This is my prayer now too ...

Christmas is the feast of God’s loving humility. - Pope Francis 

“If for us the experience of (your) infancy is so difficult, it is not so for you, O Son of God. 

If we stumble along the way that leads to communion with you because of your smallness, you are capable of removing all the obstacles that prevent us from doing this. 

We know that you will not be at peace until you find us in your likeness and with this (same) smallness. Allow us today, O Son of God, to draw near to your heart. 

Grant that we may not consider ourselves great in our experiences. Grant us instead to become small like you, so that we can draw near to you and receive from you abundant humility and meekness. 

Do not deprive us of your revelation, the epiphany of your infancy in our hearts, so that with it we can heal all our pride and all our arrogance. We greatly need… for you to reveal in us your simplicity, by drawing us, and indeed the Church and the whole world, to yourself. 

Our world is weary and exhausted, because everyone is vying to see who is the greatest. There is a ruthless competition between governments, churches, peoples, within families, from one parish to another: Who of us is the greatest? The world is festering with painful wounds because of this great illness: Who is the greatest? But today we have found in you, O Son of God, our one medicine. We, and the whole world, will not find salvation or peace unless we go back to encounter you anew in the manger of Bethlehem. Amen." - Fr. Matta el Meskin, a monk of our time.

Who is the greatest?  Who has the most friends and followers? Hits? Tweets? Cards? Presents? Donations?

I came across some comments on a couple blogs by those who are scandalized by the Holy Father and ordinary bishops, priests, and laity, dismissing them as sycophants, and Novus Ordo neo-cons, and other things.  If priests especially feel insulted by the Holy Father, they should read what traditionalist laity say about those who are considered to be 'conservative, orthodox, John Paul II style' priests and bishops.  To be faithful is evidently no longer 'good enough' for them - except of course when they need to go to confession anonymously.  Among this elite circle, there is very definitely a 'who is the greatest' mentality.

A dramatic conversion, a few years study, a bit of experience at the parish or diocesan level, many of these people become experts after devoting themselves to Tradition and the extraordinary form of things.  To the point of warning people not to trust their bishops, stay away from the local ordinary, even seek refuge is the SSPX.

As I read some of this stuff, more and more I understand Pope Francis warning about rigidity.

I can assure you people, you make a huge mistake when you assume you know what motivates a bishop as he governs his diocese - especially in our times.  You have no idea the extent of his concern and what goes on behind the scenes to avoid scandalizing the faithful when rather painful decisions need to be made.  I was just looking through a book on the history of our Archdiocese and marveled at all the changes and growth we experienced here.  From a log cabin chapel to a great Cathedral.

I noted all the bishops and priests of the Archdiocese, so many long gone, a few pictured in the book, still around.  Some tainted by scandal, but the majority not.  Faithful men and consecrated women.  It must have affected me deeply because I had a dream of one priest, I fell at his feet, weeping for anything bad I ever said about him.  It almost seemed more than a dream.  Our words not only wound, but they kill as well.

If I could undo all the criticism and complaints and gossip I have made about bishops, priests, monks and nuns, and faithful laity too, I would do so.  O my God, I pray He alone will make all things well.  Laity and clergy alike do not always understand the workings of the hierarchy, pastors, or religious superiors.  We do not understand what Divine Providence is doing to make all things well.  When we snap judge, cat-call our objections, we harm ourselves and others - we scandalize others.  So very often there is a hidden pride, and self-interested desire for self-exultation, lying beneath our best intentions, a smug self-righteousness often motivating us.

Who is the greatest?

Just one, the least in the Kingdom of God.

As Charles de Foucauld liked to point out, "No one can take the last place from Jesus."

You want to save the world and the Church?  Remember when Little Brother Charles was murdered?  The small monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament - Jesus - was thrown in the sand.

"No one can take the last place from Jesus."

Christmas is the feast of God’s loving humility. - Pope Francis 

Shepherds! You that go ...

tell him I sicken,

suffer and die.

Pray for me

that I may be

holy like you.

Greccio ...The Second Bethlehem

St. Francis, recalling a visit he had made years before to Bethlehem, resolved to create the manger he had seen there. The ideal spot was a cave in nearby Greccio. He would find a baby, hay upon which to lay him, an ox and an ass to stand beside the manger. Word went out to the people of the town. At the appointed time they arrived carrying torches and candles. One of the friars began celebrating Mass while Francis himself gave the sermon. His biographer, Thomas of Celano, recalls that Francis stood before the manger, overwhelmed with love and filled with a wonderful happiness. For Francis, the simple celebration was meant to recall the hardships Jesus suffered even as an infant, a savior who chose to become poor for our sake, a truly human Jesus. - Source

I would love to be at Christmas Mass in Greccio. 

It's Festivus!

Festivus is that wonderful time of year for the Airing of Grievances.

I went to confession instead!

Happy Festivus!

See! Everything is just fine! Buon Natale!

-source-

All I want for Christmas is YOU!

They were playing Mariah Carey's Christmas album real loud.

Song for this post here.

Something I saw on Tumblr ...

Cardinal Burke met Pope Francis face to face today but didn't say a word about the 'Correction'.

-credit-

Curia Christmas Party

In fact ...

The Holy Father, in his Christmas address to the Curia, made it clear he is going forward with his reforms.  After the Holy Father's address, Cardinal Burke greeted him and accepted the gift of a book  from the Pope.

Pope Francis has vowed to press ahead with Vatican reforms, denouncing those resisting change as being motivated by the devil and hiding behind "accusations and traditions". In his annual Christmas address to the Roman Curia, Francis set forward twelve guiding principles for his shake-up of the Church's headquarters, including an end to the old curial tradition of “demotion by promotion”, the practice of getting rid of people by promoting them. The Pope, who was elected with a mandate for reforming the Vatican, talked about a “hidden resistance” to change which comes from “hardened hearts content with empty rhetoric of a complacent spiritual reform” and a malicious resistance inspired by the devil and dressed up as tradition, accusation and self-justification.

In his speech the Pope insisted that reform of the Curia is not like a “facelift” but instead is an ongoing process. “It isn’t wrinkles we need to worry about in the Church, but blemishes!” Francis said. He added that the curia must also “conform to the Good News which must be proclaimed joyously and courageously to all, especially to the poor, the least and the outcast” while it “must be guided by ecclesiology and directed in… the service of the Bishop of Rome”.

Among those listening to Francis’ address inside the Vatican today was Cardinal Raymond Burke, who has threatened to make a formal “act of correction” to the Pope’s modernising plans on giving Communion to the divorced and remarried. After the Pope finished speaking the cardinal was seen briefly greeting Francis and taking his copy of Aquaviva’s book. - Source

So anyway.

A missed opportunity.  I would have breached protocol and simply asked, "Holy Father, did you get the memo?"

What?

"They caught me, sorrow and distress' ...

Joy of All Who Sorrow

The words of Psalm 116 came to mind last evening, during the night, and then again this morning.

I realized that vain rejoicing in spiritual goods is a falsehood as well.

A huge failure in charity exposed my hypocrisy ...

Thank God for Christmas ...

The little Jesus welcomes sinners.

I called on the Lord's name.
O Lord, my God, deliver me!
How gracious is the Lord, and just;
our God has compassion.

Cardinal Burke makes it clear he is NOT accusing the Holy Father of heresy ...

The Catholic World Report interview.

Another interview.  Repeating many of the same things.  In this case saying, kind of sort of, 'Yes, I am saying no, we are not accusing the Holy Father of heresy.'  To be clear and to quote the exact words in the article:

CWR: Some critics say you are implicitly accusing the Pope of heresy. 

Cardinal Burke: No, that's not what we have implied at all. We have simply asked him, as the Supreme Pastor of the Church, to clarify these five points that are confused; these five, very serious and fundamental points. We’re not accusing him of heresy, but just asking him to answer these questions for us as the Supreme Pastor of the Church. 

CWR: In raising these questions you've been accused implicitly by the Pope and explicitly by others of legalism, of being Pharisees and Sadducees. [Smiles, chuckles] You smile because you get this all the time. Why is this not legalism?

I know, you won't agree with me.  Yet CWR says critics accuse Burke of implicitly accusing the Pope of heresy.

Burke's response makes clear that he (they) have not implied that at all.  Though he accepts the CWR opinion that he (Burke) and the others have been implicitly accused of legalism and Pharisee-ism by the Pope himself.  So when did the Pope accuse Burke of being a Pharisee or accuse him of legalism?  When did he say that?  When did he signal Burke out for that public humiliation?

Cardinal Burke is a canonist, he was the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, that was his job, so naturally he would be concerned about canon law and legalities.  So why would he assume the Pope was pointing the finger at him?  When did the Pope condemn him or Canon Law?  Considering Cardinal Burke's position and experience, as well as his expertise, seeking a clarification from the Holy Father is perfectly in order.  Nothing wrong with that.  Did the Holy Father condemn him for it?  I never read that.

As an under-educated Catholic layman with an opinion, it seems to me, what is actually going on, is that they are building a case against the Pope; what is happening seems to be a sort of pre-trial debate - a grande jury style investigation as it were, albeit public and well reported, to determine if indeed there is a case against the Pope.  While pretty much implying that there could be a case, it then gets reinforced by social media and traditionalist supporters of Burke and Bishop Schneider, two of the most official and notable opponents of the Holy Father's policies and Amoris Laetitia.

Undoubtedly there is now - more than ever, a need for clarification - and the Cardinals have already publicly and directly asked for that:

The letter stated, in part, that "we the undersigned, but also many Bishops and Priests, have received numerous requests from the faithful of various social strata on the correct interpretation to give to Chapter VIII of the Exhortation" and asked the Holy Father "as supreme Teacher of the faith, called by the Risen One to confirm his brothers in the faith, to resolve the uncertainties and bring clarity..." - CWR

Nothing wrong with that.

So what is the problem?  The Holy Father has not directly responded, as yet - no doubt he will.

In the meantime many followers of the Four Cardinals continue to imply something is wrong with the Pope, and some of these critics of the Holy Father's not only imply, they even directly and publicly accuse the Holy Father of heresy, of being an anti-pope, and illegitimate.  These accusations grow with every interview Cardinal Burke and Bishop Schneider do - especially when they extrapolate on how a Pope could automatically separate himself from the Church and cease being Pope.

Sensationalist bloggers such as Vox Cantoris, Ann Barnhardt and several others, though marginal and on the fringe of Catholic life, exploit and expound upon the Cardinal's statements, and thereby instigate a deeper division within conservative circles, already made distrustful of the hierarchy since the sex abuse scandals.  Less extreme bloggers and news aggregates, pick up the thread and these stories take on a life of their own, feeding an appetite for the average conspiracy theorist, bordering on calumny and outright detraction, while fomenting general mistrust of the Magisterium.

When Cardinal Burke makes it clear he is not accusing the Holy Father of heresy, he pretty much makes it clear that an accusation has already been leveled against the Pope - somewhere, by someone(s) - they've already has implied as much - but not Cardinal Burke.  Cardinal Burke appears to disassociate himself on that count.  Yet Cardinal Burke says he has become their spokesman.

CWR: In hindsight, with all of the controversy that has surrounded this, should you have kept these concerns to yourself and just waited for His Holiness to answer your dubia? 

Cardinal Burke: No, not at all, because the faithful and priests and bishops have the right to have these questions answered. It was our duty as cardinals, when the Pope made it clear that he would not respond to them, to make them public so that the priests and the lay faithful who had these same doubts might know that their doubts are legitimate and that they deserve a response.

 I think it would be prudent for the Cardinal to avoid interviews and statements to the press on where they might go from here, if the Pope doesn't cooperate with their timetable.  The interviews need to stop.  The implications, speculation, and projections need to stop.  The letter is now public, the whole world knows, and is watching.  The Cardinals can indeed go to Rome and resist the Holy Father to his face with a formal correction, but they need to stop sensationalizing the dubia and hyping the Holy Father's delay, in the Catholic press and on social media, they need to stop giving more ammunition to the enemies of the Pope.

Just my personal opinion.

100 Years Ago ...

HeBrews

Christmas and Chanukah fell on the same day.

Isn't that cool?  Answering my own question, I guess so.  I say that because I'm told, and it has always been my understanding that Hanukkah isn't a big deal for Jewish people, except that it was something they could celebrate to take the emphasis off of Christmas - for the kids.  I may have over simplified that, but Purim might be more like Christmas - maybe not.  Fact is, the High Holidays are Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover - and now Chanukah.

Nevertheless, it is a nice coincidence that the two festivals of light coincide this year.

When polled, cats insisted they like Christmas the best

because of the trees and decorations, but Purim is fun too.

Still, cats love Jewish holidays and Shabbat

mainly because there is usually gefilte fish served.

100 years ago in 1917 ...

With the New Year, there are many significant centenaries.  Catholics are aware of the Fatima Jubilee, some attach ominous predictions to the hundred year celebration, and speculate endlessly on it.  Coincidental to the Fatima centenary, is the Russian Revolution - the Bolshevik Revolution in March of 1917.  Many martyrs emerged, great persecution of the Church, yet the Church survived ... That is important to keep in mind.

Another important anniversary for 2017 commemorates the 1917-1918 Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, which completed the reforms begun in the late 19th century.  The Revolution impeded any implementation of the reforms within Russia, although the Church outside Russia adhered to the ideal proposed.  Although I don't know enough about Sobornost and I'm not sure how or what that means in Russia today.

It's interesting to note however, that the Council ended and tribulation followed.

Highest Authority of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1917.

A state of war.

"We must say that we are in a state of war, although some people, who always only want to see good, do not want to see this." - Klaus Bouillon, German interior minister.

Burke Announces a Formal Correction of Pope Francis to Take Place in Early 2017.

Stunning photo by Steve Skojec.

If the Pope doesn't respond to the dubia, that is.

Cardinal Burke revealed that in an interview with LifeSiteNews.  If the Holy Father doesn't respond to the Four Cardinals dubia, Burke says they will offer a formal correction to the Holy Father sometime after Christmas.  Steve Skojec wonders if there may be an Akita/Fatima-chastisement link related to the Akita 'cardinal against cardinal' prophecy - and because the correction would take place in the 2017 Fatima centenary.  The apparitions are connected to some extent, since both concluded on October 13 and stuff like that.

Did Charlie Johnston predict any of this?

Anyway.

Isn't that a cool photo of the Cardinal?

Once again ... It's beginning to look like Christmas ...

Assassination and Terror

source

The Russian ambassador to Turkey was shot and killed in retaliation for Aleppo. Story here.

A terror truck slams into a Christmas Market in Berlin.  So far 9 are dead. Story here.

My first thought, it only took one assassination to begin WWI.

My mistake: Facebook

Since being on Facebook, former friends, co-workers, distant old friends and family are all there and they now know where I am - literally and figuratively.  Blogger friends who have read what I write, or happen to follow Abbey Roads over the past 10 years are there as well.  The mix on Facebook is interesting.  I know when old friends show up by the 'friend' suggestions which pop up.

I sometimes wonder what they think about the religious friends I have, and the really conservative people who link to me.  At times I'm a little embarrassed.

I seriously do not know who would be attracted to the Catholic Church these days with the types on Catholic social media condemning the pope, the president and anyone who disagrees with them, spreading gossip and rumors about homosexual priests, heresy, and deviltry controlling the Church.  I'm not talking about those people online who voice honest, constructive criticism, or counter false teachings with a charitable correction, without demeaning others, or hurling invective, including ad hominem attacks upon their lifestyle or political POV, whatever.

It's embarrassing.

Actually, it is repellent.

I always thought the locutionists and visionaries and apparition chasers were screwed up - albeit kind of funny - but the anti-papist Catholics and crazy politico conspiracy theorists strike me as total fruitcakes as well.  I love the AA saying - take the alcohol out of the fruitcake - you still have fruitcake.  I use that line for 'former' homosexuals as well as all the 'converted' sinners with a blog who now condemn everyone else who hasn't experienced conversion.  Amazing that these people write advice columns, or promulgate traditional Catholicism while denigrating everyone else as a liberal or CINO.  Some of these people spend a great deal of their time digging up dirt on their enemies and spreading gossip to undermine their reputations, all in the name of religion.  Only to claim persecution when they are called out or threatened with lawsuits.

That type of religion is bogus and no one is convinced by some pious soul waving the Syllabus of Errors in their face, or threatening them with a 19th century message from heaven filled with all sorts of scary threats to humanity.

You want a smaller Church - you'll get it - but it will not be Catholic.  The Church is where the Pope is.  Pope Francis is the Pope.

I watched an interview with Charlie Rose talking to Mark Shriver, he and his sister Maria are very enthusiastic about Pope Francis.  Mark had been disillusioned with the Catholic Church until Pope Francis came along.  It's interesting how many lapsed Catholics, lukewarm Catholics, as well as non-Catholics have been touched by Pope Francis.

Shriver says he has changed, he's become a better Catholic because of Francis.  His new book “Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis” is a credible testament to that.

When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him. - Matthew 21:32

If we lack joy, and if from the fullness of our heart only bitterness, scorn, and condemnation flows - something is wrong - something is wrong with us.

In closing, I have to say I'm edified by the daily Mass goers in every 'Novus Ordo' parish - especially mine.  Every single day they are at Mass, every Thursday they are at adoration.  They volunteer everywhere, some at church, some in nursing facilities, others at shelters - many go on mission trips.  Some are in neighborhood groups.  They are not gossips or busybodies.  They always have a smile and a greeting.  They don't wear chapel veils or scapulars on the outside of their clothing.  They stand for communion - receive with reverence but not ostentation, and so on.  They pray.  They live the Gospel.  I never hear a mean spirited criticism or complaint about the pope.  I never hear a word about impending doom.  Normal Catholic men and women - they are the backbone of the parish, and they are the heart of the Church.  Old and young.  Men and women, boys and girls.

These people would never embarrass me.


  

Let it be ... no one likes Catholic Christians who make you feel bad about yourself and others ...

Holiday advice:  NEVER listen to the negative voices of your family and friends.

Seriously.

You say, "Be kind to one another" and someone posts about how being kind is not true charity.

You say, "Don't think ill of one another" and someone calls you out for your shortcomings.

You say, "Don't judge" and someone posts a catechetical discourse on why it is important to do so.

What the hell is wrong with you people?

[Don't worry - I'll be letting you know what I think.]

Neapolitan Christmas ... not looking good.

San Gennaro

This year, the blood of St. Januarius did not liquefy on the anniversary of the 1631 eruption of Vesuvius ...

In 1631 on December 16, a disastrous eruption of Vesuvius occurred, and therefore each December 16 the relic is brought out for veneration with the expectation - hope - that the blood will liquefy.  It didn't this year.  Throughout history, the blood has remained solid and not liquefied several times.  Historically, each failure to liquefy presaged some crises; the outbreak of plague, war, famine, civil unrest, and/or of course, the eruption of Vesuvius.  Immediately before WWII in 1939, the blood failed to liquefy again. - Story here.

The eruption of Vesuvius in 1631 - Domenico Gargiulo.

With all the talk of war these days, I'm thinking it may be a warning along that line.  It could be Vesuvius though - it's been a long time for that, and volcanoes around the world are active.

I'm just hoping it has nothing to do with Charlie Johnston's predictions or Locutions to the World stuff.

What?