The Pope Last Updated this on June 21, 2009
June 17: Recently I was given five instructions on the Sacrament of Confession, which are excellent. I am preparing these for publication with an introduction and an additional chapter. The most striking was the instruction on penance in general. Basically penance, being a form of self-denial, is directly opposed to the vice of self-centeredness. In reading from Tanquerey's The Spiritual Life, the list of penances he recommends is quite interesting. In fact, that forms the basis of the chapter I am adding. Penance is a necessary part of the Catholic Way of Life. And Catholicism is not a mere religion, as the various world religions are. No, Catholicism is a way we must live our lives in order to please Almighty God and obtain eternal salvation. This is no small matter. So let us pray. We remind all of Spiritual Confession.
Unless you do penance, you shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3, 5
Intention of the Pope for May: Conversions
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Short Spiritual Communion: I believe that Thou, O Jesus, are in the Most Holy Sacrament! I love Thee and desire Thee! Come into my heart. I embrace Thee; oh, never leave me! Oh, never let me leave Thee.
June 18: A decade ago I began research into the vice of self-centeredness. This vice is given several names, such as self-love and selfishness. However, I have chosen the term self-centeredness, because this most clearly indicates that one is ego-centric, and has indeed declared themselves to be a god to be worshiped by all around them. With the term self-love, one must distinguished between proper and necessary love of self and the disordered kind that springs from self-centeredness. It was only recently, when I realized that the true cure of self-centeredness is penance, which is self-denial. Saint Paul says (I Corinthians 9:27): But I chastise my body and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway.
June 19: Saint Augustine said: Longinus with his lance has opened the Heart of Jesus for me; I have entered there, and there I repose secure.
Pope Leo XIII stated: According to what Christ Jesus revealed to St. Margaret Mary, Devotion to the Sacred Heart was preordained by God to cure the chief wound of modern society, Selfishness. Let us take a break and considered this most important feast. Jesus Christ loves us infinitely. He gave His life very painfully in order that we might have eternal life. In fact, Jesus’ life was a perpetual penance, which He willingly suffered to atone for MY SINS! Jesus had no reason to do penance, for He never committed the slightest fault. And yet, He suffered and did penance! Should I refuse to do penance, who have offended my dear Jesus many times? No, I should seek penance, for the Roman Catechism tells us that the whole life of a Christian ought to be a perpetual penance. Let us close with a question: What is penance?
June 20: What is penance? When we think of penance, we think of the heroic penances of the Saints. Where can I find a hair shirt? Are these extraordinary penances required? Is this where we should start? If you have Tanquerey, I recommend reading his section on penance. He starts in a surprising place. The first form of penance he mentions is cheerful, ready acceptance of the trials God sends us. Let us meditate on that for the next few days. Jesus in the Agony in the Garden prayed: Not My will but Thy will be done.
It is recommended to read Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence.
June 21: Unless you do penance... On Friday the lawnmower would not start. I made a repair that needed to be completed. It still would not start. In any case, I called up the repair man and we loaded the mower. In talking about when it might be fixed I discussed the fact that Catholics abstain and cited the above Scripture. The next morning the lawnmower was returned. I had forgotten to disengage the blade, so it would not start. However, his foolish mistake was not without reward. The man asks the exact reference, because he wanted to study and pray on this verse of Sacred Scripture. And thus my stupidity was used by Almighty God as a tool to get someone to think. Let us pray for his conversion!
