Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 39

National Catholic Register: “Pope Francis Did Not Just Authorize Priests to Bless Same-Sex Unions: A COMMENTARY

This is an article from the EWTN-owned National Catholic Register and recommended by Al Kresta.

COMMENTARY: Anyone who claims that the Fiducia Supplicans authorizes blessings of same-sex unions has not read the declaration or is intentionally misinterpreting it. You can read the article HERE.

I found it illuminating — a good assist to understand the Declaration: what is says, what it doesn’t say, and why it is causing so much confusion. It is a balanced and thoughtful commentary which should be read and understood.

But the distinction between blessing the people and not the union will be lost on most and be a nightmare for priests.

But this whole affair brings to mind the “nose of the camel under the tent”.

An Old Arab Proverb says, “Once a camel gets his nose under a tent, the whole camel soon follows!”

 

 

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How “Progressives” read the Bible

Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you;

Go, it is sin no more.”

This is what modernists claim it says in the Bible:

Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you;

Go, it is sin no more.”

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It’s now OK to bless homosexual relationships, says the Pope

What? Since when should our priests be expected to bless a homosexual relationship? It’s OK as long as they are not wearing wedding clothes? What kind of message does this send?

Here is the document released which was presented as an official Vatican document.

I would suggest a good analysis of this decision can be watched here. It’s about 10 minutes long and worth a watch.

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Was John the Baptist in Danger with Herod’s Edict to Kill Baby Boys?

I was asked this question this morning. He asked:

Was the infant John the Baptist at risk from Herod’s persecution like Jesus?  Did Zechariah and Elizabeth need to take action to hide him as he was in the same age group as Jesus?  There’s no indication in scripture that he was at risk also, is there an explanation in tradition?

John seemingly would have been under the edict of Herod. The Magi met King Herod in Jerusalem which is only 4 miles from Bethlehem. He sent them to Bethlehem to find the baby and report back to him.  Bethlehem was not a large city, in fact we read in the Prophet Micah 5:2,

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

John the Baptist was born in modern day Ein Kerem which is a “subdivision” of Jerusalem and only about 4-5 miles from Bethlehem as a crow flies.  It was a very rural area. The High Priests and other wealthy Jerusalemites had country homes in the lovely hillsides of Ein Kerem.

Herod was cautious and ruthless and knowing families might flee to relatives nearby or that the baby was in the general vicinity of Bethelehem, his edict would have been more expansive than just the small village of Bethlehem. Mary and Elizabeth were relatives; Jesus and John likely cousins. Therefore, it is likely, even probable that Herod covered his bases well to protect his throne.

When we visit Ein Kerem and ascend to the Franciscan Church of the Visitation where Zechariah and Elizabeth lived, there is a prominent mural of the “Slaughter of the Innocents”. I always ask my group, “Why do you think this painting is here?” I then explain the Ein Kerem is in the vicinity of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Notice in the image that the angel has positioned Elizabeth and baby John behind a rocky barrier.

There is a large rock in the Church of the Visitation which is worn from the millions on pilgrim’s hands that have venerated the rock from early times as the place where John was hidden from Herod’s soldiers.There is a very influential document from the early part of the 2nd century which was revered by the early Christians. You could say it was “on the coffee table” of all the early Christians. It is entitled The Protoevangelium of James. From this document we know the names of Mary’s parents Joachim and Anna, that Mary was presented in the Temple and much more. It is a fascinating read and seems to be an attempt to blend the stories of Matthew and Luke, adding additional details.      In the Protoevangelium of James, sections 22-23 we read about the Herod searching for John the son of the Zechariah, a priest in the line of the High Priest Aaron, brother of Moses.

22. And when Herod knew that he had been mocked by the Magi, in a rage he sent murderers, saying to them: Slay the children from two years old and under. And Mary, having heard that the children were being killed, was afraid, and took the infant and swaddled Him, and put Him into an ox-stall. And Elizabeth, having heard that they were searching for John, took him and went up into the hill-country, and kept looking where to conceal him. And there was no place of concealment. And Elizabeth, groaning with a loud voice, says: O mountain of God, receive mother and child. And immediately the mountain was cleft, and received her. And a light shone about them, for an angel of the Lord was with them, watching over them.

23. And Herod searched for John, and sent officers to Zacharias, saying: Where have you hid your son? And he, answering, said to them: I am the servant of God in holy things, and I sit constantly in the temple of the Lord: I do not know where my son is. And the officers went away, and reported all these things to Herod. And Herod was enraged, and said: His son is destined to be king over Israel. And he sent to him again, saying: Tell the truth; where is your son? For you know that your life is in my hand. And Zacharias said: I am God’s martyr, if you shed my blood; for the Lord will receive my spirit, because you shed innocent blood at the vestibule of the temple of the Lord. And Zacharias was murdered about daybreak. And the sons of Israel did not know that he had been murdered.

So, it is quite certain that John was under the edict of King Heros. Without the intervention of the angel of God, he might have been slaughtered with the other baby boys. Jesus was also rescued by the flight to Egypt.

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Great time with Rome Boys in the middle of nowhere

It’s not really the middle of nowhere, but it sure seems like that when you’re driving out to Rowena Texas to visit with the Rome Boys and their homeschooled families.

Tony Frasco the theologian, Joe Matthiesen the farmer, and Chris Martin the businessman. Put them together and you have the Rome Boys — an enthusiastic, family-oriented, fully Catholic group of guys who love nothing more than showing the joy of the Catholic faith and living it to its fullest.

They have a podcast and they invited me out into the middle of nowhere to join them out on the farm in their homemade studio to discuss everything Catholic. It was a great time. Keep your eye open for the podcast and I’ll link it here when it’s up.

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The Piano Genius, our Grandson Joshua Ray

I know there are a lot of you who have enjoyed the videos I’ve uploaded over the years of my grandson Joshua playing the piano. He has a gift that must’ve been infused by God because he didn’t get it from us or his parents.

Here is his latest. It’s about five minutes long but if you stick with it, you’ll see the Genuis. He explains in the second half what he’s doing and I don’t even have any idea what he’s talking about personally.

Enjoy!

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Two More New Pilgrimages for 2024 – Ireland and Shrines of Wisconsin

Back by popular demand we have added “The Catholic Heritage of Ireland” and the “Shrines of Wisconsin” with Cardinal Burke.The State of Wisconsin is beautiful in July!

✞ National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion (home of the only approved Marian apparition in the US)

✞ National Shrine of St. Joseph.   ✞ Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe  — and more!

Click on the image to go to visit our website. You will also see our interactive map, the brochure, itinerary and pricing.

You can watch the video of our last pilgrimage through Wisconsin here here:  https://vimeo.com/578711821

 

The Country of Ireland is verdant and charming in August!

So many have requested to visit Ireland again that we have decided again to enjoy the deeply Catholic heritage of the Emerald Isles. Click here for the interactive map, brochure, itinerary, two-hour movie of our last trip to Ireland and more.

We will enjoy Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Westport, Blarney, Kilkenny and and of course the Apparition of Our Lady of Knock. Sneem and the Ring of Kerry, local pubs with traditional music and dancing. The last night we enjoy the rousing music, dancing, food and drink with the Merry Ploughboys!

And of course we will again have our favorite Irish priest Fr. James Conlon who is still an Irish citizen!

You can watch the video of our last pilgrimage to Ireland here: https://vimeo.com/288451010

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Married 47 years today!

Today Janet and I celebrate 47 years of marriage. It was the best thing I ever did, along with us both becoming Catholic. Pictures before and now (2 babies added since the family picture 3 years ago).

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New Pilgrimages for 2024: Check out “Lourdes & Fatima” and St. Augustine Florida

With Israel being closed for a while, we have added four exciting new pilgrimages for 2024. Check out the two for this April — one domestic and one in Europe.

St. Augustine Florida where Catholicism first arrived in America in 1565 — fifty years before the Protestant Pilgrims arrived! First parish, first parish Mass, first Marian Shrine in America. Learn our fascinating Catholic history.

We will renew baptismal vows in the first American baptismal font brought over from Spain.

Click on the brochure below to visit our interactive map, see the brochure and itinerary and watch the video of our last trip to St. Augustine.

Our second new trip in April is to Fatima, Santiago di Compostela, Loyola, Lourdes and more. We will travel through the lovely and quaint countrysides of Portugal, Spain and France.

We will celebrate Mass at the most sacred sites including the Miracle of the Sun in Fatima and the Grotto in Lourdes. We will join the evening processions at each Marian site. And there is a whole lot in between.

Click on the brochure below to visit our interactive map, see the brochure and itinerary and to watch the video of our last trip to Lourdes and Fatima.

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Sad News from the Vatican – confusion and dismay

In the past few years I have avoided my old habits of tracking everything done by Pope Francis and matters in the Vatican and even among the bishops of the US. When I used to dwell upon these matters every day it only raised my blood pressure.

We must realize that Catholics who lived over a hundred years ago had no any idea what was going on in Rome. News traveled slowly. There was no internet or TV. Today, if the Pope sneezes, the whole world hears it. But in times past before the arrival of instant news and social media, Catholics lived their daily lives unaware of all the events and sordid details of Rome (or Washington, for that matter).

What did their Catholic lives consist of? Their lives revolved around their local family, community and parish. Maybe once in a lifetime they might meet their own bishop. But life was simple — Mass, family, prayer, hard work, care of the local needy and living a holy life.

But now the flood of details, both good and agonizing is shoved in our face all our waking hours. Once the news hits Catholics and non-Catholics from all sectors of Left and Right, Conservative and Progressive, honest and dishonest hit the social media outlets with opinions, railings, accusations and every form of opinion. Frankly, I have tried to avoid it.

Someone asked me today, “Why haven’t you posted anything about the latest news, especially about Bishop Strickland and Cardinal Burke?” The reason is because I have been preoccupied with other things: setting up new pilgrimages now that Israel is closed for the near future, babysitting and enjoying our 20 grandkids, working on my new book on Acts of the Apostles and removing a ton of leaves from our yard now that we live among a host of oak and maple trees. I am also keeping my blood pressure in check.

Even though I do “spout off” frequently on X (previously Twitter), I will say here in brief that I find the recent activities of the Pope to be distressing and unfortunate. The people he is appointing to high places says a lot, in line with the comment “appointments are policies’ or something like that. Also, allowing Fr. James Martin SJ and Fr. Marco Rupnik SJ to remain priests parading around in good standing while humiliating Msgr. Georg Gänswein, Bishop Strickland, Cardinal Raymond Burke and a host of others, all without personal contact or an explanation. Shameful and vindictive are two words that come to mind.

Most prelates and leaders of the Church are keeping their heads down, waiting out the clock. Being a bishop is not incongruous with being prudent. The confusion in the Church and the low moral among many is palpable. But I am still proud to be Catholic because it remains the Bride of Christ and it is He that is building the Church — with a view to the big picture and the long run He continues to draws straight with crooked lines. He winnows us all as time moves on.

There has never been a Golden Age of the Church. Every generation has had its turmoil, chaos, good and bad leaders, sin and goodness. Just look at St. Paul. If there was a time that should have been golden age, it was under his leadership. Yet, read 1 and 2 Corinthians and see the huge problems in “St. Paul’s Church”. Jesus is in charge of his Church, not me. I can read everything, argue with people, write endlessly, raise my blood pressure — but in the end, in practical terms, there is not a thing I can do to change the Pope, the Cardinals, the Vatican.

What I can do is pray and teach the truth in my small world of influence. I can encourage my kids and teach my grandkids. I can enjoy Mass and help build up my local parish and Catholic community, support Catholic Radio and other faithful Catholic news outlets (like EWTN, Ave Maria Radio, Catholic World Report and a host of other orthodox voices). I can enjoy writing, reading, praying, evangelizing, leading pilgrimages and encouraging the faithful to stay on board, love the Lord and serve his Church and people.

It is a great time to be Catholic and I am sure proud to be one!

It is time to enjoy Advent and to immerse ourselves in all that is good and holy, beautiful and lovely, pure and right.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8 )

This is not a time for lounging around drinking martinis. It is “all hands on deck”. Let’s set our minds on Christ and do what he asks us to do in our own little world of influence.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

 

 

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