Jesus doesn't show the way - He IS the way.

I came to a profound realization the other day as I was watching a movie about Jesus. It was just a clip where Jesus is summoned because Lazarus has died. Lazarus's two sisters - Mary and Martha - are there along with a huge crowd. Then the following dialogue takes place:

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [But] even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” 

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life”

He does not say he shows us the resurrection or teaches how to attain it. No, he IS the resurrection. He continues by saying "Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She affirms that she does.

Jesus is the only person to ever claim to BE and not just SHOW the path or the way. There are many more examples throughout the scriptures:

2) I am the Bread of Life
3) I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
4) I am the vine, you are the branches
5) I am
6) I am the Light of the World
7) I am the Gate
8) I am the Good Shepherd

The point is Jesus isn't saying "I will bring you to the way, the truth, and the life" or "I am your guide" or "follow me". Although he does say to follow him, the ultimate destination is him. Jesus is God and it is through him, through the eating of his flesh and drinking of his blood that we rise to new life like Lazarus did. Jesus lived a perfect and holy life and he tells us he is the way. We have no choice but to follow him.

Holy Couple Goes from Celibate to Spectacularly Fruitful

I was just reading about the parents of St. Terese of Lisieux, since today October 1, is her feast day. They were extraordinary people. First her father, Louis Martin, wanted to become a priest, but was refused since he didn't know Latin. Her future mother wanted to join a convent but was likewise rejected. This was back in a time when people could be rejected because there were tons of vocations to the religious life.

So her mother, Marie-Azélie Guérin, known as Zélie, became a lace-maker, something she excelled at and opened her own business at the age of 22.

Louis and Zélie met in 1858 and married in July of that same year. At this is the amazing thing. At first, they decided to live celibately in order to devote themselves to God. However, after speaking with a priest, he discouraged them from doing this. Did they at this point end up having one or two children. Nope! They had 8. Unfortunately 3 of the children died early, but 5 daughters survived.

Here's the next amazing part: All 5 daughters became nuns! You can just imagine the level of piety and holiness in that family.

Sadly, Terese, the youngest, died at the age of just 24 years old of tuberculosis on September 30, 1897. She was canonized just 27 years later on May 17, 1925 by Pope Pius XI. Her parents were canonized as well, an extremely rare occurrence, some 90 years later, on October 18, 2015.

Clearly this family wanted to do everything possible to glorify God. What an amazing story.

Feast Day of St. Teresa of Lisieux

Today October 1st 2016 is the feast day of Saint Teresa of Lisieux. She is known as the Little Flower of Jesus and is one of 3 female doctors of the Catholic Church. One of 33 doctors of the church overall. She died at the very young age of 24 after being a nun for 9 years joining at the age of 15 with her two Elder sisters in a Carmelite order of nuns.

The church I grew up in, was baptized and confirmed in, and essentially raised in and where I will be married in is named after her. It's called St. Theresa's Church and it's located in St John's Newfoundland. Let's all say a special prayer to Saint Teresa today.

Happy feast day of St. Jerome

St Jerome is a very important Saint in Catholic Church History. He was one of the four original doctors of the church and he translated the Bible which is in Hebrew and Greek into Latin and he was responsible for the Latin Vulgate Bible. Today is his feast day.

September 29, 2016: Feast Day of Archangel St. Raphael

St. Raphael is one of the 3 angels mentioned by name in the Bible. His name means "God Heals". Tons more information available here.

Should Catholics Vote for Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump?

So there's a big election coming up in the US. Two people, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Many people are wondering who to vote for. Well, the obvious answer is Trump.

Abortion

Let's get right to it. Abortion is a big thing. Trump thinks it's bad and should be illegal, Hillary think it's great and should be cheaper or free and accessible to everyone. Clearly this puts Trump on a morally superior ground. Legalizing abortion and making it free will obviously encourage it much more than making it illegal.

Now, Trump made a few statements about jailing women who had abortions and people got all up in arms. But he is humble enough o have since hired Fr. Frank Pavone, an extremely well loved pro-life priest who is best buds with Martin Luther King Jr's niece Alveda King. He is the #1 Catholic Pro-Life person in America. And Trump said he will consult with him and other Catholics to determine the best way to achieve a pro-life country.

If for no other reason, this is one good one to choose Trump of Hillary.

War

It seems to me that, not based on emotion, but on fact, that Trump is less bellicose than Hillary. She'll go to war over anything to teach the other side a lesson. She'll meddle in other country's business just to look good. Trump will mostly avoid going to war and if it's absolutely required, he'll not only go to war, he will go ALL OUT and absolutely destroy the opposition and make sure it lasts.

Overall I think war is terrible, but looking at history and statements made in the past, Trump seems less likely to go to war than Hillary. He's also less likely to create a vacuum which creates ISIS like Hillary did.

Freedom of Religion

Clearly Trump is much stronger on freedom of religion than Hillary. She like Obama is in favor of forcing religions to do things that they want them to do. They do not really believe in freedom of religion or allowing people to do an act as they see fit according to their religion. Trump is far more likely to respect people's freedom of religion and has said so on multiple occasions.

Conclusion

When it came up for voting acts such as the religious freedom restoration act were strongly voted against by people like Hillary Clinton. They would rather Force religions to do their will and to violate their deepest morals than to allow freedom of religion. But Donald Trump understands that the United States was not founded on religious intolerance but in fact was founded on the ability of each person to decide their own religion and to act accordingly.

I think for these reasons and perhaps many more Donald Trump is by far a much much better candidate than Hillary Clinton can ever be for anybody who cares about moral issues and freedom of religion. Is Donald Trump absolutely perfect in every way? Obviously not! There are many areas that you can disagree with him on. But when you look at these most crucial issues nobody can honestly say that Hillary Clinton would be better in those areas.

September 28th: feast day of Good King Wenceslaus

Everyone has already heard the song Good King Wenceslas looked down on the Feast of Stephen. It is a popular Christmas tune or him that we sing all the time but what people don't realize is that he was an actual King in the Czech Republic just before the end of the first millennium.

He was taught Christianity by his grandmother who eventually ended up being killed. Later Good King Wenceslas himself was invited to a religious Festival where some people murdered him. At the time of his death he was only about 27 or 28 years old. I'm absolutely shocked that he was so young at the time of his death. To think we have a song about him even though he died at such a young age.

Also just in case you were wondering the Feast of Steve and refers to December 26th or popularly known as Boxing Day.

Stay tuned to this blog because at 8 o'clock a.m. eastern time there will be an article about who Americans should vote for in this upcoming presidential election.

September 27: Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul

Everyone has heard of St. Vincent de Paul but did you know he did not found the St. Vincent de Paul Society? It was founded after his death. Find out more here.

Monday, September 26, 2016: Feast Day of Cosmas and Damian

Cosmas and Damian Feast Day is Today

Quick Fact Sheet:

• Brothers
• Miracle medical workers - first to transplant a human limb onto another person
• Born in Arabia before Islam in the 3rd century
• Specifically lives at Egaea in Cilicia
• They were highly esteemed by the citizens of that area.
• The governor of Cilicia took, tortured and finally killed them for being Christian on September 26, 283.
• They are patron saints of pharmacists (or druggists).

September 25, 2016: Feast Day of St. Cleophas

September 25, 2016: Feast Day of St. Cleophas

One of two disciples who met Christ on the road to Emmaus. He was also identified as the father of Mary, one of whom stood with the Mother of God at the foot of the Cross. He has been identified as the father ofSt. James the Less and as brother of St. Joseph.

September 24: Feast Day of Martyrs of Chalcedon

September 24: Feast Day of Martyrs of Chalcedon

September 23: Feast Day of St. Padre Pio

September 23: Feast Day of St. Padre Pio

September 22, 2016: Feast Day of St. Thomas of Villenova

September 22, 2016: Feast Day of St. Thomas of Villenova