Read the Catechism in a Year
Read the Catechism: Day 129
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If you would like to read the readings for this day, please follow the link below:
Read paragraphs 880-887 on the Catholic Cross Reference
By Matthew Warner - Feb 16, 2013 at 2:00 am
Replies (35)
Bruce Way: February 16 at 3:59 am.
The influence and authority of the Pope are truly awesome, and Satan surely knows this. Just as individual priests are uniquely appealing to Satan as targets for temptation because of the influence they hold over the faithful, so much more so is the leader of one and a half billion Christians. Now is the time to pray, pray, pray that the influence of Satan is utterly rejected by all those involved in the selection process for the next Pope, and pray that the Pope, Cardinals, and all the clergy at every level are strengthened for the struggle against evil and protected against the attacks of Satan and his misguided minions.
Anthony Muckelt: February 16 at 5:10 am.
Your comments are very true. Those who are following God's way are always going to be a target for the Evil One. We must pray that all believers are given the strength to stand firm in their faith. At this time as you say we should be praying that the Cardinals are guided by the Holy Spirit and that the right man is selected as Pope to lead the Catholic and to stand firm against the moral decline we see around us.
Joseph, TC Tan: February 16 at 5:18 am.
Satan knows it is no match for God. The HS will prevail with the right choice of the next Pope to bring the Church and Christian brothers and sisters to the next milestone in her pilgrim journey. But satan can confuse and deceive men and women into disharmony and lesser faith. We pray to our Lord that His Church will become stronger and more united through and after the process of election of the new Pope and bring ecumenism with the non-Catholic churches to greater heights towards union as one True Catholic Church.
As our Lord said, "And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Regina Barzyk: February 16 at 6:11 am.
Will be glad to join in prayer for the Pope to come...May the Holy Spirit guide each soul, each conscience for this tremendous task...The secret to be unveiled is unlocked by God's grace....
Judith Schaefer: February 16 at 6:25 am.
Pope Benedict is truly a man of courage to recognize his inability to physically lead our Church...I, too, pray that the College of Cardinals will listen to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit in choosing our next Pope...It saddens me that the media believe this choosing is like choosing a president...My daughter works in the media and she can't believe how ignorant Catholics she works with are in this process let alone all the wrong ideas that non-Catholics have of it...We Faithful must pray hard and long for all of them as well as our Cardinals...
Caroline Tobin: February 16 at 6:37 am.
This site is going to be offering novenas for the Holy Father and for the conclave if people want to unite their prayers with others.
http://www.praymorenovenas.com/
Julaine McMillan: February 16 at 7:27 am.
Caroline T.: Thank you for the link to offer novenas.
Viva la Papa! It is so comforting to know that Pope Benedict will be offering the remainder of his life in contemplative prayer for his flock.
Roberto Artadi: February 16 at 8:15 am.
The power given to the Holy Father over the Church is awesome:
"882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." "For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered."
"883 "The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, as its head." As such, this college has "supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff."
This is why the encyclical of Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae, although criticized by some bishops, or groups of bishops and some theologians, remains the the authentic teaching of the Church, confiming the same teaching and practice against abortion and contraception since the inception of the Church in Roman times up to the present.
In the same way, the teaching of the Church against the Theology of Liberation being introduced in South America which adopted the Marxist ideology was declared by Pope Johon Paul II as against the teaching of the Church and was stopped. The teaching of individual bishops or group of beishops without the authorization or approval of the Pope is not accepted as the teaching of the Church..
Eileen Small: February 16 at 8:59 am.
I think it is truly majestic when I ponder the actual position and authority that Jesus assigned to each Pope. I cannot even imagine the weight that a Pope must carry on his shoulders--to have the realization that he stands in Christ's own stead here on earth to rule the church for Jesus! Think about it! The Pope is human just as we are--and yet he wakes up every day with the realization that he has the power to bind the faithful on earth in Jesus' eyes--and to hope and pray that his choices, positions and decisions are as Jesus wants done. I wonder how huge a worry that would be--to live every second with the weight of that kind of a responsibility? Some wonder why Pope Benedict--now in his 80's--might physically tire. I think it's pretty amazing that he is the first pope in hundreds of years to do so!
Mark Squires: February 16 at 9:00 am.
Pope Benedicts appointments to the college of Cardinals and those appointed during the papacy of John Paul II will have great influence in the selection of a new Pope.
The scandals of the church will be in the back of their minds along with who professes what as Cardinal will also be there. The Holy Spirit will guide them. Remember pray and Pray more for them. Remember the gates of hell will not prevail against them - have faith. Remember the words in the Our Father, "thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven...." AMEN. God Bless!
Suzi Leggett: February 16 at 9:14 am.
The bishops exercise this care first "by ruling well their own Churches as portions of the universal Church," and so contributing "to the welfare of the whole Mystical Body, which, from another point of view, is a corporate body of Churches." *They extend it especially to the poor, to those persecuted for the faith, as well as to missionaries who are working throughout the world.*
Janice K: February 16 at 9:17 am.
Amen and Amen to what everyone says I cannot add any more to what has been said. I would like to give you this suggestion that our pastor gave us. Good Morning and God Bless everyone.
He uses the acronym K.I.S.S.
As a challenge for Lent: Keep It Simple, Sinner (1 -1-1)
How do I keep it simple?
Focus one One sin you really want to work on this Lent (Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Pride, Envy, Lust, Sloth), focus one one Spiritual activity that you'll add to your busy schedule this Lent, focus one one thing you want to give up this Lent, and "make it hurt: There, how's that? See if you can do it.
K.I.S.S: Are you ready, sinner?
Julaine McMillan: February 16 at 11:43 am.
Thanks Janice, that's great. READY, SET, GO!
Helen Cloutier: February 16 at 12:03 pm.
Blessings to all. Thank you Caroline. I just received my update from PrayMoreNovenas and the Novena for the Pope begins on Feb. 20th, through to the 28th. These are the 9 days of prayer. Over 39,000 people have signed up. It is a wonderful website of prayer.
Jesus named Peter as the first Pope. Through this Novena for the Pope, we are praying and doing God's will.
Roberto Tordesillas: February 16 at 12:08 pm.
Eileen, the Pope as head of one of the largest and oldest organizations in the world has indeed a gigantic responsibility on his hands. But what makes his responsibility even heavier, is that we are not talking of mere temporal things, but we are talking of the salvation of man which is eternal. Which is also why it is really important that we pray that the Conclave is able to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit In the history of the Church, we know that there have been bad popes, who could not have been the choice of the Holy Spirit. I think it will start with the Conclave trying to figure out what kind of pope should the next pope be. And then they try choose which one among them can best be that kind of pope. In both instances, we pray that the Holy Spirit is able to touch their hearts and open their minds so that they are able to make the right choice. Thanks Caroline for the link.
Janice K: February 16 at 12:12 pm.
A quote from the Franciscan minute meditation. This is what will happen to us if we really use lent to Change us for the Better. I also want to make a suggestion. I am part of a group of people who set there alarms for 9pm (we could set our for 3Pm) and you stop and pray a short pray
For peace in the world, protection of our families and citizens of America, and for our troops. That Catholicism will grow in America, and (we can add) for Pope Benedict and for the wise choice of a truly spirit filled Holy Pope and for our leaders and President that they lead in a Godly way. Amen
Change for the Better
We find it difficult to admit when we're wrong, when we've sinned. And it seems the more we try to live good Christian lives, the harder it gets to acknowledge how often we fail. It is that acknowledgment, though, that allows us to find the forgiveness and grace we need to change our lives.
Roberto Tordesillas: February 16 at 12:21 pm.
I have composed this prayer a couple of years ago for our parish and have seen many adorers in the Adoration Chapel pray it. So I thought
of adopting a similar one for Flocknote. Hope you like it and pray it regularly.
Prayer for my fellow Flocknote mates
Opening Prayer
O Almighty Eternal God, our Loving Father, look upon the face of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, and for love of Him, have mercy on my Flocknote mates and all their loved ones. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Enkindle in them, the fire of Faith which You lovingly gave to them in the Sacrament of Baptism and which was nurtured throughout their daily reading of the Catechism these past several months. Keep them close to You, less the enemy prevail against them, so they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their being followers of Christ.
O Jesus,
hear my humble prayers for my fellow Flocknote mates
for those who are in the midst of strong temptations, Lord have mercy on them
for those want to reform our lives but are finding it difficult to do so; Lord have mercy on them
for those who want to overcome their vices but have failed so far;, Lord have mercy on them
for those who are lonely and broken-hearted; Lord have mercy on them
for those who are sick or suffering from serious ailments or physical handicaps; Lord have mercy on them
for those who will be undergoing a surgery or recovering from one, Lord have mercy on them;
for those who are suffering from a serious accident; Lord have mercy on them
for those who have become victims of crimes, oppression or injustice, Lord have mercy on them
for those who have lost their loved ones; Lord have mercy on them
for those who are experiencing financial difficulties; Lord have mercy on them
for those who are having problems with their children; or their brothers and sisters, or their parents or with their spouse, Lord have mercy on them
for those who are having problems with their superiors or subordinates, or officemates or associates or clients; Lord have mercy on them
for those who are having problems with their jobs or having difficulty finding jobs; Lord have mercy on them
for those who are having problems adjusting to their new status in life; Lord have mercy on them
for those who are spiritually troubled and haveing problems with their faith, Lord have mercy on them
for those who are emotionally troubled and not at peace with themselves; Lord have mercy on them
for those who are about to make a major decision; Lord have mercy on them
that they may remain faithful to the teachings of Christ; Lord have mercy on them
that they may remain devoted in prayer to You, Lord have mercy on them
that they may remember their dependence on God in the midst of their successes and achievements; Lord have mercy on them
that they may be generous at heart to those who are in need; Lord have mercy on them
for the eternal repose of the souls of their departed loved ones; Lord have mercy on them
for the spiritual well being of their relatives, in-laws, neighbors, friends and other loved ones, Lord have mercy on them
Closing Prayer
O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart, and shower them with Your blessings
Amen
Our Father…. Hail Mary… Glory be…
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for them.
St. Joseph, pray for them
Clare Kent: February 16 at 12:34 pm.
Thank you for that prayer Roberto; I will save it and keep it with my prayer list of Flocknote prayer requests- I think it covers everything! How wonderful to think of us all praying for each other,and our loved ones, especially those who are suffering most.Wonderful about the Novena for the Pope as well.
Anna Kowalczyk: February 16 at 12:35 pm.
Thank you Roberto for bringing St Joseph next to Our Lady to pray for us.
Mary Anne Jones: February 16 at 1:17 pm.
You guys are so awesome and I truly appreciate every one of you. I personally have trouble deciphering some of these readings, or dealing with the chaos around me, but always come away strengthened and more knowledgable after reading your responses. Thank you friends!
Julaine McMillan: February 16 at 2:09 pm.
Roberto T.: Thank you for the prayer. We are so blessed to have you among us.
Marie M.: February 16 at 5:02 pm.
Roberto T
It is a beautiful prayer
Janice K: February 16 at 5:12 pm.
Roberto T--It is a wonderful prayer and I don't think you have missed anything.
phil andolina: February 16 at 5:19 pm.
Hi everyone, I feel as of I now know most of you. It has taken me weeks to finally catch up to day 129. I thank you all for teaching me so much, I have learned more in these weeks than my entire 55 years . God Bless you all!
r c: February 16 at 5:31 pm.
Thank you, Roberto, for your prayer that I just finished saying. You are truly anointed. All of my Flocknote sisters and brothers in Christ are in my prayers, as is our beloved Pope. God bless you.
Regina Barzyk: February 16 at 6:22 pm.
Roberto T... thank you... It does make a difference to be specific... in this way we identify our needs and present them to our Father in Heaven through Jesus and Mary... Beautiful inspiration, Roberto....
Joseph, TC Tan: February 16 at 7:28 pm.
Dear Flocknote mates, below is a very good read of a transcript of Pope Benedict XVI on the false Council (the media).
Text of Pope Benedict XVI’s reflections on the ‘Council of the Media’ at Vatican II
The following transcript of remarks by Pope Benedict XVI during a meeting with parish priests and clergy of the Diocese of Rome in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican this week comes courtesy of Vatican Radio.
Pope Benedict XVI said: “There was the Council of the Fathers – the true Council – but there was also the Council of the media. It was almost a Council in and of itself, and the world perceived the Council through them, through the media. So the immediately efficiently Council that got thorough to the people, was that of the media, not that of the Fathers. And while the Council of the Fathers evolved within the faith, it was a Council of the faith that sought the intellectus, that sought to understand and try to understand the signs of God at that moment, that tried to meet the challenge of God in this time to find the words for today and tomorrow.
So while the whole council – as I said – moved within the faith, as fides quaerens intellectum, the Council of journalists did not, naturally, take place within the world of faith but within the categories of the media of today, that is outside of the faith, with different hermeneutics. It was a hermeneutic of politics.
“The media saw the Council as a political struggle, a struggle for power between different currents within the Church. It was obvious that the media would take the side of whatever faction best suited their world. There were those who sought a decentralisation of the Church, power for the bishops and then, through the Word for the ‘people of God’, the power of the people, the laity.
“There was this triple issue: the power of the Pope, then transferred to the power of the bishops and then the power of all … popular sovereignty. Naturally they saw this as the part to be approved, to promulgate, to help. This was the case for the liturgy: there was no interest in the liturgy as an act of faith, but as a something to be made understandable, similar to a community activity, something profane.
“And we know that there was a trend, which was also historically based, that said: ‘Sacredness is a pagan thing, possibly even from the Old Testament. In the New Testament the only important thing is that Christ died outside: that is, outside the gates, that is, in the secular world’.
“Sacredness ended up as profanity even in worship: worship is not worship but an act that brings people together, communal participation and thus participation as activity. And these translations, trivialising the idea of the Council, were virulent in the practice of implementing the liturgical reform, born in a vision of the Council outside of its own key vision of faith. And it was so, also in the matter of Scripture: Scripture is a book, historical, to treat historically and nothing else, and so on.
“And we know that this Council of the media was accessible to all. So, dominant, more efficient, this Council created many calamities, so many problems, so much misery, in reality: seminaries closed, convents closed liturgy trivialised … and the true Council has struggled to materialise, to be realised: the virtual Council was stronger than the real Council. But the real strength of the Council was present and slowly it has emerged and is becoming the real power which is also true reform, true renewal of the Church.
“It seems to me that 50 years after the Council, we see how this Virtual Council is breaking down, getting lost and the true Council is emerging with all its spiritual strength. And it is our task, in this Year of Faith, starting from this Year of Faith, to work so that the true Council with the power of the Holy Spirit is realised and Church is really renewed.
“We hope that the Lord will help us. I, retired in prayer, will always be with you, and together we will move ahead with the Lord in certainty. The Lord is victorious. Thank you.”
Joseph, TC Tan: February 16 at 7:28 pm.
Roberto T, thanks.
Roberto Tordesillas: February 16 at 8:05 pm.
Dear flocknote friends, if you are interested in adopting the prayer for your fellow parishioners or batch mates, please feel free to do so. I have actually also made one for my batch mates in high school.
Pamela Bloink: February 16 at 8:19 pm.
Roberto T Thank you for the beautiful prayer! It really does say it all. You are truely Blessed with a gift for words.
Caroline Thanks for the link! I just confirmed my subscription.
Roberto Tordesillas: February 16 at 8:28 pm.
thanks Janice for the lenten suggestion. and Joseph, that is correct, we should not believe everything that is written in the media. For news on Vatican, better to just limit ourselves to EWTN.
r c: February 16 at 8:49 pm.
Phil Andolina: God bless you for persevering.
Ann Latz: February 16 at 9:55 pm.
Robert Tordesillas, I will also use your prayer and will print it out. Thank you. You are the heart of this group which has become one loving family.
Susan DeVault: February 17 at 10:49 pm.
881 The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.400 "The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head."401 This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church's very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.
400.
Cf. Mt 16:18-19; Jn 21:15-17.
401.
LG 22 § 2.
It is so wonderful to recall that Jesus invited persons to follow him who were not perfect and yet, learned to follow Jesus who showed them what it means to achieve perfection. He chose a simple man named Simon and his brother Andrew brothers who were simply fisherman, yet later Jesus simple "Simon" called Peter the "rock" of the Church.
As we know Pope Benedict XVI has announced his pending retirement. Let us remember especially in this Liturgical Season of Lent to continue to keep him in our prayers, along with the college of Cardinals who will have the great responsibily to open themselves to the guidance from the Holy Spirit in choosing the next Pope.
Ging Smith: February 19 at 9:02 am.
Joseph, TC Tan and Roberto T, many thanks!