* BEST OF DTB #215* 7 Quick Takes in the Garden

"Every home should be a Garden of Holiness" - Father John Corapi, a priest needing prayer, like every one of them.

1

I have been reluctant to write on the blog. It's a daily struggle that ends with succumbing to the excuses of being too busy, too distracted, too this or that. Really, it's an absurd flush of shyness that has kicked in. Thank you for bearing with me. I'm not succumbing to it anymore, now that I've identified it, self mastery being the name of the game.

2

Why do this blogging and podcasting anyway? Well, that's a question I've been pondering lately. The main reason is that family life is worthy of notice, though it is mostly hidden. Even Christ Himself treasured it enough to keep it mostly to Himself. I don't have any particularly spectacular things to say. In fact, most everything that I do say is quite ordinary. As one long ago ex-boyfriend once quipped, "You have a fine grasp of the obvious." I'll take that as a compliment. My talents are in the teacherly vein: I notice something needing seeing, I sense where the trouble spots are, and I can point down the path. It's an encouraging talent that I have. So, enough with the burying of the few talents I've been given. Me and my ordinariness are back to work, pointing out the beauty and the struggle in the obvious, just in case someone has been missing it.

3

How's school going?

We're muddling right along. The first month has wound down into that "This again?" slowdown. It's a mild rebellion of spirit that means incentives are a bit more necessary to slog through the day. I promise you a cup of sweet mint tea, my dears, if you finish your work before lunch. Would that every job could have such easy motivation!

4

Humor and Autism

My son with Autism has discovered humor. He's always been funny, and loves to generate laughter in others, but now he has discovered he can do it with language. He's using his speech generation program on his iPad to do it. Teaching kids humor skills are easy with a book of Knock Knock jokes. They are formulaic, easily memorized, and the humor lies in the unexpected twist. You can point out the humor of them easily. So if my son comes up to you and pushes the button that says, "Knock knock!" be sure to laugh at the punch line. He's not above nagging with a repeated finger on the "haha!" button. "Haha...haha...hahahahaha." Fair warning.

5

Did you catch that we teach humor?

Indeed, it is a teachable skill. It's a necessary one. We begin with pointing out the unexpected in whatever funny thing just happened or admiring the execution of a great joke. We wait until the laughter has died down, of course, but the discussions often lead to more. We love to laugh, we Martins, so we want to ensure that the kids know how to bring laughter out, with the usual cautions of, "It's only funny if everyone laughs!" to ensure kindness. Kids are natural hams, mostly, so we want to give them the skills to take the spotlight, deliver their lines, and give it up gracefully. We think the world needs more funny people, so we're making a few more for you.

You're welcome.

6 

Protestant and Catholic: Common Words but Often Not a Common Experience

We Catholics believe that the Church is vital--the actual Church. This is why dissident Catholics stick around so much and cause scandal by parading their personal opinions as actual dogma. Protestants on the other hand often have to suffer through being a Church of One. Many spend decades "church hopping" to find a church that teaches what he or she personally believes. Given the infinite variety of beliefs, most usually end up compromising something in favor of "at least they're family friendly" or "the music is good." It's a struggle that Catholics simply don't understand, and the difference gets in the way of many a discussion between us. When a Catholic discusses "belief," it is a belief that has been handed down for 2,000 years and the struggle has been to bend one's will to that Truth. When a Protestant discusses "belief," it is one that has been discovered and won personally. On most issues, we use the same words, but mean things incredibly divergent. We simply don't speak the same language, so be careful out there.

7

I'd like to encourage my readers and Podcast buddies to join me over on Facebook. I do a bit of "microblogging" over there. I try to practice those humor skills in my updates. Join me, if you like! Let's be FB friends!

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The Catholic Defender: Onesiphorus

Purgatory continues to be a challenge to many outside the Catholic Church. The question often arises concerning whether Onesiphorus, friend of St. Paul was alive or dead from the text found in 2 Timothy 1:16-18.

The fact that St. Paul refers to Onesiphorus family clearly reveals that Onesiphorus is past tense. The text is past tense.

The real issue shows that St. Paul recognized the mercy of God that would take place not only this age, but also the age to come.

Jesus himself speaks this language saying that those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit would not be forgiven in this age or in the age to come. The following are examples of what was commonly held regarding this scriptural text.

Taken from "Biblical Evidence for Catholicism" by Dave Armstrong:

1) Alfred Plummer (1841-1926) (Anglican): The Expositor's Bible (edited by W. Robertson Nicoll), The Pastoral Epistles, London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1891, pp. 324-326:

Certainly the balance of probability is decidedly in favour of the view that Onesiphorus was already dead when St. Paul wrote these words. . . . he here speaks of "the house of Onesiphorus" in connexion with the present, and of Onesiphorus himself only in connexion with the past. . . . it is not easy to explain this reference in two places to the household of Onesiphorus, if he himself was still alive. In all the other cases the individual and not the household is mentioned. . . . There is also the character of the Apostle's prayer. Why does he confine his desires respecting the requital of Onesiphorus' kindness to the day of judgment? . . . This again is thoroughly intelligible, if Onesiphorus is already dead.

. . . there seems to be equal absence of serious reason for doubting that the words in question constitute a prayer. . . .

Having thus concluded that, according to the more probable and reasonable view, the passage before us contains a prayer offered up by the Apostle on behalf of one who is dead, we seem to have obtained his sanction, and therefore the sanction of Scripture, for using similar prayers ourselves. . . .

This passage may be quoted as reasonable evidence that the death of a person does not extinguish our right or our duty to pray for him: but it ought not be quoted as authority for such prayers on behalf of the dead as are very different in kind from the one of which we have an example here. Many other kinds of intercession for the dead may be reasonable and allowable; but this passage proves no more than that some kinds of intercession for the dead are allowable; viz., those in which we pray that God will have mercy at the day of judgment on those who have done good to us and others, during their life upon earth.

2) James Maurice Wilson (1836-1931) (Anglican): Truths New and Old, Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co., 1900, p. 141:

We have, therefore, the sanction of St. Paul for remembering inn our prayers, and interceding for, those who have now passed into the other world . . .

3) Sydney Charles Gayford (Anglican): The Future State, New York: Edwin S. Gorham, second edition, 1905, pp. 56-57:

. . . the most satisfactory explanation is that Onesiphorus was dead. . . .

And so we may hold with some confidence that we have in this passage the authority of an Apostle in praying for the welfare of the departed.

4) John Henry Bernard (1860-1927) (Anglican), The Pastoral Epistles, Cambridge University Press, 1899, p. 114:

On the whole then it seems probable that Onesiphorus was dead when St. Paul prayed on his behalf . . .

5) Donald Guthrie (1915-1992) (Anglican): The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, The Pastoral Epistles: An Introduction and Commentary, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2nd edition, 1990, p. 148:

Since it is assumed by many scholars that Onesiphorus was by now dead, the question has been raised whether this sanctions prayer for the dead. Roman catholic theologians claim that it does. Spicq, for instance, sees here an example of prayer for the dead unique in the New Testament. Some Protestants agree with this judgment and cite the Jewish precedent of 2 Macc 12:43-45 . . .

6) William Barclay (1907-1978) (Presbyterian / Church of Scotland), The Letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 3rd edition, 2003, p. 175:

. . . there are many who feel that the implication is that Onesiphorus is dead. It is for his family that Paul first prays. Now, if he was dead, this passage shows us Paul praying for the dead, for it shows him praying that Onesiphorus may find mercy on the last day.

7) J. N. D. Kelly (1909-1997) (Anglican): A Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles, London: A&C Black, 1963, p. 171:

On the assumption, which must be correct, that Onesiphorus was dead when the words were written, we have here an example, unique in the N.T., of Christian prayer for the departed. . . . the commendation of the dead man to the divine mercy. There is nothing surprising in Paul's use of such a prayer, for intercession for the dead had been sanctioned in Pharisaic circles at any rate since the date of 2 Macc 12:43-45 (middle of first century B.C.?). Inscriptions in the Roman catacombs and elsewhere prove that the practice established itself among Christians from very early times.

8) John E. Sanders (evangelical / open theist): No Other Name, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1992, pp. 182-183:

Some scholars contend that 2 Timothy 1:16-18 contains a reference to praying for the dead; they contend that the person for whom Paul prays, Onesiphorus was dead.

Footnote 11: Among those commentators who understand Paul to be praying for the dead here are the following: W. Robertson Nicoll, The Expositor's Greek Testament, Vol. 4 (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1951), p. 159; Henry Alford, The Greek Testament, Vol. 3 (Chicago: Moody Pres, 1958), p. 376 . . . J. E. Huther, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to Timothy and Titus (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1871), p. 263.

9) Philip Schaff (1819-1893) (Reformed Protestant), The International Illustrated Commentary on the New Testament, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1889, Vol. IV, The Catholic Epistles and Revelation, p. 587:

On the assumption already mentioned as probable, this would, of course, be a prayer for the dead. The reference ot the great day of judgment falls in with this hypothesis. . . . From the controversial point of view, this may appear to favour the doctrine and practice of the Church of Rome . . .

10) Charles John Ellicott (1816-1905) (Anglican): A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, London: Cassell & Co., Vol. III, 1884, p. 223:

There is but little doubt that when St. Paul wrote this Epistle Onesiphorus' death must have recently taken place . . .

The Apostle can never repay now . . . the kindness his dead friend showed him in his hour of need; so he prays that the Judge of quick and dead may remember it in the awful day of judgment. . . .

This passage is famous from its being generally quoted among the very rare statements of the New Testament which seem to bear upon the question of the Romish doctrine of praying for the dead. . . . we here in common with Roman Catholic interpreters and the majority of the later expositors of the Reformed Church, assume that Onesiphorus was dead when St. Paul wrote to Timothy, and that the words used had reference to St. Paul's dead friend . . .

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The Notre Dame chronicles- part 4

Nothing like a good, old fashioned quarterback controversy with a new twist.

In Notre Dame's last home game before the one I will attend, Tommy Rees came in the game, in relief of Everett Golson and promptly led the Irish to the winning score (a Kyle Brindza field goal).

As a football decision, I really thought it was a no-brainer. Golson, the red-shirt freshman has lights out potential but he is still green and putting the steady, seasoned junior in to save the day, made perfect sense.

Where this controversy begins goes to the heart of who Notre Dame supposedly is. In the summer, Rees was arrested when he fled an off-campus party where under-aged drinking was taking place, resisted arrest and assaulted a police officer.

There are some that are none-too-pleased that his charges got bumped down to misdemeanors and he was given community service and required to write a letter of apology. People were equally appalled that he served only a one-game suspension. After it was stated by coach Kelly that he would have to earn his way back up the depth chart, here he is, in the waning moments of the season's second game, back on the field, pulling the coach's bacon out of the fire.

Now, by all accounts, Tommy has learned from his mistake, spoken to kids, taken his punishment, been a total supporting team player. That's all good stuff.

But he assaulted a police officer. A letter of apology? Community service? A one-game suspension?

There are those who say that the community of South Bend, the administration at this university and the coaching staff were more concerned with getting Tommy back on the field of play then they were setting a positive example about real-world consequences for real-world actions.

I do not know if I can truly disagree. I'm thrilled to be 2-0 but did we get there the right way?

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* BEST OF DTB #214* The Catholic Defender: People of Tyre

"The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; They will see the glory of the Lord, the slindor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are week, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the dumb will sing" (Isaiah 35:1-6).

This is a clear reference to Jesus and it is interesting that Isaiah says, "Here is your God". He did not understand the incarnation, this event happened centuries following his prophecies. The Catholic Church recognizes Jesus to be the fulfillment of this prophecy. Jesus opens the eyes to the blind, and the deaf hears. Consider the following:

Jesus was in the district of Tyre and healed a woman with an unclean spirit, he cured the woman who was of Greek origin, a Gentile. Then Jesus left Tyre and traveled to Decapolis where the news of Jesus spread. The people brought in a deaf man with a speach impediment. Jesus cured the man putting his finger into the mans ears, and spitting, touched the man's tongue. Jesus says to the man, "Ephphatha" meaning "Be opened". The man was instantly cured and was able to speak plainly.

Jesus ordered the people not to tell anyone about these miracles but the people could not hold back. I can relate to that because when I have witnessed something of the Lord, I can't keep from talking about it! Jesus astonished the people making the deaf hear and the mute speak.

Something about this place called Tyre I couldn't help but ponder on. Tyre is a City with a history of oppression.

Tyre is a city on an Island off the coast of Lebenon. The City was prosperous for the purple dye that was made there.

The dye was taken from murex shellfish that was called "Tyrian Purple". The city came under siege by Shalmanesar V with the help of his Phoenician fighters.

Trye would be completely ramsacked by King Nebuchadnezzar for gloating over the fall of Jerusalem about 370 B.C. The City was again conquered by Alexander the Great.

The City of Tyre was occupied by the Romans which gave them independence in 64 B.C. Later on, even the Crusaders would get into the act during the crusades.

It is interesting that Jesus visited there healing a Gentile of a demon spirit. No matter what obsticals you might encounter, Jesus can liberate you from bondage as he did the blind, the deaf, and the mute. Somtimes we might be blinded by our own selves, we need to be saved from ourselves so many times.

With all this excitement taking place, Jesus did not want to leave out His Mother as a source of help for those who are down trodden. Consider that Psalms 45:13 refers to Mary as "daughter of Trye"! It says, "Listen, my daughter, and understand; pay me heed. Forget your people and your Father's house, that the king might desire your beauty. He is your Lord; honor him, daughter of Trye" (Psalms 45 11-13).

What people is Mary being asked to forget? It would have to be the Jews. Who would be Mary's "Father's House"? This would have to be a reference to the House of King David. Why would she be called "daughter of Trye"? It has to do with the Gentiles and the Church. Notice that the richest of the people of Tyre would seek her favor. This is a most important scripture because it shows that even during the time of King David, God was already planning for the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of the Catholic Church.

God's people will be rich for seeking her favor, notice this popular prayer:

"Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen."

I want to make a point here because some people from "Tyre" do not understand the Virgin Mary's role here.

She is not being worshiped nor glorified as a god with this language.

The Virgin Mary is the Queen of heaven because Jesus in the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

In this war against Satan, Mary is identified as the Mother of all the Christians. Revelation 12:17 states, "Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God's commandments and bear witness to Jesus."

The richest will seek her favor, "The throne of your fathers your sons will have; you shall make them princes through the land" (Psalms 45:17).

 Let us who follow Christ, like St. John, invite the Mother of Jesus into our house so that we would become her princes who serve the Lord.

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The Notre Dame chronicles part 3

Granted, it was Navy- a team Notre Dame once beat 43 times in a row (We have split the last 6 with them). Yet, there is just something so wonderful about starting the season on a good note.

Easily Notre Dame's weakest opponent (the only one not invited to a bowl last year), the middies did not put up much of a fight and the Irish won the Emerald Isle Classic 50-10.

OK. So you got a big win in Ireland and now you can retire the Green, Orange and White socks and cleats and get into the meat of the season.

Purdue is no gimmee. The QB tandem of Terbush and Marve will attack the young and thin Notre Dame secondary. However, Notre Dame should have enough horses to beat the Boilermakers. If they can manage to do so, the week 3 prime time match-up with Michigan State could be an ESPN Gameday kind of game.

Notre Dame's new Quarterback, Everett Golson will probably have to take to the air a lot more in the Purdue game. We will know a lot more about what kind of team this is. 21 players saw first time action against Navy and Manti Teo and Stephon Tuitt had career games.

It's early but I like what I see so far.

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*BEST OF DTB #213* The Catholic Defender: Doers Of The Word

"Know this, my brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he looks like. But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing" (James 1:19-25).

The Word of God has been implanted into the world through the Catholic Church, because the life source comes from the flow of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring your remembrance all that I have said to you" (John 14:26). Jesus is the source of all the sacred traditions and scriptures that have been handed down for 2,000 years. It is through this word that we are called to act in service of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

It is interesting to note that scriptures are a source to save souls, but not in the simple hearing of the Word, but the acting out the message of the Word.

We are to be meek and humble about this task because we do not deserve this grace, but we are entrusted to live it.

Through Gods gifts of grace, we are called to go to the nations and baptize them and teach them the gospel.

The power of the message is found in our faithfulness to His Word. People should see His reflection in us by the way we show love to our fellow man.

To those who believe that all you need be is hears of the word only (Sola Scriptura), Jesus instructs us to give food and drink to the thirsty and the hungry.

The Catholic Church by far gives the most food for the poor in poverished nations than any other entity in the world. I gave money to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) many years as I served in the Army.

CRS would be among the first to respond to natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, war torn lands.

This is a most important work as food shelters, warehouses are set up to help the poor all over the world.

Jesus said, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me", the Catholic Church founded the system that helps the pilgrims, building hospitals, orphanages, schools, colleges, supporting and organizing to help societies reaching the poor.

Travelers were originally supported my monks who developed monesteries that helped those who needed rest on their journey's.

This helped develop roads which worked to make traveling easier so the Church was instrumental in helping develop business helping the common man, the traveler, the stranger.

Technology and science have been used to strengthen faith and work together for the common need of man to learn more about himself, whom God has made in His likeness and glory.

Jesus said, "I was naked and you clothed me", we have been clothed in His righteousness, grounded on the truth of the gospel. The Catholic Church defends modesty in society, a moral guide for those who are seeking for the ship that will not sink, like the Ark of Noah.

The Catholic Church is the moral compass leading those who want to cross over to safety in the Lord. Jesus was stripped of His garments at the cross so that we might be clothed with His glory.

The Catholic Church stands for the dignity of every human being believing that every human being is precious in the eyes of God.

The Church seeks to liberate women from the bondage of pornography, from being made into objects of worship and idols.

Jesus said, "I was sick and you visited me", as I mentioned before, the Catholic Church established the Hospital system that is the model everyone have adopted to work in helping the sick.

Through God's divine providence and His love for mankind, he gave us men who discovered technologies to heal those of sickness.

Disease has always been a threat, but many cures have been discovered that has helped many who were sick to be healed. Polio and Tuberculosis were deadly dieseases that have been almost totally defeated through vaccination and medication.

God has given us many good things to help the sick, He is the Master Healer. As Catholics we know that he heals through the power of His hand and through those whom he placed in our path with the means of healing. Millions have been helped through the Catholic Church for centuries.

Jesus said, "I was in prison and you came to me", the Catholic church through the testimony of great people such as Russell Ford and Harold Morris, are working to serve those in prisons who are largely forgotten.

The Church has always offered the Sacraments to those who many have had long roads paved with injustice, bitterness, hatreds, and violence.

More needs to be done in reaching out to those who are spiritually crying out for help. Mother Mary at Fatima asked us to do sacrifice and pray for those forgotten who are on their way to perdition.

The Lord loves them and seeks to use us to help save them. Walls can been torn down through the love of God, hearts can be changed even in the most terrible places.

We must be doers of the Word and not hearers only. If we are faithful to the Word of God, we will receive that blessing that results from our doing.

We will be raised on that last day for receiving the Bread of life, we will receive that forgiveness through His ambassadors of grace, we will receive the seal of the Holy Spirit through the laying of hands that annoints us with the oil of salvation, the oil of gladness, we will receive that anointing of the sick that will forgive our sins and heal our souls, we will benefit from the Holy Orders of the Ministers of Grace that brings us God's grace through the Sacraments.

The Lord will bless marriage as he did at the wedding of Cana giving us grace to help each other on this great journey of Faith. Be doers of the Word.

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The Catholic Defender: Alcoholism, From a Christian Perspective

The Catholic Church has been a target for some who oppose the drinking of alcohol.

Some of my Protestant friends primarily from the fundamentalist background really do not have the understanding in culture nor customs going back to the time of Jesus.

Most of these denominations were founded in the United States within the past 100 years.

They were largely influenced with the rugged individualism of the American culture.

Unfortunately, Americans are not known for our ability to drink without getting rowdy, raunchy, lewd, crude, and socially unacceptable.

It is also an established fact that alcohol is usually involved with domestic violence. Drinking has lead to the lowering of inhibitions and the result is more lewd behavior. Drinking and driving is always a problem as thousands die each year on our highways. Many more are crippled for life, scared beyond recognition not only in body but also spirit.

Is there a "Christian" approach to drinking? I personally have never been drunk in my life and I thank God for His protection in my life. I've had people close to me who have been alcoholics, had to struggle with this problem. During the time of Jesus, in that part of the world in particular, the water was not healthy to drink.

The people grew accustomed to the desert. Much of this land is desert even to this day. I've been deployed in the Middle East from Saudi Arabia to Iraq to Kuwait. It is one large sandbox. Traveling by foot, or by camel was the way of life. Not a lot has changed there, but there are signs of civilization when you get to the cities.

Matthew 9:17 states, "people do not put new wine into old wineskins, otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved". Just thinking about this scripture reminds me that we must change our entire being, to be made whole, in our conversion to the Faith, that way the Holy Spirit (New Wine Acts 2:13) work in this new "wineskin".

Jesus was able to speak to the crowds with such parables getting their understanding. This made sense to the crowd because the desert was their environment. Unfermented wine would not nor could not be utilized without refrigeration. Grape juice would spoil in a short period of time. Wine however, could last months without spoiling. It would eventually turn to vinegar to be used in everyday cooking. So wine was used in everyday normal life.

The people of God survived on it. To my friends who will claim alcohol is a sin, I will have to ask them; "is Jesus a sinner because he tasted wine"? I do not believe so, not at all. There are over 230 verses about wine in the Bible. Wine was used as a medication (1 Timothy 5:23), as well as for joyous occasions (John 2:10). Wine was used at the Last Supper (1 Cor 10:16). The ritual of Passover itself goes all the way back to Israel's freedom from Egypt, "Delivered by God's own hand".

I can find many verses in the bible favorable to the use of wine. I can also find scripture that warn against it, especially the over use of it (1 Peter 4:3 and Ephesians 5:18). There were those chosen known as "Nazarite", who were never to touch wine or strong drink such as Sampson (Judges 13:5).

Then you also had the joyous ceremonies like the wedding feasts where wine symbolized the life of the party.

It was the wedding feast of Cana where Jesus changed the water into wine, His first public miracle at the request of His Mother (John 2:1-12).

The Catholic Church has always utilized wine in the Eucharistic Celebration.

The fruit of the vine made by human hands, made for the joy of man, made for the cup of Christ, His blood offered once and for all reenacted (Matthew 26:26-29).

Unfermented wine (grape juice) has been authorized in special cases if the priest is an alcoholic. This is granted to the particular priest as a special dispensation and not the norm. I have personally seen this only once.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endangers their own and others safety on the road, at sea, or in the air".

In our day and time, in our culture, the Pope has recognized alcoholism as a serious problem. Each year annually there are 25,000 deaths due to drunk drivers in the United States alone.

Alcoholism has destroyed many lives causing spiritual and physical health problems. Many people under the influence of alcohol will be violent.

Domestic violence such as child abuse is up 500% since 1973. With the deterioration of the family and the rise of incidence of alcoholism, it's no wonder why some of the fundamentalists Protestant churches have looked attractive to war torn lives living on the edge.

Catholics are seen as sinners compromising with evil, seen during the week drinking and carrying all the ills with it, only "going to Mass on Sunday's to get forgiveness".

For the most part our Protestant friends are greatly exaggerated and uncharitable in grouping a whole group of people as one with those with drinking problems.

Many alcoholics come from religious backgrounds which condemn alcohol altogether. In 1978 I interviewed the head of the local AA chapter in Branson Missouri, and he told me strait up that 75% of people involved with AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) come from religious backgrounds that condemns the use of alcohol period.

St. Paul states, "you cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of Demons" (1 Corinthians 10:21). Alcoholism has thus become demons to those who have experienced these social problems. As Catholic, St. Paul reminds us, "It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble "(Romans 14:21).

Catholics who are having problems with alcohol should take Romans 14:21 to heart and Alcoholic's Anonymous has been a great help to many who have sought help to get their lives in order. I have seen people die premature as a result to their drinking problems. It is an ugly picture. Many will deny having drinking problems which I've heard boasting such as: "I can handle my booze, I can drive without any problems, I've done it for years".

I am reminded of the commercials of kids on video talking and laughing, then a caption showing the kids were killed by a drunk driver. This hits home hard. With our Protestant friends, the Catholic Church agree, this must be stopped. The Pope has strongly condemned this himself. We agree on all the ills of society.

The question comes back, "is it a sin to drink alcohol"? Based from the teaching and practice of the Catholic Church and scripture, no, it is not. But it carries the weight of personal responsibility.

In our society it has become difficult to see anything Christian in our social habits. The music and movies we entertain ourselves with, the lifestyle we uphold has thrown our Judeo-Christian ethics out the window enhancing the result of these social ills.

The question remains, "How do we clean it up"? One, it must begin in the home, fathers must take the leadership with his children.

Secondly, we must clean house, "evil company corrupts good morals". We must make our homes a good family environment to worship God in freedom. As families coming together as a community, this would strengthen us, to liberate us from bondage.

Thirdly, to follow the Shepherds of the Church, the teaching Magisterium of the Church, not to be confused with all this liberal line as to be deceived by wicked individuals. We can change society only as we can change ourselves. Are we "new" or "used" wine-skins?

*BEST OF DTB #212* The Catholic Defender: A Message from the USCCB

The following is taken from the USCCB (Summer 2012). It is important to see the Bishops teaching the gospel truth of the Catholic Faith as it has been handed down for nearly 2,000 years. The Catholic Faith was built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets and todays's Bishops are the successors of the Apostles.

"The desire to love and be loved is the deepest need of our being. We long to be known, accepted, and cherished by another. Yet, the ability to fully give or receive this love is unattainable on our own. As Catholics we believe Jesus Christ has entered our broken world to conquer sin and restore us to new life. Throughout every age he continues to invite all women and men to follow him through his Church, to whom he has entrusted his teaching authority, so that all can know and follow him.

Only God can give us the unconditional love and acceptance that we desire. Yet, he has created marriage, a holy union, to mirror this supreme love on earth. At the heart of their married love is the total gift of self that husband and wife freely offer to each other. Because of their sexual difference, husband and wife can truly become “one flesh.” Through the language of their bodies, their sexual union recalls their vows: giving themselves to one another in love that is total, faithful, and life-giving.

This call to love is to follow Christ himself, who handed himself totally over for his bride, the Church. Spouses imitate him by giving the entirety of themselves to one another, including the gift of their fertility and their openness to new life. Contraception and sterilization, which deliberately suppress fertility, reduce the sexual act so that husband and wife withhold the completeness of their total gift to each other. This changes the meaning of their sexual union so that it no longer expresses the fullness of their love.

God our Father loves us and wants our lives to be full and rich! He has given his Church the task of bringing women and men to the fullness of truth which leads to our happiness in this life and in the life to come. Jesus gives us the power and strength of the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Love—so that we, particularly husbands and wives, can truly love one another.

The teaching on the use of contraception and sterilization may seem challenging, but it is to preserve the true, complete self-gift between husband and wife, the kind of love that brings real, lasting joy and peace. If we have failed to live this in the past, we need not be discouraged. Our loving Father is always calling us back through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and wanting to strengthen us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

When we embrace the Church’s teaching on human sexuality and marriage and follow Jesus, we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives in a powerful way. When we trust in the Lord’s desire for our happiness, he can transform our love in a way that can transform the world.

There has been much news lately about the Church’s teaching on contraception and sterilization.
As Catholics, we may be asking thoughtful questions or struggling to understand this teaching.
To learn more, or to see questions others have asked, visit
www.usccb.org/love-and-sexuality.

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My apologies to the Deeper Truth crew

Been working like a dog. Worked 14 hours yesterday (Saturday). I'll be back in it soon.

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The Catholic Defender: Spiritual Health Tips

This morning I had to report for CPR training for my job working for a local security organization. I am currently working part time at a Catholic Hospital which has been a real blessing.

One of the requirements is having CPR/AED training and certification. In the Army, it was always the American Heart Association, but today was the Red Cross.

There are some small changes in the standards from what it was a couple of years ago. Today, there is less importance on giving breaths and more on doing chest compressions.

A lot has changed over the past 27 years when I first became a Combat Medic.

The training today reminded me of the times I had actually needed to use this training to save a life. I have done this a number of times and some of them were members of my own family.

My youngest son, Jason, when he was about a year and a half, maybe two years old, was sitting in front of the television. We were watching one of those old Hercules movies when my wife had made hotdogs for the kids.

Jason had made from the hotdog bun a ball he tried to swallow when it got lodged into his throat. At first, I had not noticed the situation, but my wife sure did.

I quickly took action picking him up and holding him in my arms head down, I began to give him 5 back blows when the lodged ball popped right out and Jason was fine.

That could have been a bad situation, but I was able to use my training and it worked.

My second Son, Joshua, was swimming in Lake Stockton near Stocton Missouri as we were all enjoying a day at the lake.

It was getting near dark when I noticed Joshua was in water that was too deep for him. He was not a strong swimmer and he was struggling.

I quickly was able to get him back to shallow water and he was able to regain his composure. What might have been a terrible tragic situation, I was able to intervene and get Joshua in a safe place.

This is a dangerous situation as we are always hearing of a tragic drowing accident involving children.

All it takes sometimes is for mom or dad turn their attention for just a moment, that's how fast it can happen. Prevention is the best defense.

I was home visiting my Mother before I was to go to Iraq for the first time with the 2-5 CAV out of Fort Hood Texas. I wanted to see my Mother and family before our deployment.

On the very last day, Mother was showing signs of fatigue and was tired. She had spent a good week with us and so before we left the house, we made sure Mom had everything she needed.

She quickly fell asleep when my wife and I looked at her and it was very difficult for me. We both were in tears knowing this could be the last I see my Mother alive.

Before we left, I went inside where my Mother lay sleping offering a prayer for her. On this particular day, my Brother, Randy, came home early and found that something was happening with Mom.

We had not left town yet, and we responded quickly getting back home finding Mom was not breathing. I began giving Mom rescue breathing as she still had a pulse. I continued with the rescue breathing until the EMS arrived.

My wife, Gigi was listening for the breath sounds as I watched for the rise and fall of the chest. This worked well and my Mother would hang on for another day.

As I reflected on this, it was good to reflect on what I have known for a long time, that health is something we should never take for granted. As important as the body, how much more so for the soul. If the soul becomes sick, it is hard to find healing. It is always best to keep spiritually fit as well as physically fit. God grace found in the Sacraments are important, spiritual food that comes to us from the Catholic Faith will not fail. The more we embrace the truth of Christ, the closer we are to spiritual fulfillment.

The following is an example of caring for a choking victim, this is a great scene!

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Marian Conference website hosted on Deeper Truth

Deeper Truth Blog is hosting the website for the Marian Conference in Springfield, Missouri.

The conference is October 13th, 2012

Check out the site and spread the word.

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*BEST OF DTB #211* The Catholic Defender: Ministers Of Grace

According to the Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, grace has several meanings and interpretations.

I love the first example: "1. an unmerited divine assistance given man for his regeneration or sanctification."

 Of this grace, St. Paul writes, "Of this I became a minister by the gift of God's grace that was granted me in accord with the excercise of his power" (Ehpesians 3:7).

St. Paul is clearly indicating his role being called to preach to the Gentiles. This is a grace given him to fulfill the Lord's will in St. Paul's Ministry.

Grace is understood to be a "state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace".

I like what St. Paul writes to the Corinthians, "I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discource and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:4).

This is important because we see the believer is "bestowed" grace which was "confirmed" through the Church. Through the Ministry of the Church, which was established by Jesus Christ.

Grace is a "virtue coming from God" that can be seen on just about every page of the bible.

St. Paul writes, "Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God's grace" (Acts 20:24).

The idea of grace has been used for many different things.

Have you ever heard someone speak of how graceful a professional skater might be as they perform on ice before a large crowd?

Or you might compliment someone on how graceful they might look at a particular function.

Christians routinely offer grace before meals for thanksgiving for their benefits, for the gift of plenty.

For family get togethers, we can see the grace of God extended to just about every facit of life.

What makes the Catholic Priesthood so important is that God uses the ordinary to offer the extraordinary.

 St. Paul writes, "For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

This is a very important scripture indicating grace received through the participation of both the bread and the cup. Through this grace, the Lord is clear with their reception of the Eucharist, "I will raise him on the last day"!

Jesus commands his Ministers of Grace a very important instruction saying, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 'And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained" (John 20:21-23).

When you go to Confession, the Lord takes those sins you confess and throws them into the sea of forgetfulness and he remembers them no more. This is another grace from God that is administered by his Church.

St. Paul would refer to this grace as the "Ministry of Reconcilation" entrusting to the Church the message of reconcilation.

The grace a believer receives through the Confessional is the forgiveness of sins. St. James writes, "My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20).

I was raised with baseball striving to play Professional ball, I have adopted some of my thoughts of baseball and applied them to faith. I like to see the Priest as like a third base coach, I have seen myself as like a first base coach. We strive to coach people to get them on base, to help them maneuver around the bases until they get to home plate. The challenge many times is to get them into the batters box!

Jesus gives his Ministers of Grace another important instruction: "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20).

St. Peter said, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:38-39).

This is important for the believer to understand, we definitely receive grace through baptism. St. Peter understands that Noah's Ark was a prefiguring of the Church, that the flood waters was a prefiguing of Baptism which saves us now. God imputes Sanctifying grace into the soul cleansing it from Original sin as well as all actual sin.

We see the Apostles going out as Ministers of Grace laying hands on those who received the Holy Spirit through their authority.

The Lord works through the Ministry of His Church. St. Luke writes, "Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the Apostles... Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured" (Acts 5:12-16).

St. James writes, "Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven" (James 5:13-15).

 It is clear that the Lord is working his grace through his Church.

Jesus instructs his Apostles, "I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultry. His disciples said to him, 'if that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.' He answered, 'Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it" (Matthew 19:9-12).

 There are a couple of points to make from this text:

1. Notice what Jesus says, "Not all can accept this word, but ONLY those to whom it is granted". The priesthood is a special calling. What it takes to be a true Minister of Grace is to be a true child of God who can accept the grace of the Lord. It is true that a Priest is a human being like all of us who can sin and fall, but there is a difference from someone who sins and falls from one who is a counterfiet. Someone who is a wolf in sheeps clothing. An imposter who has infiltrated the Church with the intent of hurting the Church from within. We know that the enemy is at work who has planted weeds inside the kingdom to cause dissension and scandal. To scatter the flock. We need to pray for all our priests that they remain loyal to their calling and to be true leaders of the Church (1 Peter 5:1-5).

2. Notice Jesus said "unless the marriage is unlawful" a divorced man or woman commits adultry. How is a marriage annulled? Can a husband simply annull his marriage by simply willing it? Who decides? The Ministers of Grace decides this question, not the individual party. Jesus said, "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that evey fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 18:15-18).

This is the basis for the tribunal system where cases are viewed and decided upon. It is Christ speaking through his Church.


St. Paul writes, "Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have abundance for every good work. As it is written: He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever".

God's grace cannot be contained in the walls of men, but he works though His Ministers of Grace, the offices of His Church. Deepertruth wants to encourage you to frequent the Sacraments to obtain the great graces God provides through his Church.

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