2024 September | penitents

Confraternity of Penitents Newsletter
September 2024

SPIRITUAL GUARDIAN’S REFLECTION: DR. JOSHUA BENSON’S BOOK ON SAINT FRANCIS

On September 14th we will celebrate the liturgical feast of the Triumph of the Cross and on September 15th the feast of the Sorrowful Mother. Both of these themes were very dear to St. Francis of Assisi.

I would like to recommend a beautiful, short, newly published book of less than 100 pages but incredibly rich in insight about the charism of our Order: FRANCIS OF ASSISI: A Meditation on His Life and Writings by Joshua C. Benson. Benson is associate professor of historical and systematic theology at the Catholic University of America, where he has taught since 2008. A scholar and popular teacher, he also publishes and lectures on Franciscan figures and their influence. The book is published by Paulist Press.

Synopsis:

"Utilizing written sources from Francis of Assisi and his contemporaries, (the book) invites readers into a vibrant meditation on the life of Saint Francis with a focus on his prayer and eucharistic devotion. The book moves readers beyond common sentimental approaches to Francis and toward a richer appreciation of the saint who received the stigmata."

Here are two reviews:

"A treasure trove of reflections, this book offers a unique vantage point on the enduring Gospel legacy of Francis. Each page's penetrating insights invite readers to live the spirit that impelled Francis of Assisi." - Fr. Regis Armstrong, OFM Cap., emeritus professor of theology and religious studies, The Catholic University of America.

"In an accessible, prayerful way, Benson integrates new materials on the saint's life and writings. He opens new doors to enter the Gospel vision within the heart of Saint Francis." - Fr. Wayne Helman, OFM Conv., professor emeritus, St. Louis University St. Louis, Missouri.

Benson’s book is a wonderful short read for the month of September. It was introduced at CFP Retreat 2024 and retreatants requested that reflections on it be continued as the 2025 retreat topic. Enjoy this book, and may God give you His Peace. – Fr. Joseph Tuscan, OFM Cap, CfP Spiritual Guardian

(NOTE: Dr. Joshua Benson’s book on Saint Francis ($15.95) is available from the CFP Holy Angels Gifts Shop, on this link

HUMOR

Talk is cheap because the supply always exceeds the demand.
I didn’t mean to push all of your buttons. I was just trying to hit “mute.”
Inventor of the wind chill factor died recently. He was 82 but felt like he was 64.
I wish I was as thin as my patience.
Never plan a wedding in the winter. Someone always gets cold feet.

NO GREATER LOVE: THE NAME OF GOD

In the course of the Lord’s “Priestly Prayer”, Jesus says, “I have manifested your name to the men you gave me out of the world; they were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” (Jn 17:6) Pope Benedict, in Jesus of Nazareth, explains what is meant by the “name of God”. A further fundamental theme of the high-priestly prayer is the revelation of God's name: "I have manifested your name to the men that you gave me out of the world" (Jn 17:6). "I made known to them your name, and I will make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them" (Jn 17:26).

With these words Jesus clearly presents himself as the new Moses, who brings to completion what began with Moses at the burning bush. God revealed his "name" to Moses. That "name" was more than a Word. It meant that God allowed himself to be invoked, that he had entered into communion with Israel. So in the course of Israel's faith history, it became ever clearer that the “name of God" meant his ''immanence": his presence ·in the midst of men, in which he is entirely "there", while at the same time infinitely surpassing everything human, everything to do with this world.

"God's name" means: God present among men. It is said of the Temple in Jerusalem that God "[made] his name dwell" there (Deut 12:11, and elsewhere). Israel would never have dared to say simply: God lives there. Israel knew that God is infinitely great, that he surpasses and embraces the whole world. And yet he was truly present: he himself. That is what is meant by saying: "He [made] his name dwell there." He is truly present, yet always remains infinitely greater and beyond our reach. "God's name" is God himself insofar as he gives himself to us; however certain we are of his closeness and however much we rejoice over it, he always remains infinitely greater.

Pope Benedict is telling us that when Jesus “manifests” the name of God to his followers, He is revealing to them the Father’s immanence or presence to them. However, what is actually meant by God’s immanence? In the Old Testament, God was immanent or present to Israel through Moses, the priests and the prophets. These were needed to mediate God’s presence to Israel. The Mosaic Law and the judges and prophets who repeatedly called Israel back to the true observance of the Mosaic Law was the way in which God was immanent to Israel.

With the coming of Jesus Christ, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). The immanence of God became “ontological” as Pope Benedict explained in Jesus of Nazareth. It is important to understand what we mean by “ontology” or “ontological”. Ontology is a branch of metaphysics which deals with the study of being. We need to distinguish between ontological presence and immanence. In the Old Testament, God was present (immanent) to Israel. In the New Testament, God is present(immanent) in His very Being in Jesus Christ. After His Ascension, the Lord is still ontologically present to us in the Eucharist. When we do Eucharistic adoration, we are not just adoring His presence; we are adoring Him in His ontological presence. When the Nicene Creed asserts that Jesus is “consubstantial” with the Father, it means that Jesus is in some sense one in Being with the Father. It is not just that the Father is present or immanent with Jesus like He was to the prophets. Jesus and the Father are of the same substance.

One might question why we need such philosophical and metaphysical terms such as “ontology, substance, or being”. Why not just believe in Jesus as the Son of God as it says in the Bible? Pope Benedicts has explained that this philosophical terminology does not add to the Bible. Instead, terms are meant to preserve the integrity of what is in the Bible. In the fourth century, Arius taught that Jesus was not coeternal with the Father, but was a created being. The Council of Nicaea, in 325 AD, used philosophical terms such as “consubstantial” to teach clearly what the Church believed about Jesus. The goal of the Council was to state unambiguously the faith of the Church against those who wanted to reinterpret the teachings of the Church to make them more acceptable to the “modern” people of that time. This has been a constant struggle in the Church during her entire two-thousand-year history. There have always been those who have tried to mold the Church to their own desires. This is why the Lord set up a hierarchical Church by choosing twelve Apostles from His many disciples and choosing Peter as the leader of the Apostles. “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Mt 7:15)

The Council of Nicaea taught that Jesus was consubstantial (one in Being) with the Father. When Jesus walked the earth, God was ontologically immanent (present) on earth, “I and the Father are one” (Jn 10:30) and this real presence continues in the Eucharist, “For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” (Jn 6:55) From where does the presence (immanence) of God originate? At the time of the Council of Nicaea, in 325 AD, Christians believed what the Old Testament taught that God was the Supreme Being who created the universe out of nothing and continues to keep it in existence. While we can know some things about God by natural reason, many things, such as the Trinity, cannot be known by us except from Divine Revelation from above. The Old Testament Biblical God is the “root” of the New Testament revelation of God in Jesus Christ. God’s presence (immanence) and Divine Revelation comes to us from “above” as it is taught in Sacred Scripture.

For most of the time of Christianity, this was taken for granted. Of course, “above” does not mean space or elevation above the earth. “Above” means a higher level of being, with God being the highest level that we know. For example, angels are on a higher level of being than humans but lower than God. In the book of Revelation, John falls down to worship at the feet of an angel, but the angel tells John, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brethren the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” (Jn 22:9, also 19:10) John correctly understands that the angel has a higher level of being than John and other humans, but all are under God who is the only One to be worshipped. In the book of Revelation, John is not reprimanded when he worships Jesus Christ. (Rev. 1:9-20) There are also levels of being that are lower than humans such as animals, microorganisms, plants, and inanimate objects. In the Book of Genesis, God gives the male and female He had just created dominion over the plant and animal kingdoms. They are to be the food of human beings. (Gn 1:28-29)

Much of modern philosophy and theology no longer accept this Biblical picture. It is considered to be “primitive” and “pre-scientific”. While our dominion over nature is generally recognized, we are no longer God’s servants, as the angel taught John, but His “partners”. It offends human dignity to be “under” any higher power or being. Our relationship with God is “horizontal” and not “vertical”. God is the “Ground of Being” or “Ultimate Reality” behind the universe. In this way of thinking, Jesus Christ did not “humble Himself” to become incarnate in humanity. Instead, we recognize him to be a man who was totally alive and totally in touch with “Ultimate Reality” or the “Ground of Being” which he called his “Father”. Thus, Jesus Christ is conceived “horizontally” rather than in the traditional “vertical way”. For many aspects of Christian faith, the “horizontal” or “vertical” conception makes little difference. Preachers can still talk about “trusting the Lord” or “loving the Lord”. Traditional Christian doctrines are not discarded or changed but are reinterpreted in a more “horizontal” fashion. An ordinary Christian can be “nudged” into a “horizontal” way of thinking about God without being aware of it.

There is one area of the spiritual life where there is a big difference between the “horizontal” and “vertical” way of relating to God, namely, morality. In the “vertical” conception of reality, Divine Revelation is authoritative, since it comes from the highest level of Being, God. We are His servants since we would not even exist without Him. Thus, it is quite reasonable that we do our best to obey Him. It is quite different in the “horizontal” way of thinking. Certainly, God is bigger than us but we are more like His partners than His servants. Thus, Divine Revelation is much vaguer than in the traditional “vertical” conception of God. Divine Revelation is considered to be conditioned by human culture, scientific ignorance, and human sin. God reveals himself as a loving Father, but He does not give us specific truths, teaching, or commandments. In matters of morality, the ultimate authority is not scripture, Church, or tradition. We are the ultimate authority since God is the ground of our being.

This seems to be the root of the division in the Church and even in society. Was the Church founded from “above” by Jesus Christ and therefore bears His Authority? (Mt 16:18-19) Is the Church a human organization which arose since it saw God in Jesus Christ? Is our nation “one nation under God” or is it a political entity among other political entities in the world? Does human authority come from “above’, from God, or does it originate from “below” so that those in authority are the highest authority on earth? We all have to decide where we stand. – Jim Nugent, CfP

The-Confessional-oil-painting-Giuseppe-Maria-Crespi.webp

OUR WAY OF LIFE: WHY PENANCE?

Why Penance?

Most people who inquire about the Confraternity of Penitents give as their reason for interest something like “to lead a more disciplined prayer life” or “I want more structure in my life. I want to put God first, but I’m having trouble.”

I suspect most people who inquire about membership in CfP believe themselves to be “good Catholics,” and their neighbors would agree with them: They go to Mass every Sunday, fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, donate to the Bishop’s Appeal, etc.

To be sure, CfP does have members who are doing penance because they have committed serious sins. They committed murder, they were involved in an abortion, etc.

But if you asked most people who inquire whether they were serious sinners, the answer would be “No, of course not.” They might even say they haven’t committed murder, or had sex outside marriage, etc.

The problem is, we hear excerpts from the words of Jesus during Mass so often that they just wash over us. We “hear” them – the words hit our ear drums – but we don’t really “hear” them. If we did, we would meditate upon them and society would be a lot better.

Consider the following:

“Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.” – Matt. 15:17-19

The last sentence could be the basis for confession every week for the rest of our lives, I suspect. For which one of us doesn’t occasionally think to ourselves, “I’d like to murder him.” Keep in mind that Jesus doesn’t say “evil acts;” he describes “thoughts (that) the defile the man.” That certainly was me. For a long time, I could have written an episode of “Law & Order” based upon my thoughts about what I would like to do to several other people.

The same “I thought it, but I didn’t do it” thinking could apply to adultery and fornications. Many people have thought how they would like to sleep with another person or be married to a friend or coworker’s spouse... Again, Jesus makes it clear that thoughts are as evil as acts.

The last three items named by Jesus – thefts, false witness, slanders – are the ones that most people are most likely to commit. We use the office copier to run off 20 copies of a 10-page document that’s unrelated to work. Strictly speaking, that’s theft, even though everybody does it and the boss knows everybody does it.

Theft happens all the time in the financial sector. There are the scams where someone gets a phone call: “This is the IRS. We’ve audited your last return, and you owe $5,000. We will take possession of your house unless you get $5,000 in gift cards and send them to us by Western Union by midnight.”

Just before I wrote this, I read a story in The Wall Street Journal about a firm offering 17% interest if you deposited your money with them, FDIC insured. A quick check by the Journal found they were not FDIC insured, and when the newspaper confronted them, the site was quickly taken down and the owner said they were just testing a marketing concept. Had the site been able to operate, a lot of people would have looked no further and would have lost thousands of dollars.

We commit false witness when we say something that isn’t true, and we slander people all the time. As an example, consider what we hear during presidential campaigns, where one candidate calls another “crooked” or “communist” or “weird” or a “defective person.” It’s even worse if you read comments on news stories or elsewhere. It’s not just presidential candidates who disparage their opponent; nearly everyone does it from time to time.

I can’t read the soul of a single penitent, but I’ll bet that if they reflect on that passage from Matthew. even those who simply wanted a deeper prayer life when they came to us will realize they have ample reason to do penance the CfP way. – Joel Whitaker, CfP

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS ABOUT OUR WAY OF LIFE

QUESTION: The requirement to pray the Psalter yearly for Deceased penitents -- is that in addition to praying the Divine Office daily?

ANSWER: Yes, the psalter is in addition to the daily Office. You don’t substitute the psalter for the Divine Office.

QUESTION: What about Appendix C to the Constitutions. That lays out a schedule to complete the Psalter in a week.

ANSWER: That Appendix is for those who don't have a breviary. They use it to pray the Divine Office. If you want to use Appendix C to pray the psalms for the deceased, that's a good idea, but you still have to pray the Divine Office in addition.

QUESTION: Can a penitent attend a homosexual “wedding”?

ANSWER: No. The Church does not condone sin. We should not be attending homosexual "weddings". To do so is an occasion of scandal. Our position should be to tell the homosexual person who invited us, "You know we love you and care about you and pray for you. But you also know our stance on practicing sex outside of a valid marriage which was created by God to be a union of man and woman to procreate children. Thank you for inviting us, but we have to decline your invitation."

See https://www.catholic.com/qa/should-i-attend-my-daughters-same-sex-marriage for some very good information. We do not condemn homosexual persons but homosexual ACTS. “Wedding” implies sexual intimacy. This article from Catholic Answers explains things quite well.

Confraternity of Penitents Photo Album

The Chapel of 1000 Priests in Guadalupe Men’s Vita Dei House. Note sponsored priests’ plaques on left wall under framed explanation of Our Lady of Guadalupe Tilma. Sponsor a priest at www.1000priests.com or write to Confraternity of Penitents, 1702 Lumbard Street, Fort Wayne IN 46803 USA $180 per sponsorship for a living, deceased, or canonized priest. Plaque sponsorships will help fund a new roof and gutters for Guadalupe House. Suggested canonized priests are on the 1000priests.org website. All sponsorships are fully tax deductible. The CFP is a non profit, 501c3 religious organization.

CfP Affiliate Bryan LaHaise made a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady Of Champion, in Wisconsin. This is the spot where Sister Adele, a Third Order Franciscan, saw Our Lady in 1859 and asked her to pray for the conversion of sinners and to teach the children what they need to know for salvation. Bryan prayed for the Confraternity and its members while at the shrine. Thanks, Bryan, and God bless you!

William_Blake_-_Nebuchadnezzar_(MFA_Bost

HUMBLED BY THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD

As men, we think that by our own power, strength, and ability we are able to master the world and do great things. Many worldly examples of that abound - entrepreneurs, political leaders, entertainers - single-minded in their focus to build financial and material wealth - to live a life of luxury and comfort, to direct or command others to serve them. Yet many of us have also been aware of a different way of understanding that there is a Power greater than us, discovering a God who created all things and governs all things -- that everything we have, everything we are, comes from the Creator and Ruler of the universe. Despite this awareness, many of us have ignored this truth and have been brought low, finally able to see that God is all powerful, sovereign, and without him we are nothing, much like King Nebuchadnezzar relates to us here:

At the end of my days, I Nebuchadnezzar, lifted young eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted for as nothing, and he does according to his will among the hosts of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him "What have you done?" At the same time, my reason returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride his able to humble." -- Daniel 4:34-37

This passage comes from the book of Daniel which recounts events and visions of the prophet during his exile from the kingdom of Judah between 605 and 530 BC. Daniel reports the invasion ordered by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who takes him captive, along with countless other Jews, to serve the royal government. The drive for power and conquest of Judah and other nations led to the people being used as slave labor for extensive building projects in the kingdom of Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar noted Daniel's ability and how God worked through him, calling on Daniel to interpret his dreams for him. At one point, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the power of God through Daniel saying, "Truly your God is God of gods and Lord of kings" (Daniel 2:47), yet continues his pagan ways and commands his people to worship a golden idol. In another incident where God delivers the three young Jewish friends of Daniel from the fiery furnace due to their unwavering faith, Nebuchadnezzar exclaims, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants" (Daniel 3:28).

Moved by this miraculous deliverance, the king issues a decree to all people in his kingdom and beyond: "It has seemed good to me to show signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me" (Daniel 4:2). However, despite this acknowledgement of God's power, Nebuchadnezzar remained obstinate, failing to listen to the counsel of Daniel, who interpreted another of his dreams, telling him to repent, practice righteousness, and show mercy to the oppressed. In his natural state, the king ignores this message, and boldly exclaims: "Is not this great Babylon which I have built by my own might and power for the glory of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30). Seeing this unrepentant state, as a display of God's sovereignty, Nebuchadnezzar is made by God to be in a state of bizarre behavior, eating grass like an ox for a long period of time.

The above events provide important context for study of this passage. In verse 34, Nebuchadnezzar is returned to reason after this extended period of insane behavior, praising God the Most High for being delivered and restored, acknowledging God's "dominion is an everlasting dominion." The great earthly king states in verse 35 that nothing can be compared to God, that God has power over everything in the heavens. He acknowledges his own nothingness before God, being made to function like a beast. Beyond this recognition, in verse 36, Nebuchadnezzar's rule as king of Babylon is not only restored, but "still more greatness was added" to him. Instead of being treated as a lunatic, even more respect is given to him by his subjects. Finally, in verse 37, Nebuchadnezzar felt called to confess his standing before the one true God he had become familiar with in previous encounters. He praises God for preservation, restored reason, and return to the throne. He extols God for his righteousness and justice, ruling over all. He honors God for making his name, power, and might known, humbling all those who walk in pride.

From our passage, we can draw the following principles: First, God is sovereign over all creation. Second, God is present and active with the human race. Third, God humbles the proud and raises up the humble.

Applying these principles, from a personal perspective, by living according to worldly models of success that did not openly acknowledge the Most High God, I ended up being brought low to a life in prison. Much like Nebuchadnezzar, I put other gods first, and falsely believed that I had control over my life and others, not surrendering to the One who is over all things. We must be able to see that God the Father Almighty, the Source of Life, the sustainer of all created things, is performing this act of sustaining through the mediation of Jesus Christ. Despite knowing who God is and what God’s attributes are - his greatness and goodness - if one doesn't submit, one will be humbled.

Much like Nebuchadnezzar, I was unable to surrender to God's power, justice, and sovereignty, going out of my right mind committing ungodly acts. Yet due to God's infinite love and mercy administered through his Son Jesus Christ, by the work of the Holy Spirit, I was raised up from my brokenness after being humbled by his justice. Much as it happened with Nebuchadnezzar, God's immanence has been made manifest in my life, as the Most High God has involved himself in my daily life, restoring me to my created purpose. Much more than Nebuchadnezzar, I can say that even more greatness has been added to me through faith in power of the resurrection of Jesus, the second person of the Most High God. I've been given a freedom that this world cannot give. Having been set free from the old life, I am giving all glory, honor and praise to the King of kings and Lord of lords, our Savior Jesus the Christ! – Anthony LaCalamita, CfP