September 21, 2018, Friday, Feast of St. Matthew
“The Church is a real spiritual organism that prolongs in space and time the sacrifice of the Son of God.”—Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, speaking about the centrality of Christ and His Church in the whole of space and time, in a homily almost nine years ago in Brescia, Italy, the birthplace of Pope Paul VI (link). The homily began with a reflection on the Gospel story of the”widow’s mite.” The homily was delivered during a pastoral visit to Brescia, Italy on Sunday, November 8, 2009 (full text below)
“Jesus shows his affection for the Temple as a house of prayer but for this very reason wishes to cleanse it from improper practices; actually he wants to reveal its deepest meaning which is linked to the fulfillment of his own Mystery, the Mystery of his death and Resurrection, in which he himself becomes the new and definitive Temple, the place where God and man, the Creator and his creature, meet.” —Emeritus Pope Benedict, in the same November 8, 2009 homily. He speaks of Jesus’ wish to cleanse the Temple of improper practices in order to reveal the Temple’s deepest meaning (link).
“I could say,” Paul writes, “that I have always loved her [the Church]… and that it seems to me I have lived for her and for nothing else.” —Emeritus Pope Benedict, in the same November 8, 2009 homily, citing Pope Paul VI on his love for the Church
Day #28
Today is the 28th day since the publication of Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano’s “Testimony.” (The full text is here; it was made public on the evening of August 25.)
In my Letters during these four weeks I have wished to participate in an effort that is always important in the Church in her life in this world: to help cleanse her from “improper practices” in order to help reveal her deepest meaning.
That meaning is linked to the fulfillment of Christ’s own Mystery, as Pope Benedict says in the homily cited above — “the Mystery of his death and Resurrection, in which he himself becomes the new and definitive Temple, the place where God and man, the Creator and his creature, meet.”
I have never made a direct appeal to you for support in this work, but today, the Feast of St. Matthew, I would like to take a minute of your time to make such an appeal.
To continue doing this work, to keep the lights on, to protect the independence and authenticity of the writing — which is not controlled by any party or lobby inside or outside of the Church — I am reaching out and asking for the help of my readers.
If you cannot donate, I understand, and these letters will always remain free to anyone interested.
Any donation would be gratefully received — even a “widow’s mite,” which will mean so much to me.
Below you will find two links. The first link is for a one time donation. The second link is to become a patron by supporting monthly.
On the above link there are several different preset options on how much to donate. However under those options there is a open amount box, which may be used for any amount.
Once again I want to thank each and every one of you who are members of this small community, which is expanding every day!
Have you ever wished to visit St. Peter’s Basilica in the early morning, when the doves are beginning to glide across a nearly empty St. Peter’s square? Have you ever wished to visit Assisi, and pray at the tomb of St. Francis in the crypt of his 13th-century basilica, or at the tomb of St. Clare in her basilica, built of alternating pink and white stones?
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