Thank You All for Your Service to Our Country--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release July 26, 2010 Presidential Proclamation--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

NATIONAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY, 2010
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Today we celebrate the signing of the Military Armistice Agreement at Panmunjom and we honor our servicemembers who fought and died for freedom and democracy in the Korean War. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War and the birth of an enduring friendship between the United States and the Republic of Korea that is stronger today than ever before. Our alliance is rooted in shared sacrifice, common values, mutual interest, and respect, and this partnership is vital to peace and stability in Asia and the world.

Since our Nation's founding, the United States has relied on our Armed Forces to ensure our safety and security at home, and to protect lives and liberties around the globe. When Communist armies poured across the 38th parallel, threatening the very survival of South Korea, American troops braved unforgiving conditions and rallied to the young republic's defense. Tens of thousands of our Nation's servicemembers lost their lives, and many more were wounded, declared missing in action, or taken as prisoners of war. The courageous service and ultimate sacrifices of these patriots and our allied combatants safeguarded a free government and vibrant economy in South Korea, forging a bond between our people that stands strong today.

As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and the eventual conclusion of hostilities at Panmunjom, let us raise our flags high to honor the service and valor of our veterans, to reflect on the principles for which they fought, and to reaffirm the unshakeable bond between South Korea and our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 27, 2010, as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor our distinguished Korean War veterans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-korean-war-veterans-armistice-day

A Thought for today.

"Good works are links that form a chain of love."

-Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

And the King will answer, "In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me." - Our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 25:40)

Quick Movie Review

Last night my kids and I went to see "The Karate Kid."  My 3 older sons are fans of Jackie Chan.  I quite liked to see him in a less silly role than in the "Rush Hour" movies or "Shanghai Noon/Knights"  movies.  However, I really didn't appreciate the "love interest" part of the movie.  No, not an interest for Jackie Chan, but for twelve year old Jaden Smith's character.  Really?  We have got to sexualize 12 year olds now?   Even my almost 16 year old groaned at seeing Jaden and his 'girl friend' kiss.  I really don't understand why our society is so obsessed with sex.  Does anyone really wonder why we have pregnant 14 year olds?  So, this is a warning for any and all mothers that are a little sensitive to this issue.  Don't take your kids.  My boys and I had a long talk about it on the way home from the theatre.

The rest of the movie was very good.  The boy had to learn about respect for his mother, for his teacher, for a foreign culture.  All that was good.  I like the lesson of karate kid that you need to push through and conquer fear if you are going to live with any kind of self-respect.  The final tournament see was almost exactly the same as the original movie.  One caveat--I do think Jaden Smith is a better actor than Ralph Machio (sp?), however, at least Ralph was a teenager in the first movie and it was the summer before he went to college in the second movie.  The new movie had some good action sequences, but it was a little long for my five year old. 

You Just Don't Understand

I love it when protestants say Catholics just don't understand.  That statement is also usually accompanied by the phrase, but "most protestants don't even understand [insert doctrine here], either."  That way it gives them an 'out' to explain their personal version of [doctrine] and how it is the 'right' or 'true' meaning of [doctrine].  Of course, they are the real arbiters of [doctrine].  That is assuming that all or "informed" protestants agree with their version of [doctrine].  The thing is, many, many of these different groups have different meanings for these so-called doctrines, such as the non-Scriptural doctrines of sola scriptura and sola fide, so essential to their protests against the Church founded by Christ.  Why are there so many different meanings of these doctrines floating around?  Isn't it interesting that the Catholic Faith is spelled out for anyone to read in the current Catechism of the Catholic Church and supported by hundreds of references to Scripture.  Just about every question one might have on the True Faith is there for anyone to read.

St. Michael on CathApol

On a friend's blog, he actually had the gall the try to explain how the "five solas" could be, at least, aligned with Catholic doctrine if one wanted to find some commonality between Christians.  However, in an effort to distance himself from Christ's Church, one protestant felt he must come back with the "you just don't understand what the words mean to us."  For one thing that is not true, not only is my friend a former Lutheran, but I am a former Baptist, both of us highly educated in those faiths and we do know what you mean by "those words."  Just because when he (or we) give a Catholic answer, or explanation, it doesn't mean we didn't understand your meaning.  And, that is what Catholic apologists have been trying to do for centuries--trying to help our separated brethren understand Catholic doctrine with Catholic, not protestant, meanings of the words we use.  Of course, vocal protestants always know better about what we believe than we do, but we couldn't possibly understand what they believe.    You'd think that so-called Christians would actually be interested in giving a Christian witness to the world, but they seem to rather enjoy posting hate-filled anti-Catholic propaganda rather than actually teaching the Gospel of love proclaimed by their Lord Jesus Christ.  

Michelangelo

Many, many of the apologists I know and read are converts to His Church.  If you've been around the internet "apologetics" enough you would know names of apologists like Scott Hahn, Patrick Madrid, Dave Armstrong, and many others.  All converts to the church, as I am, all lovingly but firmly trying to explain the Truth in Catholic doctrine to our separated brethren.  They are not using their time and energy on earth spreading hatred and telling people where they are going like most of the protestants I am unfortunately exposed to on a regular basis. 

I do understand.  Many, many Catholics do understand what you are saying, why won't you even try to give us the benefit of the doubt?  We are the original Christians, the only Christians (not counting heretical groups which came and went over the centuries) up until the 16th century.  Interestingly, the more I read the early Christian writers, such as St. Ignatius, or St. Athanasius, or St. Augustine, the more I see the doctrines of the Church still taught today.  If one can apply the Catholic meaning, the proper meaning, to the Early Church Fathers, one could not help but be Catholic.  Protestants love to take Church Fathers sayings out of its Catholic context to try to make it look as if they disagree with the Church, when point in fact, their writings helped build the doctrine of the Church as we know it.  Many were inspired, many made mistakes, many are admired.   At the very least, let us be what we are -- Bible believing Christians.

A Couple of Recipes

On a friend's blog she has a recipe exchange on Mondays and has some stored on her site.  Well, today, I was thinking of a couple of things I like to do, but have not made it on her Monday list, yet.

Today I made the following for dinner.  It is quick (takes about 10-15 minutes depending on how fast your stove boils water) and easy when mom is out of ideas and energy.

2 boxes Mac and Cheese mix (I use two because I have 5 kids-use only one if you have only one or two kids--and only if they are not teenagers.)
margarine, as called for on box(es)
milk, as called for on box(es)
1 bag frozen broccoli baby florets (I really don't like to get a bag full of stems.)
1 to 2 cans Spam

1.  Cook Mac and Cheese as directed.  Put steamer on top of boiling pasta. 
2.  Put Steamer on top of boiling pasta.  If you don't have a steamer pot for your set, us a metal colander on top of your pot.  Put broccoli in steamer/colander.  Cover.  Lower temperature so it doesn't boil over.
3.  While that is cooking, cube Spam.
4.  When pasta is cooked and broccoli is steamed to perfection, mix cheese sauce as directed on box.
5.  Add cooked broccoli and cubed Spam.
6.  Serve.  I can serve my five kids (two of them teenage boys) with this recipe.

How about desert?  Cold S-mores Parfait.

1 or 2 boxes of instant chocolate pudding (depending on how many you want to make)
milk
4-6 graham crackers
mini marshmallows

1.  Crush graham crackers to coarse crumbs
2.  Mix chocolate pudding as directed on package.
3.  Take out desert glasses, parfait glasses, deep cups, anything you got to layer the dessert.
4.  Put in small layer of pudding.
5.  Cover pudding with a layer of graham crackers.
6.  Sprinkle in marshmallows.
7.  Repeat steps 4-6 twice.  Make sure that you end with Marshmallows on top.  I had some that were stars.  It looked great!  Watch out the portions can look small but they really fill you up.
8.  Serve and enjoy.

Voile!  Dinner and desert in 1/2 hour.  Gotta love it.

"Your" Virgin

One of the ignorant detractors of Mary, commented about "your" virgin, meaning Catholics, today.  How is Mary our virgin?  Since this protestant says she is a Sola Scripturist, why does she not believe in Scripture?  (Quotes from the NIV, not a Catholic Bible.)

""The Virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means "God with us.""  (Matt 1:23)

Which refers back to:
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel."  (Isa 7:14)

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.  The virgin's name was Mary."  (Lk 1:26,27)

"How will this be,"  Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"  (Lk 1:34)

Those who are members of His Church understand that those outside His Body, and continue to protest her teachings, but still call themselves Christians, have to rebel against all teachings of the Church no matter what.  Mary is not "our" virgin.  She is THE virgin of Scripture.  If you don't believe that you're not a sola scripturist, let alone a Christian.  If you don't believe that Mary was a virgin, then the Holy Spirit was not His Father, and Jesus is not the second person of the Holy Trinity.  Therefore He is not God, and you cannot be a Christian. 

Now, I understand that many protestants do not believe in Mary being "ever-virgin."  Calling her the "Blessed Virgin" is not going to make Catholics think that you accept that Mary stayed in the virginal state all her life.  We understand that.  But to object to a title, such as the "Blessed Virgin Mary," just because you feel you must be anti-Catholic, is just beyond ridiculous.  Mary is the Blessed Virgin of Scripture (I have referred to "virgin" above):

"...Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?...Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"  (Lk 1:41b-45)

"From now on all generations will call me [Mary] blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is His name."  (Lk 1:48)

Actually, the question should be:  If one claims sola scriptura, why don't they call her the Blessed Virgin, too?  That is who Mary is in Scripture.

Theotokos

I've been on a few apologetics sites for a few years now, and one of the constant themes is attacking Mary.  Now, we, Catholics, know you don't agree with the Church.  That is a given, as you are protestants (you protest against His Church at all costs, even your own soul), after all.  However, all Catholic teachings about Mary are actually teachings about her Son, the Son of God.  Why would any Christian reject, say, to the virgin birth, or the title "Mother of God?"  Yet, so-called Christians do.

"It may be objected: 'Our Lord is enough for me. I have no need of her.' But He needed her, whether we do or not. God, Who made the sun, also made the moon. The moon does not take away from the brilliance of the sun. All its light is reflected from the sun. The Blessed Mother reflects her Divine Son; without Him, she is nothing. With Him, she is the Mother of Men." 
 --Bishop Fulton Sheen

Here is a basic outline of the Catholic beliefs about Mary:

1.Mary, like every other person on earth, was saved by the sacrifice of her Son, Jesus Christ.
2. Mary is the Theotokos--the "God bearer."  If you actually believe in Jesus as God the Son, why would you object to this?  That is what we mean when we say the smoother phrase in English--"Mother of God."
Try this: 
Jesus is God. 
Mary is His Mother. 
Mary is the Mother of God. 
It really is that simple.
3.  Mary, through a special grace given her by God as the Theotokos, was sinless all her life.
4.  Mary, also through special grace, was a virgin her whole life.
5.  Mary was her Son's first disciple.
6.  Mary is the Mother of the Church.  She is Jesus' Mother.  We are called the Body of Christ.  She is our mother.

7.  Mary was assumed, that is taken up into heaven, body and soul by God.  We know that Enoch (Genesis 5:24 & Sirach 49:14) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:1-12) were assumed into heaven.  The Church has sacred Tradition that says Mary was assumed bodily, but she also sees the result of Mary's assumption in Revelation 12:1. 
8.  Mary was crowned Queen (Mother) of Heaven.

What the Catholic Church does NOT believe about Mary:

1. She is a goddess.  (She is not worshipped by Catholics.  Honor and worship of God are two separate things).
2. She is equal to Jesus, and therefore is part of the Trinity or quadinity (Yes, some ignorant protestants really believe that we believe that.)
3.  She was perfect.  (Sinless and perfect are not the same).

Some object to Catholics praying TO Mary.  First off, we only pray (old fashioned word for asking--"Pray tell, what time is it?"--English is a very imprecise language) to her to ask for her to pray to us.  She obtains things for us from God by asking, not by any power she has independent of God.  Since she's right there next to Jesus, her Son, don't you think that her prayer would be heard?  Yes, we can and do pray to Jesus directly all the time.  

Second, my God is the God of the Living not the dead.  (Mark 12:27)  All our "friends", for that is what saints are, are enjoying the heavenly vision.  That is the Christian hope, is it not, to be with Jesus eternally alive in Heaven?  So, why would anyone begrudge Mary that privilege also?  That is one thing I cannot fathom.  That Mary is in Heaven, no one calling themselves Christian can or should doubt.  I understand why they would not believe she cares for them, but I, personally, find that a little sad.  I need all the hope I can get.

I'll stop there for now.  Mary is under attack there will be more to come.

Sources:  http://www.fisheaters.com/mary.html
http://www.ascensioncatholic.net/TOPICS/beliefs/mary/MarianDevotions.html