Matt Fradd's Blog, page 66

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

The Rosary,” wrote Blessed Pope John Paul II, “precisely because it starts with Mary’sown experience, is an exquisitely contemplative prayer. Without this contemplative dimension, it would lose its meaning.”

Pope Paul VI wrote that “without [this contemplation,] the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation is in danger of becoming a mechanical repetition of formulas and of going counter to the warning of Christ: ‘And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words’ (Mt 6:7).’”

Because of this, it is vital that Christians familiarize themselves with the Scriptures in order to meditate on the mysteries of the life of Christ.

Below is the third glorious mystery. To see other mysteries, click here.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13)

Shortly after the ascension of Christ, the eleven  disciples, along with Mary, the mother of Jesus and other women returned to Jerusalem and went to the “upper room” where they devoted themselves to prayer. On the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection, the upper room in which they were was filled with the rush of a mighty wind. They saw “tongues of fire” which came to rest on each of them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in different languages.

 Insight

This event reminds us of the story of the tower of babel found in Genesis eleven, where “the whole earth had one language (Gen 11:1). Because of their attempt to build a civilization which would have been in opposition to God’s plan, God “confuse[d] their language that they may not understand one another’s speech” (Gen 11:7). In Acts chapter two we see the reverse of what happened at Babel.

The early Church, now endowed with the Holy Spirit, seeks to proclaim the Kingdom of God and God gives them the supernatural gift of speaking in “other tongues.” Those who were present, “were amazed and wondered, saying ‘are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? (Gen 11:7-8).

Personal Application

This mystery encourages us place our faith in the Holy Spirit as we evangelize those in our lives who are far off from him. Ultimately it is the Holy Spirit, not us, who converts hearts.

 

Filed under: The Rosary

Delivered from Pornography: A Radio Interview

Two nights ago I was interviewed on Catholic Answers Live about the dangers of pornography and how to be free.

It was a great hour in which many people, from coming from different angles, called in with questions on the topic.

I hope it’s a help.

Download: ca131021b.mp3

Download from here.

Filed under: Pornography

Protect Your Family From Porn Now!

The following post was written by Ron DeHaas, the founder of Covenant Eyes, an apostolate dedicated to helping protect families from pornography.

If you’ve been thinking about getting accountability software. Now is the time! 

Hi,

As President of Covenant Eyes, I have witnessed first-hand the insidious nature of pornography, as well as the redeeming—and in some cases life-saving—results of a positive accountability relationship.

But I have an urgent and compelling need for your help. For every minute that passes, pornography is destroying people’s lives.  My growing sense of urgency comes from my own growing knowledge of the tsunami that is coming.

Every day I see new evidence of the relationship between pornography and sex trafficking (read for examples here, or here). Pornography IS sex trafficking!

And every day, I hear nightmarish stories of lives that are devastated by pornography… broken relationships between husbands and wives, pastors or priests and their churches, men or women at work, and tragically, children and parents. (Just look here).

But at the same time, I hear the exciting stories of lives that are completely transformed by an accountable relationship. Marriages revitalized, ministries preserved, children saved—the transforming power of genuine relationship through accountability! For an example, read our e-book, Hope After Porn.

5,000 More Families Protected

So, will you help me in my urgent goal? I’d like you (or, if you are already a Covenant Eyes member, someone you know) to be a part of 5,000 more families who are protected online by the end of this month.

Which means, if you are not currently a Covenant Eyes member, please visit here to join right now.

And please, forward this e-mail, and also send the above page by Facebook, Twitter, or even in person, to get others to join. This is my personal 5,000 challenge for the rest of October.

1 Month Free Trial

I’m going to go one step further by removing any barriers you might have.  To begin with, if you enter the promo code 5000free, your first month of Covenant Eyes will be free. You must sign up before November 1 to take advantage of this offer.

Can’t Afford it? We’ll Give It To You!

Further, if you have financial difficulties and cannot afford it, I will offer you our hardship program, which provides Covenant Eyes entirely free of charge, three months at a time, no questions asked.

And finally, if you have technical questions or concerns, or just need help downloading, go ahead and sign up but also send a note to sales@covenanteyes.com with your questions.

No excuses, now is the time. Please help me in my urgent quest!

Thanks,

Ron DeHaas

Filed under: Pornography