It’s your right

Its Your Right

Where do rights come from? This is so fundamental yet (apparently) widely misunderstood. Human rights come from God. They do not come from government. Government properly formed, accepts its role to protect human dignity through our God-given rights. The framers of the Declaration of Independence understood that, stating “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

President Obama has famously omitted “by their Creator” on several occasions. It might be an innocent oversight (made repeatedly). Alternatively, it may signal a belief in government (not God) as the source of rights. If so, the Democratic party of John Kennedy has come a long way since his 1961 inaugural address:

…man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe – the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.

Many presidents acknowledged God’s law as fundamental, not a meaningless talking point to pander to a certain demographic. George Washington said “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” John Quincy Adams said “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.” Abraham Lincoln said “Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it.” Ronald Reagan said “Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.” George W. Bush said “I believe all these things because freedom is not America’s gift to the world, it is the Almighty God’s gift to every man and woman in this world.” There are many, many more examples.

Catholic social teaching is also quite clear: the “roots of human rights, are to be found in the dignity that belongs to each human being” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine, #152). Such dignity is given to them by their creator – the “unalienable rights” referred to in the Declaration of Independence. The catechism says:

Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his dignity as a creature. These rights are prior to society and must be recognized by it. They are the basis of the moral legitimacy of every authority: by flouting them, or refusing to recognize them in its positive legislation, a society undermines its own moral legitimacy. If it does not respect them, authority can rely only on force or violence to obtain obedience from its subjects. It is the Church’s role to remind men of good will of these rights and to distinguish them from unwarranted or false claims.

The right to life is absolute (CCC 2270). Consider a woman’s “right to choose” (to kill her unborn child). There is no such right to take an innocent, human life. Being without legal consequence under man’s law, a law that increasingly distances itself from God’s law, in no way makes it a right or moral. God’s law (“thou shall not kill”) always has absolute precedence over man’s law. He is just…   know with certainty that there are eternal consequences for the willful, unrepentant violation of His law.

Others share culpability in the exercise of this non-existent “right” in proportion to their role. This ranges from the direct material cooperation of the medical staff (for which they are automatically excommunicated) to voting for politicians who support abortion (even if, and perhaps especially if, they are “personally opposed to it”) AND eligible voters who fail to vote against such politicians. In the case of abortion, due to its extremely grave nature and intrinsic evil, this is of the highest moral weight making these serious sins. NO counter-balancing good is possible for a candidate’s support of abortion. Only other candidates’ truly equal positions on abortion could permit a voter to choose among them. That is definitely NOT the situation in this election.

To be perfectly clear, no Catholic can morally vote for Barrack Obama in the upcoming presidential election. There is no wiggle room on this. Prudential judgments on healthcare, taxes, government aid for the poor, just war and the death penalty (yes, just war and the death penalty are prudential judgments) do NOT “outweigh” his extremely strong support for the intrinsic evil of abortion. There are 1,200,000 human lives terminated by abortion each year in the US.

Many, many Catholics and other Christians will vote contrary God’s law, natural law and the clear / unambiguous teaching of Holy Mother Church. They will put their political ideology ahead of God. He will judge their hearts with culpability being reduced if they were somehow not aware of their candidate’s position on abortion, suffered mental impairment, were subject to forced coercion and so on. As in all sins, we are given free choice. We certainly have the legal right to vote for whomever we choose on whatever basis suits us. We are similarly free to make many other legal choices in life which are gravely sinful. Many mortal sins are perfectly legal.

Two other similar non-existent “rights” must also be mentioned. First, there is no right for people of the same sex to marry (sinful in several ways). Second, the state has no right to limit the free exercise of religion. Like abortion, these are very serious affronts to human dignity and non-negotiable (although secondary to life itself). President Obama’s positions on these issues also disqualify him from faithful Catholic votes.

Finally, this list would be incomplete without at least mentioning the wide breadth of other non-existent “rights” people are told they have – often for “free” things ranging from cell phones (morally neutral) to contraceptives (immoral).

Rights come from God and morality is not something we know and practice only at church or in the privacy of our homes. The wall dividing Church and state protects the Church from interference by government in the free exercise of religion (the very first amendment to the US Constitution). It does not, in any way whatsoever, impede an individual’s exercise of a well formed conscience in matters of the state – either by voters or by elected officials. Indeed our faith demands that we bring God with us into the voting booth and public service. To do otherwise is to deny Him, at grave peril to our eternal salvation.


Further Resources:

“A vote for a candidate that supports actions or behaviors that are intrinsically evil and gravely sinful, makes you morally complicit and places the eternal salvation of your own soul in serious jeopardy.”

Always be nice!

Always Be Nice

It is his right. She is entitled to her viewpoint. It is their business. God gave us each free will. Be charitable. Don’t judge! Always be nice!!!

All true, properly understood, but not an unequivocal call to silence. To the contrary, in the face of evil we are called to speak-up. Too often, we remain quiet because we do not want to be a “busy-body.” We do not want to seem “narrow minded” or possibly be called a “hateful bigot.” We want to fit in, to belong and to be accepted.

When we remain silent in the face of evil, we are NOT being charitable. Charity is the manifestation of love and if we truly love another, ignoring objectively sinful behavior is not loving but enabling. Our silence is unavoidably a response in itself, a raising of no objection, the implicit sharing of a “like mind” and an apparent affirmation. That voice we hear telling us something is wrong is the Holy Spirit speaking to us. Staying quiet is saying “no” to Him.

Only God can can judge another’s heart and know the state of their soul. THAT judging is not our prerogative. On the other hand, we are called to fraternal correction of our brothers and sisters in their objectively sinful actions. Failing to do so is cooperation with evil. Remember that when you pray the Confiteor – I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

In raising an objection we show the love of Christ. In humility, we seek only to help another know the truth and lead them back to God. This is a good work even when it is poorly received as it may be a seed eventually leading the other to holiness. It might also strengthen others weakened by the scandal, depending on circumstances.

Silence is not the loving response when we hear “abortion is a woman’s choice,” “prohibiting marriage is discrimination against gays,” “contraception is legitimate healthcare,” “torture is moral,” “living together takes their relationship to the next level,” or “we should bomb them back to the stone age.”

Will our voice be immediately welcomed with love and acceptance? You know it usually will not. Speaking the truth more often results in rejection, scorn, ridicule, knee-jerk name calling and other forms of persecution. St. Francis of Assisi said “Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love.” Our Lord Himself said:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Father Groeschel provides this perspective on persecution:

If we aren’t cleansed by the end of our days, then we will have to pass through the ultimate purification beyond death, which we call purgatory. We will then have to mourn and suffer to make up for what was lacking during our pilgrimage on this earth. So rejoice and be glad for whatever opportunities you do have to mourn and suffer persecution. Great is your reward, and shortened is your stay in the foyer of heaven.

Fr. Benedict Groeschel
Heaven in Our Hands

In Lent last year, the Holy Father directly addressed this topic (my highlights):

“Being concerned for each other” also entails being concerned for their spiritual well-being. Here I would like to mention an aspect of the Christian life, which I believe has been quite forgotten: fraternal correction in view of eternal salvation. Today, in general, we are very sensitive to the idea of charity and caring about the physical and material well-being of others, but almost completely silent about our spiritual responsibility towards our brothers and sisters. This was not the case in the early Church or in those communities that are truly mature in faith, those which are concerned not only for the physical health of their brothers and sisters, but also for their spiritual health and ultimate destiny. The Scriptures tell us: “Rebuke the wise and he will love you for it. Be open with the wise, he grows wiser still, teach the upright, he will gain yet more” (Prov 9:8ff). Christ himself commands us to admonish a brother who is committing a sin (cf. Mt 18:15). The verb used to express fraternal correction – elenchein – is the same used to indicate the prophetic mission of Christians to speak out against a generation indulging in evil (cf. Eph 5:11). The Church’s tradition has included “admonishing sinners” among the spiritual works of mercy. It is important to recover this dimension of Christian charity. We must not remain silent before evil. I am thinking of all those Christians who, out of human regard or purely personal convenience, adapt to the prevailing mentality, rather than warning their brothers and sisters against ways of thinking and acting that are contrary to the truth and that do not follow the path of goodness. Christian admonishment, for its part, is never motivated by a spirit of accusation or recrimination. It is always moved by love and mercy, and springs from genuine concern for the good of the other. As the Apostle Paul says: “If one of you is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should set that person right in a spirit of gentleness; and watch yourselves that you are not put to the test in the same way” (Gal 6:1). In a world pervaded by individualism, it is essential to rediscover the importance of fraternal correction, so that together we may journey towards holiness. Scripture tells us that even “the upright falls seven times” (Prov 24:16); all of us are weak and imperfect (cf. 1 Jn 1:8). It is a great service, then, to help others and allow them to help us, so that we can be open to the whole truth about ourselves, improve our lives and walk more uprightly in the Lord’s ways. There will always be a need for a gaze which loves and admonishes, which knows and understands, which discerns and forgives (cf. Lk 22:61), as God has done and continues to do with each of us.

Pope Benedict XVI
Message for Lent 2012

Links are provided to the Holy Scripture citations above, but of particular importance is St. Matthew’s admonition:

“If your brother sins [against you], go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would Gentile or tax collector.”

Remember: the blanket admonition “don’t judge” is contrary to Christian charity in the face of objective evil.

Pilate’s question

Pilates Question

On the day of His crucifixion, our Lord stood before Roman governor Pontius Pilate. He was brought there by the Jews to be executed, since under Roman law they were not permitted to do so themselves. Pilate questioned Jesus, asking what he had done. A brief discussion of kingship and kingdom followed concluding with Jesus saying: “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37) Pilate then asked: “What is truth?”

Indeed. What is truth?

Pilate did not listen or care. The answer had already been given. Many in today’s world are little different from Pilate.

Jesus brought us the truth and is the truth. He testified before us that we might know it and be saved.

There is no such thing as “versions of the truth.” That is an oxymoron. There are no alternate paths leading to God such as eastern spirituality or new age thinking. When embraced in whole or in part by Christians, those are manifestations of the heresy of indifferentism.

Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) and “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32).

Our Savior gave us the 1 true faith and founded 1 Church to teach and preserve it. Almost all Christian communities agree on this (the notable exception is Unitarian Universalists who suffer from both indifferentism and relativism).

Each Christian community believes they have the truth. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans, Fundamentalists, Evangelicals and others each believe they are correct. Despite some overlap with each other and the Catholic Church, each Protestant denomination differs from every other. Logic alone informs us that where there are differences, only 1 can be correct. There is no way to finesse this hard fact and it is a serious issue. This is not Protestantism vs. Catholicism since Protestantism is not a single theology, but a collection of Christian communities defined primarily through their schism with the Catholic Church. Secondarily, they are defined by their founding 1,500 (or more) years after Christ.

Our Lord founded a very real, visible Church. He formed men to lead it and commissioned them to spread truth to the world. That Church, led by the direct successors to the Apostles, has continued unchanged and uninterrupted for 2,000 years.

Seek the truth. It will set you free.

Obama’s war on religion (update #9)

Obama's War on Religion

Some battles in the war against religion (specifically Christianity – and even more specifically Catholicism) have recently gone to the good guys. This gives us hope, but falls far short of any indication that the tide has turned.

This piece continues my series on the very real war on religion. My last summary was 1 month ago. This is the latest update. To see the whole series, click here.

Unnatural unions vs. Chick-fil-A

One would think from watching the media or listening to uber-liberal big-city mayors that virtually the entire country backs the destruction of “traditional” marriage as we know it. The pressure has increased markedly since President Obama has given it his fully “evolved” support. Over last weekend, the president’s party voted to endorse “gay marriage” in their platorm.

This is not about equal rights but is another avenue to attack religion. Were “gay marriage” to be the law of the land, teaching and practicing the true Christian faith would be greatly hampered. Speaking against it will become hate speech and marrying heterosexuals but not homosexuals discrimination. Count on it and count on vigorous legal prosecution.

Many companies see upside publicity in announcing their support with little downside. Chick-fil-A is not one of them. They embrace Christian values, natural law and 5,000 years of tradition by simply saying they support marriage as between 1 man and 1 woman. Imagine the outrage from the extremely intolerant homosexual community and their supporters!

Tomorrow Wednesday, August 1st is Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. Show them your support. Also show every other company that the American people are NOT in mindless support of the gay agenda. Buy your lunch or dinner at Chick-fil-A. Treat the whole family, your Boy Scouts or Cub Scouts, your American Heritage Girls, your soccer team, your book club. Order from their catering menu for your function. Chick-fil-A food is a cut above typical fast-food fare, their restaurants are clean, their drive-thru is fast and their employees are friendly. Find them here.

This is something that YOU can do. It is small but may be part of something historic. It is easy, inexpensive, comparably healthy and tastes good too!

HHS mandate and private business

The issue of Obama’s HHS mandate against Christian conscience is often considered in the context of religious institutions such as schools, hospitals, charitable organizations and so on. They are good examples of how his decree (via the HHS which he controls) tramples religious freedom, but the issue is much larger than that because it also tramples upon individual business owners too.

Last week, a Catholic family-owned business in Colorado won an injunction against the ObamaCare mandate. The case must still be heard in court and the injunction applies only to this 1 company. It is a small victory, but it is a start.

This is a promotional video for Hercules Industries from 2009. The company employs 265 full-time workers.

NYC schools ban on worship

For a very long time, NYC schools have blatantly discriminated against off-hours religious use of their facilities. All other external parties were permitted. The ban applied only to the exercise of free speech which, in their opinion, represented “worship.”

Finally, after 17 years of litigation, a US District Court has overturned this law. Now we get to see what new obstacles they can invent.

Twisting the “separation of church and state” principal

The Freedom from Religion Foundation together with Robert Moss in behalf of his minor child, has sued a South Carolina school district. Elective credit is widely given around the country for off-site, elective study. The FRF wanted a test case to block credit if the study was religious in nature, proposing that it violated the so-called separation principal.

Year after year, this extralegal (i.e. not in law) principal is expanded to remove any trace of religious beliefs from every sector of government. This time, a federal appeals court sided with the good guys.

Further Reading

Here is a sampling of some new articles written on this topic in the last few weeks:

  1. A Kulturkampf Primer
  2. Affordable Care Act ruling promises religious fights for the forseeable future
  3. Archbishop Chaput: ‘It’s Going to Be a Long Fight’
  4. Archbishop Chaput’s Homily for the Closing Mass of the Fortnight for Freedom
  5. Archbishop Lori: Religious liberty bid unaffected by Supreme Court ruling
  6. Battle over ObamaCare shifts from courtroom to campaign trail
  7. Catholic Charities of Chicago lawsuit shows reach of HHS mandate
  8. Catholic business owners score win against ObamaCare mandate
  9. Catholics Need To Heed The Prophetic Voice Of The Church!
  10. Concluding the Fortnight: Now What?
  11. Congressman introduces Religious Freedom Tax Repeal Act
  12. Court strikes down NYC ban on churches meeting in schools
  13. Court’s Obamacare Ruling: What it Means for America
  14. Crucial Components of Religious Liberty
  15. Defining Religious Liberty Down
  16. Dems will include same-sex “marriage” plank in their platform at convention
  17. Federal court allows company to ignore birth-control mandate
  18. Five major ObamaCare taxes that will hit your wallet in 2013
  19. Gay marriage headed to DNC platform
  20. Government cannot take away true freedom, Archbishop Chaput teaches
  21. Hercules shows strength, halts Obama abortion pill mandate
  22. How Will the Church Respond to the Mandate?
  23. Keith Hennessey: A Strategy to Undo ObamaCare
  24. Key Quotes from Today’s Decision that Signal the Court’s Willingness to Strike Down the HHS Mandate
  25. Law in Service of Life
  26. More to come: Lawsuits over HHS mandate keep health reform law in court
  27. Obama Defends HHS Mandate: It’s “Not Fair” That Catholics Won’t Fund Birth Control
  28. Obamacare is Not Permanent Yet. Not Nearly.
  29. One HHS Mandate Case Dismissed, Don’t Read Too Much Into It
  30. Pelosi almost calls health law penalty a tax
  31. Post-Comfortable Christianity and the Election of 2012
  32. Religious Liberty and Its Contemporary Enemies
  33. Religious freedom: use it or lose it
  34. Religious liberty is ‘a foundational right,’ says Archbishop Chaput
  35. Rising Threats to American Religious Freedom
  36. Southern Baptists “Stand With the Bishops” Against the White House
  37. Supreme Court Keeps Health Care Law on Life Support
  38. Supreme Court Upholds Health-Care Law, Stage Set for First Amendment Showdown
  39. The Day After: A Declaration of War
  40. The Duty to Throw off Such Government
  41. The Fight for Freedom Begins July Fifth
  42. The HHS Mandate: What Now, In Light of the Supreme Court Ruling?
  43. The Obamacare Decision: A Mixed Bag
  44. The Roadmap to Obamacare Repeal
  45. The State Of Liberty
  46. The Two Social Justice Priorities
  47. To Fix Healthcare System, Put Consumers In Charge
  48. VICTORY: Private Company Wins Challenge to HHS Mandate
  49. What Will Independence Day in 2013 Look Like?
  50. Wheaton College (Protestant) joins Catholic institutions in lawsuit against HHS mandate
  51. Wheaton College Sues Over HHS Mandate
  52. Wheaton College backs, rabbi blasts Catholic bishops
Chick Fil A Appreciation

A Scriptural Rosary

The Rosary

A Scriptural Rosary is simply The Holy Rosary with a short Bible verse recited before each Hail Mary. These are read aloud in a prayer group by the leader or via a recording. They can also be used as a Rosary meditation.

My favorite of this genre is from Greg and Jennifer Willits, best known for their SirusXM satellite radio show The Catholics Next Door. They also have a project known as Rosary Army to freely distribute knotted Rosaries to anyone who needs one. As part of that project, they wrote and recorded their own Scriptural Rosary recordings.

The verses Greg and Jennifer used are from the RSV Bible, with the text available on their website. I have reorganized, reformatted and extended it below for your convenience:

Note: if you are new to the Rosary, see my earlier piece first!

Play The Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)
To download MP3: right click here (then ‘Save target as…’)
  • The First Joyful Mystery – The Annunciation
    1. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph; of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:26-27)
    2. And [Gabriel] came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28)
    3. But she was greatly troubled at the saying and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. (Luke 1:29)
    4. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30)
    5. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31)
    6. “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33)
    7. And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no husband?” (Luke 1:34)
    8. And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Luke 1:35)
    9. “Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
    10. And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
  • The Second Joyful Mystery – The Visitation
    1. In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country. to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. (Luke 1:39-40)
    2. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the child leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41)
    3. And she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42)
    4. “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45)
    5. And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.” (Luke 1:46-48)
    6. “For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me.” (Luke 1:48-49)
    7. “And holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.” (Luke 1:49-50)
    8. “He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” (Luke 1:51)
    9. “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree.” (Luke 1:52)
    10. ” He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.” (Luke 1:53)
  • The Third Joyful Mystery – The Nativity
    1. And while [Mary and Joseph] were [in Bethlehem] the time came for her to be delivered. (Luke 2:6)
    2. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes. (Luke 2:7)
    3. And [she] laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)
    4. And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (Luke 2:8-9)
    5. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you news of a great joy which will come to all the people.” (Luke 2:10)
    6. “For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
    7. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)
    8. And going into the house [the Wise Men] saw the child with Mary his mother. (Matthew 2:1,11)
    9. And they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
    10. But Mary kept all these things pondering them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
  • The Fourth Joyful Mystery – The Presentation
    1. And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Mary and Joseph] took [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (Luke 2:22)
    2. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (Luke 2:25)
    3. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (Luke 2:26)
    4. And inspired by the Spirit [Simeon] came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God. (Luke 2:27-28)
    5. “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word.” (Luke 2:29)
    6. “For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples.” (Luke 2:30-31)
    7. “A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:32)
    8. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against.” (Luke 2:34)
    9. “And a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:35)
    10. And when they performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. (Luke 2:39-40)
  • The Fifth Joyful Mystery – The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
    1. Now [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when [Jesus] was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. (Luke 2:41-42)
    2. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it. (Luke 2:43)
    3. And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem seeking him. After three days, they found him in the temple. (Luke 2:45-46)
    4. [He was] sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)
    5. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. (Luke 2:47)
    6. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” (Luke 2:48)
    7. And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)
    8. And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. (Luke 2:50)
    9. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. (Luke 2:51)
    10. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)

Play The Luminous Mysteries (The Mysteries of Light; Thursday)
To download MP3: right click here (then ‘Save target as…’)
  • The First Luminous Mystery – The Baptism in the Jordan
    1. [John the Baptist] said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” (John 1:23)
    2. And [John] preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.” (Mark 1:7)
    3. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me…   will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11)
    4. [John] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
    5. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. (Matthew 3:13)
    6. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14)
    7. But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then [John] consented. (Matthew 3:15)
    8. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. (Matthew 3:16)
    9. And behold, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
    10. The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan. (Mark 1:12-13)
  • The Second Luminous Mystery – The Wedding at Cana
    1. There was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. (John 2:1)
    2. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” (John 2:3)
    3. And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4)
    4. His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)
    5. Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. (John 2:6)
    6. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim. (John 2:7)
    7. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” (John 2:8)
    8. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from, …the steward of the feast called the bridegroom. (John 2:9)
    9. And [the steward of the feast] said to [the bridegroom], “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” (John 2:10)
    10. This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him. (John 2:11)
  • The Third Luminous Mystery – The Proclamation of the Kingdom
    1. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God (Mark 1:14)
    2. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4-5)
    3. [Jesus said], “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)
    4. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them…   and he was preaching the word to them. (Mark 2:2)
    5. And when they could not get near [Jesus] because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. (Mark 2:4)
    6. “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your pallet and walk?'” (Mark 2:9)
    7. “But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” (Mark 2:10-11)
    8. And [Jesus] called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. (Matthew 10:1)
    9. These Twelve Jesus sent out charging them…   to preach…   “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (cf. Matthew 10:5 & 7)
    10. And when [Jesus] had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23)
  • The Fourth Luminous Mystery – The Transfiguration
    1. Now about eight days after these saying [Jesus] took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. (Luke 9:28)
    2. And [Jesus] was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light (Matthew 17:2)
    3. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him (Matthew 17:3)
    4. [Moses and Elijah]…   spoke of [Jesus’] exodus that he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:31)
    5. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Matthew 17:4)
    6. As [Peter] said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. (Luke 9:34)
    7. And a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35)
    8. And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only. (Mark 9:8)
    9. And as they were coming down the mountain, [Jesus] charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of man should have risen from the dead. (Mark 9:9)
    10. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. (Mark 9:10)
  • The Fifth Luminous Mystery – The Institution of the Eucharist
    1. Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” (Matthew 26:17)
    2. [Jesus] said, “Go into the city to a such a one, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'” (Matthew 26:18)
    3. And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:14-15)
    4. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (Matthew 26:21)
    5. Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Is it I, Master?” (Matthew 26:25)
    6. Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26)
    7. And he took a chalice, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28)
    8. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the chalice, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
    9. “I am the living bread which comes down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:51)
    10. “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him at the last day.” (John 6:54)

Play The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday)
To download MP3: right click here (then ‘Save target as…’)
  • The First Sorrowful Mystery – The Agony in the Garden
    1. Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane. And he began to be sorrowful and troubled. (Matthew 26:36-37)
    2. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38)
    3. And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed. (Luke 22:41)
    4. “Father, if you are willing, remove this chalice from me; nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
    5. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. (Luke 22:43)
    6. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly. (Luke 22:44)
    7. And his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. (Luke 22:44)
    8. And he came back to his disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40)
    9. “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41)
    10. “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
  • The Second Sorrowful Mystery – The Scourging at the Pillar
    1. And as soon as it was morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” (Mark 15:1-2)
    2. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world.” (John 18:36)
    3. Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice.” (John 18:37)
    4. Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no crime in him.”(John 18:38)
    5. “I will therefore chastise him and release him.” Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. (Luke 23:16, John 19:1)
    6. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)
    7. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
    8. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. (Isaiah 53:5)
    9. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows Yet we esteemed him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4)
    10. Upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
  • The Third Sorrowful Mystery – The Crowning with Thorns
    1. And the soldiers led him away [to the Praetorium]. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him. (Mark 15:16-17, Matthew 27:28)
    2. And plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. (Matthew 27:29)
    3. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:29)
    4. And they spat upon him and took the reed and struck him on the head. (Matthew 27:30)
    5. [Then Pilate] took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this righteous man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” (Matthew 27:24)
    6. So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. (John 19:5)
    7. [Pilate] said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, Crucify him!” (John 19:15)
    8. And Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” (Mark 15:14)
    9. “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” (John 19:15)
    10. So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas; and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. (Mark 15:15)
  • The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery – The Carrying of the Cross
    1. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself.” (Luke 9:23)
    2. “And take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
    3. So they took Jesus, and he went out, carrying his own cross. (John 19:17)
    4. And as the led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)
    5. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.” (Matthew 11:29)
    6. “For I am gentle and lowly in heart.” (Matthew 11:29)
    7. “And you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)
    8. And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. (Luke 23:27)
    9. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Luke 23:28)
    10. “For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:31)
  • The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery – The Crucifixion
    1. And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him. (Luke 23:33)
    2. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
    3. One of the criminals who were crucified with him said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingly power.” (Luke 23:39,4215:32)
    4. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
    5. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother…   and the disciple whom he loved. (John 19:25-26)
    6. [Jesus] said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” (John 19:26-27)
    7. And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:27)
    8. And there was darkness over the whole land. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook. (Luke 23:51)
    9. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46)
    10. And he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)

Play The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday)
To download MP3: right click here (then ‘Save target as…’)
  • The First Glorious Mystery – The Resurrection
    1. “Truly, Truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” (John 16:20)
    2. “But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” (John 16:22)
    3. At the early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. (Luke 24:1)
    4. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. (Matthew 28:2)
    5. “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here.” (Matthew 28:5-6)
    6. “For he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” (Luke 24:6)
    7. “He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.” (Matthew 28:7)
    8. And [the women] went out and fled from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. (Mark 16:8, Matthew 28:8)
    9. “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)
    10. “And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:26)
  • The Second Glorious Mystery – The Ascension
    1. Then [Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. (Luke 24:50)
    2. And Jesus came and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
    3. “Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
    4. “…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
    5. “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20)
    6. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16)
    7. “But he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
    8. “And behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
    9. And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9)
    10. So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19)
  • The Third Glorious Mystery – The Descent of the Holy Spirit
    1. When the day of Pentecost day had come, they were all together in one place. (Acts 2:1)
    2. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:2)
    3. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. (Acts 2:3)
    4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to tell the mighty works of God. (Acts 2:4,11)
    5. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. (Acts 2:5)
    6. But Peter, standing with the Eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them. (Acts 2:14)
    7. And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
    8. So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)
    9. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created; and you shall renew the face of the earth. (Pentecost Alleluia)
    10. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful; and kindle in them the fire of your love. (Pentecost Alleluia)
  • The Fourth Glorious Mystery – The Assumption
    1. “My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my dove, my fair one, and come away.” (Song 2:10)
    2. “For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.”‘ (Song 2:11)
    3. “Let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is comely.” (Song 2:14)
    4. Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, loud noises, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. (Revelation 11:19)
    5. And a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun. (Revelation 12:1)
    6. …with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Revelation 12:1)
    7. The daughter of the king is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes; in many-colored robes she is led to the king. (Psalms 45:13-14)
    8. “O daughter, you are blessed by the Most High God above all women on earth.” (Judith 13:18)
    9. “Your hope will never depart from the hearts of men, as they remember the power of God.” (Judith 13:19)
    10. “You are the exaltation of Jerusalem, you are the great pride of our nation!” (Judith 15:9)
  • The Fifth Glorious Mystery – The Coronation
    1. Who is this that looks forth like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun?” (Song 6:10)
    2. Like the rainbow gleaming in glorious clouds; like roses in the days of the first fruits. (Sirach 50:7-8)
    3. I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. (Song 2:1)
    4. My throne was in a pillar of cloud, and for eternity I shall not cease to exist. (Sirach 24:4,9)
    5. Come to me, you who desire me, and eat your fill of my produce. (Sirach 24:19)
    6. Like a terebinth I spread out my branches, my teaching is sweeter than honey. (Sirach 24:17,20)
    7. And now, my sons, listen to me; happy are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise.’ (Proverbs 8:32-33)
    8. Happy are those who keep my ways, watching daily at my gates.’ (Proverbs 8:32,34)
    9. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 8:35)
    10. Hail, Queen of mercy, protect us from the enemy, and receive us at the hour of death. (Queenship of the B.V.M., Gradual)
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