I am a red-letter Christian,
sort of*.
I believe the first disciples of Christ,
especially throughout the beginning centuries,
show that they operated according the the Scriptures.
And I also believe that what I do is in accord with Biblical principles,
especially the Mass.
Speaking of which, today is the celebration of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
i found it super interesting to see that in the readings
for today, (see http://usccb.org/nab/062910b.shtml - if interested),
there is reference to chains. The story of Peter's being rescued from prison
by an Angel is the first reading at Mass today. I found this interesting in the
context of TJ's prayer last night (Trinitea's Tea House Prayer shop - Fredericton)
about being 'unchained' and several spontaneous prayers about things being unchained with keys.
Keys - of course, figure large in the Gospel chosen for today. Jesus tells Peter,
"You are Peter...and on this rock I will build my Church - and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it". This presupposes that the gates of Hell will be stormed...
wow, there is a vision for evangelization!
Jesus gives Peter the 'keys of the kingdom' - that
whatever is bound on earth will be bound in heaven...a biblical reference in Catholic
tradition to the sacrament of reconciliation.
Back to modern day. Also of interest, on the same night we gathered, Pope Benedict announced the formation of a new international council for evangelization - targeting in specific those nations once
evangelized and now fallen into secularism, hedonism and relativism. Wow, that doesn't
happen everyday. And furthermore, he pointed to the need for Christians to work together for
the full unity Christ prayed for. In fact, the feast of Peter and Paul stands for and highlights unity.
It is interesting that Peter, who 'holds the keys' would make such an
announcement from the Eternal City on the very day we were gathered together in full ecumenical array at a Tea shop in Fredericton, NB. The Spirit is so cool.
Father Aaron
here: see http://www.zenit.org/article-29734?l=english for Benedict's full homily.
Feel free to send this blog to your friends or post it to your Facebook account.
A further note on 'red-letter'
* I do not see teachings/precepts that flow from that which is not 'red-letter' (Christ's verbal text in the Holy Scriptures) as extra or irrelevant or 'man-made'. Far from it! I can imagine that the reason for taking up such a position is because of the scandal that comes from feeling like any other system of belief appears to be too bound-up/technical/rule-bound/devoid of spirit. But its hard to get away from the human dynamic. In that vein, 'Non-denominational' is by now a denomination in its own right. :)
Anyways, my interest is not debate. However, I could not resist a wee comment. Its an Irish thing. Or maybe a Scottish thing. How bout those family roots - no wonder I'm so neurotic!
* I love good film. I hear that Faith Like Potatoes is excellent! Not as titillating as Iron Man II perhaps, but wait for the good stuff to hit the heart! With love, rather than a plasma blast. I can think of no one I'd like to plasma blast...but then again, it is early in the day.
Have you heard Matt Maher? You can find him on Youtube. A Catholic worship artist who has performed with Hillsong Australia, Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, etc.
His song, Alive Again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6w5szlpedY),
is modeled after Saint Augustine's great prayer...
"Late have I loved you, O beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you"
- full text? see http://feastofsaints.com/ancientnew.htm
......
Vivat Jesu! Long live Jesus. Long live 'the King'.
indeed only One. "
With Love,
Father Aaron
Further reading:
Archbishop Timothy Dolan's blog:
http://www.facebook.com/notes/archbishop-timothy-dolan/to-whom-shall-we-go/405920263074
Archbishop Charles Chaput's latest:
http://www.archden.org/index.cfm/ID/4113
For the unlikely lover of liturgy:
*one of the greats: Guardini - http://www.jknirp.com/guardf.htm
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