Life As A Catholic

Hi folks,

So I was at this event recently, put on the by the fine souls at the Institute of Catholic Culture. I took some pictures and some notes and wanted to share them with you guys.

The event focused on fifteen mosaics depicting the fifteen mysteries of the Holy Rosary, which are located surrounding the main altar of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The majority of each mosaic is dedicated to the depiction of each mystery, but the bottom section also depicts a scene Old Testament which foreshadowed it. I found the Old Testament parallels to these New Testament mysteries to be absolutely striking, and found Deacon Sabatino to be an insightful guide.

I highly recommend you actually listen to the whole talk. These are only my shorthand notes and don’t capture nearly everything I learned on that day. Also, I apologize if the photos are not that great; my phone is only so capable. I encourage you to visit the Shrine and see the mosaics in person. Hope you enjoy!

PS: Depending on which Bible you use, the books may be different. I use the Douay-Rheims version, so you can translate my citations from there

The Joyful Mysteries

The Annuciation

Old Testament Reference: God appears to Moses as the Burning Bush (Exodus 3)

The Visitation

Old Testament Reference: The Striking of Oza (2 Kings 6)

The Nativity

Old Testament Reference: The Prophesy of Isaias Before the Babylonian Exile (Isaias 7)

The Presentation in the Temple

Old Testament Reference: Hannah Brings Samuel to the Temple (1 Kings 2)

Note: Took hold starting at verse 1 in chapter 2 the incredible similarity to Mary’s Magnificat! Also, verse 26 in 1 Kings almost matches Luke 2:52.

The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

Old Testament Reference: Daniel Defends Susannah (Daniel 13:48)

Note: Notice the similarity between verse 22 of this chapter in Daniel and the situation facing Our Blessed Lord in John 8.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden

Old Testament Reference: The Casting Out of Adam and Eye (Genesis 3)

Note: There are actually a couple of references here. The quote in the middle comes from Lamentations 1:12, when Jeremias bitterly lamented over the ruin of Jerusalem and the captivity of his people. What you may not know is that the Garden of Gethsemane, where Our Lord underwent the Agony, actually overlooks Jerusalem. Furthermore, the eagle in the OT depiction comes from Isaias 40:31.

The Scourging at the Pillar

Old Testament Reference: The Scourging of Jeremias (Jeremias 37:14)

Note: Both Sedecias and Pilate washed their hands.

The Crowning of Thorns

Old Testament Reference: The Leading Out of King Joachim (2 Kings 24:12)

Note: This is probably the most obscure reference in the whole set of mosaics. I highly suggest you listen to the talk, especially regarding this mystery (starts around 48 minutes in).

The Carrying of the Cross

Old Testament Reference: Isaac Carries the Wood of His Would-Be Sacrifice (Genesis 22:6)

Note: You’ll note in Chronicles 3:1 that land of “Moria” as referenced in Genesis is actually Jerusalem!

The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

Old Testament Reference: The Passover Lamb (Exodus 12)

The Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection

Old Testament Reference: Joseph Re-unites with his Family (Genesis 50)

Note: When Joseph was sold into slavery, he was retrieved by rising out of a cistern. Furthermore, Joseph’s Egyptian name means “Savior of the World”.

The Ascension

Old Testament Reference: Assumption of Elias into Heaven (4 Kings 2:11)

Note: Moses was also, according to tradition, assumed in Heaven. Read the epistle of St. Jude concerning the battle for the body of Moses.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

Old Testament Reference: Moses Receives the Law on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19)

Note: The Holy Spirit descended on the same day that Moses received the Law (i.e. 50 days after Pentecost)!

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Old Testament Reference: The Woman Clothed with the Sun (Revelation 12)

The Coronation of Mary

Old Testament Reference: Bethsheba is Received by her Son, Solomon (3 Kings 12:13)

The End

May God and His Blessed Mother grant you many blessings in your prayers and meditations!

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In this episode, I describe how most of us tend to think about God as a vague, abstract concept and how we would all be better served by thinking of Him concretely. God is not like a dream, I contend, but, rather, much more like gravity.

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In this episode, I describe the “superheroes’ dilemna”, a problem which all comic book and movie superheroes must inevitably face and why it is very relevant to some of the most important questions in our own lives as Catholics.

In this episode, I talk about prayer and why we need to think about our own intentions. Faith is necessary for true prayer, but how can we pray at all if we first need ask for faith? We find that the answer lies in who is actually the initiator of prayer.

Links:
Story of Peter and Walking on Water with Christ (Matthew 14)

UPDATE: Sorry for the folks who downloaded the first file. Had sound problems, all fixed now :)

In this episode, I talk about why so many people expect to be happy and are disappointed when they experience pain. Instead, I’ll tell you what you will receive from God if you seek holiness and why it is vastly superior to happiness.

Links:
1st Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 12
Catechism Reference to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

In this episode, I introduce myself and start off this podcast with the reasons for starting it and what I hope to gain from it and how I hope to help you. I also explain that there is one simple but revolutionary truth that is so desparately calling for recognition in our modern culture.

Please feel free to leave comments on this post and give me some feedback. I’m sorry that it is a little rough, but it is my first podcast recording ever.