The Christian Worker

May 1, 2015By

1st Friday Conference May 2015 (Part 2)
Why did Christ choose to be the Son of a worker?  St. Joseph’s vocation represents someone who changes the world, because in using the materials of the world he symbolically transforms it.  A Catholic should be familiar with the definition of Capitalism, Social Darwinism, Prosperity Theology, Fascism, Socialism, Marxism, and Existentialism.  The true Christian view stands opposed to these philosophies, because it teaches that man is judged not simply by his work but by the quality of his character.  Even small works have value if they are done with great love for God.  “Whatever you do in word or work, do all in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”
#20150501-2

Listen Now

Season of Conversion

March 22, 2015By

Passion Sunday 2015
“The reason that you do not hear is because you are not of God.”  We should pray that these frightening words are never directed towards us.  We must ask ourselves who is more evil, the people in this Gospel who desire to put Christ to death, or all of us, who believe in Christ’s divinity and still continue to sin?  There is still time to hear the voice of God and change the direction of our lives.  This season of the Passion is given to us so we may make a conversion of life.  We must follow the example of the Apostles’ conversion in these final days of Lent.
#20150322S

Listen Now

The Father of Vocations

March 19, 2015By

Feast of Saint Joseph 2015
When a person is given a vocation, he is always given the divine help necessary to reach his final goal of Heaven.  Even the people who miss their divine calling are given sufficient grace to save their souls.  Many people, especially in our days, lack confidence in God and are too afraid to fulfill their great calling in life.  St. Joseph was called to be the spouse of the Mother of God and the earthly representative of God the Father.  This was a vocation which was truly beyond human ability to fulfill.  The only doubts St. Joseph entertained were doubts about his own judgment.  He recognized his poverty in every way, but was filled with confidence in God.  Like the priest, St. Joseph had custody over the Body of the Son of God and was willing to lay down his life to protect Him.  The patron of all our needs is St. Joseph.
#20150319

Listen Now

The Language of Lent

March 15, 2015By

Laetare Sunday 2015
Penance has a variety of meanings.  It refers to the infused virtue that inclines a person to hate his faults, the sacrament of penance, and the works we perform to make up for our sins.  Mortification refers to works which put to death evil inclinations.  Propitiation is an act by which someone who has been offended is now appeased.  The Mass and our prayers are great works of propitiation.  When we make satisfaction, we punish ourselves for our sins.  Our sufferings may be offered to God as a form of satisfaction.  Atonement refers to the union with God which is achieved when our sins are expiated or wiped away.  This is the Sunday of the Golden Rose, on which the pope would take a golden rose and give it to a privileged monarch, who was favored by the pope.  The rose is seen as a foretaste of the happiness of Heaven.
#20150315

Listen Now

Lessons on Love and Suffering

March 6, 2015By

First Friday Conference – March 2015
We know the story of Saints Perpetua and Felicity from their firsthand account.  During one of the general persecutions of the Church, these two heroic, young women gave their lives for Christ.

It is important to understand the meaning of a “type” and how God uses types or prophecies to foreshadow things to come.  We see one of the most vivid types of Christ in the patriarch Joseph.  Just as Joseph was the favorite son of his father and the envy of his brothers led to their murderous desires, so too was Our Lord, the only Son of God, put to death out of envy.  Joseph became the savior of his family by offering them life-giving bread during famine, as Christ redeemed the world and gives to us the Holy Eucharist.

Catholics should not be troubled by temptations, or confuse them with sins, but view them as opportunities for merit.  Even those trials from the devil may be turned to acts of love for God.

#20150306

Listen Now

Lent Restores Peace

February 18, 2015By

Ash Wednesday 2015
Not one word is said about punishment or damnation in the readings for this Mass, and that should give a hint to Catholics about the true spirit of this season.  There is no such thing as a private sin.  Not only are all our sins known to the heavenly court, but the whole universe is affected by them.  In the early years of the Church, public penitents were driven out of the churches, just as Adam was driven from Paradise after his sin.  This is a time of holiness, mercy, hope, and pardon, not condemnation and gloom.  We must begin Lent as we should examine our conscience, by looking at Our Lord and comparing ourselves with Him.  During Lent Christ pleads with us not to leave Him alone, so we may be united with Him forever.
#20150218

Listen Now

Distrust of Self

February 8, 2015By

Sexagesima Sunday 2015
Many of the Epistles of St. Paul were dictated by him and written by his fellow disciples.  He was being attacked by false Christians, so in this Epistle he attempts to bring back the faithful who were led astray.  St. Paul’s great lesson is to distrust ourselves.  This season is the realization of original sin, but this week we learn about actual sins.  We know that we suffer in this life because of sin.  In the Gospel for this Mass Our Lord demonstrates that there is meaning behind all the words of Scripture.  We must respond completely in giving ourselves to God.
#20150208M

Listen Now

The Best For Last

January 18, 2015By

2nd Sunday after Epiphany 2015
We are instructed today to use our gifts and talents with care, intention, and love of God.  We must use the Faith and Tradition to guide our interpretation of Holy Scripture.  Without the Faith we remain confused and are easily misled.  Prayer keeps our mind on Heaven and prevents us from wishing evil on our enemy.  The miracle of the marriage feast of Cana looks forward to our Redemption.  We cannot fathom what God is truly like, but God has made Himself present in His Word, and His Word is present in all of us.  God has loved us for eternity, how much must He want us to return that love?
#20150118S

Listen Now

Priestly Life: Human and Divine

November 7, 2014By

Conference From
First Friday November 2014
To teach, rule, and sanctify are the three powers priests must employ to accomplish their purpose on earth.  Through preaching the priest shares the fruits of all he knows.  In ruling the priest is able to organize society according to the principals of the Church.  By sanctifying the priest makes the people truly holy.  The priest is called “Father,” because he gives life by healing and restoring the faithful.  The priest should offer all, especially the Mass, for the remission of sins.  God chose men, not angels, to be priests, because men know sin and can offer compassion to their fellow sinners.  But despite knowing sin, no one on earth has a greater obligation to perfection than the priest.  Priests belong entirely to Christ and must possess His mind and will.
#20141107

Listen Now

A Place Of Peace

November 3, 2014By

All Souls Day 2014
We remember in a special way the great priests who stood up against the corruption in the Church.  They were persecuted so we might have the Faith today.  We should pray with all our hearts and souls during this Mass.  Purgatory was not first created out of justice but out of love.  Our greatest obligation is not to obey God, but to love Him.  One great act of love can forgive our sins.  We love God freely, but we also owe God our love in justice.  If our love is tainted by pride and ego, it must be purified in Purgatory.
#20141103

Listen Now
×
Your Cart
Cart is empty.
Shop our collection of religious items
Go to our Store
$0.00
Final shipping & taxes re-calculated at checkout
$0.00
Checkout
$0.00
View Cart
Keep Shopping
Protected by CleanTalk Anti-Spam