How to Read the Bible – A Three Step Plan

By Dr. Taylor Marshall

How do you read the Bible? Today is the feast day of Saint Jerome, who once quipped, “Ignorance of  Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” – Saint Jerome

It’s a running joke that if you want to find a Bible verse, you ought to ask a Protestant and not a Catholic. Protestants read the Bible. Catholics not so much.

This raises the question:

Why Don’t More Catholics Read the Bible?

I think the answer lies in the fact that we Catholics go to Mass. The Holy Mass has at least two Bible readings every time. If you pray the Breviary or Liturgy of Hours, multiply that several times.

Joe Catholic says to himself, “Why should I study the Bible? I go to Mass. I hear it there. Check and check.”

There is something beautiful in this. For Catholics, Bible reading is liturgical. Hence, Bible reading remains chiefly a community experience.

Three Step Plan to Kick It Up a Notch

It’s good to listen to the readings from the Bible at Holy Mass. However, we also need a personal (even private) encounter with God in the pages of Sacred Scripture. All of the saints breathed Sacred Scripture. Scripture served as the grammar for their souls. They couldn’t communicate without it.

Here are some basic spiritual needs that you have every single day of your life:

1. Praise – Voicing your delight in God and His provision for your life. Gratitude destroys discouragement.
2. Wisdom – You need practical advice to navigate the complexities of life.
3. Challenge – You need to be lifted higher. You need to grow in your faith. You need to be inspired. You must be an intentional Christian.

So when you wake up tomorrow, do the following:

1. Read a Psalm. Start with Psalm 1. Make it your anthem of praise for that day.
2. Read at least one Proverb. Proverbs are the wisdom morsels of your day. There are 31 chapters. Why not read one chapter every day during the month. Oct 1 is Provers 1. October 31 is Proverbs 31. You get the idea.
3. Read a chapter of the one of the Gospels. This is your challenge. Your Savior challenges you in the four Gospels. He calls you to be not merely a nominal Catholic but a disciple. You cannot seriously read the Gospels and stay lukewarm. Christ speaks in a way that cannot be ignored.

“But I’m so busy. I don’t have the time!”

What? You’re too busy. Sorry, you just got served a yellow card:

That’s a yellow card. You’ve been warned…

Doing these three readings will take you only 3-5 minutes. That’s the time of a commercial break. It will change your life for good. I promise. It takes 21 days to make a habit, so give it 21 days and see if you aren’t hooked. Put the Bible on your night stand and read it in the mornings. Start fresh.

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” – Saint Jerome, Doctor of the Church

Do you want to learn even more about Bible and our Faith? Enroll as a Charter Member of the New Saint Thomas Institute by clicking here.

Bohol: YOLO!

Move over Tarsier and the Chocolate Hills

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
September 29, 2013

Photo by Teddy Pelaez

Tourists on high! A trip to Bohol wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Chocolate Hills. (Photo by Teddy Pelaez)

How do you maximize and cram activities in a tourist destination with a lot to offer like Bohol province given a limited 48 hours of stay? You do YOLO!

‘You only live once’ or YOLO is a popular hashtag and motto in the virtual world.  It encapsulates the celebration of life and the idea of indulgence on food, culture, leisure, or extreme activity. And Bohol offers good reasons to do YOLO.

The beautiful and scenic natural wonders, rich culture, diverse food choices, extensive nature activities, and warm accommodation are part of a Bohol trip itinerary.

For first-time visitors, the tenth largest island in the Philippines offers its pillars of tourist activities and spots that put Bohol on the world map – the Tarsier, butterfly farm, iconic Chocolate Hills, and various vintage residences and museums, which include the Baclayon Church and Museum, are some of the must-visit places.  The Baclayon Church, which means ‘walking distance’, is the oldest coral cathedral in Bohol established in 1596. These activities and spots have brought thousands of visitors, both local and foreign, to the province.

However, Bohol is not a one-time-visit tourist destination. There is more to it than meets the eye. Here are some YOLO guidelines and itinerary options when in Bohol:

• Do Ecotourism Trips:

Provincial Tourism Officer Josephine Cabarrus shares that Bohol also has nature adventure parks such as the E.A.T. (Extreme Adventure Tour) Danao Park and D.A.T.E. Park (Dagook Adventure Tour Experience), which offer kayaking, rappelling, bungee jumping, canopy and Monkey Bridge walking among others.

Bohol’s natural water environment which is showcased in the Loboc River Cruise gives one the chance to enjoy the lush green wilderness of the town forest while cruising on a boat, indulging on Filipino food, and listening to renditions of local songs.

“Aside from the pillars of Bohol tourism (Chocolate Hills and Tarsier tour), we also promote ecotourism, which is community-based, a two-way tourism promotion. This generates income for the locals while highlighting their indigenous products and hospitability,” Cabarrus says.

• Partake of food, glorious food!

“Bohol province has not yet established a food product that it can call its own unlike Cebu and Bicol, which have Cebu lechon and Bicol Express. But we take pride in our ube kinampay, which has natural sweetness and aroma,” Bluewater Beach Resort Resident Manager Adie Gallagares shares.

The Bluewater Resort in Panglao Island offered an amazing food extravaganza during its recent anniversary bash. Chef Sau Del Rosario and his team prepared Sisig, Brazo de Ube, Maya-maya Mayonesa, Adobo Rice, and Pork Bagnet with Paella.

• And don’t forget the take-home treats!

Despite the lack of an authentic Bohol dish, the province boasts of many souvenir and delicacy shops that offer loads of pasalubong items. They have Bohol t-shirts, Tarsier key chains and stuffed toys, Chocolate Hill-shaped sweets, and variations of ube kinampay.

Experience Boholanos’ hospitality and accommodation

Lastly, a total Bohol experience must include the region’s hospitality. Boholanos are known to be friendly and warm to their guests hence, its capital, Tagbilaran, is dubbed as the “City of Friendship”. Nonetheless, the warmth of the people radiates all over the province.

“Boholanos are very friendly that to some extent they become too prying,” our tour guide, Franz Labad jokes. He adds that a typical Boholano family offers their home-cooked meals during festivals and other significant occasions.

“We welcome strangers, passersby, and close friends and relatives to our houses during fiesta. But usually, the strangers do not get to eat some desserts, only the people who are important and close to the host. Sa dessert nagkatalo,” he says with a laugh.

Bluewater Beach Resort is nestled on a seven-hectare property. You will find here a spa, bar, restaurant,  46 deluxe pool view rooms, four family lofts, three honeymoon villas, and one family villa fit for family or friends on vacation.

Come, re-visit and enjoy what Bohol has in store for you. Bask in the glory of this world-renowned tourist destination and go YOLO!

For your retirement and other housing needs, please visit http://www.gregmelep.com

Adobong Pusit at Kanin sa Buho (Photo by Teddy Pelaez)

The iconic Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is endemic to the Philippines. It is also found in Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. (Photo by Teddy Pelaez)

Mora’s Miracle: The Costa Rican Woman Who Was Healed Through John Paul II’s Intercession

Floribeth Mora Diaz recounts the amazing story of her medically inexplicable recovery in 2011 from an inoperable brain aneurism.

by PEPE ALONSO

Floribeth Mora Diaz.

– AP photo/Enrique Martinez

Floribeth Mora Diaz was told by doctors in 2011 that she had an inoperable brain aneurysm. The Costa Rican woman prayed for Blessed John Paul II’s intercession for a cure while watching a broadcast of the former Pope’s beatification on May 1, 2011. Immediately, she began to feel better. Later, doctors couldn’t explain her rapid recovery. They saw no traces of her once life-threatening aneurysm.

Mora sent her story to the Vatican for review in the cause for Pope John Paul’s sainthood.

On July 5, Pope Francis approved Mora’s miracle and thus paved the way for Blessed John Paul II’s canonization. Cardinals will meet in a consistory Sept. 30 in Rome to set the date for John Paul II’s canonization. Prior to the cardinals’ meeting, Pope Francis said in an unofficial remark that John Paul II and John XXIII would be canonized on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014.

During a recent television interview in Costa Rica, EWTN’s Pepe Alonso, host of the Spanish-language program, Nuestra Fe en Vivo, spoke with the fortunate woman about her faith and the wonder God worked in her life through the intercession of soon-to-be St. John Paul II.

Floribeth, share with us about when, at the hospital, you were told, “You can go home,” because there was nothing the doctors could do for your condition.

At the moment they said that, I knew that I was going to die. I felt such a horror. I told my husband: “I don’t want to die. Help me.” I knew that he could do nothing, but he was the closest one to me. He is the one who was going to give me that strength at that moment. He is my partner. He has always been with me.

And I, when I arrived home, saw my children worried about me. …

Many people would come to visit and tell me: “Flori, don’t give up. Have faith.” And I would tell them, “No, I have faith. But my human side is afraid.” …

I would always say at night: “Lord, I have faith; but grow my faith, Lord, because I am afraid. John Paul, pray for me.” Because I always admired John Paul when he was alive, and he is a saint — a man who God put on this earth and showed the world that he was its friend.

When the next test was coming up, what was your attitude when you went back to the hospital?

First, I asked [God] to let me 
continue.

That May 1, [Divine] Mercy Sunday, I asked my husband not to give me the sleeping pills. “I want to see the beatification of John Paul,” 
[I said.]

He gave them to me anyway, but I woke up. How? I don’t know. I was able to see the beatification. …

I saw it, in the morning. It must have been around eight in the morning. I awoke in my room, alone in the dark. And I heard a voice that told me: “Get up.”

So I felt scared and looked around. I was alone. I looked again at the booklet I had received as a gift, for the celebration of John Paul. He said to me: “Get up. Do not be afraid.” So I got up and told him: “Yes, sir.”

After May 1, I had incredible improvement. That day, when I got up, I felt a renewed spirit, a peace in me. I no longer felt that fatigue. I felt strong.

At that moment, when you heard, in your spirit, those beautiful words — “Get up. Do not afraid” — did the fear of death disappear?

I had a peace in me, but it was a peace where I still had my problems.

In July [2011], the relic of John Paul II arrived in Costa Rica, and I went to visit it. … We went at eight in the morning [to the parish church], and we went inside. And we were told: “How can we help you?”

“Yes, we came to see the relic,” [my husband and I said]. “Please, go ahead,” [said] the parish priest. He took me to the parish house … and they showed me the relic. The next day, I went back to the relic with flowers and to tell him about my cure.

After that, on Nov. 11, I had the resonance test [at the hospital]. I went there so happy. I went through the whole process, but I was not afraid.

The next day, I had an appointment with the doctor to see the results. He looked at the monitor and was stunned. … He would look at one frame, and then another and another, and continue to be stunned. And when he said that there was nothing wrong, I said: “I knew it.”

What was your reaction when you officially heard from science what you already knew by faith?

I left the hospital so happy that I took that little piece of paper, and I said: “Oh, Lord, my God, thank you. With this, I have the proof that I wanted to elevate John Paul II to the altars.” …

Months later, I made the decision to write my testimony, because I wanted the whole world to realize the wonder that was occurring in me — to realize that the Lord, Our Lord, in his incredible mercy, looked at me and gave me life. And I said: “What better way to write it than on the Internet, which everyone reads?”

Yet you know that many, many cases of reported miracles go to the Vatican for evaluation.

I couldn’t find where to send it, so I went to the Vatican’s website. … [Then I found the website] KarolWojtyla.org. There were thousands of testimonies there. I wrote mine, and I clicked and submitted it. I went to [a photograph of] John Paul, which I keep close to my computer, and said: “John Paul, it will be God’s will.”

When was the first time that you learned that your miracle had been accepted?

Imagine that — two months later, they located the priest [from the parish where the relic was exhibited] because, in my testimony, I mentioned that whole series of events. I told all that in detail. They found him.  [The priest] started to make inquiries, through all available means, because many people had come to see the relic. “Who could it be?” [he wondered.] He said that, when he remembered, he said: “The couple who came with flowers. Let’s find them.” They gave him my name. The people in Rome gave him my full name [and said]: “Find her.” There is only one Floribeth Mora Diaz in this country. … Then the process came. They asked me: “Can you undergo more tests in Costa Rica?” So I underwent more tests, because they wanted certainty.

And I continued to amaze them, because the tests kept coming back like I had never had anything [wrong].

I laughed, because I said: “Blessed be the Lord. You are not seeing anything. You are not seeing anything either.”

So I packaged that proof and submitted [information]. I submitted it to [the Vatican]. And after some time, they called me, and they told me: “Are you willing to go to Rome, to undergo the same tests and to do the same surgical procedure that was done to you in Costa Rica?” [I said], “Of course.”

I was admitted to a hospital [in Rome] and underwent all the tests again. … They did the whole procedure again. And I amazed the Italians. My test [showed] there was no aneurysm.

Floribeth, your name is going to be heard frequently because your cure represents a miracle of God, through the intercession that John Paul worked in you. I’m sure you will be present at the canonization. What is going to happen with you from this moment on?

As I said from the first day … don’t look at this woman who is here. I am not the important one. What is important here is what God worked in me. … Look at me and believe in God. Because I was on the edge of dying, and here I am now, talking with you. So believe in God. You have before you a healing. If you don’t believe in this, in what can we believe?

For your retirement and other housing needs, please visit http://www.gregmelep.com

Snapshot of my Life on Sept 27, 2013

By Dr. Taylor Marshall

Here’s a snapshot of my life as of today.

Outside my window…

Irving, Texas. 72 degrees. It’s beautiful, but my fall allergies are killing me.

Today so far…

Eggs and biscuits. I drove the kids to school. We pumped it up with the 80s tribute dance song “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities. Tonight is Marshall Family Dance Party on the back porch.

I am thankful…

For my woman, my children, my home, , my faith in Christ, and my exciting life.
I’m grateful to Adam Anderly who is creating an awesome website for the New Theological Movement.

I am thinking about…

Troops of Saint George. We’re going to be promoting it a lot more in the months to come. We were recently sent a “cease and desist” from the Boy Scouts of America. We’ve responded and we’re moving forward!
I’m also thinking about improving the user interface at the New Saint Thomas Institute.

On the blog…

I feel that it’s changing. I’m focusing posts on Wednesday to the new podcast. I think Fridays will be “casual day” with more personal posts, like this one.

I am creating…

Tommy the Muskox – the mascot of the New Saint Thomas Institute. In case you missed the goofball post about our new amazing, powerful, hard-headed, inspiring and smelly mascot, you can read about him by clicking here.
Here’s a picture of our new mascot on our New Saint Thomas Institute t-shirt. Click on the shirt if you want to get one:

You can even choose your own shirt colors!

Tommy the Muskox looks cool and reminds me of those creatures from Star Wars. You know, the one that the Sandpeople rode upon:

Is this the great-grandfather of Tommy the Muskox?

The New Saint Thomas Institute is like a members think-tank for those on the same journey. Since the courses are in video format, I can have a little more fun with it. If you want to learn philosophy and theology, become a better Christian, and cultivate a positive, upbeat, supernatural outlook – then New Saint Thomas is for you.
We’ll open up 499 spots for students at the beginning of October.
If you want to be part of early registration in order to reserve your spot, click here.

I am reading…

Adam Anderly has me reading Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson of 37 Signals. It’s a book on the philosophy of working. It has some tech geek stuff it, but it’s intriguing and has me re-analyzing my philosophy of “work flow.”
I like how the book emphasizes that “group meetings” are a waste of time, and that sleep is very important for keeping your mind innovative and creative. In my podcasts I talk about the importance of “sleep” in order to achieve excellence.

I am praying…

For a stronger Church. This past week I’ve realized that we need to pray and try to convert more people to Christ our Lord.
Our family is also praying for pregnant ladies.
Praying for my wife and children as usual.

I am listening to…

Spotify. Still enjoying it.
Confession: I haven’t been listening to Baroque music like I intended.
I also bought Si Robertson’s (Duck Dynasty fame) book on audible: Si-Cology. I haven’t begun it yet but I’m looking forward to it:

Clicking around…

Wikipedia. Beyond that, I haven’t been on the net much this week.

Around the house…

The Suburban has a flat tire. I ran over a kid bike and it popped the tire. I can’t be patched.

One of my favorite things…

Observing the children when they don’t know I’m watching. This morning I listened to Jude (7 years) playing guitar and singing along in his room all alone. So cute.

A few plans for the next week…

Tonight is family dance night. On Saturday, I’m speaking at St Monica’s Catholic Church in Dallas on Saturday at 6:30. If you’re in the are, please join us. I’ll be talking about topics relating to my book The Crucified Rabbi. Holy Mass on Sunday at Mater Dei Catholic Church – Extraordinary Form.

For your retirement and other housing needs, please visit http://www.gregmelep.com

Analyzing the Seven Deadly Sins, Pt. 7: Pride

Posted: 26 Sep 2013 07:14 PM PDT Pride was the downfall of Lucifer, and it is the downfall of man.  It is intimately linked with despair, which is chained to it like an anchor to the earth: in man's satanic attempts to usurp God's throne and place himself upon it, he has always fallen back down to the earth, "brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit." (Isaiah 14:15) St. John of the Ladder tells us that "Pride is denial of God, an invention of the devil, the despising of man, the mother of condemnation, the offspring of praise, a sign of sterility, flight from divine assistance, the precursor of madness, the herald of falls, a foothold for satanic possession, source of anger, door of hypocrisy, the support of demons, the guardian of sins, the patron of unsympathy, the rejection of compassion, a bitter inquisitor, an inhuman judge, an opponent of God, a root of blasphemy."1 Truly, pride is the denial of God because it makes man wish to be god himself; it is an invention of the devil for it was the devil who gave birth to it and committed it (cf. Isaiah 14:12-15); it is the despising of man, for the proud man holds himself above all others; it is the mother of condemnation because the proud man condemns all others; it is the offspring of praise for praise puffs up when not tempered with humility; it is the herald of falls, for "what look like towering heights are precipices."2 (Seneca) Others offer their observations, describing the sin of pride as "the fault that arises from trust in self and making the self the spring of its own life."3 (St. Augustine)  It "darkens the soul completely and leads to its utter downfall,"4 (St. John Cassian) for "without humility there is nothing in a man but darkness alone."5 (Seraphim of Sarov)   Pride can easily turn someone well on the path of holiness to the wayside, puffing them up and adorning them with jewels before hucking it headfirst into the abyss.  But it is not an obvious deadly sin like some - though lust is quick to overcome many Christian souls, pride subtly worms its way into the tiniest elements of the Christian life.  Suddenly, the good fruits produced turn to rotten apples and sour grapes.  St. Augustine tells us that "Pride is the beginning of all sin, and the beginning of man's revolt from God."6  But in diagnosing the sin, he also gives us the cure: "As the devil had offered himself to man as a pattern of pride to be imitated, so the Lord, who promises us eternal life, offered himself as a pattern of humility for our imitation."7 Humility is maintained, first, by realizing the infinite distance between God and man.  Moreover, we must never put stock in the "things" we own, and somehow puff ourselves up with these - as Seneca, that most learned of pagan philosophers, once admonished, we can carry nothing out, we can take none of our possessions with us8.  Even our jobs, our status, our friendships and our whole lives - all of this is laid waste by the great leveller, death.  Death spares none, and equalizes all.  So it is that the "knowledge of God and of divine things is incomparably more noble than these earthly things."9 (St. Maximus the Confessor)  But knowledge alone of the divine can lead to even worse pride than the pride found in material things and states of life10 (cf. St. John of the Cross).  As St. Paul writes, "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing." (1 Cor 13:1-3) Here is the crux of the issue - we must first realize that all that we have has been given to us by God.  Not just our material things and the surface elements of our lives, but our very being, every breath we take, every heartbeat - this has all been given to us by the grace of God.  Satan's sin of pride was because "he did not want to ascribe this to the grace of God."11 (St. John Cassian)  If we take this further, we see that man's sin of pride is not only this wilful disavowal of God's hand in one's life, but also is rooted in his desire to actually be god of his own life.  This was the root of my own hatred of God. Love of God, and the knowledge of His being the sole reason for one's own existence and everything in one's life that one has, is the key to fostering humility.  "He who loves himself cannot love God."12 (Seraphim of Sarov) For your retirement and other housing needs, please visit  http://www.gregmelep.com

14 Reasons You Should Start Eating Cucumber

 Cucumbers are number four most cultivated vegetable in the world and known to be one of the best foods for your overall health, often referred to as a super food. Pick a handful of firm, dark green cucumbers and drop them into your shopping cart. Congratulations! You have just bought yourself stuff full of good health.

Cucumber rehydrates body

If you are too busy to drink enough water, eat the cool cucumber, which is 90 percent water. It will cheerfully compensate your water lost.

Cucumber fights heat inside and out

Eating cucumber will get your body relief from heartburn. Apply cucumber on your skin and you will get relief from sunburn.

Cucumber eliminates toxins

All that water in cucumber acts as a virtual broom, sweeping waste products out of your body. With regular eating, cucumber is known to dissolve kidney stones.

Cucumber replenishes daily vitamins

Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. A B and C, which boost your immune system keep you radiant and give you energy. Make it more powerful by juicing cucumber with spinach and carrot. Don’t forget to leave the skin on because it contains a good amount of vitamin C, about 12 percent of the daily recommended allowance.

 Cucumber supplies skin friendly minerals

Cucumber is high in potassium, magnesium and silicon. That is why spas abound cucumber based treatments.

Cucumber aids in digestion and weight loss

Due to its high water and low calorie content, cucumber is an ideal source for people who are looking for weight loss. Use cucumbers in your soups and salads. If it is not your favorite snack you can crunchy cucumber sticks with creamy low fat yogurt dip. Chewing cucumber gives your jaws a good workout and the fiber in it is great for digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as an aid for chronic constipation.

Cucumber revives the eyes

Placing a chilled slice of cucumber over puffy eyes is a clichéd beauty visual but it really can help reduce under-eye bags and puffiness due to its anti inflammatory properties.

Cucumber fights cancers

Cucumber is known to contain secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol and pinoresinol. The three lignans have a strong connection with reduced risk of several cancer types, including ovarian, breast, prostate and uterine cancer.

Cucumber cures diabetes, reduces cholesterol and controls blood pressure

Cucumber juice contains a hormone which is needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin which is widely spread to be beneficial to diabetic patients. Researchers have found that a compound called sterols in cucumbers can help decrease levels of cholesterol. Cucumbers contain a lot of fiber, potassium and magnesium. These nutrients work effectively for regulating blood pressure. That is why cucumber is good for treating both high blood pressure and low blood pressure.

 Cucumber refreshes the mouth

Cucumber juice heals and refreshes diseased gums. Get a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for a half minute, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing unpleasant breath.

Cucumber smoothes hair and nails

The wonder mineral Silica in cucumber makes your hair and nails shinier and stronger. The sulfur and silica in cucumbers help to stimulate your hair growth.

Cucumber promotes joint health, relieves arthritis and gout pain

As cucumber is an excellent source of silica it promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. When mixed with carrot juice, cucumber can relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering levels of the uric acid.

Cucumber cures hangover

To avoid a morning headache or hangover you can eat a few cucumber slices before going to sleep. Cucumbers contain enough B vitamins, sugar and electrolytes to replenish many essential nutrients and reducing the severity of both hangover and headache.

Cucumber keeps kidneys in shape

Cucumber lowers uric acid levels in your body and though keeping the kidneys healthy.

Has the Vatican Excommunicated Pelosi? (8 things to know and share)

by Jimmy Akin Wednesday, September 25, 2013 

Has Nancy Pelosi (finally) been excommunicated for her outrageous support of abortion?

Recently a series of stories burbled through the mainstream media suggesting that Nancy Pelosi has been excommunicated or denied Communion by the Vatican.

Pelosi is a passionately pro-abortion California politician who describes herself as “a devout Catholic.”

She has long been a foe of the pro-life movement.

What’s the truth behind the story?

Here are 8 things to know and share . . .

1) What’s the origin of this story?

The story has its roots in an interview that was given by Cardinal Raymond Burke to the Minneapolis-based paper The Catholic Servant. It was later posted online by The Wanderer.

You can read the full interview here.

2) Did the Cardinal say that Rep. Pelosi was excommunicated?

No. He did make remarks that have a bearing on whether she should be admitted to Holy Communion, but he did not discuss her being excommunicated.

Despite the similarity in name, “excommunication” and not being able to receive Holy Communion are two different things.

Excommunication is a canonical penalty that does prevent one from receiving the sacraments, but it includes other provisions as well.

Excommunication is, in part, a medicinal penalty intended to encourage a person to repent and be reconciled.

Direct participation in an abortion can result in automatic excommunication, but this does not apply to politicians who have indirect involvement with abortion through the legislative process.

There is no indication that Ms. Pelosi has been excommunicated.

3) What was Cardinal Burke asked that led to his discussion of Nancy Pelosi and Holy Communion?

The interviewer for The Catholic Servant—Don Fier—asked the Cardinal the following question:

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, when recently questioned at a press briefing about the moral difference between what Dr. Gosnell did in murdering a baby born alive at 23 weeks as compared to the practice of aborting a baby moments before birth, refused to answer.

Instead she is reported to have responded:

“As a practicing and respectful Catholic this is sacred ground to me when we talk about this. I don’t think it should have anything to do with politics.”

How are we to react to such a seemingly scandalous statement? Is this a case where Canon 915 might properly be applied?

4) What is Canon 915?

It is a provision of the Code of Canon Law that reads:

Can.  915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.

Since Nancy Pelosi has not been excommunicated (or interdicted), the part of the canon that potentially would be applicable would be the final part, which refers to those obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin.

The argument would be that Nancy Pelosi fulfills these criteria by her support of abortion and thus should be denied Holy Communion.

More info on Canon 915 here.

5) How did Cardinal Burke answer the question?

He stated:

Certainly this is a case when Canon 915 must be applied. This is a person who obstinately, after repeated admonitions, persists in a grave sin — cooperating with the crime of procured abortion — and still professes to be a devout Catholic.

This is a prime example of what Blessed John Paul II referred to as the situation of Catholics who have divorced their faith from their public life and therefore are not serving their brothers and sisters in the way that they must — in safeguarding and promoting the life of the innocent and defenseless unborn, in safeguarding and promoting the integrity of marriage and the family.

What Congresswoman Pelosi is speaking of is not particular confessional beliefs or practices of the Catholic Church. It belongs to the natural moral law which is written on every human heart and which the Catholic Church obviously also teaches: that natural moral law which is so wonderfully illumined for us by Our Lord Jesus Christ by His saving teaching, but most of all by His Passion and death.

To say that these are simply questions of Catholic Faith which have no part in politics is just false and wrong. I fear for Congresswoman Pelosi if she does not come to understand how gravely in error she is. I invite her to reflect upon the example of St. Thomas More who acted rightly in a similar situation even at the cost of his life.

6) What level of authority does this statement have?

Since it is a statement made in a newspaper interview, it is not a judicial act.

Cardinal Burke is the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, which is the highest tribunal in the Church.

As such, if a canonical cause against Ms. Pelosi were brought before the Signatura, he could participate in a ruling on the matter that would be a judicial act, but a statement made in a newspaper interview is not a judicial act.

Properly speaking, Cardinal Burke’s remarks thus appear to be a statement of opinion regarding the application of the law to a particular case.

It is also an informal statement since it was given in a press interview.

On the other hand, it is the opinion of an eminent churchman and canonist who happens to be the head of the Church’s supreme tribunal and should be taken seriously as such.

7) So there is not a formal ruling from the Vatican that Nancy Pelosi is not to be admitted to Holy Communion?

It appears that there is no formal ruling at this time—at least not one that is publicly known—as welcome as one would be!

8) Many Catholics are outraged by the way politicians like Ms. Pelosi flout Catholic teaching on life issues such as abortion. Did the interview touch on this matter?

Yes. The following exchange occurred:

Q. Many faithful Catholics are troubled when high-profile political figures with unconcealed antilife, anti-family positions are honored in such ways as receiving invitations to speak at Catholic university commencement ceremonies and given honorary degrees or memorialized at public Catholic funeral Masses without having renounced their immoral positions. Faithful Catholics, at the same time, are taught they have committed a serious sin if they vote for these same candidates. How are those who are seriously trying to live out their faith to reconcile this apparent contradiction?

A. You cannot reconcile it — it is a contradiction, it is wrong, it is a scandal, and it must stop! We live in a culture with a false sense of dialogue — which has also crept into the Church — where we pretend to dialogue about open and egregious violations of the moral law. Can we believe it is permissible to recognize publicly people who support open and egregious violations, and then act surprised if someone is scandalized by it? For Catholic institutions or individuals to give recognition to such persons, to honor them in any way, is a source of grave scandal for which they are responsible. In a certain way, they contribute to the sinfulness of the individuals involved. There is no way to reconcile it; it simply is wrong.

For your retirement and other housing needs, please visit http://www.gregmelep.com

BREAKING: New St Thomas Institute Appoints Mascot, Tommy the Muskox

By Dr. Taylor Marshall

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The New Saint Thomas Institute is delighted to reveal its new mascot: Tommy the Muskox!

Tommy the Muskox
Mascot of the New Saint Thomas Institute

The New Saint Thomas Institute is an online member institution offering fun college style courses in Catholic philosophy and theology led by Dr. Taylor Marshall.

The courses are delivered in HD quality video to your computer, iPhone, mobile device, or tablet. October’s courses will focus on the teaching of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Member students will have the opportunity to earn Certificates of Mastery in Catholic Philosophy and Theology. “This is the perfect opportunity for people to go deeper in their Faith without having to move to a college campus.”

The Official Mascot of the New Saint Thomas Institute

Taylor Marshall announced on Wednesday that their “Let’s Choose a Sweet Mascot Committee” finally settled on a candidate from an ovibovine species aptly named “Tommy the Muskox.”

Tommy the Muskox sent in the attached video with his resume and application. Needless to say, the “Let’s Choose a Sweet Mascot Committee” was amazed by his mind-numbing head powers:

If you can’t see this video in your RSS reader or email, then click here.

If you cannot see the video in your browser or email, click here. It’s truly amazing.

“We really couldn’t be happier with Tommy the Muskox,” Dr. Marshall told reporters at the Institute on Wednesday afternoon. “Our ‘Let’s Choose a Sweet Mascot Committee’ was in gridlock between two candidates: Tommy the Muskox and a traditional Italian work-ox named Albert the Smart Ox.”

When asked why the Committee hired the Tommy the Muskox, Dr. Marshall remarked, “Well, our school motto is Non alligabis os bovis, which is Latin for “Thou shalt not muzzle an ox.” It comes the Bible (1 Cor 9:9). It’s a corny reference to our patron Saint Thomas Aquinas, who was known as The Dumb Ox.”

“Non allibagis os bovi,” means “Thou shalt not muzzle an ox.”

The New Saint Thomas Institute also had concerns over the traditional meaning of the word “ox,” which is properly defined as: “Castrated bull over four years old. Typically domesticated to pull plows and tread grain.”

“Honestly, the idea of a castrated mascot just didn’t test well in our market surveys,” Dr. Marshall explained to reporters. “Plus, my wife Joy saw a photo of the muskox and said, ‘Ahhh, he’s so adorable.’ Best of all, muskoxen like Tommy are not castrated.”

Ahhhh. Baby Muskox. Now that’s super adorable.

So Who is This Tommy the Muskox?

Tommy the Muskox hails from Greenland, but he grew up in Canada. The New Saint Thomas Institute believes that Tommy the Muskox’s background communicates the international scope of their student body.

“I grew up on a Catholic ranch,” Tommy the Muskox explained, “but I cannot honestly claim to be a trained Thomist.”

“Fortunately, my contract included a lifetime membership to the New Saint Thomas Institute. I’m looking forward to learning more from all the great video courses and resources offered to the Members of the New Saint Thomas Institute.”

Tommy the Muskox continues: “I’ll also be making guest appearances inside the Institute’s Membership site from time to time to lighten things up. If a Member gets out of line, I’ll ram him with my head. See video above for details.”

Plans for the October Launch – 500 Spots

“It was important for our NSTI mascot to be in place before the Institute’s launch in October,” said Dr. Marshall. “Tommy has settled in and he’s getting along great with the staff. Just between us, Tommy definitely smells musky. Our office aroma has taken a hit. However, Joy went to Costco and purchased a case of Febreze. Hopefully that will help.”

Tommy the Muskox is settling in to his new office – though he smells a little musky!

Tommy the Muskox also preparing for the big launch: “We’re going to have only 500 original Charter Members in the initial launch of the Institute. We don’t want to be overwhelmed. Streaming HD video courses to hundreds of people at one time can get tricky.”

“If you want to take online courses with Dr. Taylor Marshall and move toward a diploma in Catholic philosophy and theology, then the New Saint Thomas Institute is for you.”

“Sign up and you’ll be part of our student body as one of the Mighty Mighty Muskoxen!

Will there be more Membership spots available in the future?

“Yes, but not these  initial 500 special Charter Memberships which will be available at the beginning of October. Charter Members will lock in their tuition at $25 monthly. Their tuition will not change. In the future when we open up more spots, new Members after this initial class of 500 spots will have a higher tuition.

“The NSTI tuition for online collegiate courses will begin to rise up to about $40 – which is still only 2% of what a normal college course costs at a Catholic University. So if you want to lock in your $25 tuition Charter Membership, be sure to register on the opening day. There are only 500 spots and there are currently 2,289 people waiting for them.”

Please visit the site to learn more by clicking here.

In the meantime, “Let’s go Mighty Mighty Muskoxen!!!”

PS: Get yourself a New Saint Thomas “Tommy the Muskox” T-Shirt by clicking here! You can even pick your own color!

PPS: This was just a spoof post. But seriously, Tommy the Muskox will our adorable mascot for the NSTI, and we are the Mighty Mighty Muskoxen. Now we just need to form a virtual football team and a chess club!