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Here is this week's installment of "Five Faith Friday" which contains five, faith-based things I found interesting and am sharing on Friday.
What Quote I'm Reflecting On --
“A religion that doesn’t interfere with the secular order will soon discover that the secular order will not refrain from interfering with it.” -Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
There are so many things I want to say but I'll keep it short. Many Christians have shed their blood for the faith while we sit here worried about what people might think of us. Be bold. Be a martyr (fun fact: did you know that the Greek word for martyr, μάρτυς, means a “witness"?).
Why I Receive Communion On The Tongue --
I was asked by a reader this week to cover off on why I receive the Blessed Sacrament on the tongue. Here is why:
- Tradition. For the first ~1900 years of Catholicism, the Blessed Sacrament was exclusively distributed on the tongue. It wasn't until 1969 that the Vatican approved for it to be distributed in the hand via an exception process. In the United States, Communion in the hand was officially permitted in 1977.
- Humility. To me, it is very humbling to come before the Lord, recognizing that ideally only an ordained clergy member should touch Jesus.
- Reverence. Knowing that Jesus's entire body, blood, soul, and divinity is being placed on my tongue is extremely powerful. Also knowing that fragments are not being left behind in my hand and subsequently on the ground is powerful to me.
- Security. While this doesn't directly apply to me, I love when individuals receive on the tongue because you significantly decrease the opportunity for a satanist or other individual to steal Jesus.
If you have questions about Jesus being truly present in the Eucharist, I'd point you to the Bread of Life Discourse found in the Bible. Read it slowly.
Saint Thomas Aquinas once said, “...out of reverence towards this Sacrament, nothing touches it, but what is consecrated; hence the corporal and the chalice are consecrated, and likewise the priest's hands, for touching this Sacrament. Hence, it is not lawful for anyone else to touch it except from necessity, for instance, if it were to fall upon the ground, or else in some other case of urgency” (Summa Theologiae, III, 82, 3)
Which Communities I Was Checking Out --
Ave Maria in Ave Maria, Florida and Veritatis Splendor near Tyler, Texas. They are both planned communities with a focus on faith. Ave Maria is more of a college town while Veritatis Splendor is more of a Catholic town. Want to read more? Massive Catholic Center Planned for East Texas.
What Glory Story I Wanted to Share --
Last week I received some news that was going to impact me and my family rather drastically. We started praying the Surrender Novena and on day 9, God took care of everything. God is good!
What is a Novena? It's 9 days of prayers. Did you know that Jesus instituted the first novena? Just before his Ascension, Jesus told the apostles to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to come. They were with Mary for nine days, praying and waiting for the Paraclete. If you want an in depth analysis of Novenas, check this out.
What Podcast Episode I Listened To --
"Be My Guest: All About Same-Sex Attraction with Fr. Phillip Bochanski" from the Ask Father Josh podcast. The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
BONUS
What Upcoming Events That I'm Attending --
- Thursday, September 2nd from 2-4:00 there is going to be a Pro Life Chain in Easton, PA at the corner of William Penn and 25th Street
- On September 13th, there is going to be a 1 night book club at St. Jane Frances de Chantal in Easton, PA. Please purchase a copy of The Priests We Need to Save the Church by Kevin Wells. Even if you can't make it to the book club, you need to read this book
- Saturday, September 18th is the return of AbbeyFest
- Monday, September 27th in Harrisburg there is going to be the first-ever Pennsylvania March For Life
- Saturday, October 9th in Allentown, Kevin Wells, author of The Priests We Need to Save the Church, will be coming to speak
Have a wonderful weekend and may God bless you and your family!
David
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