Thomas Merton Comment

---- Forwarded Message ----
From: William J ...
To: Donald ...
Sent: Sun, 13 June, 2010 20:07:43
Subject: Thomas Merton - Comment(ary) on Galatians 2:20

Dear Father Donald,

The reading from Galatians today aways haunts me. This evening I have been reading a book on Thomas Merton's Christology, and came upon a disarming 'commentary' - on the very sentence....

To "receive" the word of the Cross means much more than simple assent to the dogmatic proposition that Christ died for our sins. It means to be "nailed to the Cross with Christ", so that the ego-self is no longer the principle of our deepest actions, which now proceed from Christ living in us. "I live, now not I, but Christ lives in me".... To receive the word of the Cross means the acceptance of a complete self-emptying in union with the self-emptying of Christ...

In the joy of sharing a moment of illumination,

... in Our Lord,

William

Galatians 2:16, 19-21.

We found out that it is through faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law, that a man is justified. We, like anyone else, had to learn to believe in Jesus Christ, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, not by observance of the law. Observance of the law cannot win acceptance for a single human creature. …
Through the law, my old self has become dead to the law, so that I may live to God; with Christ I hang upon the cross, and yet I am alive; or rather, not I; it is Christ that lives in me. True, I am living, here and now, this mortal life; but my real life is the faith I have in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not spurn the grace of God. If we can be justified through the law, then Christ's death was needless.

Ronald Knox Bible (you’ version)

Liturgy Archive

Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary: one of the elderly monks was looking for a copy of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To begin the search in Library failed. Once failing St. Anthony of Padua it is next to turn to the Internet. In fact both come to the surface.
First a 1940's copy of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary surfaces.
Surfing the Web goes far wider and comes up with the useful Link.
The Liturgy Archive shows up a mine of information.
Sample of SUNDAY PRAYER e.g. Second Reading - a choice from St Aelred.

The Liturgy Archive Welcome. This site is an attempt to gather into one place various liturgies, prayers, sermons, and anything else that a Christian may find useful for prayer, contemplation and edification. I hope you are blessed by your visit. If you have any suggestions, let me know. http://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/LittleOffice.htm#compline The following version of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary is from the Liturgy of the Hours. For those who wish to use the older form of the Office, it is available here. The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary SUNDAY PRAYER SECOND READING From a letter by Saint Athanasius, bishop (Epist. Ad Epictetum,5-9; PG 26,1058,1062-1066) The Word took our nature from Mary What was born of Mary was therefore human by nature, in accordance with the inspired Scriptures, and the body of the Lord was a true body: It was a true body because it was the same as ours. Mary, you see, is our sister, for we are all born from Adam. The words of St John, the Word was made flesh, … Or: From a sermon by Saint Aelred, abbot (Sermo 20, in Nativitate beatiae Mariae: PL 195, 322-324) Mary our mother She is our mother — the mother of our life, the mother of our incarnation, the mother of our light. As the apostle says of our Lord: He became for us by God's power our wisdom and justice, and holiness and redemption. She then, as mother of Christ, is the mother of our wisdom and justice, of our holiness and redemption. She is more our mother than the mother of our flesh. Our birth from her is better, for from her is born our holiness, our wisdom, our justice, our sanctification, our redemption Praise the Lord in his holy ones, say the Scriptures. If our Lord is to be praised in those holy ones through whom he brings to being deeds of power and miracles, how much more is he to be praised in her in whom he fashioned himself, who is wonderful beyond all wonders. Or: From the dogmatic constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council (Lumen gentium, nn. 63-65) Mary as type of the Church Mary, because she has entered intimately into …

Immaculate Heart BVM

Saturday, 12 June 2010 Immaculate Heart of Mary, memorial Immaculate Heart of Mary Memorial "The mysterium of the Heart of Jesus is projected onto and reverberates in the Heart of his Mother, who is also one of his followers and a disciple... The memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a celebration of the complex visceral relationship of Mary with her Son's work of salvation: from the Incarnation, to his death and resurrection, to the gift of the Holy Spirit" ********************* Opening Prayer Father, you prepared the heart of the Virgin Mary to be a fitting home for your Holy Spirit. By her prayers may we become a more worthy temple of your glory.

____________________________________________________________________

Courtsy: Daily Gospel

Bellahoustan New Mass

Music for Papal Mass ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Andy … Sent: Thu, 10 June, 2010 23:43:59 Subject: Music for Papal Mass Hi, … Once again Anne Marie and I are practising in the Diocesan Choir in preparation for the forthcoming Papal Visit. The music has been written by James McMillan, a Scottish Composer and Musical Director. The music was very difficult to learn but now that we have become familiar with it is very good. But unfortunately it will not be as easy to learn as the present Bellahouston Mass. I will send you a copy of the music and a disk recording so that you can teach the new Mass setting to the community, and "Susan Boyle" your new choir member. We have just come home after singing at First Vespers of the Sacred Heart to mark the end of the Year of the Priests which was celebrated with Bishop Philip of Paisley. Kind regards Andy

Sacred Heart

---- Forwarded Message ----
From: father patrick ...
Sent: Thu, 10 June, 2010 15:13:11
Subject: Closing of "The Year of the Priest"

Greetings and Peace in the Lord Jesus Christ!

As "the Year of the Priest"

comes to a close tomorrow,

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,

we give thanks to God

for the Blessings of this special year.

Tomorrow 10,000 priests will gather with

Pope Benedict

to thank God for the Priesthood

and

to Renew their commitment to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ

We join them in spirit and in prayer.

We thank God for this opportunity

for priests to grow spiritually

during this special year of Grace.

Sincerely in the Lord,

Father Patrick

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Sacred Heart - 2010

Solemnity Homily

This is a short account of what the doctrine and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus meant for St Gertrude.

Our Lord is Gertrude's spouse. He is the king, and she the queen. We need not see a reference to worldly court life in comparisons. Her references to it are always very vague. The thought behind them is more biblical than secular. It is simply intended to stress the natural majesty of God and the supernatural majesty which he has chosen to bestow upon his creature.

The relationship is not an equal one. God first loved us. Gertrude concentrates on his love and not hers. Thinking of his love, she thinks of what is traditionally the seat of love, the heart.

Gertrude and Mechthild of Hackeborn are known for their part in the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They did not invent it. They were instrumental in giving it form and making it ex­plicit. This is a devotion to the actual physical heart of the incarnate Son of God. This heart is part not only of his humanity. It is also part of his divinity. The two natures are united in a single person. It therefore contains the love not only of the man Jesus of Nazareth but also the love of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. The two cannot be separated.

Gertrude speaks of "the wound of your divine heart, tabernacle of divine faithful­ness and infallible truth." The litany of the Sacred Heart is not just a beautiful devotional composition. It is theologically accurate and informative. To a large extent, the Litany was taken from the writings of Gertrude and Mechthild. The Heart of Jesus was formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, certainly. It is a created thing, but it is "substantially united to the Word of God," that is, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

It is in speaking of the Sacred Heart that Gertrude most clearly expresses her deep awareness of the humanity and divinity of her beloved. When she sees her soul as a tree fixed in the wound in his side, the sap she draws from his heart is "the power of the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ." When her soul is drawn like wax into his heart, it emerges marked with the seal of the whole Trinity. She gives us a lovely image in which a crystalline stream flows from the Sacred Heart, coloured in gold and rose, This represents the divinity and the humanity. They are distinct but inseparable.

The essential point about the Sacred Heart is that it is the instrument of the union between God and humankind. It is not just God the Son but the whole Trinity. It is the harp of the Trinity, its instrument of communication within itself and to creatures. It is the Sacred Heart which draws creatures to God:

It is a reciprocal action; we are drawn into the heart of God, and from that heart we draw all divine virtues. Gertrude shows this by depicting it as a two-way flow through a golden tube, which is our free will. We are used to the concept of indwelling. God dwells in the soul of Gertrude. But this too is reciprocal. The Lord invites her into his heart and depicts his body as her monastery. One of Gertrude's notable spiritual experiences was the exchange of hearts, another was the piercing of her heart, but she also pierced his: "Each word that she sang appeared like the sharpest spear, thrown from her to pierce the heart of Jesus Christ, and filling it with ineffably sweet delight."

Ending

When we sing in choir we are not singing to an earthly audience. We are piercing the Heart of Jesus, provided our mind is in harmony with our voices. Gertrude had a beautiful voice. Fancy having a Susan Boyle in our choir!

Fr. Nivard - Community Chapter

Of Gods And Men?

COMMENTS

----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Donald Nunraw … To: William J … Sent: Wed, 9 June, 2010 21:15:15 Subject: Fw: [Blog] The title of the film of Tibhirine Dear, William, Thank you for clear my theology channels. My thoughts on the title, 'Of Gods and Men', strained my straightjacket of Thomist theolgy. It became even more difficult finding the the title is on the popuale series of 'Star Trek'. Your response looks into the scenario of the monks in Algeria. The depth of your thoughts seem to echo the outlook we have been learning from Mgr Teisier regarding reconciliation of Christian and Muslim people. To my amazement I have just read the long Review from SCREEN DAILY. It will speaks for itself. (following). Donald. + + + + + + + + + + + + http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-latest/of-gods-and-men-des-hommes-et-des-dieux/5014095.article Of Gods And Men (Des Hommes Et Des Dieux) 18 May, 2010 | By Jonathan Romney Dir: Xavier Beauvois. France 2010. 120mins One-time enfant terrible Xavier Beauvois has long been a respected presence on the French scene, making his name with dramas such as Don’t Forget You’re Going To Die (1995) and the police story Le Petit Lieutenant(2005). With Of Gods and Men, his time for wider recognition has surely come, this thoughtful but urgent piece showing that Beauvois has matured into a masterly director with tight, calm control of his material. Miles from the edgy, confrontational tenor of Don’t Forget…, Beauvois’s new film muses on the meaning of religious vocation in a violent world, and tackles its difficult subject with authoritative, non-sensationalist forcefulness. Timely themes - the dialogue between Islam and Christianity, questions of fundamentalist violence – make for a newsworthiness that will boost the film’s visibility in France, where it is released in September. The religious milieu might seem a drawback for wider sales appeal, but given the surprise niche success ofInto Great Silence, the 2005 German documentary about Trappist monks, this accessible and soberly life-affirming film should find solid uptake among buyers of material for discerning art-house audiences. Festivals will pledge their faith big-time. The film is inspired by real events, the still not entirely explained kidnap and murder of seven monks in Algeria in 1996 – but the narrative leads slowly round to the tragedy, which happens only at the very end, and largely off-screen. In a Cistercian monastery in North Africa in the 90s, eight monks live in cordial harmony with the local population. Brother Luc (Lonsdale) is the resident doctor, dispensing tender care and good advice, while the monastery’s head Brother Christian (Wilson) is as much versed in the Koran as in the Bible, giving him a special insight into, and respect for, the Islamic nation he has chosen to work in. But the country is increasingly in the grip of fundamentalist violence: early on, the film’s one piece of explicit brutality, the murder of some Croatian workers, is handled with discreet but arresting effect. As tension mounts, the brothers must decide whether to stay or leave, Christian coming under pressure from the friendly but increasingly impatient mayor to close the monastery, causing much soul-searching among the brothers, some of them contending with crises of faith. When a fundamentalist militia group turns up at the monastery, Christian trades Koranic quotes with their leader, and a détente is produced – but it clearly can’t last. Despite the not inconsiderable drama, Beauvois never attempts to make this a thriller à la Costa-Gavras. Rather, he carefully builds up a sense of the coherence and rhythms of the monastic life, interspersing the narrative with scenes showing the monks’ services (the cast contributing some well-tuned Cistercian chanting). Scripted by Etienne Comar with Beauvois, the film is especially compelling in its balancing of theological and political dimensions, showing that its heroes are not living in an ivory tower but are deeply involved in the meaning of their calling in relation to the outside world. The film is very timely, especially in France, where debate on Islam and the secular domain continues to be a political hot potato. What’s at stake is reconciliation between Islam and Christianity, with both French and Arab characters attacking fundamentalism: the film’s bottom line is that the two religions share a common respect for humanity. Key moments include a scene in which the monks resist the menacing presence of an army helicopter by effectively chanting it away; and a sort of Last Supper, as the monks enjoy each other’s company to the strains of ‘Swan Lake’. In this scene, cinematographer Caroline Champetier shows a wonderful sensitivity to the actors’ faces, mapping their emotional nuances in intimate close-up. Visually, the film is in a mode of low-key realism, with imposing but sparely composed landscapes firming up the sense of place. Viewers may detect echoes of Bresson and Pialat, but while Beauvois downplays the flourishes, this shouldn’t blind us to just how much directorial individuality there is here. The ending especially is all the more powerful for being, against expectations, intensely restrained. The ensemble cast downplay superbly, Lonsdale contributing his usual magisterial warmth and Wilson registering intellectual and spiritual conflict with great subtlety. Jacques Herlin also makes a strong impression as the monastery’s wizened but impish doyen. + + + + + + + + + + + ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: William J … To: Fr Donald … Sent: Wed, 9 June, 2010 18:33:55 Subject: Re: [Blog] The title of the film of Tibhirine Dear Father Donald, You kindly ask for my thoughts on the title chosen for the film depicting the life of the Atlas Martyrs, "Of Gods and Men". I believe that the title is telling of the Algerian crisis, indeed of radicalism itself... In the Catholic Church understanding, acceptance, and even where these fail, tolerance is shown for all faiths, for we believe that there is One God who embraces all mankind and who is honoured by all religions in their own way. I do not know what the radicals believe, their actions are so foreign to belief in the God of love, but their fanatiscism suggests to me that they must believe in God in a totally different way. And thus the film charts the life of 'Men' and of more than one god... Those who watch the film will judge the 'Men' of either side, and, I believe, will know beyond doubt the God (singular) who reigns in the hearts of the Atlas brothers and who is witnessed to by their actions. … in Our Lord, William.

St Columba Abbot

9 June 2010
We celebrate the day of Saint Columba (Colmcille) as a Feastday.
At the celebrant this morning gave us thumbnail sketch of the Saint of Iona
He is more accurate with the details than we find in Sunday Mail about a Movie projected of the Life of Columba. The Press Cilip ended as, "He is buried in Iona Abbey." Instead we learned at the Mass Inroduction the correct deatail that because of the Viking raids the remains of St. Columba were removed to Dunkeld where his relics were at the centre of a shrine.


MOVIE NEWS

Exclusive: Jeremy Irons to star in new film about St Columba

Nov 8 2009 Mike Merritt, Sunday Mail

OSCAR winner Jeremy Irons is to star in a major new movie about the saint who brought Christianity to Scotland.

The film on the life of St Columba by Shadowlands director Norman Stone will be shot either in Northern Ireland or the west of Scotland.

Producers are also in talks with another A-list Hollywood star said to be interested in the project - but Jeremy is already signed up to play the saint, who came to Scotland from Ireland.

Bafta-winner Stone, whose films include Florence Nightingale and CS Lewis - Beyond Narnia, said: "Jeremy is perfect for the role. He is fascinated by Columba, especially given his Irish ancestry and connections.

"He just can't wait to get started. This will be a wartsand-all portrayal.

"I see Columba as a man of incredible faith, integrity and strength - but at times flawed.

"He struggled with hunger for power. He was cunning, brave and an independent spirit which sometimes he found difficult to fit into his holy orders.

"But he was a gifted man who changed the religious and social map of Scotland and Britain.

"He was not a saintly saint and this film will be more of a character study and a political thriller than a Christian epic.

"Columba will not wear a halo. It needs big-screen treatment and in Jeremy we have the right person to deliver the performance we are looking for."

The movie, The End Time, will be shot either in the spring or autumn of next year, with screening six months later.

Jeremy, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for Reversal Of Fortune in 1990, worked with Stone on BBC drama The Dream in 1993.

A source close to the actor said: "He is delighted to be involved and looking forward to working with Norman."

Columba arrived in Scotland from Ireland and established a monastery on the island of Iona in 563AD.

He began converting the pagan Scots to Christianity and built several churches across the Outer Hebrides before his death at the age of 75. He is buried in Iona Abbey.

reporters@sundaymail.co.uk

_________________________________________________________

DERRY JOURNAL

Irons to star in St Columba film

Published Date: 29 January 2010

The life of Derry's patron saint is set to receive the big screen treatment starring Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons.

• The story of St Columba will be brought to life by Bafta award-winning director Norman Stone and could be shot in the north west.
• It is believed the film, called 'The End Time,' will focus on the Gartan-born saint's political involvement as wellas his faith.
• As a member of a noble family, Columba could have become a king if he had not chosen a religious life and become involved in attempts to resolve a number of the political disputes of his time.
• Jeremy Irons, who won an Oscar for his performance in 'Reversal of Fortune' in 1990, has already signed up to play the saint, who established a monastery in Derry in 546 AD where the Long Tower Church now stands.
• Norman Stone says the English actor - who lives in Ireland - is ideally suited to play the saint.
• "Jeremy is perfect for the role. He is fascinated by Columba, especially given his Irish ancestry and connections. He just can't wait to get started."
• Mr Stone says the film will focus on all aspects of Columba's life. "I see Columba as an man of incredible faith, integrity and strength, but, at time, flawed.
• "He struggled with hunger for power. He was cunning, brave and an independent spirit which sometimes he found it difficult to fit into his holy orders. But he was a gifted man who changed the religious and social map of Scotland and Britain."
• Tradition states that Columba's actions led to a major battle in which hundreds were killed and this may have influenced his decision to leave Ireland for Iona.
• Norman Stone adds: "He was not a saintly saint and this film will be more a character study and a political thriller than a Christian epic. Columba will not wear a halo. It needs big-screen treatment and, in Jeremy, we have the right person to deliver the performance we are looking for."

COMMENT Cannnes Festival

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: William J ...
To: Fr Donald ...
Sent: Tue, 8 June, 2010 18:52:52
Subject: Re: [Dom Donald's Blog] Tibhirine

Dear Father Donald,

That is fascinating (how you obtain such news!). I have studied the preamble, and feel that this can only extend their witness to Christ, to the Order faithful within the decimated Church of Algeria, and to humanity through the fidelity of their love, and that it will have a deep influence worldwide. I see it is to be released in France 8th September - perhaps the Order could obtain an early report from attendees from monasteries in France. The insight into their daily life admist the circumstances that surrounded them, and their faith and fidelity in the face of the advancing terror, will be fascinating, and Fr. Christian's testimony is sure to feature strongly - I should love to see how the circumstances of his writing is portrayed. Passing over any commercial drama aspects, I am very excited that such a tribute should stand to their memory.

I shall think about this constantly.

... in Our Lord,

William

+ + + + + + + + + + +
Thank you, William.
May I ask your thoughts on the Film title,
"Des Hommes et des Dieux"?

Movie - Monks of Tibhirine

Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance

(Trappists)

---

Movie about

our brothers of Atlas

On 23 May the Cannes Film Festival awarded the Grand Prix (2nd prize) to the film Des hommes et des Dieux (Of Men and Gods), a movie based on the story of our brothers of Atlas, martyred in 1996.

For more information, see

the Cannes Festival site:

www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/11023154.html

the Catholic News Agency:

www.catholicnewsagency.com/archive/2010/05/25/

Solemnity Corpus Christi

Sunday, June 6 The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ CORPUS CHRISTI 2010 Homily: Fr. Raymond Each and every one of the seven Sacraments of our faith is described by the old catechism formula of: “An outward sign of inward grace”. In the case of the Eucharist the outward sign is simple and obvious: it is the outward appearances of the bread and wine; but the inward grace is a much more complex matter. The outward signs of bread and wine would convey to us the great truth that just as natural bread and wine are food and drink for the body, so the sacramental bread and wine are spiritual food and drink for the soul; and this of course is true as far as it goes. In other words, just as natural food and drink give nourishment and growth to the body, so do the sacramental bread and wine give spiritual nourishment and growth to the soul. Likewise, natural food maintains our physical strength for the business and hardships of life and this reminds us of the story of the angel telling Elijah to rise and partake of the miraculous bread and drink or the journey to the meeting place with God would be too much for him. So here we have some of the effects of the Eucharist brought home to us by the outward signs of bread and wine. We are taught by these signs that in the Eucharist we gain not only growth and nourishment and strength, but also stamina, that is to say the virtue of perseverance. But there remains one other outward sign whose significance is so great that we can hardly dare to imagine it: this is the outward sign of the actual eating of the elements. By our consumption of the natural elements of bread and wine we turn these elements into our very own substance. They become part of our very life, our very being, we live by them. So, by our consumption of the sacred elements of the Eucharist we have another, and unique meaning to the outward sign of the Eucharist: it conveys the incredible truth that we live in intimate communion with the Lord. “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I in him.” “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” Thus the Eucharist ensures that the essential meaning of what it is to be a Christian is unmistakenly brought home to us. Our religion is one not just of belief in God; it is not just one of worship of God, nor is it just one of obedience to God. It is, in fact, a religion of intimate communion of love with God and it is impossible to partake of this wondrous sacrament without being made aware of this. Such is the loving wisdom of God in instituting this sacrament of sacraments.