Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Trinity Retreat

Friday July 9, 2004

When one thinks of the presence of God and what posture would be proper for encountering God. As far as I’am concerned the only one that really fits is lying on your face in front of the Divine Being. I think that most people would have to admit that if Christ Himself appeared to them that’s exactly what they would do, they would get down with their face pressed to the ground.
There has been a great deal of talk and argument about posture at Church. Personally I confess to being quite disappointed about the attitude toward genuflecting before Holy Communion or even kneeling before Holy Communion. Depending on who you ask and when you ask them we’re not supposed to do it, but there are obviously people who think there are exceptions. In any event whatever we do let’s do it reverently. If we have to stand let’s stand reverently with our hands folded, our heads bowed a bit and in a very undistracted posture. When we kneel at Mass we should do the best we can to kneel up straight and in general everything we that do in the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament should speak to the fact that we are aware of His presence. These are acts of faith and to be irreverent in His presence is unfortunately an act of little faith whatever it happens to be that we do. This is a good time for Catholics to examine their consciences because in the summer the attitudes and clothing worn to Church often suggest a lack of real reverence.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict
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Dear Fr. Benedict, I have been 'tuned' in to your condition, on this web site from day one ever since your terrible accident. I have seen the power of prayer and the power of good people who have taken care of you thru this grueling ordeal. I am so glad to see you 'up and at it,' and back to your priestly ministries. One GREAT thing is the continuation of this web site! My idea would be to have people send their testimonies in of what their Catholic faith and The Lord has done for them in their daily lives. Sometimes we Catholics are to silent in professing our faith and keep the light under the table. The world is so dark and so very confusing sometimes. It would be most encouraging to know how other Catholics deal with this on a daily basis. Just like you had to deal with your daily recuperation and told us how you let God help you, we would be able to uplift each other and help one another 'carry our crosses.' So with that I will say God continue to bless you and I and thousands of others are so glad your here to shine YOUR light of SON-SHINE upon us. Continued good health and blessings from above. - Bonnie, Basalt, CO

Dear Father Benedict, I enjoy and look forward to reading you message every night.
Please know that you bring me up and out of my depression .....daily... please don't stop. Life can be so full of heartbreak..May God bless you for all that you do. - Patricia, Pittsburgh, Penn.

My Dear Fathers/Sisters: We can never thank Our Lord enough for each and every one of you, and for His decision to leave Fr. Benedict here with us to continue to help us along the way. My suggestion for web site: Each day our Holy Mother Church gives us specific Scripture readings. I am positive that the Holy Spirit inspires you, His special servants, with thoughts/meditations on how to apply these passages to daily living. Please share your insights with us as we constantly need spiritual direction. With thanks and praise to Almighty God for His continuing love, I am ... Gratefully yours, L. W., Oratory of Divine Love,New Orleans, Louisiana. - Linda, New Orleans, Los Angelos

Father Benedict, We are so happy that you are home again. We hope you are a little more comfortable and that your recovery will be speedy and swift from now on. After racing all over all day long to do what must be done, it is always a pleasure and a welcome gift to read your daily meditation in the evening. Thank you for helping me overcome some serious personal problems through your book Arise from Darkness. It helped me ten years ago, and it continues to help me today. God bless you. St. Joseph, pray for us. Holy Spirit, enlighten us. Sincerely, - Cathryn (and Chris), East Brunswick, New Jersey

Another day's blessings to you, Father Ben, and friends: I have a web-site suggestion. It is concurrent with Fathers message today regarding "Finding God" in people we meet daily. I thought that meditations on the Spiritual and Temporal Works of Mercy would have us arrive at the goal of finding God, or Christ, in whomever we meet. If Father Ben needs a rest..we can even view some 'edited' video of his past telecasts etc. The important thing is to be able to see and hear the Word, as only Father Ben can present it! - Jackie, New York

Dear Father Groschel, As I read your comment this morning about respect we have for each other, and especially what we have lost. I agree with you completely, I am 80 years old and I see how we have strayed from our roots. We used to call anyone older than we were by their title and last name. How can we have respect for our God ordained Priest if they do not respect each other and themselves as being 'called' by God to represent Him and stop representing mankind? Priest should not try to be like everyone else so they will be liked. That is not their job, Their job is to lead and set examples. Thank you for reminding us and the Priest who they are. Love - Mary, Mebane, North Carolina

Dear Father Groeschel, You have been in my thoughts and prayers since your accident and I shall keep you there. Thank you for all your kind comments about the medical profession. I am a rehab nurse, my daughter is L&D nurse and my son is an Army surgeon, just back, thank God, from Iraq. Your journey is hard and long, I know but what you are teaching so many of us is wonderful. Please keep up the daily messages. You asked for our input on topics. I believe we as Catholic lay people of the US need to know how to combat all we see and hear in the media that is contrary to our faith and our Church teachings. What we see in the newspapers, magazines on display in supermarkets, films is pure pornography and we must learn how to step up and combat this as a Church comprised of over 60 million citizens. And how can we allow a politician to state he is Catholic and does not personally believe in abortion but yet supports pro-choice be a candidate for the Presidency. We must learn from our leaders how to combat these issues. What a wonderful source of information your friars could give us. You say we need renewal - we certainly do and you are the Friars of the Renewal. We can do it - God is on our side. What do you think? We met a few years ago at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Phila. where you spoke. We helped each other over the icy pavements back to the hall after your wonderful sermon on so-called apparitions. I'll never forget you. God bless and heal you. Respectfully, - Mary, Blue Bell, Penn.

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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