tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post5768200825314048574..comments2024-02-09T02:48:13.776-06:00Comments on Daily Meditations with Fr. Alfonse: Mt 19:16-22 The Rich Young ManFr. Alfonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02557206560119402976noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-74915990364883579122010-08-17T06:05:00.271-05:002010-08-17T06:05:00.271-05:00When I think about "The blood of the martyrs ...When I think about "The blood of the martyrs is the seed for the Church" (Tertullian), I am reminded of the many sacrifices that parents make for the holiness of their children. I am also reminded of the sacrifices that our youth make when they choose to resist the temptations of our current culture in their decision to wait until marriage for sex. They are the seeds of the Church, the holy young adults, who are tightening their lifestyles, demanding more of themselves in comparison to the general public. Their more difficult choices compared to past generations, draw more into the Lord's inner circle of holiness. Praise God for their willingness to stand up for what they believe in even when they stand alone. We must keep praying for them in their struggle for holiness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-25727362527115830962010-08-17T02:13:21.211-05:002010-08-17T02:13:21.211-05:00"We know the Lord must have loved him because..."We know the Lord must have loved him because he began to demand more from him"<br /><br />This statement just brought back a memory from my daughter's middle school years. You know the ones where YOUR prayer life increases immeasurably!<br /><br />We had constant arguments about how mean I was because I wanted to know where she was at all times and I wouldn't just buy her a cell phone like all the other kids' parents and just let her go where ever she wished and do whatever she wanted with whomever she wanted.<br /><br />I told her constantly that I loved her and was sad that the other kids' parents didn't care enough to set boundaries or have any expectations and that I expected her to live by the rules, would never give up on her or quit loving her even when she behaved badly and hated me.<br /><br />On one occasion she begged me not love her, like her friends' parents. She didn't even realize what she said. <br /><br />Later in high school, a counselor told me that she told her that my refusal to give in & give up on her probably saved her life.<br /><br />She actually thanked me for it later. <br /><br />I’m already thanking God for letting me know what the rules are, how far is too far, what the consequences are. And especially for the Catholic Church who has never changed the rules or lowered her expectations to gain in popularity and for His refusal to give in or give up on me.<br /><br />Thank you Father for loving us enough to speak the truth when it's not what we want to hear, it's not popular or you're likely get criticized for it.<br /><br />We definitely need more holy courageous men like you in our Church and in our world!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-62518158578734573852010-08-16T17:55:36.911-05:002010-08-16T17:55:36.911-05:00Thank you for posting your daily meditations onlin...Thank you for posting your daily meditations online Father. I have missed hearing your daily Mass homilies.Christinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-52965362401501218462010-08-16T11:32:25.484-05:002010-08-16T11:32:25.484-05:00Its interesting...today, the message of 'die&#...Its interesting...today, the message of 'die' is not a popular one, mostly amongst newer protestant churches (seeker-friendly). 'Reinventions of the wheel' are exactly what spring up on street corners but with a sort of gospel-twist...taking up your cross, sacrifice, leaving all for the sake of Jesus is no longer included in the message. It is what I term 'The Americanized Gospel' - getting without giving (unless its giving to the organization of course), blessing without sacrifice. The narrow road has been traded for the wide and luxury has become the new poverty. When the message is deluded, the longevity of ones faith seems shorter. Luke 12:15 is so easily forgotten.<br />You put it well Fr. Alfonse in regards to the remedy...the response from the recent past is clear: die.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com