• *See Acts 4:29

Speak the Truth with Boldness*

~ (Namby-pamby priests need not apply.)

Speak the Truth with Boldness*

Tag Archives: Truth

Θεοτόκος

05 Wednesday Aug 2015

Posted by Fr. Moore in Incarnation

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Blessed Virgin Mary, Council of Ephesus, Heresy, Mother of God, Truth

We beseech thee, O Lord, pour into our hearts the abundance of thy heavenly grace: That like as the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin Mary was unto us thy servants the beginning of salvation, so the devout observance of the dedication of her Basilica may avail for the increasing of our peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major

 

The Council of Ephesus was held in the year of our Lord, 431. The purpose of the Council was to examine the doctrine of Nestorius, who was the Patriarch of Constantinople. Nestorius claimed that Mary, the mother of Jesus, could not be referred to as the Mother of God, but instead must be called the Mother of Christ. The Council condemned the teaching of Nestorius and formally proclaimed that Mary is indeed Θεοτόκος (Theotokos): the God-bearer. (It should be kept in mind that the Church did not simply come up with this idea in a.d. 431. Instead, this was always the understanding of the Church and in light of the heresy of Nestorius, had to be officially defined.)

Shortly after the Council of Ephesus, the Basilica of St. Mary Major was constructed in Rome in honor of the Mother of God. It is the oldest church named in honor of Mary in the West. But that church, and in fact all Catholic churches, are more than just buildings; instead, they are like a mother to us and also like a home.

Through the waters of the baptismal font we are born anew into the Body of Christ. In our baptisms we are made new creatures and incorporated into the one Body of Christ. And if we are part of Christ’s Body then in a very real way Mary is also our Mother. And as such she cares for us just as she cared for her Son. When we are reborn in Baptism she clothes us with the pure white garment worn by all the members of the house. Like all good mothers, she feeds us with the pure milk of Truth that comes to us from our Lord. And it is in the church that we receive the food of life everlasting – the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the church, like in our home, we are protected from that which could harm us. Not only does the church provide a physical structure to protect us from the elements but in it we also receive protection from the evil one. In it, the Faithful are joined together in Holy Matrimony, being the Sacrament that emulates the union of Christ with His Bride, the Church. And when we die we are brought one last time back to the church so that the prayers of the Church may be offered for us.

In all of this, Mary, the Mother of God and our own blessed Mother, watches over us and prays for us, just as she did for her Son. Let us give thanks to God for such an attentive Mother.

 

Share this:

  • Share
  • Email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by Fr. Moore in Liturgy of the Hours, Pro-Life, Salvation, von Hildebrand

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Heaven, Truth

God is seen by those who have the capacity to see him, provided that they keep the eyes of their mind open. All have eyes, but some have eyes that are shrouded in darkness, unable to see the light of the sun. Because the blind cannot see it, it does not follow that the sun does not shine. The blind must trace the cause back to themselves and their eyes. In the same way, you have eyes in your mind that are shrouded in darkness because of your sins and evil deeds.

Saint Theophilus of Antioch, bishop

From today's Office of Readings (at the Universalis website) comes the above quote from St. Theophilus. The part that really caught my attention is in bold print. The main point in the passage is whether or not all people can see God. He says that this depends on whether or not the individual has the eyes of his mind and ears of his heart open in order to perceive God. This calls to mind what our Lord had to say in Matthew 11, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Share
  • Email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Fr. Moore

Fr. Moore

Parochial Vicar Our Lady of the Atonement San Antonio, Texas FrMoore@truthwithboldness.com

View Full Profile →

Categories

C.S. Lewis Canon Law Catholic Church Catholic Obligations Christian Unity Definitions Dictatorship of Relativism Eternal Life Excommunication Faith Forgiveness Free Will God's Will Humor Josef Pieper Liturgy Liturgy of the Hours Love Loving our Neighbor Matrimony Mere Christianity Morality Philosophy Politically Incorrect Pope Benedict XVI Pope Francis Prayer Priesthood Pro-Family Pro-Life Repentance Sacraments Saints Salvation Sermons Stratford Caldecott Submission to God Thankfulness The Great Divorce Theosis The Problem of Pain The Screwtape Letters The Weight of Glory Thought for the Day Transformation in Christ Truth Uncategorized Update von Hildebrand What's Wrong with the World?

Recent Posts

  • Pro-Life Moral Code
  • The Object of our Desire
  • Towards Unity
  • William and Thomas
  • We are All Called

Archives

  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • June 2016
  • March 2016
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 321 other followers

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Recent Posts

  • Pro-Life Moral Code
  • The Object of our Desire
  • Towards Unity
  • William and Thomas
  • We are All Called

Archives

  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • June 2016
  • March 2016
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
<span>%d</span> bloggers like this: