The Family Foundation School Catholic Community Bulletin
Father Zlatko Sudac, a 30 year old Croatian priest bears the stigmata – the wounds of Christ in his body. Father Sudac was ordained ten years ago in 1998; the following year he began to manifest the stigmata in his forehead, where Jesus wore the crown of thorns.
Father Sudac simultaneously received many other spiritual gifts including levitation, bi-location, the gift of tongues (he speaks and sings in languages he’s never studied,) the gift of illumination and knowledge.
Father Sudac doesn’t distribute Holy Communion at the Masses he offers (other priests do that for him) – he is overwhelmed with sorrow as he discerns the unconfessed and unrepented sin residing in people’s hearts as they approach the Sacrament of the Body of Christ!
This is a remarkable spiritual gift – but one which Jesus himself displayed on numerous occasions in the gospels. So, go on a search: Matthew 9:3-4; Mark 2:6-8; Luke 5:22; Luke 9:46,47; Luke 24:38
What are we to do? Could I suggest that we pray Psalm 50 – “Have mercy on me, O God….” Could I suggest we get an Examination of Conscience – they are all over the place here and Father Stephen can provide one easily. Could I suggest that we find our way to the Sacrament of Confession at once – and go deeper than deep in laying open our hearts before God, who is mercy!
Do you remember hearing of the Tibetan mystic who, when traveling in Athens commented, “I see demons hanging off of peoples’ throats, eyes, noses, lips, ears….” Saying, “I tell my sins to God directly; I don’t need to confess to a priest,” doesn’t work. We wind up deceiving ourselves.
This weekend, Russian and Greek Orthodox Christians celebrate their Easter! Be sure to greet Vicki and Yuri and Natalya with, “Christ is Risen!” They will respond, “Truly He is Risen!”
This Thursday is the Feast of the Lord’s Ascension. Sometimes called, “Ascension Thursday.” Forty Days after Easter!
The Feast celebrates that Jesus returned to the glory of the Father when his work was finished here. He leaves, so that the Spirit will come to us – to work in us – to make us new Christ-persons. En-spirited – you and I continue the ministry of Jesus in our own time and place.
This is called a “Holy Day of Obligation” for Catholics: a day that’s equal to a Sunday. Catholics participate at Mass – and so we’ll have Mass this Thursday instead of Wednesday.
Do I prepare my heart for Mass. My heart – a tiny chapel for Christ. My heart – tidied up to receive him. Making peace with someone as the day of Holy Communion nears. “Blessed are the pure of heart…for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
When we confess our sins to the priest there is a final prayer which the penitent (the one confessing) prays before the priest speaks the words of absolution. If I really want to approach the Sacrament well, I should know the prayer by heart.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you.
And I detest all my sins,
not because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell,
but because they offend you my God,
who are all good, and worthy of my love.
I firmly resolve with the help of your grace,
to sin no more,
and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
Amen.
Perfect Contrition: Sorrow for sin simply and purely because God is offended.
Imperfect Contrition: Sorrow for sin because I might get in trouble, or because I might lose heaven and suffer hell.
