Council of Catholic Men

Share on social media:

In this episode of the Council of Catholic Men, we prayed together and then journeyed through Scripture with a focused reading of 2 Thessalonians and 1 Timothy. I reflected on Saint Paul’s exhortations to stand firm in the faith, hold fast to apostolic traditions, discern false teachings, and live disciplined, charitable lives that honor Christ. We explored themes such as the “man of sin,” the Church as the pillar and foundation of truth, the dignity and duties of bishops and deacons, the call to prayer for all people, and the practical holiness of work, integrity, and perseverance.

We then turned to catechesis with St. Peter Canisius on charity and the Decalogue—how love of God and neighbor is the heart of the commandments—and concluded with a moving hagiography from St. Alphonsus Liguori on St. Crispina, a noble African martyr who chose fidelity to Christ over life itself. May her witness strengthen our resolve to love God above all and live the commandments with courage and mercy.

[00:00:01] Unknown:

Welcome to the Council of Catholic Men. Today's date is Wednesday, 12/03/2025.   Let's begin with a prayer.   In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.   Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry for banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, Thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.   O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, pray for us, most holy Mother of God, that we be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.  

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.   Amen.   The second epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians.   In this epistle, Saint Paul admonishes   the Thessalonians   to be constant   in the faith of Christ,   and not to be terrified by the insinuations of false teachers telling them that the day of judgment   was near at hand,   as there must come many signs and wonders before it.   He bids them to hold firm the traditions received from him, whether by word or by epistle,   and shows them how they may be certain   of his letters by the manner he writes.  

Chapter one.   He gives thanks to God for their faith and constancy   and prays for their advancement in all good.   Paul   and Silvanus and Timothy,   to the church of the Thessalonians   in God our Father   and the Lord Jesus Christ.   Grace unto you and peace from God our Father   and from the Lord Jesus Christ.   We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren,   as it is fitting,   because your faith groweth   exceedingly,   and the charity of every one of you towards each other aboundeth.   So that we ourselves also glory in you in the churches of God,   for your patience and faith, and in all your persecutions   and tribulations   which you endure.  

For an example of the just judgment of God,   that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God,   for which also you suffer.   Seeing it is a just thing with God to repay   tribulation   to them that trouble you,   and to you who are troubled,   rest with us when the Lord Jesus   shall be revealed from heaven   with the angels of his power.   In a flame of fire   giving vengeance to them who know not God   and who obey not the gospel   of our Lord Jesus Christ,   who suffer eternal punishment and destruction   from the face of the Lord   and from the glory of his power,   when he shall come to be glorified in his saints   and to be made wonderful in all them who have believed,   because our testimony   was believed upon you in that day.  

Wherefore also we pray always   for you,   that our God would make you worthy of his vocation   and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness   and work of faith and power.   That the name of our Lord Jesus   may be glorified   in you and you in him according to the grace of our God   and of the Lord Jesus Christ.   Chapter two.   The day of the Lord is not to come till the man of sin be revealed.   The apostles' traditions   are to be observed.   And we beseech you, brethren,   by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ   and of our gathering together unto him,   that you be not easily moved from your sense, nor be terrified,   neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle,   as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand.  

Let no man deceive you by any means.   For unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed,   the son of perdition,   who opposes   and is lifted up above all that is called God   or that is worshiped,   so that he sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself as if he were God.   Remember you not that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?   And now you know   what withholdeth,   that he may be revealed in his time.   For the mystery of iniquity   already worketh,   only that he who   now holdeth,   do hold   until he be taken out of the way.   And then   that wicked one shall be revealed,   whom the Lord Jesus   shall kill with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness   of his coming,   him   whose coming is according   to the working of Satan,   in all power   and signs and lying wonders,   and in all sedition of iniquity   to them that perish,   Because they receive not the love of the truth.  

That they might be saved.   Therefore, God shall send them the operation of error   to believing lying.   To believe   lying. That all may be judged who have not believed the truth,   but have consented to iniquity.   But we ought to give thanks to God   always for you, brethren, beloved of God,   for that God hath chosen you first fruits unto salvation,   in sanctification   of the Spirit   and faith of the truth.   Whereunto also he hath called you by our Gospel,   unto the purchasing   of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Therefore, brethren,   stand fast and hold the traditions which you have learned,   whether by word or by our epistle.  

Now   our Lord Jesus Christ himself   and God   and our Father,   who hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation   and good hope in grace,   exhort your hearts and confirm you in every good work and word.   The footnotes for chapter two   are for verse three.   Let no man deceive you by any means, for unless there come a revolt first and the man of sin be revealed,   the son of perdition.   A revolt.   This revolt   or falling off is generally understood   by the ancient fathers   of a revolt from the Roman Empire,   which was first to be destroyed   before the coming of Antichrist.  

It may, perhaps,   be understood also of a revolt of many nations from the Catholic Church,   which has in part happened already   by the means   of Mohammed,   Luther,   etc.   And it may be supposed   will be more general in the days of Antichrist.   The man of sin   here must be meant some particular man,   as is evident from the frequent repetition of the Greek article,   the man of sin, the son of perdition,   the adversary or oppressor.   It agrees to the wicked and great Antichrist   who will come before the end of the world.   And verse four:   who oppose it and is lifted up above all that is called God   or that is worshiped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God,   showing himself as if he were God.  

In the temple,   either that of Jerusalem,   which some think he will rebuild,   or in some Christian church,   which   he will pervert to his worship.   As Mohammed has done by the churches   of the East.   Verse 10.   And in all seduction of iniquity   to them that perish,   because they received not the love of the truth,   that they might be saved.   Therefore,   God shall send them the operation of error   to believing   lying, to believe lying.   God shall send, that is, God shall suffer them to be deceived by lying wonders   and false miracles,   in punishment of their not entertaining the love of truth.  

Verse 14.   Therefore, brethren, stand fast   and hold the traditions   which you have learned,   whether by word or by our epistle.   Traditions.   See here that the unwritten traditions of the apostles   are no less to be received   than their epistles.   Chapter three.   He begs their prayers   and warns them against idleness.   For the rest, brethren, pray for us that the word of God may run and may be glorified   even   as among you, and that we may be delivered from inopportune   and evil men.   For all men have not faith,   but God is faithful,   who will strengthen and keep you from evil.  

And we have confidence concerning you in the Lord that the things which we command,   you both   do and will do.   And the Lord   direct your hearts   in   the charity of God   and the patience of Christ.   And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,   that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly,   and not according to the tradition which they have received   of us.   For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us,   for we were not disorderly among you,   neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing.   But in labor and in toil we worked night and day,   lest we should be chargeable to any of you.  

Not as if we had not power,   but that we might give ourselves a pattern   unto   you to imitate us.   For also when we were with you,   this we declared to you,   that if any man will not work,   neither let him eat.   For we have heard   there   are some among you who walk disorderly,   working not at all,   but curiously   meddling.   Now we charge them that are such,   and beseech them by the Lord Jesus Christ,   that, working with silence,   they would eat their own bread.   But you, brethren, be not weary in well doing.   And if any man obey not our word by this epistle,   note that man and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.  

Yet do not esteem him as an enemy,   but admonish him   as a brother.   Now the Lord of peace himself give you everlasting peace   in every place.   The Lord be with you all.   The salutation   of Paul   with my own hand,   which is the sign in every epistle,   so I write,   the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.   Amen.   The footnote for chapter three is verse one.   For the rest, brethren, pray for us that the word of God may run and may be glorified   even as among you.   May run,   that is,   may spread itself   and have free course.   That was the end of the second epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians.  

The First Epistle of Saint Paul to Timothy   Saint Paul writes this epistle to his beloved Timothy,   being then Bishop of Ephesus,   to instruct him in the duties of a bishop,   both in respect to himself and to his charge,   and that he ought to be well informed of the good morals   of those   on whom he was to impose hands.   Impose not hands lightly upon any man.   He tells him also how he should behave   towards his clergy.   This epistle was written about   thirty three years   after our Lord's ascension,   but where it was written is uncertain.   The more general opinion is that it was in Macedonia.  

Chapter one.   He puts Timothy in mind of his charge   and blesses God for the mercy he himself had received.   Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ,   according to the commandment of God our Savior,   and of Christ Jesus our hope.   To Timothy,   his beloved son, in faith:   Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Lord.   As I desired thee to remain at Ephesus,   when I went into Macedonia,   that thou mightest charge some not to teach otherwise,   not to give heed to fables   and endless genealogies,   which furnish questions rather than the edification of God,   which is in faith.  

Now the end of the commandment is charity.   From a pure heart and a good conscience,   and an unfeigned faith,   from which things some going astray   are turned aside   into vain babbling,   desiring to be teachers of the law,   understanding   neither the things they say,   nor   whereof   they affirm.   But we know that the law is good   if a man use it lawfully.   Knowing this,   that the law is not made for the just man,   but for the unjust and disobedient,   for the ungodly,   and for sinners,   for the wicked   and defiled,   for murderers of fathers   and murderers of mothers,   for manslayers,   for fornicators,   for them who defile themselves with mankind,   for men stealers,   for liars,   for perjured persons,   and whatever other thing is contrary to sound doctrine,   which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God,   which hath been committed to my trust,   I give him thanks who hath strengthened me,   even to Christ Jesus our Lord,   For that he hath counted me faithful,   putting me in the ministry.  

Who was who before was a blasphemer   and a persecutor   and   but I obtained   the mercy of God   because I did it ignorantly in   unbelief.   Now, the grace of our Lord   hath abounded exceedingly   with faith   and love,   which is in Christ   Jesus.   A faithful saying   and worthy of all exception,   that Christ Jesus   came into this world to save sinners,   of whom I am the chief.   But for this cause have I obtained mercy,   that in me first Christ Jesus might show forth all patience   for the information of them that shall believe in him   unto life everlasting.   Now   to the King of ages,   immortal,   invisible,   the only God,   be honor and glory   forever and ever. Amen.  

This precept   I commend to thee,   O son Timothy,   according to the prophecies   going before on thee,   that thou   wore in them a good warfare,   having faith and a good conscience,   which some, rejecting,   have made shipwrecked   concerning the faith.   Of whom is   Hymenaeus   and Alexander,   whom I have delivered up to Satan,   that they may learn not to blaspheme.   The footnotes on this chapter   are chapter one,   verse nine,   Knowing this, that the law is not made for the just man, but for the unjust and disobedient,   for the ungodly   and for sinners,   for the wicked   and defiled,   for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers,   for manslayers.  

The law is not.   He means that the just man doth good   and avoideth evil,   not as compelled by the law   and merely for fear   of the punishment appointed for   transgressors,   but voluntary   and out of the love of God   and virtue,   and would do so   though   there were no law.   Chapter two.   Prayers are to be said for all men   because God wills the salvation of all.   Women are not to teach.   I desire, therefore, first of all, that supplications,   prayers, intercessions,   and thanksgivings be made for all men,   for kings,   and for all that are in high station,   that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all piety and chastity.  

For this is good and acceptable   in the sight of God our savior,   who will have all men to be saved   and to come to the knowledge of the truth.   For there is one God and one mediator of God and men,   that the man   Christ Jesus,   who gave himself a redemption   for all,   a testimony in due times,   whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an and an apostle.   I say the truth, I lie not,   a doctor   of the Gentiles   in faith and truth.   I will, therefore, that men pray in every place,   lifting up pure hands without anger and contention.   In like manner, women also in decent apparel,   adorning themselves with modesty and sobriety,   not with plaited hair,   or gold, or pearls, or costly attire.  

But as it becometh women professing godliness   with good works,   let the woman   learn in silence   with all subjugation.   But I suffer not a woman to teach,   nor to use authority   over the man,   but to be in silence.   For Adam was first formed, then Eve.   And Adam was not seduced,   but the woman being seduced   was in the transgression.   Yet she shall be saved through childbearing   if she continue in faith   and love and sanctification   with sobriety.   Footnotes for chapter two   verse   five.   For there is one God and one mediator of God and men,   the man Christ Jesus.  

One mediator.   Christ is the one   and only mediator of redemption   who gave himself   as the apostle writes   in the following verse.   A redemption for all.   He is also the only mediator   who stands in need of no other to recommend his petitions to the father.   But this is not against   our seeking the prayers   and intercession   as well as   as well of the faithful upon earth   as of the saints and angels in heaven for obtaining mercy, grace,   and salvation   through Jesus Christ.   As Saint Paul himself often desired the help of the prayers of the faithful   without any injury to the mediatorship   of Jesus Christ.  

Chapter three.   What sort of men are to be admitted   into the clergy?   The Church   is the pillar of truth.   A faithful   saying,   If a man desire the office of a bishop,   he desireth a good work.   It behoveth, therefore, a bishop to be blameless,   the husband of one wife,   sober,   prudent,   of good behavior,   chaste,   given to hospitality,   a teacher,   not given to wine,   no striker,   but modest,   not quarrelsome,   not covetous,   but one that ruleth well his own house,   having his children in subjugation   with all chastity.   But if a man know not how to rule his own house,   how shall he take care of the church of God?  

Not a neophyte,   lest being puffed up with pride,   he fall into the judgment of the devil.   Moreover, he must have a good testimony of them who are without,   lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.   Deacons in like manner chased,   not double tongued,   not given to much wine,   not greedy of filthy lucre,   holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.   And let these   also first be proved,   and so let them minister,   having no crime.   The women in like manner chaste,   not slanderers,   but sober, faithful in all things.   Let deacons be the husbands of one wife,   who rule well their children   and their own houses.  

For they that have ministered well shall purchase to themselves a good degree,   and much confidence   in the faith   which is in Christ Jesus.   These things I write to thee,   hoping that I shall come to thee shortly.   But if I tarry long,   that Thou mayest know how Thou oughtest to behave Thyself   in the House of God,   which is the Church of the living God, the pillar   and ground of the truth.   And evidently, great   is the mystery of godliness,   which has was manifested in the flesh,   was justified   in the spirit,   appeared unto angels,   hath been preached   unto the Gentiles,   is believed in the world,   is taken up in glory.  

The footnotes   for chapter three   verse two,   it behoveth thereof   therefore, a bishop to be blameless, a husband of one wife,   sober,   prudent,   of good behavior,   chaste, given to hospitality,   a teacher.   Of one wife.   The meaning is not that every bishop should have a wife, for Saint Paul himself had none,   but that no one should be admitted   to the holy orders of Bishop, Priest, or Deacon   who had been married more than once.   Verse six.   Not a neophyte,   lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the judgment of the devil.   A neophyte,   that is one lately baptized,   a young convert.  

Verse 15.   But if I tarry long,   that thou mayest know   how thou ought to behave thyself in the house of God,   which is the church of the living God,   the pillar and ground of the truth.   The pillar and the ground of the truth, therefore, the Church of the living God can never uphold error,   nor bring in corruptions,   superstition,   or   idolatry.   Chapter four.   He warns against heretics   and exhorts him to the exercise of piety.   Now the spirit   manifestly saith   that in the last times some shall depart from the faith,   giving heed to spirits of error   and doctrines of devils,   speaking lies in hypocrisy,   and having their conscience seared,   forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats,   which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful,   and by them that have known the truth.  

For every creature of God is good,   and nothing to be rejected   that is received with thanksgiving,   for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.   These things   proposing   to the brethren,   thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus,   nourished up in the words of faith   and of the good doctrine which thou hast attained unto.   But avoid foolish and old wives' fables,   and exercise   thyself   unto godliness.   For bodily exercise   is profitable to little, but godliness   is profitable   to all things.   Having promise of the life   that now is and of that which is to come.  

A faithful saying and worthy of all exception.   For therefore we labor   and are reviled,   because we hope in the living God, who is the savior of all men, especially of the faithful.   These things command and teach.   Let no man despise thy youth,   but be thou an example of the faithful   in word, in conversation,   in charity,   in faith, in chastity. Two thirty three till I come attend unto reading,   to exhortation,   and to doctrine.   Neglect not the grace that is in thee,   which was given thee by prophecy,   with imposition of the hands of the priesthood.   Meditate upon these things,   be holy in these things,   that thy profiting may be manifest to all.  

Take heed to thyself and to doctrine,   be earnest in them.   For in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself   and them that hear thee.   The footnotes for chapter four   verse three.   Forbidding to Mary, to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful,   and by them that have known the truth.   Forbidding to Mary,   to abstain from meats.   He speaks of the Gnostics,   the Marcionites,   the   Encratites,   and the Manichaeans,   and other ancient heretics,   who absolutely   condemned marriage   and the use of all kinds of meat.   All kind of meat.  

Because they pretended   that all flesh   was from an evil principle,   whereas the Church of God, so far from condemning marriage,   holds it a holy sacrament,   and forbids it to none   but such as by vow have chosen the better part,   and prohibits not the use of any meats whatsoever   in proper times and seasons.   Though she does not judge all kind of diet proper   for days of fasting and penance.   We will conclude there, and next week we'll be reading from chapter five.   Now let's move on to a small catechism for Catholics   by Saint Peter Kinesius,   chapter three,   on charity and the decologue.  

What is charity?   The virtue infused by God   by which God is loved for his own sake   and our neighbor   for God's sake.   How many are the precepts of charity?   There are two principal precepts.   You will love the Lord your God with all your heart,   with your whole soul,   your whole mind,   with all of your strength.   This is the first and greatest commandment.   The second is like unto it.   You will love your neighbor as yourself.   In these precepts,   the whole law and prophets   depend.   By what proof is charity   toward   God uncovered?   If you observe the commandments,   this is indeed the charity   of God,   that we should keep his commandments   and that his commandments   are not heavy.  

Even Christ   himself   teaches.   Whoever   has my commandments   and keeps them,   he is the one who loves me.   How is charity   towards   one's neighbor   uncovered and recognized?   Charity is patience,   kindness.   Charity does not boast.   It does not act   incorrectly.   It is not puffed up.   It is not ambitious.   It does not seek those things which are its own.   It is not angry.   It thinks no evil.   It does not rejoice over iniquity,   but rejoices in truth.   It suffers all things,   believes all things,   hopes in all things,   and sustains   all things.   Why are the 10 precepts of the decalogue   proposed to us?  

While there might be two precepts of charity   in which the fullness of the law is treated,   nevertheless,   the precepts   of the decalogue   are added,   in order that all should much better understand what pertains to charity   that must be shown   both with respect to God   and neighbor.   What are the precepts   of the   decalogue? One.   I am the Lord, your God.   You will not have foreign gods before me.   You will not make for yourselves   graven images   so as to adore them.   Two.   You will not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,   nor,   indeed,   will the Lord hold him guiltless   who will have done so.  

Three.   Be mindful to make holy the Sabbath day.   Four.   Honor   your father and your mother   that you should be of great age in the land which the Lord your God will give you.   Five.   You will not kill.   Six,   you will not commit adultery.   Seven,   you will not steal.   Eight,   you will not speak false witness   against your neighbor.   Nine,   you will not covet your neighbor's wife.   10.   Nor shall you covet the house,   nor field,   servant,   handmaid,   ox,   ass,   nor any of the things which are his.   What does the first precept   wish?   That you will not have foreign gods.   It prohibits and condemns   idolatry   or the cult of false gods,   the art of magic   or divination,   those observing   superstitions,   and thereupon   every impious cult.  

It requires,   on the other hand,   that we should   believe in,   worship,   and invoke   the one supreme God.   Is one allowed to cultivate and invoke the saints?   It is permitted,   but certainly not in the same manner by which we are commanded to worship and invoke God   as the creator   and redeemer   and giver of all goods,   and yet in a far lower degree,   certainly,   as the beloved friends of God and our intercessors   and patrons with him.   Is the use of the image of Christ and the saints opposed   to this very precept?   By no means.   Since, to this precept,   you will not make graven images,   the proviso   is soon added   that you should worship it.  

Obviously,   from the custom   of the heathen,   who set up images   of false gods   and impiously   worship their idols.   We, however, venerate Christ and the saints,   whom they represent   by means of images   from the pious custom   handed down by the fathers.   What does the second precept forbid,   you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain?   It forbids the abuse of the divine name   and irreverence,   which is committed by perjuries,   blasphemies   about God,   the saints,   or some creature.   Moreover,   by swearing without grave cause,   truth,   and reverence.  

What does the third precept command?   Be mindful to make holy   the Sabbath day.   It wills the Sabbath   or a feast day   in the church to be celebrated with pious works,   which is done by going to church   and by hearing mass.   However,   it clearly forbids work during this time   and what is due to servile   occupations.   What does the fourth precept   enjoin?   Honor   father   and mother.   That we should furnish reverence,   obedience,   and support   to those who are the authors of our life according to God,   and at length that we satisfy them by every kind of duty,   thereupon   it bids   that we should hold officials,   not only civil   but even ecclesiastical,   in the place of parents and elders,   that we should obey their word gladly,   and that we might reverence their power   and authority.  

For what reason will we revere the power and authority of the church?   Certainly,   if we will have assented to holy and ecumenical councils,   to the received establishments and decrees of the apostles   and the fathers,   to the approved customs of the elders,   and thereafter to the supreme shepherds and pontiffs of the Church,   so much more then   do we owe individual   observance and obedience.   Whereby, to be sure,   those who overthrow and defile the divine cult and the ecclesiastical   laws   and ceremonies   greatly sin,   as well as those who belittle synods   and bishops,   and seize the rights   and holy places of the priests,   profaning sacred things.  

What does the fifth precept wish of us?   You will not kill.   It forbids external force,   slaughter, and all injury,   which could be caused to the body   and   life of one's neighbor.   It thoroughly cuts out   and excludes in whatever way   those things pertaining to these,   anger,   hatred,   rancor,   indignation,   and any of their effects   which wound one's neighbor.   What does the sixth precept forbid?   You will not commit adultery.   It forbids fornication,   adultery,   and obscenities,   illegitimate   sexual acts,   and whatever is opposed to honesty   and natural   shame.  

For   even anyone who will have lusted after a woman   has already committed adultery in his heart.   What is warned of in the seventh precept?   You will not steal.   Every illicit handling and usurpation   of someone else's property   as is done in theft,   robbery,   usury,   unjust profits,   wicked deceits,   and wicked contracts.   At length,   in any exchange of business   or distributions   in which Christian charity is wounded   and a neighbor is defrauded.   What is   treated   in the eighth precept,   you will not speak false witness against your neighbor.   False witness is forbidden.  

A lie and every abuse of the tongue against your neighbor   as is done in gossip,   detraction,   curses,   flattery,   lies, and perjury.   What do the last two precepts   forbid?   You will not covet your neighbor's wife nor his goods.   They forbid the desire for someone else's wife and goods   because it is unlawful,   not only to seize what is someone else's unjustly   and for our own lust,   but we ought   not even to seek after it in our will,   so that we might live content   in our own goods   without any envy,   rivalry,   and lust.   What is the summation,   or what is the purpose of the precepts of the decalogue?  

Without a doubt that God and neighbor should be loved in truth,   and distinction of which   was made by God,   was the symbol   of the thing in the two tablets of the decologue.   In the first tablet, three things are taught,   which pertain to the love of God.   In the second are the are set forth, which pertain to the love of neighbor.   Why do the precepts of the first tablet teach of the charity of God?   Because they abolish and forbid the vices and honor to a cult contrary to God,   idolatry,   apostasy,   heresy,   perjury,   superstitions,   and they prescribe the truth. The true and pure worship of God   must   faithfully   shown in heart,   mouth, and deed,   because when it is done, certainly,   the only true God is honored and adored in the cult of true worship.  

How do the precepts of the second tablet express charity for one's neighbor?   In this very manner,   which concerns our duty toward   our neighbor,   the precepts are covered in order.   Obviously,   that we should not only honor our elders,   but even benefit   all in work,   words, and will.   And we should endeavor to harm no one, and that the body of our neighbor   should be regarded.   Even the woman joined in matrimony to him, his property,   and his goods.   What is the summation of the precepts on the love of neighbor?   It is this,   without a doubt,   what you do not wish to be done to you,   you should not do to another.  

But all the things whatsoever you wish   that men would do to you,   you also do to them.   This is indeed the law and the prophets.   Are there any   other precepts   apart from the decalogue?   There are indeed   not only those useful to observe,   but even those which are necessary,   especially the precepts of the church,   wherein all we Catholic children ought to offer our hearts and minds to a most holy mother,   as it were, the spouse   of Christ.   What are the precepts of the church?   They are five.   One,   the celebration of all feast days established by the church.   Two,   reverently hearing the duty of holy mass on feast days.  

Three, observing the appointed fasts on the remaining days and the abstinence   from certain types of food.   Four.   The confession of your sins to your own priest   or another with faculties   every year.   Five.   The reception of the most holy Eucharist   at least once a in a year,   and at that around the feast of Easter.   What fruit does the observation   of these precepts produce?   These precepts, together with the other ecclesiastical   precepts,   both being established   and commanded,   exercise,   first of all, faith,   humility,   and Christian obedience.   Thereupon, they nourish,   conserve, and adorn divine worship,   honest   discipline, and public peace,   and they so wonderfully direct them,   they are successfully   completed in the church,   beyond which we will merit eternal life   if we will observe   these from charity.  

We will continue   next week   on the sacraments.   Now let's move   to Saint Alphonsus dei Liguori,   victories of the martyrs   or the lives of the most celebrated martyrs of the church.   Chapter 16,   Saint Crispina.   December 5.   Saint Crispina   was held in high veneration   all through Africa   and is honored by Saint Augustine   in various parts of his works   in which he speaks of her martyrdom.   She was a noble lady,   very rich, and the mother of several   children.   When she found herself in danger   of losing her children,   her possessions,   and her life in the persecution   which was then raging,   instead of being intim intimidated,   she was filled with a holy joy.  

Not unworthy   the Christian education   which she had received   from her most tender years.   Being arrested in her native city of   Thagara   by order of the proconsul   Anolenus   and brought before his tribunal,   he inquired of her whether she was aware   of the imperial edicts   which commanded   that all persons should sacrifice   to the gods of the empire.   She replied,   I have never sacrificed,   nor will I sacrifice to any other   than to one god,   and to our lord Jesus Christ, his son,   who was born and suffered for us.   Anelianus   then said,   leave this thy superstition   and adore the gods.  

Every day, said Christina,   I adore my god,   and besides him, I know   of no others.   I perceive now, said the judge,   that thou art obstinate   and thus condemn   art condemn   art gods.   Thou must be made to experience   the rigor of the laws.   I shall suffer most willingly,   replied the saint,   whatever may be   exacted as the testimony   of my faith.   I will give them thee to read, said the proconsul,   edict of the emperor,   which it behoveth thee to observe.   The saint replied,   I   observe the commands   of my Lord Jesus Christ.   Anelenus,   but thou shalt lose thy head   unless thou wilt observe the commands   of the emperor,   as they are observed throughout Africa.  

Crispina.   No one shall oblige me to sacrifice to demons.   I sacrificed to the Lord only,   who made heaven and earth.   Here the proconsul began to exhort her to obey the edicts   and to avoid the terrible consequences   of the emperor's wrath.   The saint courageously   replied,   I fear not the anger of men.   All they can do is nothing.   I fear only God who is in heaven,   and   I should be lost forever   were I to offend him by sacrilege.   Thou shalt not, said the proconsul,   be guilty of that crime   by obeying the princes   and adoring the gods   of the Romans.  

But Crispina,   raising her voice, exclaimed,   wouldst thou then have me guilty   of sacrilege before God,   in order not to appear sacrilegious   to the eyes of men?   It never shall be.   God alone is great and omnipotent,   the creator of all things.   Men are his creatures.   What, therefore, can they do?   Anelenas,   seeing that the saint continued firm in the faith   after some other invectives and threats,   ordered   that her head should be shaved   as a token of degradation,   adding   that if she continued obstinate,   he would condemn her to a most cruel death.   The saint answered,   I care not for the present life,   and am only anxious for the life of my soul.  

I fear external torments only.   Instantly   obey,   exclaimed the proconsul,   or your head shall be at once   struck off.   The saint meekly answered,   I shall return thanks to my God for making me worthy of this blessed lot.   God is with me   that I may not consent to thy suggestions.   Here, Anelenas   exclaimed,   why do we any longer bear with this impious woman?   Then, having caused the process of her trial to be read over,   pronounced the final sentence,   that Crispina   should lose her head   for obstinately   refusing to sacrifice to the gods,   in obedience   to the edicts.  

Crispina,   having heard the iniquitous   sentence,   calmly   and with holy joy said,   I return thanks to Jesus Christ,   and I bless the Lord, who has vouched   thus to deliver me from the hands of men.   She consummated   her martyrdom   on the December 5,   about the year   03/2004.   Saint Augustine frequently   proposed   in his sermons   the example of this martyr.   See,   says the holy father,   how Crispina   despised all things   and life itself   for the love of Jesus Christ.   Rich and noble as she was,   she might have lived somewhat longer   in the enjoyment of earthly happiness,   but she would not have obtained   everlasting life.  

Wisely,   therefore,   did she prefer to live forever   than to prolong   for a short while   her temporal existence.   That concludes the the story of Saint Crispina,   who whose feast day is December 5,   and we're concluding   the Council of Catholic men's   bible study and catechism.   Today's date is Wednesday, 12/03/2025.   And let's conclude with a prayer.   In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.   Our Father, who art in heaven,   hallowed be thy name.   Thy kingdom come, thy will be done upon earth as it is in heaven.   Give us this day   our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,   as we forgive those who trespass against us.  

And lead us not into temptation,   but deliver us from evil.   Amen.   In the name of the Father,   and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.   Amen.