Life_Giving Faith.pdf

Prudence & wisdom

Posted October 12, 2018 at 12:00 am

“Indeed the word of God is living and effective” (Heb 4:12). We begin the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time with an awakening. The author of the Book of Wisdom, through prayer and pleading, receives prudence and wisdom, resulting in a preference for these rather than earthly riches. “Prudence guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1806). This is the first of the cardinal virtues, that which instills shrewdness so we can see or anticipate difficulties and thus be enabled to choose good as opposed to evil. Wisdom follows predominately as “a spiritual gift which enables a person to know the purpose and plan of God” (CCC #120). Thus prudence sets our compass as wisdom aligns us to do

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    Persecution for Christ a blessing

    By Debbie Shelley

    The Catholic Commentator  

    Catholics may consider Jesus’ final beatitude, “blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake,” to also be the final challenge. But the glory of heaven waits on the other side of it, according to Father Charbel Jamhoury, pastor of St. Agnes Church in Baton Rouge.  

    “The beatitudes are revolutionary,” said Father Jamhoury “… as he (Jesus) is as a person. He presents a model of happiness completely contrary to the world, to what

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    Love is the foundation of peace

    By Debbie Shelley

    The Catholic Commentator 

    Peacemakers are God’s agents dispensing love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness to make the world as God intended it to be, according to Father Charles Atuah MSP, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Donalsonville, in speaking about the seventh beatitude given by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

    “God is full of love,” said Father Atuah. “You cannot speak about peace if there is no love. Love is the foundation

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    Thirst for justice satisfied through the joy of the Gospel

    By Debbie Shelley

    The Catholic Commentator

    Hungering and thirsting for righteousness means loving people enough to get involved in their lives and protect their dignity as sons and daughters of God, according to Father Rick Andrus SVD, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge.

    In looking at the fourth beatitude, a key point to remember about “righteousness” is God alone is righteous, said Father Andrus.

    “What Jesus is saying (in the beatitude) is that ‘Blessed are those who have a heart like God.’ God’s heart is not set on

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    The EASY (Entrust-Acquiesce- Surrender-Yield) Prayer

    Dear God, I must rely more on you than on me.

    I must rely more on your perfection than on my holiness.

    I must rely more on your faithfulness than on my promises.

    I must rely more on your goodness than on my inclinations.

    I must rely more on your providence than on my planning.

    I must rely more on your grace than on my ability.

    I must rely more on your power than on my strength.

    I must rely more on your wisdom than on my ingenuity.

    I must

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    Life_Giving Faith.pdf

    Faith seeking understanding

    Without a doubt the Scripture readings proclaimed during Mass for the 20th and 21st Sundays of Ordinary Time (Year B) invite all to a deeper awakening of faith. Those seeking to understand are invited to sit at the table, taste and see the goodness of the Lord, share life in community, receive living bread and become what you receive.  

    Invitation   

    The seven columns upon which wisdom has built her house (Prv 9:1) indicates perfection. Here all are

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    Shepherds to lead and feed abundantly

    By Dina Dow

    The Sunday Mass readings for the next two weeks place us directly in the middle of the season of Ordinary Time as we celebrate the 16th and 17th weeks. Recently we explored extraordinary passages about miracles, healings, mercy and discipleship, as well as amazement, suspicion and outright rejection. These next six weeks will call upon the deep faith of Jesus’ followers and belief in the presence of Jesus. In other words, it is about to get very Real, with a capital “R.” The reality begins through the familiar analogy of a shepherd. The 16th

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    The beginning

    The Catholic Commentator along with the Archives Department of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, is launching Capital City Faith, which will trace the history of Catholicism in the city of Baton Rouge through a series of articles and photographs provided by the Archives Department.

    By Ann Boltin

    Although we are celebrating the bicentennial of the incorporation of the great city of Baton Rouge, the Catholic Church has been a

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    Spiritual roots examined during Lenten Day of Reflection

    By Debbie Shelley

    The Catholic Commentator

    About 300 black Catholics throughout South Louisiana examined their spiritual roots during a Lenten Day of Reflection at the Catholic Life Center on Feb. 13.

    More than 300 black Catholics from around South Louisiana attended the Sankofa Lenten Day of Reflection at the Catholic Life Center on Feb. 13. Photo provided by Deacon Alfred

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    Communicants must meet certain criteria to receive body of Christ

    By Richard Meek 

    The Catholic Commentator 

    (Second in a series)

    Holy Communion will always be at the center of the Catholic Church; it is what separates Catholicism from other denominations. 

    But not all who attend Mass are necessarily eligible to receive the body and blood of Christ. Father Paul Counce, judicial vicar for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, said canon law is clear that a communicant must meet four requirements, including having fasted for at least one hour prior to receiving Communion; be in a state of grace, also known as properly disposed; believe in the

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