Ss. Fabiani et Sebastiani Martyrum, orate pro nobis.

Fabian, a Roman, ruled the Church from the time of Maximian to that of Decius. He divided the City into seven districts and assigned a deacon to each to care for the poor. He appointed the same number of subdeacons to collect the Acts of the Martyrs from the records of the district notaries. He decreed that every year on Holy Thursday the old chrism be burned and new chrism consecrated. At length, on January 20, he was crowned with martyrdom and buried in the cemetery of Callistus on the Appian Way. Sebastian was a favorite with Diocletian for his noble birth and his bravery, and was made captain of the first company of the Praetorian guards. He aided the Christians, whose faith he secretly practiced, both by deeds and by material help and strengthened them in professing Christ. When all this was reported to Diocletian, he tried by every means to turn Sebastian away from faith in Christ. But when neither promises nor threats were successful, he ordered him to be tied to spot and shot through with arrows. The servant of God was then thought by all to be dead, but shortly afterwards, restored to health, he appeared in Diocletian's presence and boldly rebuked him for his wickedness. Then the tyrant ordered him beaten with rods until he expired. (Breviarium Romanum)

Let us pray.
Be mindful of our weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our sins weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of thy holy Martyrs Fabian and Sebastian sustain us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. "One who sent me to baptize": God has sent His Spirit upon the Church to overcome all evil through His forgiving Love

In the aftermath of the massacre in Tucson years ago and in so many other places, with a lone gunman killing and wounding others who intended neither him nor others any harm, some are asking for an account of such evil. How can a person who does such things be forgiven? How can God allow such seemingly unforgiveable violence and hatred which erupts in the taking of innocent life, such as a young girl who just received her first holy Communion and a judge who attended holy Mass daily?

Yes, God must make an account of Himself, some believe. Others, looking to Christ, understand that God has already given an account of Himself, offering in advance the source of forgiveness for this sin and every sin. There is no evil that God cannot overcome with His love. There is no human person who can put himself beyond the reach of God's mercy in Christ. How does God do this? Through the Church. The voice of Christ in His Church speaks: "The LORD said to me: You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory." (Is 49:3, 5-6)

Read more" https://mcitl.blogspot.com/2011/01/second-sunday-in-ordinary-time-one-who.html

Order new book supporting priestly celibacy by Pope Benedict and Cardinal Sarah online for discount

Ignatius Press is publishing the controversial new book as planned by both Benedict XVI and Cardinal Sarah supporting priestly celibacy despite internal Vatican pressure to back down.

Support our bishops and cardinals who defend the Catholic Faith and morals handed down to us by the will and plan of Our Lord Jesus Christ for 2,000 years.

Go to this link at Ignatius Press https://www.ignatius.com/From-the-Depths-of-Our-Hearts-P3550.aspx to get discount price of $16.96 for pre-ordering online.

One liturgy encourages narcissism and sexual acting out more than any other. Guess which?

In a  study on sexual crimes among the clergy under the heading: “The priesthood attracts and can foster narcissism”, this:

“The new Catholic liturgy places far more emphasis on the personality of the priest-presider than the old liturgy did.” (300)

http://on-this-rock.blogspot.com/2020/01/sacrilege-by-leon-podles.html

Sanctæ Familiæ Jesu Mariæ Joseph

From the Apostolic Letters of Pope Leo XIII
Breve « Neminem fugit » 14 junii 1892
When God in his mercy determined to accomplish the work of man's renewal, which same had so many long ages awaited, he appointed and ordained this work on such wise that its very beginning might shew to the world the august spectacle of a Family which was known to be divinely constituted; that therein all men might behold a perfect model, as well of domestic life as of every virtue and pattern of holiness: for such indeed was the Holy Family of Nazareth. There in secret dwelt the Sun of Righteousness, until the time when he should shine out in full splendour in the sight of all nations. There Christ, our God and Saviour, lived with his Virgin Mother, and with that most holy man Joseph, who held to him the place of father. No one can doubt that in this Holy Family was displayed every virtue which can be called forth by an ordinary home life, with its mutual services of charity, its holy intercourse, and its practices of godly piety, since the Holy Family was destined to be a pattern to all others. For that very reason was it established by the merciful designs of Providence, namely, that every Christian, in every walk of life and in every place, might easily, if he would but give heed to it, have before him a motive and a pattern for the good life.

The Baptism of the Lord

"Jesus' public life begins with his baptism by John in the Jordan. John preaches 'a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins'. A crowd of sinners - tax collectors and soldiers, Pharisees and Sadducees, and prostitutes- come to be baptized by him. 'Then Jesus appears.' The Baptist hesitates, but Jesus insists and receives baptism. Then the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes upon Jesus and a voice from heaven proclaims, 'This is my beloved Son.' This is the manifestation ('Epiphany') of Jesus as Messiah of Israel and Son of God." (CCC 535 )







Read more: The Baptism of the Lord at Meeting Christ in the Liturgy

Quotes from Archbishop Marcel LeFebvre

“In the Church, law and jurisdiction are at the service of the Faith, the primary reason for the Church. There is no law, no jurisdiction which can impose on us a lessening of our Faith.

”We accept this jurisdiction and this law when they are at the service of the Faith. But on what basis can they be judged? Tradition, the Faith for 2,000 years. Every Catholic can and must resist anyone in the Church who lays his hands on his Faith, the Faith of the eternal Church, relying on his childhood catechism.“

”Apologia Pro Marcel LeFebvre”, Michael Davies

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

From the Sermons of St. Bernard, Abbot (of Clairvaux)
1st on the Song of Songs
It is not idly that the Holy Ghost likeneth the Name of the Bridegroom to oil, when He maketh the Bride say to the Bridegroom: thy Name is as oil poured forth. Oil indeed giveth light, meat, and unction. It feedeth fire, it nourisheth the flesh, it sootheth pain; it is light, food, and healing. Behold, Thus also is the Name of the Bridegroom. To preach it, is to give light; to think of it, is to feed the soul; to call on it, is to win grace and unction. Let us take it point by point. What, thinkest thou, hath made the light of faith so suddenly and so brightly to shine in the whole world but the preaching of the Name of Jesus? Is it not in the light of this Name that God hath called us into His marvellous light, even that light wherewith we being enlightened, and in His light seeing light, Paul saith truly of us: Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord.

For the rest visit Meeting Christ in the Liturgy.