tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post114882366099162348..comments2024-03-25T11:09:41.538-04:00Comments on a minor friar blog: Bad PreachingBrother Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780326836452864455noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-1149569635349287332006-06-06T00:53:00.000-04:002006-06-06T00:53:00.000-04:00I've heard a couple of pretty good homilies the la...I've heard a couple of pretty good homilies the last two Sundays at two different churches. On Ascension Sunday the priest first made a point about why Catholics don't handle snakes (or interpret other Scripture literally like other Christians might), which basically goes back to inheriting our faith from the apostles. So whatever they interpreted literally, we interpret literally; whatever they understood at metaphoric, we do likewise. And from there he asked us about what serpents we have in lives that tempt us to believe lies about God. <BR/><BR/>This past Sunday I only remember a short comment made about how the disciples had locked themselves in that room at Pentecost because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Yet just like Jesus appeared to them, the Spirit of God came upon them and suddenly they were out preaching the Gospel. I think what struck me was how we can lock out parts of our lives or our hearts from other people and even God, but eventually God breaks down every barrier we try and throw up. <BR/><BR/>So, I just felt like sharing a little. :)Jason Ramagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330557979308235782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-1148830359238526052006-05-28T11:32:00.000-04:002006-05-28T11:32:00.000-04:00My dear Brother:You are right to say that all this...My dear Brother:<BR/><BR/>You are right to say that all this is ONE mystery, the Paschal Mystery. <BR/><BR/>As I said yesterday, when we try to interpret "mysteries of God" we run the risk of applying definitions that can "compartmentalize" Mystery. It is our pride that applies these definitions in an attempt to control Mystery from an intellectual point of view. We then can become too comfortable with Mystery and thus not surrender to them, fall into them. These definitions provide a safety net if you will and turn a salvific history into one of your Soap Operas.<BR/><BR/>On a more personal and juridic note, the office of preacher is a "sacred duty and trust". Our Holy Father Francis did not want just anyone to hold the office of preacher. Chapter 9 of our Most Holy Rule states that "Let none of the brothers dare to preach to the people unless he has been examined and approved by the minister general..." Speaking for myself I do not take this responsibilty lightly. I learned from Blessed John Parenti, of happy memory, to throughy examine the brothers and make sure they pray the scriptures before they preach them. I hope your deacon was not of our fraternity or "fraternal correction" might be in order.<BR/><BR/>your servent<BR/>+CrescentiusAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com