Whem Absence is a Greater Presence

I remember when Pope Benedict XVI renounced the papacy last year on 11 February 2013, the reaction of people were varied. It was difficult most especially to the Ratzingerians and the Benaddicts. Some were fully trusting of his decision. Some felt betrayed in the same way they felt when their fathers walked out on them. There was a few who were pleading, "Papa, say it isn't so." Eventually as things settled down, it turned into a twitterstorm of #ThanksPontifex.

The Benedict XVI event happened before the Holy Week of that year, but my thoughts were on the Apostles and disciples of Christ. I could imagine them reacting the same way when Jesus had to leave them to go back to the Father. It is never easy to let go of someone who is a beautiful part of your life. It is something we will experience - a physical separation due to migration or in a more definitive way, through death.

Jesus' parting with the apostles was beyond what we normally can experience. He had given all. He had given Himself. It seemed like a contradiction that He is going away to the Father and at the same time saying, "I will be with you always until the end of time".

Jesus, in His Divinity, was not limited by time and space. He is the Alpha and Omega. His presence was stronger after His earthly presence because He had transformed the lives of men and women who will never be the same again. The apostles and the disciples with the help of the Holy Spirit will continually testify to the Messiah.

Jesus, the True Messiah that He really is didn't just come and go. He founded a Church to fulfill the mission of making known the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Jesus gave us a shepherd so we will never be LOST.
Jesus gave us a mother in Mary so we will never be ORPHANED.
Jesus gave us the communion of the saints so we will never be ALONE.
Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit so we will never be HELPLESS.
Jesus gave us the Holy Confession so we will never be without MERCY.
Jesus gave us the Holy Eucharist so He can give HIMSELF.

An absence that is a greater presence
Luke 24:46-53
Jesus said to His disciples, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He BLESSED them, He parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with GREAT JOY, and were continually in the temple blessing God."

Pope Paul VI's Pilgrimage in Holy Land

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzwKsh-GU9k&sns=em

St. Joan of Arc

FEAST DAY: St. Joan of Arc, May 30

St Joan of Arc or Jeanne d'Arc is one of the saints with a colorful life that it had been made into films.

Joan was born at Domrémy in Champagne, France in 1412. It was a time of great rivalry between France and England. Christianity was likewise in shambles with two popes, one in Rome and the other in Avignon to be resolved in 1417. This episode in the papacy divided Christendom and weakened the Church. There was much corruption, too, among the kings, princes, and even clerics. The Wycliffe heresy was likewise gaining grounds.

Paradoxically, our saint, Joan died as a heretic burnt at the stakes. It wasn't a simple matter as the political rivalry between England and France played a role in the inquisition. It took years for the judgment to be reversed by a papal bull.

St. Joan was very religious at a young age and early on had mystical experiences which she calls "voices" or "counsels". It was an intimation at the age of 16 that led her to approach the king of France to battle the English army's siege. A young girl of peasantry family was ignored and dismissed by the rogue army but it was knowing the king's secret which was impossible for her to know that made the king listened and acquiesced.

St. Joan joined the military campaign at age 17 that led to the victory at Orléans in 1429. In spite of being the only girl in the group of men, Joan was respected and she guarded her purity. Unfortunately, succeeding military encounter led to her being wounded and becoming captive to the enemy. The celebrated "maid of New Orleans" became the object of the political rivalry. She was sold to the English who were still bitter over the defeat in Orléans. They wanted her dead and delivered her to the Inquisitorial Court of Paris loyal to the English monarchy.

On May 30, 1431, Joan was handed over to the civil authorities for the penalty of death at Rouen. She was only 19 years old. The 28-year old King Charles VII of France did not exert much effort to exonerate her. St. Joan faced death with courage and maintained that the "voice" did not deceive her.

It was 25 years after her death through the effort of her family and later on Charles VII that her name was redeemed through the bull of annulment of the judgment of 1431.

There is much to learn in the life of St. Joan of Arc. The division within the Church due to two claimants to the papacy weakens Christendom and the Church's moral authority. Politics, too, will always mingle with religion, and it is up to each individual how to handle it without compromising the truth.

Know more of St. Joan of Arc at New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia.

Technically Two Popes

Ratzinger has not retired to private life. That's why we really have two Popes
from Corriere della Sera , Wednesday, May 28, 2014, Vatican

(Vittorio Messori) "Dear brothers, I also called today to announce a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After a long examination of my conscience before God, well aware of the gravity of the act, in full freedom, hereby renounce the ministry of the Bishop of Rome, successor of St. Peter ... ".
Totally unforeseen, said in Latin, in a low voice, those words were like a whip which he did in a few minutes around the globe. And that even in countries with no Catholic majority and not even Christian, but where is immediately understood the historical novelty of the event. Do not forget that - even according to the words of the recent Protestant Obama, the orthodox Putin, dell'anglicano Cameron - the Roman Pontiff today would be the highest moral authority in the world.
To return to that of 11 February, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, who knows the Catholic world still knows that there are questions and we compare it even harder. Seem to be two sides: on one side the keepers of tradition, for which the "unsubscribe" (no discharge, not having the Pope in any land where present), despite being required by the Code of Canon Law, would have constituted a kind of defection, almost Benedict XVI considered his office as the president of a corporation or of a State. And, therefore, it was necessary to retire to private life at the age of decline, in the name of efficiency considerations, rejected, however, by the long agony in public, chosen by John Paul II.
On the other hand, here is the deployment of those who rejoice: the renunciation would be the end of the sacredness of the Papacy, the mystical aura around him and then the adjustment of the bishop of Rome to the standard common to all the bishops, desired by Paul VI. Give up, that is, the government of a diocese and official positions in the Roman Curia to the achievement of 75 years.
In the background, however, were still questions that seemed to have no adequate answer: why not choose to be called "retired bishop of Rome" (as suggested by the same Catholic Civilization), but "Papa Emeritus"? Why not give up the white dress, despite having removed the cape and the annulus piscatorius on his finger, a sign of the authority of government? Why not retire in the silence of a cloistered monastery, instead of staying within the confines of the Vatican City, next to St. Peter's, dealing often - albeit privately - with the successor, receiving guests and participating in ceremonies and as the recent canonization of Roncalli and Wojtyla? I confess that I myself had asked similar questions, it being puzzled.
An answer to those questions is now a study by Stephen Violi, esteemed professor of canon law at the Faculty of Theology of Bologna and Lugano. It is worthwhile to examine those crowded pages, as with the decision of Benedict XVI, the Church is open to new scenarios and somewhat disconcerting. It is expected that the conclusions of Professor Violi arouse debate among colleagues, as this canonist assumed that the act of Ratzinger innovate deeply and that the Popes are now living two really. Even if one of them voluntarily "halved", to put it in a somewhat 'simplistic but, it seems, is not wrong. To understand, to be cleared first of all the delusions of conspiracy and conspiracy, taking seriously Benedict XVI spoke of the growing burden of old age as a reason first and only of its decision: "In recent months I have found that my strength had decreased ... my resources, physical and intellectual, advanced age, are no longer appropriate to exercise properly the ministry ... ".
But, studying in depth the highly controlled Latin with which Joseph Ratzinger has accompanied its decision, the eye of the canon lawyer discovers that it goes far beyond the few historical antecedents and beyond the regulations set forth by the "unsubscribe" Code of the Church today. It turns out, that is, that Benedict XVI did not intend to give up the munus Petrinus, the office, the task, that is, Christ himself attributed to the head of the Apostles and has been handed down to his successors. The Pope wished to give up just Ministerium, ie exercise, practical administration of that office. In the formula used by Benedict, stands first among the munus, the papal office, and the executio, that is the active exercise of the office itself. But the executio is twofold: there is the aspect of government that exercises et loquendo acting, working and teaching. But there is also the spiritual aspect, not less important, which is exercised in suffering praying, praying and suffering. This is what would be behind the words of Benedict XVI: "Do not return to private life ... I do not wear more than the power of leadership in the Church, but for the good of the Church and in the service of prayer, rest in the yard of St. Peter." Where 'fence' should not be understood only in the sense of a place to live but also a "place" theological.
Here, then, why the choice, unexpected and novel, to be called "Papa Emeritus". A bishop is the bishop when age or illness requires him to leave the government of his diocese and retired to pray for it. Especially as the bishop of Rome, to which the munus, the office, the task of Peter, was given once and for all, for the whole of eternity, the Holy Spirit, using the cardinals in conclave only as tools. That is also the reason for the decision not to abandon the white dress, while private signs of active government. That's why the desire to stand next to relics of the Chief of the Apostles, venerated in the great basilica. In the words of Professor Violi: "Benedict XVI is stripped of all power of governance and control inherent in his office, without abandoning the service to the Church this continues, through the exercise of the spiritual dimension of the pontifical munus entrusted to him. At this, he did not intend to give up. He has not given up to the task, which can not be revoked, but at the implementation stage. " Perhaps for this reason Francis does not seem to love to call "Papa," as it is aware of the munus pontifical share, at least in the spiritual dimension, with Benedict? However, what was inherited entirely by Benedict XVI is the office of Bishop of Rome. That is what this, as you know, is his preferred self-definition, right from the first words of greeting to the people after the election? So much so that many, surprised, wondered why he had never used the word "Pope" or "Pope" on an occasion so solemn, in front of the TV the whole world, and he just talked about his role as successor to the Roman episcopate.
For the first time, then, the Church would really have two Popes, the reigning and emeritus? It seems that this was the will of Joseph Ratzinger himself, with that waiver of only the active duty who has been "a solemn act of his teaching," in the words of the canon law. If indeed it is so, so much the better for the Church, a gift that there is, next to each other physically, who directs and teaches and who prays and suffers for everyone, but above all to support the brother pontifical office daily .

Mano Po si Papa

Mano po is a wonderful Filipino tradition. It is often translated to "kissing the hand" but the hand or mano (in Spanish) actually touches the forehead rather than the lips. It, most likely, was an adaptation of kissing the ring of bishops.
Both the "mano po" and kissing of the bishop's ring is a sign of respect for the elder and the office of bishop being a representative of Jesus. At the same time, it is also a plea for blessing.



Pope Francis kissed the hand of a priest with questionable advocacy. He is old. One doesn't have to put much more into the gesture other than respect for elders. It's the same with the Holocaust survivors. We accord respect to elders whether they are nice, cranky, and what have you.

Photo from mundabor.blogspot.com

Of course, Pope Francis could, in turn, give his blessing. I don't know if he did but during his first address with the media, he withheld his apostolic blessing.



Gestures do transmit a message which could have different interpretations culturally. In Thailand, one bows to people with your palms together. It would be a praying hand for Christians, but for the Buddhists, it was a sign of respect. Of course, there will be limitations in adopting other cultures. We should be comfortable and in accord with the meaning it conveys.

The Four Marks of the Church

The FOUR MARKS of the Catholic Church are:

ONE - This means that the Church is One in the One Body of Christ. It is the very Vine of Christ and no branch can break away without losing the fullness of truth.

HOLY - The Catholic Church is holy but it does not depend on the holiness of its members. Its claim for being a Holy Church comes from being founded and instituted by Jesus Christ who is God.

CATHOLIC - Catholic means "universal" as Jesus made it available for all. It is not defined by geography, culture, or race. . It is God who holds it all together and gather everyone to Himself.

APOSTOLIC - The Church is apostolic because it has a mandate to be faithful to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. Thus, the Church, in its teaching authority can not CHANGE anything. The mission of the Apostles had been handed down through generations in apostolic succession.

St. Ireneaus encapsulized this, “This preaching and this faith, the Church, although, scattered over the whole world diligently observes, as if it occupied but ONE HOUSE, and believes as if it had ONE MIND, and preaches and teaches, as if it had ONE MOUTH. And although there are many dialects in the world, the MEANING of the tradition is ONE and the same.”

The Hidden Cross

St. Corbinian's bear questions why Pope Francis hides the Cross.
It would seem that he does that deliberately when he is in "ecumenical mode".



It is so weird for a Pope to do that. As if the Cross is getting in the way.


Well, priests now a days would rather hide their priesthood. It's terrible when even at the Holy Mass and they can't get vested properly. So, it trickles down and the laity don't get dressed for Mass.



Of course, people will argue that what is "essential is invisible to the eye". What is important is... what is in the heart. Somehow, we have to manifest what is in the heart. Love just can't stay in the heart or it is no love at all.

The Invisible Walls in the Holy Land

One the Embrace, Many the Divisions by Sandro Magister

Holy Land and the Leaders

I don't really know but there is something eerie with Pope Francis' apostolic journey to the Holy Land.

There isn't really much Catholic commentary about it but there are news from non-Catholics. Arab Newspaper: Maronite patriarch's Jerusalem visit would be 'historic sin'. The pope who I see as a great politician and to my opinion a terrible pope seems to be going overboard using the barque of Peter.

The politically tone deaf pope hits hard on the pope's actions in the Holy Land.

"The logo also expresses this desire for unity, representing the embrace of Saint Peter and Saint Andrew, the first two disciples called by Jesus in Galilee. Saint Peter is the patron of the Church in Rome and Saint Andrew is the patron of the Church in Constantinople. In Jerusalem, in the Mother Church, they embrace. The two apostles are in a boat that represents the Church, whose mast is the Cross of the Lord. The sails of the boat are full of wind, the Holy Spirit, which directs the boat as it sails across the waters of this world." (from Vatican News)





I don't like the logo. It reminds me of this photo. The Peter in the logo looks so much like Jesus in the icon.




It's probably the way they embraced, too, in the logo looks so much as the embrace of Judas.

The Contrast: Joseph and Jorge

The contrast between Benedict and Francis by Fr. Ray Blake.

Mundabor has a contrast too, but... of course Mundabor doesn't hide what he thinks of P. Francis.