Bulletin 135

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

January 13th, 2013 Holy Family

Epistle: Col. 3: 12-17; Gospel: Lk. 2: 42-52

Mass schedule January 14th through January 18th

Monday-Saint Hilary-Bishop, Confessor & Doctor-NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday-Saint Paul, the First Hermit

Wednesday-Saint Marcellus I-Pope & Martyr

Thursday-Saint Anthony, Abbot

Friday-Votive Mass of the Chair of Saint Peter


The Feast of the Holy Family offers us a chance to reflect upon God’s eternal truths and the true meaning of life. We are a pilgrim people and the true home we were born for is in heaven. In this world filled with temptation and the pride of life we must learn the great value of silence. We should ask God for the gift of meditation and reflect upon that which is spiritual. We should pray each day for a well-ordered and disciplined life of prayer. We must first be rooted deeply in Christ if we hope to fulfill our duty as Christians to bring Him into a world where so many are in desperate need of His grace.

The Feast of the Holy Family should also help us to understand the importance of family life. The family is the basic unit of society. However, it is rapidly deteriorating and in many places almost completely vanquished from our culture. The family is the context in which children were meant to be raised.

We should also reflect upon the value of work. Jesus Christ chose to become the Son of a carpenter. He was never too proud to embrace an honest day’s work. Saint Paul writes in his Epistle: “All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Jesus Christ our Lord.” We should put all our hearts into everything we do and do all for love of God alone. If we can truly say that love of God is our motivation then we are on the path to holiness.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Temptation and Prayer

No person is above temptation. The holiest saints all passed through temptation. Jesus Christ Himself allowed temptation to come his way. However, we will never be tempted past what we can endure. But we must always have recourse to prayer. It is through temptaions that we discover who we are...

Pray constantly. Never become discouraged in the midst of temptation. Trust in God. Renew your confidence in Him. Increase your faith and you will live in peace even during the most trying times of temptation.

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Lent

Every person is subject to temptation. The greatest characters in the Old Testament all underwent temptation, from Adam and Eve to Moses. We cannot allow ourselves to be troubled too much when temptation comes our way. It is inevitable. There is no tribulation or temptation whose limits God has not appointed so as to serve not for our destruction but for our salvation.

God never permits us to be tempted (or afflicted) beyond our strength. It is only through temptation that we can enter into the kingdom of God. We must trust in God and His divine providence. Nothing happens to us in this life unless God wills it so. We owe our lives entirely to God.

In fact, God is the only person we can blame for the wrong we may suffer. Although God is not the cause of the sin when a person mistreats us, He is the cause of the suffering that person inflicts upon us while sinning. God did not inspire your enemy with the desire and will to harm you, but He did give him the power to do so!

We have only to look to the life and suffering of Jesus Christ Himself and learn from His own example. Christ was unjustly persecuted and put to death, and this was by the hand of God Himself. Christ allowed Himself to be tempted by satan, yet He showed us by His example how to always overcome the enemy.

This lent let us pray and fast and unite ourselves to Christ's sufferings. Let us draw our strength from our Lord and Saviour who gives us courage to do battle.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Prayer and Temptation

Christ our Lord allowed Himself to be tempted in order to give us an example and to instruct us. The Catholic Church teaches us that there are three levels of temptation. The first level is that of suggestion, or external temptation. This is the only way that Christ could be tempted since He was perfect. We can all undergo external temptation without committing any sin. The second level of temptation is that temptation in which we take delight. Although we may not give clear consent, this level of temptation becomes internal and thus becomes sinful. Finally, there is temptation to which we consent. This form of temptation is always sinful because it affects the deepest part of our soul. Christ allowed himself to be externally tempted in order to show us how to fight and conquer our own temptations. We must learn to trust in God and turn to prayer when we are tempted.

Nobody is above temptation. All the great saints were tempted. We must prepare ourselves for temptation by prayer and fasting just as Jesus did. This is why the Church gives us the beautiful season of Lent. Jesus’ withdrawal into the desert invites us to prepare ourselves by prayer and penance to battle temptation, but also teaches us how to prepare before making any significant decision or action.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Baptism of Jesus

The Book of Revelation tells us that Jesus Christ has won the victory over sin and satan. He is glorious in heaven as the Lamb who was slain surrounded by all His saints, martyrs and virgins who constantly give Him praise and glory.

We share in the sacrifice of Christ when we participate in Holy Communion. We must always give thanks to Christ for redeeming us by His blood and giving us Himself in Holy Communion. It is so very important that we always properly prepare to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. We must also give a proper thanksgiving if we expect to draw fruit from receiving our Lord.

In fact, the Church teaches us that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our lives as Catholic Christians. Everything else emanates from the reception of our Redeemer in Holy Communion. Priests must therefore offer each Mass as if it were their only Mass. The lay faithful should attend every Mass as if it were their only Mass. We must guard against the danger of becoming complacent.

Tomorrow we celebrate the Commemoration of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like John the Baptist we must decrease and acknowledge our unworthiness...Domine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Integrity of our Lives

From a homily written in the second century:

Let us be sure that when the day of judgment comes, our place will be among those who give thanks to God and have served Him, and not with the ungodly who face condemnation. As for myslef, I am only a sinner, not yet beyond the reach of temptation; but even amidst all the devil's machinations, I still strive to make progress and hope to attain at least some virtue, for I fear the judgment that awaits me.

...The reward I ask is that you repent with your whole heart, to save yourselves and find life. If we do this, we shall set an example for all young people, for whom the glory and goodness of God is a challenge to be generous in His service.

Let me say also that when we are given a warning and corrected for doing something wrong, we should not be so foolish as to take offense and be angry. There are times when we are unconscious of the sins we commit because our hearts are fickle, lacking faith. Futile desires cloud our minds. We need to pull ourselves up, therefore, because our very salvation is at stake.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Temptation is Necessary

Job says: “Man’s life on earth is a temptation.” No one is too perfect and holy as sometimes not to have temptations. Nevertheless, temptations can be very profitable, difficult though they may be. Temptation is necessary. It helps us to persevere in humility and distrust of ourselves. Temptation forces us to take refuge in God alone. In fact, temptation is one of the sure signs that we are on the path to heaven, no matter how humiliating the temptation may be. If you are weighed down with the worst temptations simply turn to Jesus Christ wholeheartedly and He will support you in your time of trial.

One of the most common temptations is to turn away from God when we are persecuted. But we must trust Him and His divine providence. It is one of the most firmly established and most consoling of the truths that have been revealed to us that (apart from sin) nothing happens to us in life unless God wills it so. Wealth and poverty alike come from Him. If we fall ill, God is the cause of our illness; if we get well, our recovery is due to God. We owe our lives entirely to Him, and when death comes to put an end to life, His will be the hand that deals the blow.

But should we attribute it to God when we are unjustly persecuted? Yes, He is the only person you can charge with the wrong you suffer. He is not the cause of the sin the person commits by ill-treating you, but He is the cause of the suffering that person inflicts on you while sinning.

God did not inspire your enemy with the will to harm you, but He gave him the power to do so. If you receive a wound, do not doubt that it is God Himself who has wounded you. If the whole world were to stand against you, unless God wished it and joined with them and gave them the strength and means to carry out their purpose, they would never succeed. You would have no power over me if it had not been given you from above, Jesus Christ said to Pilate. We can say the same to demons and men and whatever exists—you would not be able to disturb me or harm me as you do unless God had ordered it so. You are sent by Him, you are given the power by Him to tempt me and to make me suffer. You would have no power over me if it had not been given you from above.


In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

God's Action in our Lives

Saint Paul tells us, “Looking towards the author and finisher of faith, Jesus (the only begotten and beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased) …Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. For you have not yet resisted unto blood (as He did) in the struggle with sin, and you have forgotten the exhortation that is addressed to you as sons, saying, My son, neglect not the discipline of the Lord, neither be thou weary when thou art rebuked by Him. For whom the Lord loves He chastises, and He scourges every son whom He receives. Continue under discipline, for God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not correct?

In short, the purpose for which God acts is a high and holy one, His own glory and the good of His creatures. Infinitely good—Goodness itself—He seeks to make them all perfect by drawing them towards Him and making them sharers in His divinity as far as they are capable. But because of the close ties He has established with us by the union of our nature with His in the person of Jesus Christ, we in a still more special manner are the object of His benevolence and tender care. What God does and ordains in us and for us is suited to our strength and capabilities, so that everything may serve to our advantage and perfection if we but cooperate with the designs of His providence.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Proper Order of Prayer

When God sends us trials and temptations we must have recourse to prayer. God has solemnly promised to always answer our prayers, even though most of us are constantly complaining that He does not do so. The answer is not because of the kind of things we ask for, since God included everything in His promise—all things whatsoever you shall ask. Nor can we attribute it to the unworthiness of those who ask, for His promise extended to everybody without exception—whoever asks shall receive. Why is it then that so many prayers remain unanswered? The answer is because we ask for way too little and we are not insistent enough.

Christ promised on behalf of His Father that He would give us everything, even the very smallest things. But He also laid down an order to be observed in all that we ask, and if we do not obey this rule we are not likely to obtain anything. Seek first the kingdom of God and His justice and all these things shall be given to you besides. This is the order God observes in the distribution of His benefits. We must not be surprised then if our prayers have so far been unsuccessful. People give alms, make vows to God, fast, or have Masses offered for the success of their temporal affairs. They are of little use because their offerings should be for the intention of amending their lives, for greater patience, contempt of the things of the world and detachment from creatures. Then afterwards they could pray for return of health or success of business. God would answer these prayers.

Penance II

The Sacrament of Penance is a Sacrament which our Lord Jesus Christ instituted for the forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism. There is no sin which this sacrament does not remit, no matter how grave or how numerous. Every sinner is sure of forgiveness and being made one again with God provided that he makes the necessary reparation. We must know our sins, the number of them, and the circumstances which cause us to sin. We have to pray to the Holy Ghost in order to attain this knowledge. If we examine our conscience without praying for enlightenment from the Holy Ghost we run the risk of making a sacrilegious confession!

The Council of Trent teaches us that the complete confession of sins was also instituted by the Lord and is by divine law necessary for all who have fallen after Baptism…For it is clear that without knowledge of the case priests could not exercise this judgment, nor could they observe equity in the imposition of penances if the penitents declared their sins only in general not specifically and in particular.

Thus it follows that all mortal sins, of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious, must be recounted by them in confession, though they may be most secret and may have been committed only against the last two precepts of the Decalogue; for these sins sometimes wound souls more grievously and are more dangerous than those which are committed openly…when Christ’s faithful strive to confess all sins that occur to their memory, they undoubtedly place all of them before the divine mercy for pardon. But those who fail to do so and knowingly withhold some, place nothing before the divine goodness for remission.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Pentecost

We know we are a child of the Holy Ghost if we avoid grievous sin. The Holy Ghost can only dwell in a soul who has no part of serious sin. Every sin is an abomination to the Holy Ghost. Saint Paul writes: “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God.” In other words, do not sin! Sin turns the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost into the dwelling place of Satan! Saint Gregory says: “The sinner’s heart is the devil’s workshop, but not the dwelling of the Holy Ghost.” It is most notably the sins of impurity-unchaste thoughts, words, and actions which drive the Holy Ghost out of our hearts. The sensual man cannot receive the grace of the Holy Ghost. The book of Genesis tells us: “My spirit shall not remain in man forever, because he is flesh;” in other words, because he is addicted to the lust of the flesh.

If you have lost the Holy Ghost through leading a sinful life now is the time to repent! You must do penance to purify your soul and receive the Holy Ghost once again into your heart. Saint Peter says: “Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”


In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Risen Christ

Our risen Lord before His resurrection established His Church. He set it up in a hierarchical fashion in order to govern all the faithful in His name until the end of time. Christ taught His disciples His divine word. He instructed them in the eternal truths which in turn have been revealed to mankind. The word of God is equivalent to revelation. Revelation and grace are among our most precious gifts.

God has revealed His word to man since the beginning of the world. He spoke to us through the prophets. In the fullness of time God sent to us His Only Begotten Son. There will be no further revelation. God has led us into the fullness of the truth found in His holy Catholic Church. We must embrace this truth with our whole hearts and thus strive to please our God.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Litany of the Passion

Jesus, unknown and despised, (Have mercy on me.)
Jesus, calumniated and persecuted,
Jesus, abandoned by men and tempted,
Jesus, betrayed and sold for a paltry sum,
Jesus, blamed, accused and unjustly condemned,
Jesus, clothed with a garment of opprobrium and shame,
Jesus, buffeted and mocked,
Jesus, dragged with a rope round Thy neck,
Jesus, scourged unto blood,
Jesus, reputed to be a fool and to be possessed by a devil,
Jesus, to whom Barabbas was preferred,
Jesus, shamefully stripped of Thy garments,
Jesus, crowned with thorns and saluted in derision,
Jesus, laden with the Cross, and disowned by Thy people,
Jesus, overwhelmed with insults, sorrow, and humiliations,
Jesus, sorrowful unto death,
Jesus, insulted, spat upon, beaten, outraged and scoffed at,
Jesus, hanged on the infamous tree in company with robbers,
Jesus, set at nought and deprived of honor before men,
Jesus, overwhelmed with all kinds of sorrow,

O Good Jesus, who has suffered an infinity of insults and humiliations for love of me, imprint deeply on my heart a great love and appreciation for them, and the desire to endure them willingly for Thee. Amen.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Prayer in Spirit and in Truth

God wants prayer offered in spirit and in truth. We can never underestimate the power of Christian prayer. Prayer is the one thing that can conquer God Himself. As Tertullian the priest writes: ...prayer gives strength to the weak, heals the sick, exorcises the possessed...Prayer cleanses from sin, drives away temptations, stamps out persecutions, comforts the fainthearted, gives new strength to the courageous, brings travelers safely home, calms the waves, confounds robbers, feeds the poor, overrules the rich, lifts up the fallen, supports those who are falling, sustains those who stand firm. All the angels pray. Every creature prays.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Temptation Continued

The greatest misfortune for a Christian is not to be tempted. Saint Gregory says that if you have no temptations the devil is your friend, your guide and your shepherd. If he now allows you a life of peace, he will at the end of your life drag you into hell. If we are not tempted then we must consider ourselves abandoned by God.

Temptation is necessary. It helps us persevere in humility and distrust of ourselves. Temptation obliges us to take refuge in God alone. In fact, temptation is one of the sure signs that we are on the path to heaven, no matter how humiliating the temptation may be. Saint Augustine says that everything we do without overcoming temptation is of very little value. We cannot become discouraged. We should rather thank God and fight the good fight because we have already won the victory in Jesus Christ.

More on Temptation

Job says: “Man’s life on earth is a temptation.” No one is too perfect and holy as sometimes not to have temptations. Nevertheless, temptations can be very profitable, difficult though they may be. Christ Himself was tempted precisely to show us how we can gain victory over temptations. In fact, temptation is necessary for us because it teaches us to know ourselves. Satan has asked to put us through the crucible of temptation, but Christ has prayed for us. Saint Paul reminds us that “God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able, but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.”

Satan knows his time is limited. His goal is to tax your patience, to discourage you, and at last to drag you into hell. He will tempt you with desire for gain. He will induce you to accumulate worldly goods. He will tempt you with the devil of pride and the demon of pleasure. We must therefore watch over ourselves. We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We may be standing now, but we must pray and watch lest we fall.

Sincerely in Christ,

Re. Jeffery A. Fasching

Following the Lord

The prophet says: "The Lord is my light and my salvation." Those who are privileged to know this light cease to sin or offend God in any way. If we truly walk in the light of Christ as spiritual creatures we possess the courage to withstand all things. We are able to bear trials and sufferings because we find our strength in God. We are capable of enduring all things with patience and humility.

The spiritual person, when faced with temptation, acknowledges that Christ is his light. Temptation may come upon him, but he can always overcome it. Evil desires may come over him, but he is never conquered by them. God is his strength.

Let us pray today that we may give ourselves more completely to God. He is our strength and our salvation.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Trust in God alone and not in men

Our ultimate goal is of course God. He is the source alone of all that is good and holy. Faith in God is among our greatest gifts. God wants our faith to be strengthened. Christ demanded faith from all those for whom He worked His miracles. In order to hear our prayers, our Lord wishes us to experience poverty, distress, abandonment and even persecution. In His wisdom, this is how God shows us we are included among His beloved friends. However, we must remain faithful to Him in all such circumstances.

God wants us to always grow in our confidence in Him alone and in nobody else. God refuses to work in and through those who refuse to place all their confidence in Him alone. On the other hand, if we have a lively faith and hope in Him He will do great things for us. God always raises up the lowly.

Finally, God wishes to test His faithful servants like gold in the furnace. We must remain unshaken and steadfast in times of distress. God will in turn always raise us up. This is the way God has always dealt with His saints. If we remain faithful in the face of trials, God will give us true peace in this world and life forever in the next.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Christian's Life

All who endeavor to follow Christ and speak His truth will suffer persecution. If all we ever experience is peace and a world free from cares, chances are that we are not counted among Christ's favorites. In fact, scripture tells us that the Lord chastises those whom He approves of.

We must live pure lives. We must also be willing to continue to be purified by frequent rebukes. The cross of Christ consists in experiencing conflict and fears. Satan will constantly attempt to entice and tempt us. We must battle against him. We must also battle those forces within the Church herself. Often we will find ourselves persecuted by the very members of our same body.

Have no fear because the Lord Jesus Himself suffered at the hands of those who were His own. He was counted among the wicked though He committed no sin. We must give thanks to the Lord as we drink His cup of suffering!

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Advent II

We are now in a time of both anticipation and preparation. The Advent seasons offers us an opportunity to look forward with joy to the greatest event in the whole history of humanity, namely the incarnation. At the same time, we are reminded of our responsibility to make ourselves ready for Christ's second coming when He will act as our Judge.

It should be a great joy for us when we meditate on the fact that our lives on this earth are so very short. We will soon depart this good world that God created; a world in which we are so often tempted to offend God who suffered so much for us. It is good for us to meditate often on eternity. When we do so how can we possibly cling to this life and all that is in it?

Judgment on the part of Christ should bring us consolation rather than despair. Our Lord is not a severe Judge, but a Father and Redeemer. God opens His heart to us in sympathy. Those who have been sincere in their tears for their sins, their penances and good works will no doubt be embraced by the loving arms of the Father.

Are you ready for that day?

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching