move on! And while your at it, take me off your mailing list!

One of the most asked questions in life is “Who am I?” Everyone at some point in their life tries to figure out that question and some people ask it for the whole of their lives. October Baby follows a young girl who asks this important question. The movie walks us through Hanna’s difficult journey of self discovery, pain and confusion. Anyone who thinks their life has no meaning, they are not wanted or happen to be a mistake can find themselves in Hanna. Surly, October Baby, is one of those heart wrenching movies that will tug at the heart of all who see it. Like any well made movie, October Baby comes to a happy ending. Hanna comes to a resolution that will inspire, challenge and encourage everyone in their lives journey. If you haven’t seen October Baby, do yourself a favor and get a copy of the DVD.

October Baby was released on DVD / Blue Ray on September 11, 2012. You can find it at online or from your local retailer.

Great benediction prayer by His Eminence, Cardinal Dolan at the Democratic National Convention.