MCCAIN RAPPER?

I know he is a good man, but this parody was too much to pass off. Where do people get such wild imaginations? Crazy but creative!

SUPER HEROES & VILLAINS IN POLITICAL CONTEST

Well, if you have not yet seen IRON MAN, I suppose this is the best you can do. Hahaha! Talk about fiction!

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BARACK

I am not taking sides! I am not taking sides! I am not taking sides! But this tube video, like the race for the Presidential nominee for the Democrat party is VERY AMUSING!

PAPAL MASS IN WASHINGTON: ALTAR & RECESSIONAL

Here is a good picture of the altar and setup for the Papal Mass.

The Mass was a great success!

PAPAL MASS IN WASHINGTON: PROCESSIONAL

The crowd goes wild when they see Pope Benedict XVI.

Here are a series of photos as the Holy Father enters the ballfield.

The Pope is processing toward the altar.

PAPAL MASS IN WASHINGTON: POPEMOBILE

Beep! Beep!

FATHER JOE AT PAPAL MASS IN DC

Well, here is proof of my presence at the Papal Mass.  My face got a bit sunburned.

I am looking toward the areas where my parish had ticketed seats.

Seeing the Pope was fun and moving, but getting to and from the stadium was tough! 

Charlton Heston R.I.P. (April 5, 2008)

The day Mr. Heston died my brother John called me from Baltimore. My brother John and I met Mr. Heston at a book signing in DC a number of years ago. We were told by the store owners, “Just get your books signed, no talking!” Anyway, he came early and sat at a small table waiting for visitors. Guess what? The store manager had made a mistake with the date for the newspaper announcement. Nobody showed up and there was no line! Mr. Heston called us over, pulled out a few folding chairs and invited us to sit with him. The manager was ticked but only grimaced. We had the great actor to ourselves for about half-an-hour. We talked about a number of things, especially the old Hollywood and how things had changed. He signed a pile of books and the pictures we had brought. He said that he never charged people for autographs and that such was a duty to the people who counted themselves your fans and kept you employed. When the word got around town who was there people started to show up and we said our goodbyes.

He is remembered alternately for his religious films and his cult science fiction. That makes him a very special man to a wide range of fandom. May he rest in peace. He was a man who tried to be moral and who believed in Jesus Christ as Lord. That is pretty good in my book… and he kept his gunpowder dry!

• BEN HUR CARTOON (2003)
• A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS (1988)
• THE AGONY & THE ECSTASY (1965)
• THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965)
• BEN HUR (1959)
• THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956)

THE BLUES BROTHERS

I was a young adult, 20-21 years old in 1980, and I thought this was a magical film. Little did I know that in 2008, it would still remain a favorite. Always somewhat embarrassed by the language at times, it had the comedy, action and music that tickled the funny bone, pumped the adrenaline, and filled us with moving beats and rhythms!

Almost 30 years later, the music is now the stuff of legend!

The Original MEN IN BLACK, and could they drive and sing… on a mission for God!

Shake a tail feather!

Wednesday, 5th Week of Easter

The reading from Acts sets the stage before the Church’s first council. Gentiles had become believers and yet the matter of circumcision was hindering their entry into the Church. Pharisees who had accepted Christ believed that one had to become Jewish prior to becoming Christian. Paul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the Apostles and presbyters there. Later the gravity of Christ and the new rite of initiation, baptism, would prevail. Jesus is everything for the believer. Jesus in the Gospel speaks of himself as the vine and how we are the branches. His life flows through us. Our faith and works bear fruit because we are a part of Jesus and he lives in us. Everything that Jesus is and does have value.

Nicholas Freeman 7/5/1990 - 4/1/2008

FREEMAN NICHOLAS PATRICK FREEMAN (Age 17) On Tuesday, April 1, 2008, of Springfield, VA, beloved son of Stephen and Cecilia Freeman; brother of Kenneth, Matthew, Elena, Mary, and Juliana Freeman. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends. Friends may call at FAIRFAX MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 9902 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, VA on Friday, April 4, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 5 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield, VA at 10:30 a.m. Interment Fairfax Memorial Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Messiah U.M.C. Endowment Fund, 6215 Rolling Rd., Springfield, VA 22152 or St. Bernadette Catholic Church.

I went to school with Nick’s mother, Cecilia. “I am so sorry. What a terrible tragedy. I have remembered him at Mass and will keep him in my prayers. May God uphold the family during this difficult time.”

FAITH, BAPTISM & BABIES

Steven says: The New Testament teaches one must be a penitent believer to be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:36-38). Babies do not meet these conditions.

Here is my response:

Dear Steven,

It was well after the Reformation that certain groups of Christians (separated from the Catholic Church) stopped baptizing small children. The problem was that while mention of “whole households” coming to the Lord and being baptized can be found in the Scriptures, the clear practice of the early Church testified in subsequent documents (indicating the practice of infant baptism) was swept aside as “merely” tradition. Unlike Catholics, Protestant churches gave no credence to such living tradition or to the writings of the Church fathers as a second font of revelation. Having said this, Lutherans, Anglicans and the Protestant communities making the initial break from Rome often retained the practice of infant baptism. Those that changed the practice also proposed a somewhat altered definition of baptism and in many cases eliminated or altered the notion of original sin and its effects. I was surprised a number of years ago to discover Baptists who had never gotten around to being baptized. They did not practice infant baptism and some adults never sought it out. They felt it was enough to answer an altar call and to read the Bible. Similarly, I have known Presbyterians who made faith professions but have not been formally baptized.

Catholics and certain mainline traditions regard baptism as a sacrament. Other ecclesial communities consider it an ordinance by which a public expression of faith is made. Meaning no ill-will to our non-Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ, we find such a view of baptism has terribly impoverished. Catholics view baptism as transformative in itself. We die with Christ (go under the water) to rise with him (to emerge from the water). The baptismal font in Catholic churches is regarded as the womb of the Church. We believe that sanctifying grace is offered, as well as the many actual graces. Original sin is remitted and we become adopted sons and daughters to the heavenly Father. Adults who are baptized are also forgiven of actual or personal sins. We believe that in faith and baptism, we are born again, made temples of the Holy Spirit, and are transformed to the likeness of God in Christ Jesus. We also believe that baptism incorporates the believer into the mystical body of Christ, the Church. We see baptism as the doorway to the sacramental life.

You cite Acts 2:38 where Peter said, “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.” This is not evidence against infant baptism or proof that the “penitent believer” must be an adult. Catholics do not dismiss the issue of faith, but rather view it both corporately and personally. We do not come to God alone. The faith of parents and godparents is that which brings a child to the waters of baptism. Later, after the child has reached the age of reason, we hope that he or she will see the other sacraments on initiation: Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. The pledge of faith and the renunciation of sin and Satan made by parents and others will one day be made by the child when he or she stands before the bishop in the midst of the Church. Note what is added in the very next verse (Acts 2:39): “For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.”

You cite Mark 16:16 and yet this is understood as part of the general mission mandate of the Church. We preach to those who can understand. “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” The matter of babies is not specified here. If you want to be a literalist, this text would seem to imply that babies (who cannot believe) must by necessity be condemned. Most Baptists would never say such a thing, so already they appreciate that the verse has a few unspoken nuances. The Apostolic and early Church baptized babies with the understanding that parents would nurture faith in their children. They could not endure the terrible possibility that their children, who often died before the age of reason, might forfeit eternal life. When the child grew up it was their hope that grace would prevail and the child would profess his or her faith with the rest of the community. Catholicism has a strong emphasis upon the Church as the sacrament of salvation, our place of encounter with the risen Christ. This stands very much against the tendency after the Reformation toward a more individualistic and privatized faith. Catholics feel bonded one to the other and especially to their children. Our holiness and sinfulness can either assist or harm others in their faith journey. Salvation comes not just for particular people but for the New Jerusalem or People of God. The Church stands both convicted and rewarded before Christ as the royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people set apart— the breaking-in of the kingdom of God.

You cite Acts 8:36-38 which is the story of the Ethiopian eunuch who is baptized by Philip. However, note that the eunuch was given only the barest instruction prior to baptism. He is baptized with the confidence that any seed of initial faith would grow over time. Verse 37 reads: “And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may [get baptized].’ And he said in reply, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’” However, note that this verse has been expunged from most new bible translations because it was added to later Western texts. The oldest and best source documents are missing it!

Whole households were baptized in the Apostolic and early Church, these no doubt included children. St. Irenaeus (130-202 AD) speaks about it in regards to infants “born again to God”. [See Acts 16:15; Acts 16:31-33 & 1 Cor. 1:16].

Peace!

ANTI-CATHOLICISM: Baptism & Born Again

INSTRUCTION:  Baptism & Confirmation

QUESTION: On Baptism

QUESTION: On Baptism of Children