Jesus: The Difference Between Panic & Peace

Posted on January 8, 2009 by Gary Zimak

This morning my wife and I were faced with a challenging situation. Our 11 year old twins, Mary and Elizabeth, were complaining about a variety of things. Between the two of them we had sore throats, a backache, nausea (complete with gagging but no vomiting), congestion, ?school is boring? ?I need a day off?, etc. Neither of the girls had a fever, which actually makes the decision making process more difficult for us. We gave the speech about seeing how it goes during the day, which unleashed a floodgate of tears. We tried the logic about how it?s going to be more difficult to stay home and deal with all of the makeup work. We also reassured them that they could go to the nurse if they really didn?t feel well and that one of us would be available to pick them up.

While this discussion was going on this morning, the clock was ticking and I was becoming later and later for work. I was on the verge of losing my cool as I started to panic about being late. It didn?t help that I had a lot of things waiting for me at the office. I literally felt like screaming as the frustration built up inside of me. Then I remembered the words of Jesus:

?If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.? (Lk 9:23)

Once I remembered Our Lord?s words, I took a deep breath and felt peace. Whether I liked it or not, this situation was God?s will for me at this moment. He gave me these kids and this situation and even though I didn?t want to deal with it, this was part of my daily cross. We can either embrace these little (or sometimes big) crosses or reject them. One of these approaches will bring peace and the other will bring agony.

Life is really difficult sometimes. We have to do many things that aren?t fun. We can either ?take up or crosses? or complain about them. One of the wonderful things about our Christian Faith is that we can unite all of our discomfort with Our Lord?s suffering on the cross. By doing that, we can actually assist Him in the salvation of mankind! Saint Paul tells us, ?Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church? (Col 1:24). I?m blown away when I think of what a privilege that is.

When these ?crosses? arise throughout the day, try to remember that embracing them is the only way to peace. As Jesus promised:

?Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.? (Mt 11:28)

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Ever See A Miracle?

Posted on January 6, 2009 by Gary Zimak

Have you ever witnessed an actual miracle? Today?s Gospel reading relates the story of Jesus miraculously feeding 5000 people with five loaves and two fish (Mk 6:34-44). Can you try to imagine what it would be like to have been there that day? Those people were truly blessed.

When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

I can relate to that? it?s similar to what we receive at Mass. Jesus teaches us though the readings.

The Lord instructed His Apostles to ?Give them some food yourselves.?

I wasn?t there at the miracle, but that reminds me of the offertory procession at Mass when the gifts of the congregation are presented to the priest, who acts as Jesus when celebrating the Liturgy. This act symbolizes the offering of ourselves, which united to Jesus, will be offered to The Father. At some Masses, the bread and wine that will become the Body and Blood of Our Savior are also presented in the offertory procession. That sounds like the Apostles handing over the 5 loaves and 2 fish to Jesus, doesn?t it?

The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties.

People sitting in rows by hundreds and fifties? That?s funny, but this is starting to sound very familiar. Now it really reminds me of what happens at Mass. Could it be a coincidence or is there something more to this?

Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all.

That sounds almost exactly like something I heard at Mass this past Sunday during the consecration: Before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, he took bread and gave you thanks, He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it; this is my body which will be given up for you. (Eucharistic Prayer II)

They all ate and were satisfied.

When we receive Holy Communion we actually receive The Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. The same Jesus who said, ?I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger? (Jn 6:35). At every Mass, we have to opportunity to eat and be satisfied.
I?m sure you all see the point that I?m trying to make.

The next time you attend Mass?Enjoy the miracle!

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Food For The Poor ? Feeding The Hungry

Posted on January 5, 2009 by Gary Zimak

On Sunday, I had the chance to listen to Fr. Robert White, a representative from Food For The Poor, Inc. He spoke at my parish and his message was powerful. While I am saddened to hear about the plight of the ?poorest of the poor?, I am also humbled to know that The Lord entrusts their care to those of us who may have some resources to share. Many of our poor brothers and sisters can?t even provide food for their own children, let alone themselves. All of us who are parents know how painful it is when we can?t help our children with certain issues. Can you imagine the anguish of parents who can?t even provide food for their family?

Food For The Poor, Inc. has been feeding the hungry since 1982. They are one of my favorite charities and a link to their website appears on the Catholic Truth?s Catholic Web Window site, as well as on this blog (on the right hand side of the page). In 2007, Forbes Magazine awarded them a 97% fundraising efficiency rating. More than 96% of all donations received go directly to programs that help the poor. You can?t get much better than that!
Many of us are appalled at the extravagant wealth and excess that we see flaunted on a daily basis by our ?celebrity culture?. Movie and TV stars, sports figures and company executives selfishly squander millions of dollars on self-indulgent activities and purchases. We think, ?if only they could give some of that to charity.? However, that line of reasoning only leads to frustration because we have no control over their money. We can, however, control our own funds. Even if we have very little, Jesus teaches us the importance of sharing:

When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” (Lk 21:1-4)

In case you?re thinking that your small contribution can?t make a difference, consider the following statistics:

$21 will provide a meal for 420 children.
$36 will feed three families for a month.
$50 will help provide medical and nutritional aid for severely malnourished children.
$170 will provide a water pump for a village.

Please consider sending a gift to this fine organization. Their website can be accessed here. By sharing some of our wealth with our brothers and sisters we are actually serving Our Lord.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Mt 25:35-40)

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Our January Newsletter Is Now Available!

Posted on January 5, 2009 by Gary Zimak

The January 2009 issue of the Catholic Truth Email newsletter is now available. Featured stories include: The true meaning of Jesus? words ?Judge not and you shall not be judged?, March for Life update, our new Catholic Web Window tool, and a scriptural defense of the Sacrament of Confession. Simply visit our website (www.thecatholictruth.info) to subscribe. It will take you about 10 seconds, it?s free and there?s no obligation.

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The Epiphany (What It Means To Us?)

Posted on January 4, 2009 by Gary Zimak

Today, the Church celebrates the solemnity of the Epiphany. On this day, we commemorate the visit of the three wise men (magi) to the baby Jesus. This feast signifies that Jesus is the Savior of not just some, but all people. In today?s Gospel, we heard:

After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. (Mt 2:9-12)

Jesus is the Savior not just of the magi, but of everyone, including us. When we followed our mind?s ?star? and made our way to Church today, were we ?overjoyed? like the magi? In his encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope John Paul II stated, ?Mary is present, with the Church and as the Mother of the Church, at each of our celebrations of the Eucharist.? How did we feel when, just like the magi, when we were in the presence of Jesus and Mary at Mass? Did we ?prostrate ourselves and do homage? to The Lord who is made sacramentally present at each and every Mass? Did we offer Him the gift of our life, by pledging to always do His will? Finally, how were we affected by our encounter with The Lord? As the magi ?changed their way home?, did we leave Mass vowing to ?change our ways? and follow The Lord?s commandments more closely?
It?s easy to look at the tale of the Three Kings as just a ?story?, but it should be much more than that. It provides an example of the way we should feel and act when we encounter the same Jesus that was present as a small child over 2000 years ago. As Catholics we are granted the privilege of being able to meet and receive The Lord at every Mass. Let?s try never to forget how blessed we are!
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The Holy Name Of Jesus

Posted on January 3, 2009 by Gary Zimak

Today the Church celebrates the memorial of The Holy Name of Jesus. The Bible tells us that the mere mention of Our Savior?s Name can cause powerful things to happen:
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:9-11)
?then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. He is ‘the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.’ There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved. (Acts 4:10-12)
Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. (Jn 16:23)
The Gospel from today?s Mass reminds us that Our Lord was given His Name before He was even conceived in Mary?s womb:

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Lk 2:21)
Devotion to Our Lord?s Holy Name was popularized by St. Bernardine of Siena, a 15th century Franciscan priest. St. Bernardine was responsible for designing the monogram of Jesus? name (see picture above) which consists of the letters ?IHS? (the first 3 letters of Jesus? name in Greek), surrounded by rays of sunlight. St. Bernardine would display a painting of this monogram during his sermons, which served as a reminder of the holiness of Our Savior?s name.

In today?s world, it is sad that so many use the Holy Name of Jesus in a negative manner. Almost every day someone in the workplace uses the name of Jesus as an expression of anger. For many, the only time that they utter the name of Jesus is in the form of a ?curse?. While it is difficult to control the actions of others, there are a few things that we can do to restore the holiness to Our Lord?s name.

We can charitably inform people that we are offended by the abuse, but for many that is difficult. Sometimes what starts out as charity ends up as anger, so we need to be cautious when using this approach. A safer alternative is to vow that we will only speak the name of Jesus with reverence and perform an outward gesture, such as a slight bow of the head, when His Name is mentioned. We can also attempt to educate others about the power of the Holy Name and the Good News of Jesus Christ. Finally, we can make reparation for the blasphemies uttered against His Holy Name by saying the following prayer:

O Jesus, my Savior and Redeemer, Son of the living God, behold, we kneel before Thee and offer Thee our reparation; we would make amends for all the blasphemies uttered against Thy holy name, for all the injuries done to Thee in the Blessed Sacrament, for all the irreverence shown toward Thine immaculate Virgin Mother, for all the calumnies and slanders spoken against Thy spouse, the holy Catholic and Roman Church. O Jesus, who hast said: “If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you,” we pray and beseech Thee for all our brethren who are in danger of sin; shield them from every temptation to fall away from the true faith; save those who are even now standing on the brink of the abyss; to all of them give light and knowledge of the truth, courage and strength for the conflict with evil, perseverance in faith and active charity! For this do we pray, most merciful Jesus, in Thy name, unto God the Father, with whom Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the Holy Ghost world without end. Amen. (Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O’Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954)
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Learn More About The Catholic Faith – TV & Radio

Posted on January 2, 2009 by Gary Zimak

For those who wish to learn more about the Catholic Faith, the broadcast media provides many great opportunities. The availability of Catholic TV and radio programs makes it easy to increase your knowledge as you go about your daily routine.

One of the best sources for Catholic TV and radio programming is the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). Their programs can be accessed from the Internet (see our Catholic Web Window page for live feeds), over most cable TV systems, via downloadable podcasts and over various Catholic radio stations including Sirius satellite radio. While not all programs will interest you, I suggest that you sample the ones that appeal to you. Over time you will gravitate to the ones that hold your interest. All programming that appears on EWTN can be trusted for loyalty to Catholic teaching. Take a look at their TV, Radio and Podcasting sites for more details.

Another reliable radio source can be found in the Catholic Answers Live program. This question and answer program provides a tremendous learning tool for anyone wishing to learn more about the Catholic religion. In addition to their live daily program, it is also possible to listen to archived shows. Their many great guests will appeal to everyone?s interests. Consult their program calendar for a list of available shows. We also provide a link from our CWW site. As with EWTN, they can be trusted to provide accurate Catholic teaching.

Don?t miss the opportunity to learn more about the Catholic Faith while you drive in your car, watch television, work on your computer or listen to your iPod. Advances in technology have made it easier than ever to access Catholic teaching throughout the day. While the broadcast media receives much criticism for the poor moral content of their programming, there are many good Catholic programs that can be found by doing some research. Don’t hesitate to contact us at thecatholictruth@yahoo.com if you need further assistance locating programs in your area.

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Mary, The Mother Of God

Posted on January 1, 2009 by Gary Zimak

The recognition of The Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God goes back even before the birth of Jesus. When Mary visited her relative Elizabeth, she was greeted with the words, ?And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?? (Lk 1:43). As early as the year 421, St Cyril, the bishop of Alexandria proclaimed, ?I am exceedingly astounded that there could be anyone who has any doubt as to whether the Blessed Virgin should be called the Mother of God. If Our Lord Jesus Christ is God, why should the Blessed Virgin, who gave Him birth, not be called the Mother of God?? This was officially declared a dogma of the Catholic Faith by The Council of Ephesus in 431.

January 1st is the day chosen by the Catholic Church to celebrate the solemnity of Mary, The Mother of God. Unfortunately, many of today?s Catholics don?t realize that this day is a Holy Day of Obligation and many of those that do think they go to Mass to celebrate the New Year! While it is important to look forward to reforming our lives in the New Year, let?s not forget about Mary who, by saying ?yes? became the Mother of God. We must not forget, however, that she is also the Mother of us all.

Referring to Jn 19:26-27 where Jesus entrusted Mary to the care of the Apostle John, the late Pope John Paul II observed, ?From that day onwards the whole Church has her as Mother. And all men have her as Mother. The words pronounced upon the cross are understood as being addressed to each one of us.? As we begin another year and try to move closer to The Lord, let?s not forget to ask Our Mother for help to stay on track.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray For Us!
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New Year’s Resolutions?Catholic Style!

Posted on December 31, 2008 by Gary Zimak

As the year draws to a close, we are bombarded with various reflections on the current year and predictions for the year to come. We are urged to consider losing a few pounds or practice a healthier lifestyle in the New Year. We are reminded that we should save more money for the future and pay off our debts. While these are all positive things, how often do we assess our spiritual life and determine how well we did in living out our Catholic Faith?

Did God really occupy first place in our lives or did we have to ?squeeze Him in? between all our other activities? Did we make time to pray or were we too busy entertaining ourselves? Did we attend Mass and receive the Sacrament of Confession on a regular basis? Did we strive to learn more about our Catholic Faith by reading good spiritual books and making use of Catholic media? Did we always follow The Lord?s command to ?Love one another? by always being kind, even when it wasn?t easy? Did we always forgive those who ?trespassed against us?? Were we always thankful for each new day given to us by God or did we complain for one reason or another? Did we always seek to accept The Father?s will in our lives, even when it brought pain or discomfort? Did we contribute generously to the poor, keeping in mind the words of Jesus when He said, ?whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for Me?? Did we always stand up for life by speaking out against abortion and euthanasia? Were we proud of our Catholic Faith or did we try to keep it a secret from others?

If you feel you could have done better, don?t despair. Make a resolution to truly put God first in the upcoming year. Thank Him for the gift of another year and for the many gifts that we received in the previous year.

All of us at The Catholic Truth wish you and yours a Blessed New Year! Don?t forget that January 1st is a Holy Day of Obligation dedicated to Mary, The Mother of God. Please attend Mass and ask for her intercession in the upcoming year.

Happy New Year!

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Learn More About The Catholic Faith ? Recommended Reading

Posted on December 30, 2008 by Gary Zimak

One of the most critical steps in learning more about the Catholic religion is choosing good, solid reading material. On the Recommended Reading page of the Catholic Truth website (www.thecatholictruth.info), we present a list of books, magazines and newspapers that accurately present the teachings of the Catholic Church. For the most part, we have selected material that is suitable for beginners. There are a few recommendations that are geared more toward the intermediate level, which will help you to advance spiritually as you learn more about the Catholic Faith. Although there are many good advanced books in print, we do not include them on our site, as that is not the focus of our apostolate.

As with our Internet recommendations, there are a few general guidelines to look for when selecting Catholic books. References to the Catechism, Papal and Vatican Council documents, writings of the Saints and Church Fathers are always a plus. Those references usually indicate support for the Magisterium(teaching office) of the Church and will ensure that you are getting authentic Catholic teaching. On the other hand, beware of any material that criticizes The Church, Papal Authority or Vatican councils. That is a sure sign that you will not be receiving the true teachings of the Church. Also, be careful to avoid reading material that emphasizes unapproved apparitions of the Blessed Mother or Jesus. Unfortunately, there are many books and publications that claim to be Catholic but are not!

Don?t hesitate to email us at thecatholictruth@yahoo.com if you have any questions about Catholic reading material that you discover. We will be more than happy to do the research and provide a quick response.

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