Raphael Arnaiz Baron - DGO extract -

      Raphael  to know how now to WAIT                                      

Thank you,
William.     

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: William J. W...
To: Donald...
Sent: Saturday, 23 June 2012, 20:30
Subject: DGO extract - Raphael Arnaiz Baron

Dear Father Donald,

There is a deeply personal prayer on DGO illustrating today's Gospel that I find very moving.

Following the examples of personal prayer of Blossis, this holds the same spiritual beauty....

William

  

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Saturday, 23 June 2012

Saturday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 6:24-34.

Jesus said to his disciples: «No one can serve two masters.

Commentary of the day : 

Saint Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938), a Spanish Trappist monk 

To know how to wait, 04/03/1938, (trans. Mairin Mitchell) 

"If God so clothes the grass of the field... will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?"

Today I take up my pen in the name of God, so that my words, imprinting themselves on the white paper, may give service in perpetual praise of God, the blessed author of my life, my soul, my heart. I would like the whole Universe, with all the planets, stars, and the countless sidereal systems, to be a vast smooth surface on which could be written the name of God. I would like my voice to be stronger than a thousand thunders, more powerful than the surge of the sea, more fearful than the eruption of volcanoes, only to say the name of God. I would like my heart to be as great as Heaven, pure as that of the angels, guileless as that of the dove (Mt 10,16), so that it could possess God. But as none of these grandiose dreams can be realized, satisfy yourself, Brother Rafael, with little, and you who are nothing, that very nothing must suffice...

Why keep silent about it? Why hide it? Why not cry out to the whole world, and proclaim to the four winds the wonders of God? Why not say to everyone what they would like to hear: “You see what I am? You see what I was? You see my wretchedness dragged through the mire? No matter – marvel at it – in spite of everything, I have God. God is my friend!” God loves me so deeply that if the whole world understood this everyone would go mad and shout in sheer amazement. Still more, all that is but a little. God loves me so much that the angels themselves don't understand it! (cf. 1Pt 1,12) How great is the mercy of God! To love me, to be my friend, my brother, my father, my master. To be God! And I to be what I am!

Oh Jesus! I don't have paper or pen. What can I say? How am I not to go mad!

NEW New Testament COMMENT

Fr. Nivard pointed out this comment from the Nicholas King's translation of the New Testament, quoting from Desmond Tutu.
It obviously challenges us to take to heart, "The translation hits you betweeen the eyes."  

THE NEW TESTAMENT

Freshly translated with a cutting-edge commentary

Nicholas King's translation of the New Testament has been greeted with huge acclaim by readers, Church leaders, critics and scholars who agreed unanimously with the reviewer who described it as 'dynamite'. Typically Archbishop Desmond Tutu said: 'The translation hits you between the eyes.'

Nicholas King is now translating the Old Testament which will appear in four volumes:

Trinity COMMENT

Dear William,
Thank you for Trinity heaven searching.
For the moment the PDF is not attachable in Blogspot, only as graphic..
It is good of you to revise it to Word format.
Your COMMENT keeps us up 'to awaken clarity of thought!'
Donald

Reflection on Conceptual Knowledge and Contemplation OF GOD
KNOWLEDGE (taken from the world, developed by sense, imagination)
Quiddity (of nature)	I AM A HUMAN BEING	GOD IS THE ETERNAL BEING
the inherent nature of someone or something.
REASON (progression of conceptual knowledge)
Essential (of essence)	I AM HUMAN	GOD IS ETERNAL
fundamental to the nature of something or someone
CONTEMPLATION (end of discursive reason)
Existential (of existence	.    I AM   .	GOD IS    .
affirming or implying the existence of a thing
	[# limited #]	< no limit >
	the essence limits	the essence of God
	the existence of	is identical to
	the creature	His existence
Exodus 3:14	↓
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM	↓	GOD IS
and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children	↓	EXISTENCE ITSELF
of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.	↓	"I AM THAT I AM”
	by creation >                originating from >    whence I came
	by divinisation >              absorbed into >      hence I AM

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: William Wardle
To: Dom Donald.Nunraw
Sent: Monday, 18 June 2012, 12:18
Subject: [Blog] Breviary illustration - Exodus 3:14 (diagram)

Dear Father Donald,

Your Trinity Breviary etchings fascinate me, and I ponder the attached most lovingly for it represents the greatest mystery of all, and has me mesmerized! It sent me back into my RCIA folder for another diagram to awaken clarity of thought! I wonder if I might attach it to share with you. In it I tried to order my thoughts from reading an inspiring book on the Mysticism of the Cloud of Unknowing by William Johnston, in order to express the Existence of God alongside that of humanity, and in conclusion - by arriving at who we are, to consider Who God is.

From a gentle meander across a horizontal plain I ended up at a virtual cliff face!

Still wandering around the cloisters in the silent hours before dawn...

With my love in Our Lord,

William

PS. The breviary psalm at Lauds this morning set me before your burnished tabernacle, with the words "How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord God of hosts".

When I go for the shopping today, a little bit of the housekeeping will be spent in Boots Photoshop on prints of the Exposition I witnessed!

Month Commemoration of the Dead

 Mass 20 June 2012-06-20

Month - Commemoration of the Dead

The Night Office for this day of Commemoration of the Dead, the Reading was from St. Bernard. Thoughts wandered back to the Reading from the Refectory. It was about St. John Fisher. Vincent Nichols Introduction ended with these words,
“We are told that on the morning of his execution 22^nd July 1539, he was awakened by the prison officer at 5.00am and told that his execution was to be at 10.00am. He promptly asked to be allowed to sleep a few more hours!

Herein lies his true greatness: peace before God and witin himself. May his example continue to inspire us today.” (+ Vincent Nichols November 2011)

His mother stood by the Cross

Sermons of St Bernard

The martyrdom of the Virgin Mary, implicit in Simeon's prophecy, is put before us in the story of our Lord's passion. That venerable old man, Simeon, said of the infant Jesus: 'This child is set for a sign that will be contradicted' ; and to Mary: ‘A sword will pierce your soul.' Blessed Mother, a sword did pierce your soul. For no sword could penetrate your Son's flesh without piercing your soul. After your own son Jesus gave up his life–he was yours in a special sense though he belongs to all–the cruel lance, which opened his side and would not spare him in death though it could do him no injury, could not touch his soul. But it pierced your soul. His soul was no longer there, but yours could not be set free, and it was pierced by a sword of sorrow. We rightly speak of you as more than a martyr, for the anguish of mind you suffered exceeded all bodily pain.

'Mother, behold your son.' These words were more painful than a sword thrust for they pierced your soul and touched the quick where soul is divided from spirit.

What an exchange! John was given to you in place of Jesus, a disciple in place of the Master, a son of Zebedee in place of the Son of God, a mere man in place of the true God. These words must have pierced your loving soul, since just to recall them breaks our hearts, hard and stony though they be.

Do not marvel, brethren, that Mary is said to have endured martyrdom in her soul. Only he will marvel who forgets what Paul said of the Gentiles, that among their worst vices was that they were without compassion. Not so with Mary! May it never be so with those who venerate her .

Someone may say: 'Did she not know in advance that her Son would die?' Without a doubt. 'Did she not have sure hope in his immediate resurrection?' Full confidence indeed. 'Did she then grieve when he was crucified?' Intensely. Who are you, brother, and what sort of judgment is yours that you marvel at the grief of Mary any more than that the Son of Mary should suffer? Could he die bodily and she not share his death in her heart? Charity it was that moved him to suffer death, charity greater than that of any man before or since: charity too moved Mary, the like of which no mother has ever known.

Novice Habit - Reception COMMENTS

Novice Habit - Abbot's talk on the Reception Br. Seamus


From: Robert S. . .
To: Donald . . .
Sent: Saturday, 16 June 2012, 
Subject: Travelling to Edinburgh

Dear Father Donald,
I was travelling to Edinburgh yesterday when I logged on to your blog, and saw the photographs of Brother Seamus.
Whilst passing the zoo the driver commented on the new Pandas that are causing excitement in Edinburgh.
I felt like shouting never mind the Pandas.
Nunraw has a new brother!
Hope u get some fun from this.


Robert
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
---- Forwarded Message -----
From: Anne Marie Milwain . .
To: Fr Donald . . .
Sent: Monday, 11 June 2012,
Subject: Re: [Dom Donald's Blog] Novice Habit - Abbot's talk on the Reception Br. Seamus
Dear Anne Marie
That is wonderful that you have a new novice.
Great news  
Anne Marie

Sent from my iPhone

Thomas at Nunraw Golden Jubilee of Ordination

Fr. Thomas at Nunraw Golden Jubilee of Ordination

Abbot: Intro Mass       Golden Jubilee of Fr Thomas’ Ordination       18.6.12

Today we celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Fr Thomas’ ordination to the priesthood.  It is awkward for him to preside at the Mass at the moment and so I have been dragooned into service.  He will say a few words himself after the Gospel, so I have been warned to keep this short.

The first thing to mention is our thanks for the years when he has taken his place serving the community in the daily liturgy and providing the sacraments when required, not to forget his spiritual input in his homilies and chapter sermons.  He has also been confessor and counsellor to not a few people within and without the community over these past 50 years.

I’m running out of my allotted time, so must leave the rest to Fr Thomas later.

As always, we begin our Eucharist being mindful of our need of God in our lives and ask him to forgive our sins and our failings.

1                Lord Jesus, you lift us up when we are weak
    and have sinned -                   Lord, have mercy.

2        You feed us with your Word and with your Body and
   Blood                  -                   Christ, have mercy.

3     Lord, you call us to serve you and our neighbour
in love.        -                   Lord, have mercy.

Prayer of Faithful
God our Father, hear us in these all our needs.  May we receive your gifts and use them wisely to further your kingdom on earth.
Through Christ, our Lord.

Fr. Raymond, Fr. Dunnachie, Fr. Thomas, Abbot Mark.

After the Gospel, Fr. Thomas spoke about his 50 years as Priest.

....

Please sit down ... don't be alarmed! I won’t keep you long, because I can't stand for long myself.

On this day 50 years ago I was ordained a priest in the small wooden church next to the guest house by Cardinal Gray; in October of that year the Second Vatican Council opened in St. Peters, Rome. – Now, I'm reliably told, there's no direct connection between the two events, such as cause and effect!

Historically, 50 years is a short, period of time, but sometimes great changes take place in that span which are worldwide and perhaps a century or more in the making.

In 1950, the world was settling down again to peaceful living after the defeat of Nazi-ism, only to be confronted by a determined Communism which undermined from within the human political system. In 1960, Pope John 23^rd ordered the 2^nd Vatican Council to bring the Church "up to date" and ready to meet the changing aspirations of a secular world; it did its job, it was a profound success, but it didn't work in practice!
   Fewer and fewer people went to church, vocations fell away, churches closed– the Church was shrinking in size. Why was this happening? One would have expected the opposite!

This kind of reverse happening has its parallel in the O.T. many times over: in the time of the Judges, a few valiant Israeli tribesmen scored notable victories over countless foes by "put your trust in Yahweh, not in chariots and horses"; when King David pushed the frontiers of Israel to their furthest, he took

a census of his people, when his army commanders brought him the figures, he knew he had done wrong– and did penance; later still, the Maccabees defended the small territory of Juda from Greek secularism and maintained Temple worship, from this position Pharisee-ism arose which blinded them to the coming of their Saviour ... from the sack of Jerusalem 12 unlettered men went out to tell the world about a New Testament ... "put your trust in Yahweh, not in chariots and horses". The 'up and down' cycle has continued to our own day. God, now' our Father, continues to purify his people with chastisements of our own sinful making, but with Faith in Him we hold together and somehow his Kingdom ... it’s tempting to say 'increases', but it doesn’t, it continues, we can't say anymore. Trust in the Lord, and live by Faith.

For myself, I want to make this day, a day of Thanksgiving for staying the course!

Donald, Seamus, Nivard, Raymond, William, Thomas (under clock),
Mark, Kentigern, Stephen, Patrick, Philip,, Leonard     

Monday, 18 June 2012

Monday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time

Matt Talbot The Venerable

Saint of the day: 18th June

Matt Talbot

 The Venerable Matt Talbot    

Matt Talbot can be considered the patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism.

Born in Dublin, in 1856, his father worked on the docks and had a difficult time supporting his family. After a few years of schooling, Matt obtained work as a messenger for some liquor merchants; there he began to drink excessively and soon became an alcoholic. For 15 years, until he was 30, he drank heavily.

But one day he decided to take 'the pledge' for three months, make a general confession and begin to attend daily Mass. There is evidence that Matt's first seven years after taking the pledge were especially difficult. Avoiding his former drinking places was hard. He began to pray as intensely as he used to drink. He also tried to pay back people from whom he had borrowed or stolen money while he was drinking.

Most of his life Matt worked as a builder's labourer. He joined the Secular Franciscan Order and from then on began a life of strict penance. He abstained from meat nine months a year and spent hours every night reading the Bible and the lives of the saints. He also prayed the rosary regularly. Though his job did not make him rich, Matt contributed generously to the missions.

After 1923 his health failed and Matt had to quit his job. He died two years later on his way to church on Trinity Sunday. In 1973 Pope Paul VI gave him the title Venerable.

For more information on the legacy of Matt Talbot see: venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com/ 

Original: Greek sermons by Origen of Alexandria discovered

   CWR Blog www.catholicworlreport.com

Original Greek sermons by Origen of Alexandria discovered

June 14, 2012 12:38 EST

By Carl E. Olson

From the Forget the Channel blog, which has translated the original article from the Bavarian State Library:

A spectacular discovery was recently made in the Bavarian State Library, in the process of cataloguing the Greek manuscripts from the collection of Johann Jakob Fuggers. While cataloguing a manuscript, Philologist Marina Molin Pradel identified numerous texts of sermons on the Psalms by Origen of Alexandria (AD 185 – 253/54), the most important theologian of the early Christian church before Augustine–sermons which until now had not been known in the original. The importance of this find cannot be overestimated. The attribution to Origen was confirmed, with the highest degree of certainty, by internationally recognised Origen expert Lorenzo Perrone from the University of Bologna.

Origen is regarded as the founder of the allegorical interpretation of Scripture. His works, which are numerous, yet are often no longer extant or only found in Latin translation, are fundamental for Christian thought. As a philosopher, theologian, philologist and preacher, Origen has made a deep impression on the intellectual history from late antiquity to today. His sermons and interpretations of the Psalms were, until now, only fragmentary and only extent in Latin translation. The inconspicuous-looking, extensive Greek manuscript, whose true contents have now been identified, comes from the 12th century.

“The find is extremely important–both in terms of its age and its extent. It will trigger lively discussion in scholarly and research circles, and will even allow new insights into the text of the Greek version of the Bible. All of the church Fathers had read Origen and received his work in depth. The discovery allows us now to deal directly with hitherto unknown original texts”, said General Director Rolf Griebel.

Read the entire post, which includes links to photos of the manuscripts (ht: CF). Origen holds a very significant (if heavily debated) place in early Christian theology. In his April 25, 2007, general audience, Pope Benedict XVI said the following about Origen:

Origen of Alexandria truly was a figure crucial to the whole development of Christian thought. ... He was a true "maestro", and so it was that his pupils remembered him with nostalgia and emotion: he was not only a brilliant theologian but also an exemplary witness of the doctrine he passed on. Eusebius of Caesarea, his enthusiastic biographer, said "his manner of life was as his doctrine, and his doctrine as his life. Therefore, by the divine power working with him he aroused a great many to his own zeal" (cf. Church History, 6, 3, 7). ...

Theology to him was essentially explaining, understanding Scripture; or we might also say that his theology was a perfect symbiosis between theology and exegesis. In fact, the proper hallmark of Origen's doctrine seems to lie precisely in the constant invitation to move from the letter to the spirit of the Scriptures, to progress in knowledge of God. Furthermore, this so-called "allegorism", as von Balthasar wrote, coincides exactly "with the development of Christian dogma, effected by the teaching of the Church Doctors", who in one way or another accepted Origen's "lessons".

Thus, Tradition and the Magisterium, the foundation and guarantee of theological research, come to take the form of "scripture in action" (cf. Origene: Il mondo, Cristo e la Chiesa, Milan, 1972, p. 43). We can therefore say that the central nucleus of Origen's immense literary opus consists in his "threefold interpretation" of the Bible.

Read more. An important book about Origen as theologian and exegete is Henri de Lubac's study, History and Spirit: The Understanding of Scripture According to Origen (orig. 1950; Ignatius Press, 2007). The Introduction is available on Ignatius Insight.

 Print  /   Share  /   Send

About the Author

The CWR Blog

Carl E. Olson

Carl E. Olson is editor of Catholic World Report and Ignatius Insight.

Note: The manuscript has been digitised by the BSB and can be accessed via the internet:

www.digitale-sammlungen.de > Enter “Homiliae in psalmos” or “Cod.graec. 314″
http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/bsb00050972/image_1  

Immaculate Heart of Mary COMMENT

From Leonard Foley OFM ‘Saint of the Day’
SATURDAY AFTER CORPUS CHRISTl
Fr. Leonard's summary came through listening at the Night Office Reading. The picture embraced both St. John Eudes and the Heart of Mary in thought and prayer.

In the 17th century St. John Eudes promoted devotion to the hearts of Jesus and Mary. He even composed an Office and Mass in honour of the Heart of Mary. It became a feast of the universal Church only in the 20th century and is celebrated on the day after the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The New Testament mentions Mary's heart only twice. 
Luke 2:19 says: "Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart." Luke 2:51 has a similar text, though the New American Bible translates "heart" as "memory."
Both in Scripture and in later reflections on Mary's heart, it is obvious that the usage is symbolic. The physical heart stands for the inner reaches of the human personality. It includes or connotes the mind, the soul, the will, the spirit, the core of one's being. It. is the place where a person thinks, remembers, feels, desires, makes decisions.

Medieval saints such as Mechtilde, Gertrude and Bridget promoted devotion to the Heart of Mary. Franciscan and Jesuit theologians made their contributions. St. Francis de Sales dedicated his Treatise on the Love of God to Mary's heart. But it was St. John Eudes who wrote extensively about this theme. He says that the divine Word printed on Mary's heart a perfect likeness of the divine attributes and a share in the properties of each person of the Trinity.

Perhaps this devotion is coming into its own in the 20th century. It is a special theme of Fatima. In 1942 Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and established the feast for the universal Church.
QUOTE: "We can say that the mystery of the redemption took shape beneath the heart of the Virgin of Nazareth when she pronounced her 'fiat. I From then on, under the special influence of the Holy Spirit, this heart, the heart of both a virgin and a mother, has always followed the work of her Son and has gone out to all those whom Christ has embraced and continues to embrace with inexhaustible love. For that reason her heart must have the inexhaustibility of a mother" (John Paul Il, Redeemer of Man, 22).
COMMENT? To honour Mary's heart is to honour her total dedication to God. As she pondered in her heart the mysteries of Jesus' infancy and childhood (Luke 2: 19, 51), she must have done the same for all the mysteries of his life, death and resurrection. This feast suggests that Mary is the greatest of the mystics-totally wrapped up in God and committed to God's will. Her spirituality
is a model for all the me(members of the Church.