William Hemsworth's Blog, page 85

Through The Heart Of St. Joseph

I recently had the opportunity to interview Fr. Boniface Hicks. We discuss his new book titled “Through The Heart Of St. Joseph“. We discuss what makes his book different from other books, How St. Joseph is a New Abraham, and the Joseph option.

St. Joseph Leads Us To Jesus

He discusses in great detail how St. Joseph leads us closer to Jesus. Learn more about Fr. Boniface by visiting his website www.fatherboniface.org. I also encourage you to check out the book at the St. Paul Center.

About Father Boniface

Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB, is a Benedictine monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Fr. Hicks is
the co-author, along with Fr. Thomas Acklin, of the books Spiritual Direction and Personal Prayer. He has provided
spiritual direction for many men and women, including married couples, seminarians, consecrated religious and
priests.

He is the programming manager and an on-air contributor for We Are One Body Catholic Radio and has
recorded thousands of radio programs on theology and the spiritual life. He has extensive experience as a retreat
master for laity, consecrated religious, and priests. He is the Director for Spiritual Formation for Saint Vincent
Seminary and Director of the Institute for Ministry Formation and has offered numerous courses on the spiritual life.

The Interview On His Book About St. Joseph

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Henry Newman And The Development Of Doctrine

When we read through scripture an the works of the early church fathers something we see something become apparent.  Not all doctrine that we have today was in its current form in the earliest days of the church.  Heresies came up, questions were asked, and from this further clarification and development came about. 

The kernels of faith that were passed on by Jesus and the disciples were molded and thought upon to come to what we have today.  Saint Cardinal Henry Newman came to this realization when reading church history.  He wrote an instrumental work on the subject titled The Development of Christian Doctrine that I recommend anyone who is serious about the faith ought to read.

Henry Newman, Development, And Conversion

After reading Cardinal Newman’s “The Development of Ideas” I came to the conclusion that ideas and doctrine do not just come about.  They started from an idea that was debated, was allowed to germinate, and must be allowed to mature.  This can only be done through debate and reason.

What is interesting is that this work was the turning point of Newman to Catholicism.   He began his journey as an Anglican, and finally seeing the ideas and doctrines that had matured, became a great asset to the Catholic Church.

Developing An Explanation

Cardinal Henry Newman explains that at first man will have an idea, but will not be sure how to explain.  He may seem like a babbling fool unable to make a coherent point about the idea.

However, over time something will be brought to light that will move the idea forward.  This new fact will be debated and judged by many, and after a time there will be something definite that comes from it.  Over time there may even be various views on the same subject, but there will be a definite teaching that came from the original idea.  History will show that great teachings of history can be boiled down to its original idea and this helps us understand it all the more.

Henry Newman And The Councils

This process, especially in terms of doctrine, can take a lot of time to develop.  It has been shaped and formed from many brilliant people with their own take on it.  We all have different experiences and an idea may mean something different to different people.

The ideas that came from the great councils of our church are great examples of this. All the Bishops gathered together with their own input, and the Holy Spirit guided them in defining doctrine.  There was much debate and everyone learned from another.

Cardinal Newman Is Now A Saint

Cardinal John Henry Newman was declared a saint by Pope Francis on October 13, 2019.  Below are some quotes from this influential saint.

“God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission—I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.”

“May I engage in them in the strength of Christ … remembering the worth of souls, and that I shall have to answer for the opportunities given me of benefitting those under my care.”

“To be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant.”

“With Christians, a poetical view of things is a duty. We are bid to color all things with hues of faith, to see a divine meaning in every event.”

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Rome Boys On Faith And Fatherhood

I recently had the opportunity to interview the Rome Boys. We discuss how their channel got started, the feedback they have received, and discuss all things fatherhood. It was a fun, and often hilarious, conversation. You will be blessed by the fatherhood tips that the guys give. Make sure to subscribe to their amazing channel “Rome Boys“.

About The Rome Boys

Rome Boys is a Catholic Show with Tony the Theologian (Cradle Catholic), Chris the Entrepreneur (Convert) and Joe the Farmer (Revert) as your hosts. We take a topic and discuss it from three different perspectives. Tony has a BA and MA in Theology and taught Theology for 11 years. Chris has had success in a variety of jobs throughout his career. (Gold’s Gym, UPS, Nursing Home Admin, etc..) He teaches RCIA and has been a DRE/Youth Minister. Joe has farmed most of his life, teaches CCD/RCIA, is our tech guy and is a natural comedian. Tony is married with 7 children. Chris is married with 6 children. Joe is married with 5 children.

In other words, if you have leftovers you want to get rid of, send them to us! Like and Share our videos and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Check out our website: http://www.romeboys.org or find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, MeWe, Parler, and Gab! God Bless you!

The Interview

Listen to the audio here.

My Interview with the Rome Boys

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2021 OSV Challenge Moves To Round Two

OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation announces the next phase of the 2021 OSV Challenge, a multi-round entrepreneurial competition designed to incubate unique project ideas in any stage from Catholics whose faith has motivated them to make a difference. 

A record-breaking influx of nearly 600 applications were received between February 1 and April 2 from innovators eager to compete for one of three prizes valued at $100,000 each to advance their missions.  A total of 182 applicants were selected to move forward to Round Two of the competition.  

The OSV Challenge Serves The Church

“The OSV Challenge was created because we believe the world is desperate for innovative co-creation with our Creator,” asserts Jason Shanks, President of the OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation. “We are set on finding great ideas by finding people striving for greatness. Our mission is to discover and raise up Catholic innovators so that, through them and their initiatives, the Church can flourish and the world can encounter Christ’s love.”

The OSV Challenge process serves the Church by continuing to reveal needs and trends based on the applications received. The top three self-identified categories from applicants included marriage/parenting, fine arts, and Catholic education. Other areas of special interest such as Hispanic ministry, technology, and outreach to the disaffiliated (“nones”) were identified in which innovation was most needed; however, new themes emerged from this year’s applicants proposing creative ideas in areas that surprised the judges. “We had proposals for innovation in seminary education, mental health services, investment groups for Catholics, and a vast range of other interesting topics,” said Matt Smith, Director of Strategic Initiatives at OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation. “While we asked applicants to self-identify tracks in the application, we cast the innovation net wide, and we are glad we did. These ‘new themes’ reflect emerging needs within the Church and we want to ensure the Challenge is reflective of these.”

Evaluation Of Applications

Applications were evaluated by a panel of four judges according to a carefully crafted rubric developed around the core values of the OSV Challenge. Challengers invited to move forward to Round Two of the contest are tasked with a new mission to advance their ideas such as developing a business model canvas and submitting an empathy awareness video.

Initiatives selected to move beyond Round Two will be notified by June 25 and invited to participate in a six-week accelerator program for a group of 24 semi-finalists that will offer the next-level professional guidance, spiritual formation, and personal development needed to refine their mission for optimal impact on the Church and the world.

The OSV Challenge will culminate with the OSV Innovation Summit September 17-19 in Houston, when 12 finalists will have an opportunity to present their final pitches to a panel of judges and investors before the three $100,000 winning initiatives are announced. A new incentive announced for 2021 is the ability to earn additional prizes as contestants advance through the various stages of the Challenge. 

About The OSV Institute

In 1915, Fr. John Francis Noll began OSV Institute to extend the reach of Our Sunday Visitor in service and support of Catholic organizations. Over $80 million has been granted to Catholic organizations to date. In 2021, the name evolved to OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation to better identify with a strategy evolution focusing on innovation. OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation continues to serve the Church by inspiring and encouraging innovative and effective Church.

Note: Press release is provides by Carrie Kline.

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Cathars, Gnosticism, And Disdain For The Eucharist

The Cathars are another famous sect in history that denied the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.  The Cathars were dualists as they believed in one god who was evil, and another that was good.  The movement was essentially a revived type of Gnosticism as physical matter was also deemed evil.

Cathars And Gnostic Roots

They denied that Jesus ever had a human body, and as result they would deny that the Eucharist was the body and blood of Christ.  They denied all sacraments because of the physical properties contained within them. The Cathars thrived in Southern France between the 12th and 14th centuries.

The church had to respond swiftly as Catharism was a growing movement.  The church used Aristotelian terms such as “substance” and “accidents” to describe the Eucharist.

The distinction between ‘substance’ and ‘accident’ gave the Church language to describe its belief that what looked like bread and wine were, in fact, the Body and Blood of Christ.  This language brought forth a term that we use still today.  The term “transubstantiation” was used against the Cathars at the fourth Lateran Council in 1215.

A Term For An Ancient Teaching

It was at this council that the teaching of the Cathars was formally condemned.  The terminology that was developed during the controversy with the Cathars changed the landscape of Catholic theology.  Transubstantiation may have been a new term to describe the miracle that happens on the altar, but it was by no means a new idea.

Transubstantiation was the term coined at the council, but not when the teaching started being taught.  The church has always taught that the Eucharist was the body and blood of the Lord.  Transubstantiation just gives the term to describe how it can be the body and blood of the lord and still look like bread and wine.

They were not Pseudo-Protestants as some make them out to be and are better known as Albigensians.

Basic Beliefs

The Cathars were dualists who believed in two gods.  One who created everything good and another who created everything evil.  Essentially they believed that the god of the Old Testament was Satan, and the New Testament was the God we know.

As they did with the Eucharist, they didn’t hold to the validity of any sacraments because the sacraments involve some kind of material.  In their view all material is bad.

The human body was an evil construct because in entrapped angels in human flesh.  Therefore anything to do with the human body was also deemed evil.  Even procreation.

Suicide was seen as a good way of escaping human bondage.

Yes, they were opposed to the Eucharist as the Gnostics of old were.  Their beliefs were dealt with by great saints such as St. Augustine and St. Irenaeus.  Again I emphasize that they were not protestants that were persecuted by the Catholic church, but believers in type of modified Gnostic heresy.

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The Prophet Hosea And Our Relationship With Christ

The Old Testament reading from Hosea chapter 2 is a powerful reading and some background is in order and shows how we are pursued by the Lord. In chapter 1, Hosea is told to marry Gomer who is described as a promiscuous woman. Hosea does so and they are blessed with children. At the beginning of Chapter 2, Hosea is determined to divorce his wife because of her infidelity. Yet in this reading he has a change of heart.

Hosea Pursues His Bride

This change of heart is significant as he sees passed the transgressions of Gomer and vows to love her. Hosea sees this as imagery of God and the people of Israel. Throughout salvation history the Lord pursued Israel, but time and again they sin. Yet the Lord has a made a covenant with his people that is seen as a type of marriage bond.

What does this have to do with us? In short it has everything to do with us. We have this annoying this called concupiscence. We have the inclination to sin. However, like Gomer, every time we sin we are committing adultery. Sin is akin to spiritual adultery. We are looking past God to something else. That something else may be our egos, sex, or cash. It can be anything. Yet we are pursued by God at every turn.

This imagery of being pursued and that of a marriage bond is continued in the life of Christ. Christ is the bridegroom who came for his bride. The church is the bride of Christ and the church is made up of sinners like you and I. Through it all we are relentlessly pursued by the Bridegroom. He loves us and nourished us with his own body and blood in the holy Eucharist.

Application

The question I have for all of you is two fold. First and foremost are we actively pursuing the Bridegroom? This pandemic has showed us that many have taken the Eucharist for granted. It is my hope that this Eucharistic fast has been a big wake up call. I know it was for me. May we evaluate ourselves to see if this was, or is, the case.

The answer just may surprise you. Secondly are we ready for the Bridegroom to come again? Jesus said he will come again and we will not know the time nor place. How can we be ready for such an event? Live each day like today is the day! Be in a state of grace. Regularly attend Mass if you are able, read scripture, pray, and frequent the sacraments.

“The reason for our existence is to quench the thirst of Jesus. When he asked for water, the soldier gave him vinegar to drink—but his thirst was for love, for souls, for you and me.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta

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Conversation on St. Justin Martyr and St. Moses The Black

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-m2umt-102757d

I was recently a guest on the Growing Up Catolico podcast. We had a great discussion about St. Justin Martyr and St. Moses The Black.  We also discuss what we can learn from their lives and how the mercy of God is available to anyone.

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Grace And How It Changes Our Mind

At the beginning of sacred scripture, we read how God created man.  Man was created in a state of grace, and through sin this grace was lost.  This led to mankind having the stain of original sin, and a desire to sin called concupiscence.  This nature requires grace to assist us in our post-lapsarian nature.  This is done because grace effects the faculty of our mind and the capacity of our will.

Grace And Sin

A result of sin is that we focus on carnal things.  No matter how hard we try to avoid sin we will fall back into it without the help of grace.  Our minds can be restored through grace, and through this grace we have a greater propensity to avoid mortal sin (ST II, Q 109, A 8). 

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According to Aquinas, grace transforms the mind and makes one alert to situations that will make us fall from grace.  It helps us know what is good, and what we should and should not do.  We know what we should do, are in a state of grace, and can ask God to assist us in doing the right thing.  Grace can effect the faculty of the mind by helping us avoid mortal sin, though we may still commit venial sin (ST II, Q 109, A 8).

The Will Of Man

Grace also has a strong effect on the capacity of our will.  Regarding the will in post-lapsarian man Fr. John Hardon writes, “because of the fall the moral will is a passive faculty which always leans on the side where the weight of attraction is stronger” (Hardon Ch. 3). 

Our wills strive to make contact with things, and our sinful nature will always go toward the greatest attraction.  Grace comes in and alters what attracts us.  Through grace our will strives to love God and others.  The light of grace turns a selfish will towards hope and charity, and through hope and charity we can see the love of God (Journet 1.6).  We can love God and in turn reflect that love toward others.

Works Cited

Aquinas, Thomas.  Summa Theologia. Trans. Thomas Gornall.  Blackfriars, St. Joseph, IN:  Ave Maria Press, 1981.

Hardon, John.  History and Theology of Grace.  Ann Arbor, MI:  Sapientia Press, 2005.

Journet, Charles.  The Meaning of Grace.   Princeton: Scepter Publishers, 1997.

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Can A Christian Lose Salvation?

I recently interviewed Author and apologist Ken Litchfield and we discussed a very important question. We discuss whether or not a Christian can lose their salvation?

Evidence From Christian Sources

We look at the biblical evidence to show that they can. Ken also answers some common objections. Throughout the interview Ken gives scriptural evidence from the Old and New Testaments to support the Catholic view that salvation can be lost by one willingly walking away from Christ.

About Ken Litchfield

Ken is an author, speaker, and is a regular guest on Hands On Apologetics with Gary Michuta. He has written a great composite guide to Catholic Apologetics titled How Old Is Your Church? This book is an introductory guide to the Catholic Faith. It is great guide for new Catholics, fallen away Catholics and cradle Catholics. It can be used as supplementary guide for a Confirmation class or RCIA class.

Ken Litchfield

This book explains what the Catholic Church teaches in plain language for the regular pew sitter. It explains the Old Testament Jewish roots of Catholic teachings and the New Testament references for Catholic teachings. As a bonus I provide quotes from early Christian teachers that give the a Catholic interpretation of the Old and New Testaments before 500AD.

Note: The description of the book was taken from the Amazon description.

Enjoy the interview with Ken.

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St. Joseph Is An Example Men Can Follow

But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”- Matthew 1:20-21 NRSV

In my opinion, Joseph is the unsung hero of the Christmas story. Very little is said about him, but he was a righteous man.

Happy feast day of St. Joseph The Worker!

Joseph, Mary, And Betrothal

Luke’s Gospel tells us that Mary was “betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph” (1:27). This arrangement was a little different than engagements of today. According to the rabbinical writings, there were two stages in a Hebrew marriage. The first, known as the betrothal period, was as legally binding as marriage.

If at any time during this phase of marriage either person violated their vows, a formal divorce was required to nullify the marriage. Mary and Joseph were legally married, and during the approximate twelve-month period of their betrothal, they had no physical relationship (neither did they afterward) and lived in separate houses. The second stage was the wedding ceremony, which lasted for seven days.

He Wanted To Do God’s Will

It was in the first stage of their betrothal that Mary became pregnant with the Son of God. Joseph could have divorced her because of this.  When Mary was pregnant he at first resolved to divorce her in a quiet manner.  This may sound harsh, but the law of the time called for much worse.

It called for stoning, but by intending to go the other route he was showing a great love for his Bride. His heart must have been broken, but he didn’t want to make a spectacle out of Mary. Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20).

Joseph knew that he would be thought of as the husband of the woman who had broken her vow. And indeed Mary went through life with that reputation. The Pharisees once said to Jesus, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God” (John 8:41). In other words, “You were conceived out of wedlock, Jesus.”  Joseph was willing to endure all of that. He loved Mary. He obeyed God. And both of them agreed to God’s plan.

St. Joseph was a good earthly example, and he continues to be a good example for us.  Though he does not say one word in scripture we can learn much from his life.  How to love, work, and how to sacrifice.  Remember this as we head into the Advent and Christmas.

Saint Quotes

It is true that the other saints enjoy great power in heaven, but they ask as servants, and do not command as masters. Saint Joseph, to whose authority Jesus was subject on earth, obtains what he desires from his kingly foster Son in heaven.-St. Thomas Aquinas

Go to Joseph with extreme confidence, because I do not remember having asked anything from St. Joseph, without having obtained it readily.-St. Padre Pio

To give life to someone is the greatest of all gifts. To save a life is the next. Who gave life to Jesus? It was Mary. Who saved his life? It was Joseph. Ask St. Paul who persecuted him. Saint Peter who denied him. Ask all the saints who put him to death. But if we ask, “Who saved his life?” Be silent, patriarchs, be silent, prophets, be silent, apostles, confessors and martyrs. Let St. Joseph speak, for this honor is his alone; he alone is the savior of his Savior.-Blessed William Chaminade

Interview About St. Joseph

A few months ago I interviewed Steve Ray about St. Joseph.

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