Holy Name Society

For Ash Wednesday, Suffering, My Role in the Mystical Body of Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:26:17 PST

As a Catholic I have heard about suffering all of my life. I never though gave it any real thought outside of Christ’s Passion until I was diagnosed with cancer and really started feeling the pain of this horrible disease.

“Now I rejoice in my suffering for your sake, and in my flesh and I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of His body which is the Church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.”

Colossians 1:24-26 (Douay-Rheims)

Amazing to think of it in this context and much easier to understand when we are told to “offer up our sufferings” for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ok, now you will ask, “Offer it Up?” yes we offer it up in order to join our sufferings to those of Jesus in order to complete the circle of salvation that he indeed fulfilled on Calvary 2000 plus years ago. When we join our suffering to His it gives us a sense of being complete within the mystery of the Mass and how our sufferings are just as important to the Father as He is our Father as well.

I remember as a child asking why we kept the Crucifixes around the house and I, like many or most children was told that it is to remind us of the suffering of Christ, the suffering He went through for our salvation. Well as an adult I have learned that it is so very true this answer but it goes so much deeper and so much farther. The Crucifix stands as a reminder of all suffering throughout humanity so that we bring the very mystery of salvation to fruition.

I was listening to a CD the other day by Dr. Scott Hahn that was about this very topic, Suffering and that is what gave me that push I needed to complete this story that I had intended to write a week or so ago. Now I understand that most of you who go on to read the rest of this post will ask, “How can we, just regular people begin to compare our small suffering to those of our Savior?” Well I am not asking you to compare, I am asking you to join yours to His, a very simple thing…

Is it not amazing how we shrink away from suffering of any kind in order to protect our own balance in life? Now don’t get me wrong here, balance in life is a great thing but sometimes we get thrown a curveball. So our first reaction is to run away from anything that might cause us suffering but, what if its God trying to point us in a direction we never wanted to go. Yes, that is indeed possible, that through your own suffering God can bring you to a place where you may very well find that peace of mind that you have searched for all of your life.

This is the beginning of our own suffering being brought together with His in order that it may be used as a tool, a tool called redemptive suffering where it becomes a weapon against evil in your life. Your suffering should bring you closer to the Father not push you away. This is also how we come to share in the complete life of Jesus, His life, death and resurrection. We have lived our life and our suffering can become a death of sorts when we offer it up to God to do with what He wills and we die to our own life choices and begin to do His will in its entirety. That for us is the beginning of resurrection in a complete life in Christ! What a wonderful feeling….

That is what I have come to know in my very own battle with cancer and the suffering I went through at the very beginning when I was lost in my pain trying to run away or blame it on something or someone who would take it from me. In the end I turned to God and was again (like so many times before) saved in Christ Jesus and I became a new creation of sorts who had joined his own pain to that of the world through our Lord.

You know, even your small daily sufferings can lead you to a place where you have never been before if you turn it over to God, offer it up as you will and let Him guide you to a more comfortable place. Suffering as we all know is not just about physical pain it’s about emotional pain as well and we all know that it can be very intense at times. We get hurt in so many different ways and many of those times are by the ones we love the most. I know that some of most intense times of suffering have been more on an emotional and spiritual level and they are very hard to overcome. The death of a loved one, divorce, addictions, incarceration and many more I have seen in my lifetime either directly or to someone very close to me and it hurts especially when you are limited as to what you can do about it. Yes, that’s when God comes in and we seek out His love and comfort. Now I have learned that when something starts to hurt or even bother me I immediately turn it over to my Heavenly Father for care and He never lets me down. I am not saying that the pain might not stay for a while but sometimes pain is good for us and can be a process in which we come to understand healing more intimately.

I know that in the end what is lacking is our suffering joined to that of Christ’s suffering so that we may be made whole thus joining us to that mystical body of Christ, right where we need to be….

Bill K.

Ash Wednesday

2012

Freedom of Religion in America?

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:22:38 PST

There are many lessons we can learn from history if we pay attention to them. I would like to talk about these lessons. It shows how evil can triumph over a nation, if it is done gradually, and no one responds.

In 1932 a man with a funny looking mustache was seen in many parts of Germany campaigning to be the leader of the nation. He talked about the “Jewish menace”. Many people thought he was goofy and they paid little attention to him. No one did anything. As time went on this man formed a political party, the Nazis’. He encouraged them to persecute the Jewish people, and they listened to him. No one stepped up to say or do anything. This man then came to power. He began to take away the rights of the Jewish people. He would not allow them to teach in the Universities, or to practice their professions. He even forced them to leave the country. No one did anything. One night the persecution went a step farther. Jewish businesses were vandalized. No one did anything. Next he deported the Jewish people to concentration camps for slave labor. No one did anything. Lastly, the “final step” took place - genocide. Over six million Jewish people were murdered, and along with them many Catholic Religious (e.g. Maximillian Kolbe)

In 1954 Madeline Murray, an avowed atheist, was able to get the Supreme Court to rule that it was unconstitutional to pray in public schools. No one did anything. Later the ACLU sued public municipalities for placing a Christmas scene on city property. No one did anything. Next major merchanizing companies told their employees they could not greet people with the words “Merry Christmas”. No one did anything. Next the Government told a Judge that he could not place a plaque containing the Ten Commandments in his courtroom. No one did anything. Then the U.S. Ninth District Court of Appeals said that it was illegal to say the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance. No one did anything. Now the Federal Government has given a mandate that the Catholic Church must provide immoral contraceptives, sterilizations, and abortion inducing drugs in their health insurance plans. Will anyone do anything?

The Bishops of the United States have asked all Catholics to do something. They have asked us to pray because prayer is powerful, and can do much to overcome evil. Remember how the Rosary brought down the “Iron Curtain”. They have asked us to Fast. Jesus taught His followers the importance of fasting. They then asked us to contact our government representatives and ask for the passing of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. Will we do anything?

This government mandate concerns the Freedom of Religion in America. It is our job as Catholics to back our Bishops and do something. Please get involved. Let us learn the lesson from history before it is too late.

Take Action - Join the Fight!

Prayer:

Gracious and loving God, let your Spirit be with us (me) today.
Hear our (my) prayers, and increase in us (me) the will to follow your Son Jesus.
Help us (me) to draw on the resources of our (my) faith as we (I) use
the opportunities of our democracy to shape a society more respectful
of the life, dignity, and rights of the human person,
especially the poor and vulnerable.

We (I) ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns
with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
Amen.

Fr. Thomas Haren

Cleveland Diocesan Union HNS

Works of Mercy - Today

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:02:35 PST

Many years ago when living out a very difficult few years of my life the Corporal Works of Mercy remained on my mind almost daily, today as I see society unravel at the seams I find myself floating back to those moments in time where I was the one in need of works of mercy….

The Bible is a constant companion in the life of many Christians, it is the guidepost many use along our journey of life but for me it is much, much more. In January of last year (2011) I found myself in the hospital on the receiving end of a diagnoses from a specialist in oncology, a cancer doctor. I was told that I had pancreatic cancer and that from this moment on my life would never be the same. Well those words were pretty accurate and indeed my life has not been the same. It has become better in so many ways it’s even hard for me to believe at times.

That day took me back to the times in my life when I felt truly alone and unsure of anything - that my life had been one big waste of time - with no meaning and no fruitfulness. For the next few days I sat in that hospital bed wondering just what would happen to me and what would people say. Most I was sure would simply say “Oh, I am so sorry to hear that” and go on about their business. But really, what had I done to cause people to take notice?

Well today I have set that aside and have moved on. I truly believe and embrace the words in Matthew 25 when Jesus talks about serving others less fortunate. I believe that there are so many out there that are in need of a simple loving glance their way that it truly makes me wonder about our very human condition. We as Christians should take a look at our own lives every day and make some choices that would help those around us. I am not talking about sending a check to some organization then patting ourselves on the back for that “Job Well Done,” I am talking about rolling up your sleeves and doing something that might very well have a monumental impact on someone’s life.

“Oh,” but you say “there are so many choices out there that I don’t even know where to start!” Yes, I know what you are talking about. We cannot go back to the check writing thing again. Have you ever looked in your local newspaper and checked out that social section where they have volunteer opportunities? How about asking your priest about what’s taking place in your parish today, something you might have missed? How about simply telling Him that you wish to help in some area and let Him choose for you? This one causes me to look back and laugh at myself for ending up on the serving end of a spoon in a homeless shelter one night. Earlier that week I had gone to confession and had been truthful about the way I felt about a certain subject, (no, I’m not telling) and my penance ended up being, “you need to volunteer at a homeless kitchen and find out what’s really out there before you make rash judgments of others…” Well I did just that and that night my eyes were opened like those of the blind man seeing for the first time the world around him.

In 2010 during the Christmas season I worked with a local Baptist Church handing out gifts to families that could not afford a Christmas for their children and that too was an experience I will never forget. The sight of a child so filled with joy over the simplest things we take for granted moved me to tears many times that day. I will never be able to repay the joy that my heart felt during those moments. Now in 2012 after working with a local homeless ministry I have launched a Prison Ministry of my own in hopes of bringing these same works of mercy inside the walls of the state’s prisons. In addition to that I have begun a legacy foundation that I pray will aid the terminally ill in losing their fears of death because I believe, even as a cancer patient myself that I will never die. That is just what God has promised me, eternal life and that is what I wish to see others understand. So you see, there are many things that you can do by simply putting your own life experience to work and think of the many you can help today…..

Remember, God gave you this life to live with freedom of choice so please exercise this and choose the things that are pleasing to your Heavenly Father. Your reward in the end will be worth so much and the things you do today will in turn change the lives of many so please, do not be afraid to step up to the plate. I promise that you will love the effects it will have on your life!

Do me a favor, pick up the phone and call your pastor today and ask, “What can I do to make a difference?” I promise he will lead you into a life so filled with wonder you will not ever look back!

I am sure that if you look close enough there is someone in your life today that needs you, needs your help and needs your love. Please step up and be that one that follows along the path that our Savior trod loving those in need and offering a hand up to those who so deserve it, our poor and our suffering….

At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have or by how many great things we have done.

We will be judged by, “I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in, I was sick and imprisoned and you visited me…”

And the King shall say, “Whomsoever has done this for these least brethren of mine you have done for me…” Amen

Bill K.

February 2012

Cabot, AR

New Blog Author, A New Beginning For All....

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:56:30 PST

Greetings to all of you in the Most Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ! My name is Bill Karabinus and I have been blessed to act as a volunteer writer for our Confraternities blog. I realize that it has been a long time since our last post but I hope to correct this by not only writing what is on my own heart but what is on the hearts of you, our readers as well. I encourage all of you to follow along during these next few weeks of transition and post comments letting me know what it is YOU the reader would like to learn about. I can promise you that I will be diligent in my research and honest in all of my postings bringing a fresh new viewpoint to what and where we have been in the past. So again, I encourage all of you to participate (and invite family and friends to follow) and lets not only learn about the teaching of Our Wonderful Church, Our Savior and Our Blessed Mother but lets have some fun as well while we are doing it!

May you all have a very blessed week and watch for a new post coming your way soon!

Thanking you all most sincerely in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ,

Bill K.
February 12, 2012

Give Drink to the Thirsty

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:23:16 PDT

The Second corporal work of mercy, ‘Give Drink To The Thirsty’ doesn’t immediately strike one as something urgent in our modern society. It is a rare occasion when we are really thirsty. We are never far away from clean water in America. So, what is the importance and meaning of this Corporal Work of Mercy, and how do we practice it?

Firstly, water is very commonplace, and generally not expensive. We tend to take it for granted. But, as we know, water is very important. Our bodies are mostly made of water, and the earth is mostly covered with water. However, simply because water is common does not minimize its significance. Just like many of God’s creations: trees, fresh air to breath, love, grace, birth, death - there is an abundance of them. (Sometimes it requires the loss of something to make us appreciate it properly).
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When Are You Going To Grow Up?

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:21:10 PDT

In the gospel of St. Matthew we read: At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18:1-3) Christ was never one to mince words; this is an imperative - our conversion. Have you ever wondered: what are these childlike qualities He has in mind? Well, what are the things we most admire in the young? Here’s what immediately springs to my mind: simplicity, innocence, optimism, obedience. Awe and wonder. Faith.

How about "maturity"?

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Measure of Success

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:50:13 PST

Success is often measured by many different yardsticks in our secular society. Some measure “success” by how much money they make, or how many material possessions they have at their disposal. Athletes often measure “success” by how many victories they have or championship rings they have won, records held, and the like. A smaller segment of society measures success by their health and the number of close and personal friends they have.

Holy Name Society members have a different measure of success. In the Gospel of John we are taught, "I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. (Jn 10:10) and Pope John Paul II taught us “God, who alone is goodness, fullness of life, the final end of human activity, and perfect happiness.” (Pope John Paul II, Veritatas Splendor). From this HNS members understand that success comes from perfect happiness and that his can only come from one source - a live centered on Jesus Christ and following His teachings.

Sometimes God has to take almost everything we hold near and dear to our human hearts, before we take the time to realize what success truly is and is not! Read the note below from a man who discovered the true meaning of success.
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Lost Sheep - Good Shepherd

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:27:17 PST

Have you ever contemplated upon the mental image of the shepherd from Matthew and Luke's gospels -- the shepherd who leaves the flock of ninety-nine sheep to find the one that was lost? Have you ever noticed that in some of the paintings of Jesus as the shepherd, the lamb hoisted upon His shoulders has a bandage around one leg? Sheep ranchers will tell you that in some cases, a young lamb will habitually stray -- no matter how many times the shepherd brings it back to the flock, it continues to run off - leading other members of the flock to stray as well.

In severe cases, in order to protect the life of the young lamb and the rest of the flock, the shepherd is forced to do the unthinkable...... the shepherd intentionally breaks the leg of the habitually wandering lamb.
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Redemption

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:21:25 PDT

One of the songs from the alternative Christian band, Jars of Clay, is called: Redemption.

We look out way down past the road we came from ...
We're looking at redemption;
It was hidden in the landscape
Of loss and love and fire and rain.
Never would have come this way.
Looking for Redemption.

There is a truth in these lyrics many of us can easily recognize, especially those who have dealt with serious hardships and setbacks in relationships, employment, finances, or health. It is oftentimes through these crosses that we ultimately find God "hiding".
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Can we Love Someone we do not Know?

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 07:26:41 PST

In the 1950's, Arthur C. Clarke penned a short story titled, "The Nine Billion Names of God," based on the philosophy that mankind was created essentially to 'know the creator.' In the story, the inhabitants of a Tibetan monastery theorized that by acknowledging every possible name of God, they would come to this intimate knowledge - the nature and essence of the creator Himself - and will thus have achieved mankind's ultimate purpose for being.

We learn at an early age from our Catechism why we were created: "To know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this life and be happy with Him forever in the next." As if pondering this truth, Saint Louis de Montfort asks (The Love of Eternal Wisdom): "Can we love someone we do not even know? Can we love deeply someone we know only vaguely?" Jesus allowed us to recognize what was at stake when he prayed to the Father over his disciples: "Now this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (Jn 17:3)

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A Letter - A Prayer - A Life

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:56:35 PST

One of the awesome things about Sacred Scripture is the many ways it can touch your heart. You can read a passage or hear it read a dozen times and each time something new will be placed on your heart. Sometimes a message or meaning is so obvious, so in-your-face, that you wonder how you could have missed it. One day, I had one of those moments while I was reading Matthew's account of Judgement Day, as illustrated by the Separation of the Sheep and Goats.

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What's in a Name?

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:30:39 PST

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

Shakespeare seems to suggest that a name is not bound to the quality or essence of a thing - that it simply is what it is. Sacred Scripture, as interpreted in the Catechism, and beliefs fashioned by our own experiences, may disagree.

Consider the thought processes, and sometimes turmoil, involved in naming a child; a responsibility which seldom is, nor should be, taken lightly. As has been the custom since ancient times, we may choose the name of a close relative of honor (see Lk 1:59-63), or maybe a Saint or an otherwise holy biblical figure out of respect or in hope that by virtue of the name, a degree of their sanctity or nobility may rest upon the child.

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Slice of Pie

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:36:18 PST

Every now and again, it's important to step back from the hustle and bustle of our daily routine to look where we are spending our time and energy.

Have you ever looked at a breakdown of your typical day? Where do you spend your time and energy - work, school, sitting in traffic, sports or exercising, eating, talking to friends, reading e-mail, listening to music, watching TV or movies, social networking, gaming, shopping, sleeping, praying, reciting the rosary, participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, volunteering in support of the sick, hungry, the homeless, the dying, the handicapped, the poor and the elderly.
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January 3rd: The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 08:03:02 PST

O sing a new song to the Lord;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
O sing to the Lord,
bless his name.

This Christmas Season it gives me great joy to share with you the message of hope and love that must fill the hearts of all the members of the Confraternity of the most Holy Names of God and Jesus. Like the light that dispels the darkness, so this "Good News" - the coming of Our Savior - is reason to rejoice. No wonder that not just the psalm cited here but almost all the one hundred fifty psalms make explicit mention of the Holy Name of God.

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Entertaining Angels

noreply@blogger.com (Holy Name Society) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 21:27:05 PST

I’ve been a witness countless times over the past 8 years or so of the significance -- moreover the need -- of prison ministry. I've read numerous testimonials and letters of gratitude and appreciation to persons or groups "outside the walls" who have taken their time and energy to share their faith with total strangers. I've seen attitudes and even lives changed by simple, thoughtful, prayerful contact and conversation with Christians.

There are more than a few good people out there just trying to live the gospel message –- trying to take serious Jesus’ gentle reminders that we are our brother’s keeper. We are all called, as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, to spread the gospel, to spread His love. And neither trial, nor distress, nor persecution, nor famine, nor nakedness, nor peril, nor the sword can separate us from His love. Nothing -- not even prison walls.