Return to MyCatholicSource.com | Sign Up For FREE Newsletter

Copyright © 2018, B.F.S. All rights reserved.

MyCatholicSource.com Newsletter - April, 2018 [Plain text version (+ image)]

Why not have MyCatholicSource.com newsletters delivered free to your inbox? Click here


+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

MyCatholicSource.com Newsletter - April, 2018

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

IN THIS ISSUE:

* Easter Greetings

* MCS News & Notes

* The Month of April: Dedicated to the Holy Eucharist

* Resources for Easter

* Brief Easter Sermon Excerpt

* Liturgical Feasts in April

* 'Catholic Trivia'

* Defending the Faith: "Apologetics Brief" - Do You Wonder if (or Doubt That) Jesus is Really God?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Friend,

Christus Resurrexit! Vere Resurrexit! (Latin For: Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!)

Greetings to you on this glorious Easter day! We send you our best wishes for a most joyous & blessed Eastertide.

"May the Lord requite you with blessings, and may you ever enjoy them, and live with Him for evermore in all eternity..." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)

We thank you for being a subscriber to the MyCatholicSource.com mailing list,

Your Friends at MyCatholicSource.com

+ + +

"The risen Lord, when presenting Himself to the disciples, not only that they should gaze on Him with their eyes, but also that they should handle Him with their hands, began His discourse to them with the words, 'Peace be unto you.' And how this peace itself was to be maintained, He disclosed to them in the words which followed. For 'then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus is it written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.'" (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

MCS News & Notes

* New Book: Don't miss our newest release -- "Traditional Saint Names For Catholics - Great Christian Names for Babies, Baptism & Confirmation From the Pre-1970 Roman Martyrology, Plus Two Bonuses: 1,000+ Patron Saints & Liturgical Feasts (Jan.-Dec.)" -- which is perfect for home reference libraries, baby shower gifts, and Baptism & Confirmation preparation. Click here for more information & to purchaseThis publication, the first in our 'Catholic Reference Series', is now available in Kindle & Paperback formats -- for more information & to purchase, visit here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BGH39RK/?tag=mycathcom-20 . This book is a great springboard for naming children, locating patron saints, and selecting Baptismal & Confirmation names. It contains over 6,400 listings [including 4,500+ from a pre-1970 Roman Martyrology, 1,200+ patron saints, and hundreds of liturgical feasts (traditional & new)], containing about 2,000 distinct names total, and features a variety of convenient lists [e.g. alphabetical, by male & female (about 88% of total records contain indicator for male or female), by date, by patronage, by patronage category]. The publication also includes a prayer for choosing a name. And, unlike some alternatives, our newly released book relies on Catholic sources - including a pre-1970 Roman Martyrology & the General Roman Calendar. Also, unlike some other naming books which may make 'convoluted' steps to tie names to saints, this publication contains 'actual' saint names. And, since many saints can share the same name, this publication may offer multiple listings for applicable name(s), providing the user with more saints to choose from for any given name(s). This "ultimate reference for traditional Catholic names" makes a great gift! Get it today! For more information on this title and our other available titles, please visit here: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/comrc/media.htm . Thank you for your support!

* Rosary Week: We will soon be preparing for our Tenth Annual Rosary Week. Please plan to join us by praying the Rosary each day of the week (from 10/22/18 through 10/28/18) for the indicated intentions. A sign up sheet should be available shortly.

* Did you see our ads? We've recently run ads for one of our books in two tradition-minded Catholic newspapers and we are presently also still running ads in at least one major search engine. We would like to take this opportunity to remind our visitors that we do not recommend any third party sites / publications / search engines / etc. (even if we advertise in them) and we are not necessarily on exactly the same page as any publications / sites / search engines / etc. that may contain our advertisements. If you are able, please support our advertising efforts so that we can continue to remain online - donate from $1+ here: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/donate.htm . Thank you for your support!

* Planning some spring cleaning? Rather than toss out items you can no longer use, consider offering these items to others for free (or for the cost of shipping). To offer your item(s), please visit the Give & Take Section at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/give_and_take.htm . Or, if you are in need, please feel free to stop by the Give & Take Section to request needed items for yourself.

* Do you follow the 'Divine Mercy' devotion? How much do you really know about it? Those who follow this devotion (and others) may be interested in the 'eye-opening' "What's Up With Faustina's Divine Mercy Devotion? Unanswered Questions & Things You May Not Know" book based on the user-submitted article. Available in Kindle and paperback formats. For more information and to purchase, please see here - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DX8NX1/?tag=mycathcom-20

* Please invite your friends to visit MyCatholicSource.com. For our "easy to use" invite-a-friend page, please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/invite_a_friend.htm . Please invite some friends today! Your support helps keep us going!

* We love to hear from you! Please submit comments at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/newsletter_feedback.htm

* Have friends or family that might benefit from our newsletter? Please invite them to subscribe at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/mail_list.htm . Thank you!

* Please see our Notices page at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/notices.htm for dates of anticipated service delays through May 2018.

* To shop at Amazon.com in support of MyCatholicSource.com, please use this link: http://www.amazon.com/?&tag=mycathcom-20 (shortcut MyCatholicSource.com/ShopAmazon ). You can shop here for books, household & office products, Catholic items, electronics, and much more. Already shop at Amazon.com? It doesn't cost any extra to shop at Amazon using this link, yet we can benefit from your purchases. Thank you for your support!

* Reminder: To help ensure delivery of your newsletter, please put our e-mail address in your 'trusted senders' list - or use other applicable options your e-mail provider may offer to let them know that our e-mail is wanted. Thank you.

* Please visit our Notices page for timely news and other important information regarding MyCatholicSource.com - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/notices.htm

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Month of April: Dedicated to the Holy Eucharist

+ + +

"Every Communion is a new gift which Jesus Christ makes of Himself." (St. Ignatius Loyola)

"Neither gifts nor portraits take the place of the beloved one. And our Lord knew it well. We needed Him, and so He gave us Himself." (Archbishop Fulton Sheen)

"A soul can do nothing that is more pleasing to God than to communicate (receive Holy Communion) in a state of grace." (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)

+ + +

Related Resources...

* Holy Communion / Holy Eucharist (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-Holy_Communion.htm

* Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-catholic_mass.htm

* Holy Eucharist / Mass (General Info.) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/sacraments/Holy_Eucharist.htm

* Catechism of the Council of Trent on the Holy Eucharist - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/sacraments/catechism_of_the_council_of_trent_Holy_Eucharist.htm

* Holy Communion (Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/sacraments_reflections_Holy_Eucharist_Mass__Holy_Communion.htm

* Holy Eucharist / Mass (Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/sacraments_reflections_Holy_Eucharist.htm

* Mass / Holy Eucharist (Prayers) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pr/prayers_and_hymns_Mass_Holy_Eucharist.htm

* Mirae Caritatis (On The Holy Eucharist, Pope Leo XIII) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pd/mirae_caritatis.htm

* Holy Eucharist / Mass (Apologetics) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__Eucharist_Mass.htm

* Holy Eucharist (Word Search) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/word_search_Holy_Eucharist.htm

* Holy Eucharist (Crossword Puzzle) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/crossword_puzzle_Holy_Eucharist.html

* Communion in the Hand: Why Not? - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/sacraments/communion_in_the_hand__why_not.htm

* Communion Under Both Species: Is it Required? - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/sacraments/communion_under_both_species__is_it_required.htm

* Lay 'Eucharistic Ministers': Why Not? - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/sacraments/lay_ministers__why_not.htm

Looking For Something Else? Try Our Various Indexes For 15,000+ Entries - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/help.htm

+ + +

"There is nothing more to be added when we have said 'The Eucharist', since It is Jesus Christ." (St. Peter Julian Eymard)

"Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist - 1) To unite us to Himself and to nourish our soul with His Body and Blood, 2) To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul, 3) To lessen our evil inclinations, 4) To be a pledge of everlasting life, 5) To fit our bodies for a glorious resurrection, and 6) To continue the sacrifice of the Cross in His Church." (Baltimore Catechism)

"[T]o the Holy Eucharist we owe the future resurrection of our bodies. Our Savior himself teaches us this, where he says: 'Your fathers did eat manna in the desert, and are dead. This is the Bread which cometh down from heaven, that if any man eat of it, he may not die... He that eateth my Flesh, and drinketh my Blood, hath everlasting life, and I will raise him up in the last day (Jn. 5:49,50,55).'" (Dom Gueranger)

"This Sacrament, whether as the theme of devout meditation, or as the object of public adoration, or best of all as a food to be received in the utmost purity of conscience, is to be regarded as the center towards which the spiritual life of a Christian in all its ambit gravitates; for all other forms of devotion, whatsoever they may be, lead up to it, and in it find their point of rest." (Pope Leo XIII, "Mirae Caritatis", 1902 A.D.)

"Jesus said to them, 'Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.'" (Jn. 6:53-58) [Note: As Scripture makes clear, reception of the Holy Eucharist is one essential condition for salvation. To be saved, one must also live according to God's laws.]

"We are bound to receive Holy Communion, under pain of mortal sin, during Easter time and when in danger of death." (Baltimore Catechism) [Note: Of course, those receiving Holy Communion must be properly disposed and in the state of grace. Any who have committed a mortal sin must first make a sacramental Confession and receive absolution prior to receiving Holy Communion. Remember that "He who receives Communion in mortal sin receives the Body and Blood of Christ, but does not receive His grace, and he commits a great sacrilege." (Baltimore Catechism)]

"When you see It (the Body of Christ) exposed, say to yourself: Thanks to this body, I am no longer dust and ashes, I am no more a captive but a freeman: hence I hope to obtain heaven and the good things that are there in store for me, eternal life, the heritage of the angels, companionship with Christ; death has not destroyed this body which was pierced by nails and scourged,...this is that body which was once covered with blood, pierced by a lance, from which issued saving fountains upon the world, one of blood and the other of water...This body He gave to us to keep and eat, as a mark of His intense love." (St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church)

"For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, And giving thanks, broke and said [to the Apostles]: Take ye and eat: This is my body, which shall be delivered for you. This do for the commemoration of me. In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood. This do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you: and many sleep [that is, die]." (St. Paul, 1 Cor. 11:23-30)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Resources for Easter

+ + +

"In thy resurrection, O Christ, alleluia. Let heaven and earth rejoice, alleluia." (Liturgical Year)

"For what is there that can equal these good tidings? God on earth, man in heaven; that long war ceased, reconciliation is made between God and our nature, the devil overthrown, death abolished, paradise opened. These things so far beyond our merits, are given us with all fullness; not for our own toil or labor, but because we are beloved of God." (St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church)

+ + +

Related Resources...

* Easter (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-easter.htm

* Prayers for Easter - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pr/prayers_and_hymns_for_certain_occasions_times.htm

* Easter Duty - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_basics/catholic_basics_precepts_of_the_church.htm

* Definitions (e.g. for terms such as Easter, Easter Duty, Resurrection, etc.) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_basics/catholic_basics_definitions.htm

* Fulfilled Prophecies in Scripture: Jesus' Passion, Death, & Resurrection - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pcs/biblical_prophecies_passion_death_resurrection.htm

* Easter Date - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_basics/catholic_basics_councils.htm

* The Resurrection Coloring Page - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/coloring_book_the_resurrection.htm

* Happy Easter Coloring Page - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/coloring_book_happy_easter.htm

* Alleluia Coloring Page - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/coloring_book_alleluia.htm

* He is Risen Coloring Page - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/coloring_book_He_is_risen.htm

* Crossword Puzzle (Easter) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/crossword_puzzle_easter.html

* Word Search Puzzle (Easter) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/word_search_easter.htm

Looking For Something Else? Try Our Various Indexes For 15,000+ Entries - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/help.htm

+ + +

"Glory be to You, who laid your Cross as a bridge over death, that souls might pass over it from the dwelling of the dead to the dwelling of life." (St. Ephraem the Syrian, Doctor of the Church)

"Now let the heavens be joyful, let earth her song begin; Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein! Let all things seen and unseen their notes of gladness blend, For Christ the Lord hath risen, our Joy that hath no end!" (St. John Damascene, Doctor of the Church)

"At the [Easter] season, which commemorates the triumph of Christ, our souls are filled with deep interior joy: we, accordingly, should also consider that we must rise, in union with the Redeemer, from our cold and slothful life to one of greater fervor and holiness by giving ourselves completely and generously to God, and by forgetting this wretched world in order to aspire only to the things of heaven: 'If you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above...mind the things that are above.' (Col. 3:1-2)" (Pope Pius XII)

Easter Prayer: "O God, who on this day through Thine only-begotten Son hast overcome death and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; do Thou follow with Thine aid the desires which Thou dost put into our minds and by Thy continual help bring the same to good effect. Through the same Lord." (Collect)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Brief Easter Sermon Excerpt

+ + +

The following brief excerpt is from the publication "Sermons of the Cure of Ars", by St. John Vianney. The source publication bears an imprimatur. [Note: We have made some spelling changes to the text below.]

+ + +

Thus, my brethren, falsehood struggled against truth, and it seemed as if His enemies were really triumphant in victory when Jesus hung bleeding upon the Cross. His enemies appeared sure of victory, when they said to the crucified Savior in derision, "If thou art Christ, descend from the cross. Thou didst help others, now help thyself," and He made no reply to these words, but bowed His head and died. And still more, He was laid in a grave like an ordinary mortal, the grave itself being guarded and sealed.

Now, according to human calculations, everything was over and at an end; the world seemed to conquer. Whence, dear brethren, should that mustard seed which this incarnate God now lying in the grave had thus planted obtain its strength to grow and expand into a great tree whose fruit should bless all the races of the earth? Whence should the timid disciples have obtained the courage to proclaim to the world that this Crucified One is the true God, and to preach His Gospel to every creature? Tremble not, little band of disciples, for the miracle has already taken place! The earth is jubilant with joy, heaven sends forth its messengers, the grave is empty, the hero is awakened, the Savior is risen!

+ + +

For more reflections, please try here: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/reflections_categorized.htm

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Liturgical Feasts in April

The following is a listing of all liturgical feast dates for April as they appear at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/saints/feasts.htm

Note: (T) = Traditional, (N) = New (Novus Ordo)

Reminder: Feasts may be superseded / transferred / etc.

+ + +

April 2 - St. Francis of Paula (Paola) (T)

April 2 - St. Francis of Paola (N)

April 4 - St. Isidore of Seville (T)

April 4 - St. Isidore of Seville (N)

April 5 - St. Vincent Ferrer (T)

April 5 - St. Vincent Ferrer (N)

April 6 - St. Juliana of Cornillon (T)

April 7 - St. John Baptist de la Salle (N)

April 8 - St. Julia Billiart (T)

April 11 - St. Leo the Great, pope (T)

April 11 - St. Stanislaus (N)

April 13 - St. Hermenegild (T)

April 13 - St. Martin I, pope (N)

April 14 - St. Justin (T)

April 14 - Sts. Tiburtius, Valerian & Maximus (T)

April 17 - St. Anicetus, pope (T)

April 21 - St. Anselm of Canterbury (T)

April 21 - St. Anselm (N)

April 22 - Sts. Soter & Caius, popes (T)

April 23 - St. George (T)

April 23 - St. Adalbert (N)

April 23 - St. George (N)

April 24 - St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen (T)

April 24 - St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen (N)

April 25 - St. Mark the Evangelist (T)

April 25 - St. Mark the Evangelist (N)

April 26 - Our Lady of Good Counsel (T)

April 26 - Sts. Cletus & Marcellinus, popes (T)

April 27 - St. Peter Canisius (T)

April 27 - St. Thuribius of Mogrobejo (T)

April 28 - St. Paul of the Cross (T)

April 28 - St. Vitalis (T)

April 28 - St. Louis Marie de Montfort (N)

April 28 - St. Peter Chanel (N)

April 29 - St. Peter of Verona (T)

April 29 - St. Catherine of Siena (N)

April 30 - St. Catherine of Siena (T)

April 30 - St. Pius V, pope (N)

Please Note: Above may exclude moveable feasts. For moveable feasts, see below and try here: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/latin_mass_and_tradition/traditional_liturgical_calendar.htm . For other feasts, try the MCS Daily Digest each day at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/mcs_daily_digest.asp

Also...

4/1/18 - EASTER SUNDAY

4/8/18 - Low Sunday (Quasimodo Sunday) (T) | Second Sunday of Easter ('Divine Mercy Sunday') (N) * [Note: For information on the 'Divine Mercy' devotion, including a link to the user-submitted article/publication "What's Up With Faustina's Divine Mercy Devotion? Unanswered Questions & Things You May Not Know", please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-divine_mercy.htm ]

4/15/18 - Second Sunday after Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) (T) | Third Sunday of Easter (N)

4/22/18 - Third Sunday after Easter (T) | Fourth Sunday of Easter (N)

4/29/18 - Fourth Sunday after Easter (Cantate Sunday) (T) | Fifth Sunday of Easter (N)

* Reminder: Plenary indulgence may be available. For indulgence information, please go to http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/indulgences.htm

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

'Catholic Trivia'

1. Where is Bethany located?

2. Which is the highest of the nine choirs of angels?

3. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with saving the life of which saint when he was a child?

4. Complete the passage: "Find your delight in the LORD who will ___." (Ps. 36/37:4)

5. What comparisons does St. Ambrose make between the Ark and the Blessed Virgin Mary?

6. Of the sins opposed to religion, which are most grievous?

7. Which pope commissioned Bernini to enclose the piazza of St. Peter's with colonnades?

8. Complete the passage: "Do not lacerate your bodies for the dead, and do not ___ yourselves. I am the LORD." (Lev. 19:28)

9. Which third century pope is credited with insistence on making the sacred vessels out of precious metal?

10. Which saint compassionately shared his food with hungry birds? (Hint: Starts with 'I')

---

Answers:

1. Bethany is a village of Palestine, east of Jerusalem. It is the location of the rising of Lazarus by Jesus.

2. Seraphim are the highest of the nine choirs of angels.

3. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with saving the life of St. Bonaventure when he was a child.

4. "Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart's desire." (Ps. 36/37:4)

5. "The Ark contained the Tablets of the Law; Mary contained in her womb the heir of the Testament. The Ark bore the Law; Mary bore the Gospel. The Ark make the voice of God heard; Mary gave us the very Word of God. The Ark shone forth with the purest of gold; Mary shone forth both inwardly and outwardly with the splendor of virginity. The gold which adorned the Ark came from the interior of the earth; the gold with which Mary shown forth came from the mines of heaven." (St. Ambrose, Doctor of the Church)

6. "Among sins opposed to religion, the more grievous is that which is the more opposed to the reverence due to God." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")

7. Pope Alexander VII commissioned Bernini to enclose the piazza of St. Peter's with colonnades.

8. "Do not lacerate your bodies for the dead, and do not tattoo yourselves. I am the LORD." (Lev. 19:28)

9. Pope St. Urban I (d. 230) is credited with insistence on making the sacred vessels out of precious metal.

10. St. Isidore the Farmer compassionately shared his food with hungry birds.

---

For more information concerning the topics above, try our General A-Z Index at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/help.htm

Like trivia? You might enjoy our crossword puzzles located at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_activities/catholic_fun_crossword_puzzles.htm

You might also be interested in the Q & A and historical information which may be found each day on the MCS Daily Digest at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/mcs_daily_digest.asp

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Defending the Faith: "Apologetics Brief" - Do You Wonder if (or Doubt That) Jesus is Really God?

It is good for Catholics to be able to defend their faith against attacks (or even simple questions) from those outside the Church. We therefore hope you may find the following "apologetics brief" helpful.

- - -

Note: Text below is taken from http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__Divinity_of_Christ.htm

The following may be used as discussion points when discoursing with those outside the Church (or even among Catholics).

Topic: Do You Wonder if (or Doubt That) Jesus is Really God? [Note: Topic is directed at certain Protestants]

Consider:

* Scripture says that Jesus is "Emmanuel", meaning "God is with us" (see Mt. 1:23)

* Scripture says that the Word (that is, Jesus) was God (see Jn. 1:1)

* Jesus said that if you knew Him, you would know His Father (that is, God) also (see Jn. 8:19)

* Jesus said "I AM" (Jn. 8:58, Jn. 18:5, Jn. 18:8), a clear reference to God (see Ex. 3:14)

* Jesus said that "The Father and I are one" (Jn. 10:30)

* Jesus said that "The Father is in me and I am in the Father" (Jn. 10:38)

* Jesus says that "whoever sees me sees the one who sent me" (Jn. 12:45)

* Jesus says that whoever has seen Him has seen the Father (Jn. 14:8-12)

* The Apostle St. Thomas proclaims: "My Lord and my God!" and is NOT rebuked by Jesus (Jn. 20:28)

* Scripture says that in Jesus "dwells the whole fullness of the deity bodily" (Col. 2:9)

* Christ instructs the Apostles to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:19). This would not make sense unless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are God.

"O Lord our God, we believe in You, Father and Son and Holy Spirit. For the Truth would not say: 'Go, baptize all nations in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,' unless You were a Trinity. Nor would You command us, O Lord God, to be baptized in the name of anyone who is not the Lord God." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church, c. 407 A.D.)

"The Spirit, then being established in us, the Son and the Father come; and they make their dwelling in us. For the Trinity is indivisible, and its Godhead is one; and there is one God over all and through all and in all. This is the faith of the Catholic Church; for on the Trinity the Lord founded it and rooted it, when He said to His disciples, 'Go out and instruct every people, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.' But if the Spirit were a creature, He would not have joined Himself with the Father, lest the Trinity be dissimilar within Itself, lest It have united in Itself anything strange or foreign. Indeed, what could be lacking in God, that He should assume any foreign substance, and be glorified with it? Inconceivable!" (St. Athanasius, Doctor of the Church, 4th century A.D.)

* Christ demonstrated His divine power countless times in the ability to forgive sin and through His miracles.

"The miracles which Christ worked were a sufficient proof of His Godhead in three respects. First, as to the very nature of the works, which surpassed the entire capability of created power, and therefore could not be done save by Divine power. For this reason the blind man, after his sight had been restored, said (John 9:32,33): 'From the beginning of the world it has not been heard, that any man hath opened the eyes of one born blind. Unless this man were of God, he could not do anything.' Secondly, as to the way in which He worked miracles - namely, because He worked miracles as though of His own power, and not by praying, as others do. Wherefore it is written (Luke 6:19) that 'virtue went out from Him and healed all.' Whereby it is proved, as Cyril says (Commentarium in Lucam) that 'He did not receive power from another, but, being God by nature, He showed His own power over the sick. And this is how He worked countless miracles.' Hence on Matthew 8:16: 'He cast out spirits with His word, and all that were sick He healed,' Chrysostom says: 'Mark how great a multitude of persons healed, the Evangelists pass quickly over, not mentioning one by one... but in one word traversing an unspeakable sea of miracles.' And thus it was shown that His power was co-equal with that of God the Father, according to John 5:19: 'What things soever' the Father 'doth, these the Son doth also in like manner'; and, again (John 5:21): 'As the Father raiseth up the dead and giveth life, so the Son also giveth life to whom He will.' Thirdly, from the very fact that He taught that He was God; for unless this were true it would not be confirmed by miracles worked by Divine power. Hence it was said (Mark 1:27): 'What is this new doctrine? For with power He commandeth the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.'" (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")

* Christ's death was sought for the very reason that He "made Himself equal to God" (cf. Jn. 5:18, Mt. 26:63-66, Jn. 19:7).

* Christ could not be our Savior if He was not God.

"Neither could a portion of creation, while itself in need of salvation, become creation's salvation... A man would not have been deified if joined to a creature, nor if the Son were not true God; neither would a man have been brought into the Father's presence if He had not been the Father's natural and true Word who had put on a body. Since we could have had nothing in common with what is foreign, we would not have been delivered from sin and from the curse if that which the Word put on had not been natural human flesh; so also, the man would not have been deified if the Word which became flesh and not been by nature from the Father and true and proper to Him." (St. Athanasius, Doctor of the Church, 4th century A.D.)

* God the Father in Heaven testified that Christ is His Son. For example, consider the events of the Transfiguration where God said "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (Mt. 17:5).

- - -

"Christ says, 'If anyone sees Me, he sees the Father,' If He were of another essence He would not say this. But if I may make use of an argument of the crasser sort, no one who is ignorant of gold is able to discover the essence of gold in silver. For the nature of one thing is not manifested in another." (St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church, c. 391 A.D.)

- - -

For more apologetics resources, please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/non-catholics.htm

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In Closing...

"O Day of Resurrection! Let us beam with festive joy! Today indeed is the Lord's own Passover; For from death to life, from earth to heaven, Christ has led us as we shout the victory hymn! Christ has risen from the dead!" (St. John Damascene, Doctor of the Church)

"Let now the heavenly troops of angels rejoice: let the divine mysteries be joyfully celebrated: and let a sacred trumpet proclaim the victory of so great a King. Let the earth also be filled with joy, being illuminated with such resplendent rays: and let us be sensible that the darkness, which overspread the whole earth, is chased away by the splendor of our eternal King. Let our mother, the Church, be also glad, finding herself adorned with the rays of so great light: and let this temple resound with the joyful acclamations of the people." (Liturgical Year)

"'Eat My Flesh,' He says, 'and drink My Blood.' The Lord supplies us with these intimate nutriments. He delivers over His Flesh, and pours out His Blood; and nothing is lacking for the growth of His children." (St. Clement of Alexandria, c. 3rd century A.D.)

"He who communicates (i.e. worthily receives Holy Communion) most frequently will be freest from sin, and will make farthest progress in Divine Love." (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)

"Eternal Wisdom, on the one hand, wished to prove his love for man by dying in his place in order to save him, but on the other hand, he could not bear the thought of leaving him. So he devised a marvelous way of dying and living at the same time, and of abiding with man until the end of time. So, in order to fully satisfy his love, he instituted the sacrament of Holy Eucharist and went to the extent of changing and overturning nature itself." (St. Louis de Montfort)

"Know you not that all we who are baptized in Christ Jesus are baptized in his death? For we are buried together with him by baptism into death: that, as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection." (St. Paul, Rom. 6:3-5)

"We belong not to ourselves now, since Christ has bought us 'at a great price' [His blood] (1 Cor. 6:20)" (Pope Pius XI)

"Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia: For He Whom thou didst merit to bear, alleluia, Hath risen, as He said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia. V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. R. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia. Let us pray. O God, who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, hast vouchsafed to make glad the whole world: grant, we beseech Thee, that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. (Regina caeli laetare, alleluia: Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia, Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia. R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia. Oremus. Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui Domini nostri Iesu Christi mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta quaesumus, ut per eius Genitricem Virginem Mariam perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen." (Regina Caeli in English & Latin) [Reminder: The Regina Caeli is recited each day at 6:00 a.m., Noon, and 6:00 p.m. in place of the Angelus during Paschaltime.]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We sincerely welcome feedback regarding our newsletters. Please visit our newsletter feedback page at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/newsletter_feedback.htm to share your comments.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Thank You For Being a Subscriber to the MyCatholicSource.com E-Mail List.

We Wish You God's Blessings.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Note: Please do not reply to this e-mail address. If you are not a subscriber to this newsletter and you wish to join or if you are a subscriber and wish to unsubscribe, please go to http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/mail_list.htm . To contact us regarding other matters, please visit our feedback page at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/feedback.htm

Use of site / newsletter is subject to our terms of use. For terms information, visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/terms_of_use.htm

MyCatholicSource.com is a division of B.F.S. Our mailing address is: Attn.: MyCatholicSource.com, B.F.S., P.O. Box 4292, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729-4292

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Please support quality Catholic content & help us maintain our non-commercial appearance...

* Invite a friend to MyCatholicSource.com - please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/invite_a_friend.htm

* Pray for us

* Link to us in blogs, newsgroups, websites, etc.

* Donate $1.00 or more - please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/donate.htm 

* Purchase our apps - please visit http://www.MyCatholicSource.com/Apps

* Purchase our books & ebooks - please visit http://www.MyCatholicSource.com/Media

* For more free & low-cost methods, please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/help_us_keep_our_non-commercial_appearance.htm

We appreciate your support!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -