Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Why does Moses have horns?
The statue depicts Moses with horns on his head. This is believed to be because of a mistranslation of Exodus 34:29-35 by St Jerome. Moses is actually described as having "rays of the skin of his face", which Jerome in the Vulgate had translated as "horns" (See Halo). The mistake in translation is possible because the wordage can mean either "radiated (light)" or "grew horns".
from, yes, Wikipedia.com
from, yes, Wikipedia.com
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Exodus 20:1-26
1 Then God delivered all these commandments:
2
"I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.
3
You shall not have other gods besides me.
4
You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth;
5
2 you shall not bow down before them or worship them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their fathers' wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation;
6
but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation, on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7
"You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain.
8
"Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.
9
Six days you may labor and do all your work,
10
but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God. No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you.
11
In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
12
"Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you.
13
"You shall not kill.
14
"You shall not commit adultery.
15
"You shall not steal.
16
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything else that belongs to him."
18
When the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the trumpet blast and the mountain smoking, they all feared and trembled. So they took up a position much farther away
19
and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we shall die."
20
Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid, for God has come to you only to test you and put his fear upon you, lest you should sin."
21
Still the people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the cloud where God was.
22
The LORD told Moses, "Thus shall you speak to the Israelites: You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.
23
Do not make anything to rank with me; neither gods of silver nor gods of gold shall you make for yourselves.
24
"An altar of earth you shall make for me, and upon it you shall sacrifice your holocausts and peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In whatever place I choose for the remembrance of my name I will come to you and bless you.
25
If you make an altar of stone for me, do not build it of cut stone, for by putting a tool to it you desecrate it.
26
You shall not go up by steps to my altar, on which you must not be indecently uncovered.
2
"I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.
3
You shall not have other gods besides me.
4
You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth;
5
2 you shall not bow down before them or worship them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their fathers' wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation;
6
but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation, on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7
"You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain.
8
"Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.
9
Six days you may labor and do all your work,
10
but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God. No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you.
11
In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
12
"Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you.
13
"You shall not kill.
14
"You shall not commit adultery.
15
"You shall not steal.
16
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything else that belongs to him."
18
When the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the trumpet blast and the mountain smoking, they all feared and trembled. So they took up a position much farther away
19
and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we shall die."
20
Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid, for God has come to you only to test you and put his fear upon you, lest you should sin."
21
Still the people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the cloud where God was.
22
The LORD told Moses, "Thus shall you speak to the Israelites: You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.
23
Do not make anything to rank with me; neither gods of silver nor gods of gold shall you make for yourselves.
24
"An altar of earth you shall make for me, and upon it you shall sacrifice your holocausts and peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In whatever place I choose for the remembrance of my name I will come to you and bless you.
25
If you make an altar of stone for me, do not build it of cut stone, for by putting a tool to it you desecrate it.
26
You shall not go up by steps to my altar, on which you must not be indecently uncovered.
Exodus 24:13-18
The LORD said to Moses,
13
"You must also tell the Israelites: Take care to keep my sabbaths, for that is to be the token between you and me throughout the generations, to show that it is I, the LORD, who make you holy.
14
Therefore, you must keep the sabbath as something sacred. Whoever desecrates it shall be put to death. If anyone does work on that day, he must be rooted out of his people.
15
Six days there are for doing work, but the seventh day is the sabbath of complete rest, sacred to the LORD. Anyone who does work on the sabbath day shall be put to death.
16
So shall the Israelites observe the sabbath, keeping it throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.
17
Between me and the Israelites it is to be an everlasting token; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day he rested at his ease."
18
When the LORD had finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the commandments, the stone tablets inscribed by God's own finger.
13
"You must also tell the Israelites: Take care to keep my sabbaths, for that is to be the token between you and me throughout the generations, to show that it is I, the LORD, who make you holy.
14
Therefore, you must keep the sabbath as something sacred. Whoever desecrates it shall be put to death. If anyone does work on that day, he must be rooted out of his people.
15
Six days there are for doing work, but the seventh day is the sabbath of complete rest, sacred to the LORD. Anyone who does work on the sabbath day shall be put to death.
16
So shall the Israelites observe the sabbath, keeping it throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.
17
Between me and the Israelites it is to be an everlasting token; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day he rested at his ease."
18
When the LORD had finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the commandments, the stone tablets inscribed by God's own finger.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Lesson 18 from the Baltimore Cathechism
RE: the Second and Third Commandments:
224. What is the second commandment of God?
The second commandment of God is: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that shall take the name of the Lord in vain. (Exodus 20:7)
225. What are we commanded by the second commandment?
By the second commandment we are commanded always to speak with reverence of God, of the saints, and of holy things, and to be truthful in taking oaths and faithful to them and to our vows.
Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. From the rising of the sun unto its going down, may the name of the Lord be praised. (Psalm 112:2-3)
226. What is an oath?
An oath is the calling on God to witness the truth of what we say.
For men swear by one greater than themselves, and an oath given as a guarantee is the final settlement of all their disagreement. (Hebrews 6:16)
227. What things are necessary to make an oath lawful?
To make an oath lawful, three things are necessary: first, we must have a good reason for taking an oath; second, we must be convinced that what we say under oath is true; third, we must not swear, that is, take an oath, to do what is wrong.
And thou shalt swear: As the Lord liveth, in truth, and in judgment and in justice. (Jeremiah 4:2)
228. What great sin does a person commit who deliberately calls on God to bear witness to a lie?
A person who deliberately calls on God to bear witness to a lie commits the very grievous sin of perjury.
Thou shalt not swear falsely by my name, nor profane the name of thy God. (Leviticus 19:12)
229. What is a vow?
A vow is a deliberate promise made to God by which a person binds himself under pain of sin to do something that is especially pleasing to God.
When thou hast made a vow to the Lord thy God, thou shalt not delay to pay it; because the Lord thy God will require it. (Deuteronomy 23:21)
230. What is meant by taking God's name in vain?
By taking God's name in vain is meant that the name of God or the holy name of Jesus Christ is used without reverence; for example, to express surprise or anger.
Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. From the rising of the sun unto its going down, may the name of the Lord be praised. (Psalm 112:2-3)
231. Is it a sin to take God's name in vain?
It is a sin to take God's name in vain; ordinarily, it is a venial sin.
232. What is cursing?
Cursing is the calling down of some evil on a person, place, or thing.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)
233. What is blasphemy?
Blasphemy is insulting language which expresses contempt for God, either directly or through His saints and holy things.
Amen I say to you, that all sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and the blasphemies wherewith they may blaspheme; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Ghost never has forgiveness, but will be guilty of an everlasting sin. (Mark 3:28-30)
234. What is the third commandment of God?
The third commandment of God is: Remember thou keep holy the Lord's day.
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. (Genesis 2:2)
235. Why does the Church command us to keep Sunday as the Lord's day?
The Church commands us to keep Sunday as the Lord's day, because on Sunday Christ rose from the dead, and on Sunday the Holy Ghost descended upon the apostles.
236. What are we commanded by the third commandment?
By the third commandment we are commanded to worship God in a special manner on Sunday, the Lord's day.
Keep you my sabbath; for it is holy unto you. (Exodus 31:14)
237. How does the Church command us to worship God on Sunday?
The Church commands us to worship God on Sunday by assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
238. What is forbidden by the third commandment of God?
By the third commandment of God all unnecessary servile work on Sunday is forbidden.
Six days shall you do work; in the seventh day is the sabbath, the rest holy to the Lord. (Exodus 31:15)
239. What is servile work?
Servile work is that which requires labor of body rather than of mind.
240. When is servile work allowed on Sunday?
Servile work is allowed on Sunday when the honor of God, our own need, or that of our neighbor requires it.
www.catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism
224. What is the second commandment of God?
The second commandment of God is: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that shall take the name of the Lord in vain. (Exodus 20:7)
225. What are we commanded by the second commandment?
By the second commandment we are commanded always to speak with reverence of God, of the saints, and of holy things, and to be truthful in taking oaths and faithful to them and to our vows.
Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. From the rising of the sun unto its going down, may the name of the Lord be praised. (Psalm 112:2-3)
226. What is an oath?
An oath is the calling on God to witness the truth of what we say.
For men swear by one greater than themselves, and an oath given as a guarantee is the final settlement of all their disagreement. (Hebrews 6:16)
227. What things are necessary to make an oath lawful?
To make an oath lawful, three things are necessary: first, we must have a good reason for taking an oath; second, we must be convinced that what we say under oath is true; third, we must not swear, that is, take an oath, to do what is wrong.
And thou shalt swear: As the Lord liveth, in truth, and in judgment and in justice. (Jeremiah 4:2)
228. What great sin does a person commit who deliberately calls on God to bear witness to a lie?
A person who deliberately calls on God to bear witness to a lie commits the very grievous sin of perjury.
Thou shalt not swear falsely by my name, nor profane the name of thy God. (Leviticus 19:12)
229. What is a vow?
A vow is a deliberate promise made to God by which a person binds himself under pain of sin to do something that is especially pleasing to God.
When thou hast made a vow to the Lord thy God, thou shalt not delay to pay it; because the Lord thy God will require it. (Deuteronomy 23:21)
230. What is meant by taking God's name in vain?
By taking God's name in vain is meant that the name of God or the holy name of Jesus Christ is used without reverence; for example, to express surprise or anger.
Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. From the rising of the sun unto its going down, may the name of the Lord be praised. (Psalm 112:2-3)
231. Is it a sin to take God's name in vain?
It is a sin to take God's name in vain; ordinarily, it is a venial sin.
232. What is cursing?
Cursing is the calling down of some evil on a person, place, or thing.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)
233. What is blasphemy?
Blasphemy is insulting language which expresses contempt for God, either directly or through His saints and holy things.
Amen I say to you, that all sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and the blasphemies wherewith they may blaspheme; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Ghost never has forgiveness, but will be guilty of an everlasting sin. (Mark 3:28-30)
234. What is the third commandment of God?
The third commandment of God is: Remember thou keep holy the Lord's day.
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. (Genesis 2:2)
235. Why does the Church command us to keep Sunday as the Lord's day?
The Church commands us to keep Sunday as the Lord's day, because on Sunday Christ rose from the dead, and on Sunday the Holy Ghost descended upon the apostles.
236. What are we commanded by the third commandment?
By the third commandment we are commanded to worship God in a special manner on Sunday, the Lord's day.
Keep you my sabbath; for it is holy unto you. (Exodus 31:14)
237. How does the Church command us to worship God on Sunday?
The Church commands us to worship God on Sunday by assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
238. What is forbidden by the third commandment of God?
By the third commandment of God all unnecessary servile work on Sunday is forbidden.
Six days shall you do work; in the seventh day is the sabbath, the rest holy to the Lord. (Exodus 31:15)
239. What is servile work?
Servile work is that which requires labor of body rather than of mind.
240. When is servile work allowed on Sunday?
Servile work is allowed on Sunday when the honor of God, our own need, or that of our neighbor requires it.
www.catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism
Friday, September 25, 2009
from "Eucharistic Crusaders"
At Zakopane, Fr. Maximilian suffered and prayed. He spent his whole day in prayer. He wrote to his brother, “When I am sometimes tempted to worry, I say to myself, ‘Foolish one, why do you worry? Is this your work or Our Lady’s work? If all belongs to Mary, then She will look after all!’” And Mary did look after all, the Immaculata magazine continued to spread more and more!
During his illness, Fr. Maximilian also suffered darkness of soul. He could not see what was happening in his soul and had to live by Faith, not feelings. He wrote to the novices at Grodno warning them, “Do not be attached to sensible graces. You must expect periods of darkness, anxiety, fears, temptations, and sometimes physical or mental suffering. These crosses will help you become saints!”
During his illness, Fr. Maximilian also suffered darkness of soul. He could not see what was happening in his soul and had to live by Faith, not feelings. He wrote to the novices at Grodno warning them, “Do not be attached to sensible graces. You must expect periods of darkness, anxiety, fears, temptations, and sometimes physical or mental suffering. These crosses will help you become saints!”
Blessed Joseph Cottolengo Bio
Blessed Joseph Cottolengo
Born Bra, Italy, 1786; died Chieri, 1842. He became a canon of the Church of Corpus Christi at Turin, where, in imitation of Saint Vincent de Paul, he worked among the poor and sick, and completed the Casa della Providenza, a group of hospitals and asylums with accommodation for 7000 patients. In connection with this work he established houses of the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul, of Saint Thais, of Carmel, of Suffrage, of Mary of the Seven Dolors, of the Good Shepherd, of Brothers of Saint Vincent de Paul, of Hermits of Gassin, and of Fathers of the Holy Trinity. The Blessed Virgin appeared to him twice. Beatified, 1917. Feast, at Alba Pompea, O.F.M., and at Turin, 30 April.
New Catholic Dictionary
Born Bra, Italy, 1786; died Chieri, 1842. He became a canon of the Church of Corpus Christi at Turin, where, in imitation of Saint Vincent de Paul, he worked among the poor and sick, and completed the Casa della Providenza, a group of hospitals and asylums with accommodation for 7000 patients. In connection with this work he established houses of the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul, of Saint Thais, of Carmel, of Suffrage, of Mary of the Seven Dolors, of the Good Shepherd, of Brothers of Saint Vincent de Paul, of Hermits of Gassin, and of Fathers of the Holy Trinity. The Blessed Virgin appeared to him twice. Beatified, 1917. Feast, at Alba Pompea, O.F.M., and at Turin, 30 April.
New Catholic Dictionary
Thursday, September 24, 2009
St. Paul: Reason Can Know God Exists...
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and diety, has been clearly percieved in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
Romans 1:19-20
Romans 1:19-20
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
St. Augustine Quotation
If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself. " -Contra Faustum, 17,3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)