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What Next?

Now that all graces have been earned, once for all (cf. Hebrews 9:29), is there further role for Our Lady? The mere fact that she shared in earning all graces--for Calvary did not earn just some graces, but all graces--would all by itself warrant our calling her the Mediatrix of all graces. But more about this title in the section on Mary, Mediatrix of all graces.



http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/marya3.htm

"Corredemptrix"



Mary's cooperation in the work of redemption is sometimes expressed by giving her the title "Corredemptrix." The Popes have used this title, but more rarely and in documents of lesser weight, because it easily admits of misunderstanding. The first extant use of the title is in a fourtheenth century liturgical book from Salzburg. The prefix "co-" signifies that Mary does not contribute independently to the redemption, but only as associated with her divine Son.

Objection

Now about the objection that since she had to be redeemed, she could not cooperate in the redemption, which would include her own redemption, we have two replies:

1) the Magisterium has taught repeatedly, so often as to constitute an infallible teaching, that she did so cooperate. We see in the collection of papal teachings how precise and clear this teaching is. It cannot be taken as something merely loose or vague, especially since LG ## 56, 61 had said three times that she shared by obedience, the covenant condition, and that which gave its value even to His sacrifice. Pius XII, in the constitution solemnly defining the assumption, had even gone so far as to speak of her role on Calvary as a work "in common" with Him. Even if we could not explain the how, we should still believe an infallible teaching. The saying is very true: a thousand difficulties do not add up to one doubt, when the assurance of the truth is full.

2) We have said that one major aspect of the redemption is that it is a new covenant. Two comments on that:

a) He who makes a covenant does not ask, need not ask of a proposed covenantor: Are you worthy to fulfil this condition, so that if you do this, I will do that? No, the one who makes the covenant has the sovereign right to set whatever terms and conditions He wishes, and to choose whoever he wishes as a covenant partner, especially when the originator of the covenant is God Himself. Really, He could have set as a condition for the whole of redemption an animal sacrifice by any ordinary human, and have even bound Himself by advance promise to accept it.

b) There are two levels within the new covenant, so that if we ask why God gives good things under it, there are two answers, on the two levels. First, on the most basic level, everything He gives is unmerited, unmeritable, for no creature by its own power can establish a claim on God. And He cannot be moved at all. But then, on the secondary level, that is, given the fact that the Father has freely created and entered into a covenant, then if the human fulfills the condition set, the Father owes it to Himself to give what He has promised. Really, even the death of Jesus was on this secondary level. It did not move the Father: He could not be moved, did not need to be moved. It was because the Father always loved us that Jesus came, not that Jesus came and then the Father dropped His anger.

The old language on this subject often spoke much of meriting redemption on a basis of justice. But we must never forget that no creature at all can ever establish any kind of claim on God, whether in justice or on a lesser level, by its own power. It can establish any sort of claim only if God as it were says: "If you do this, I will do that." So St. Augustine wrote well in saying to God (Confessions 9. 5): "You deign to even become a debtor by your promises to those to whom you forgive their debts."

So there is no need to think of Mary as if she had to earn on a primary, basic level. No, as we saw, even the work of Jesus, infinite though it was, was on the secondary level. It was, to borrow an expression from St. Thomas, a hoc propter hoc (ST I. 19. 5. c) "Vult hoc esse propter hoc, sed non propter hoc vult hoc. That is: God in His love of good order, of all that is right, loves to have one thing in place to serve as a reason or title for giving the second thing, even though that title does not at all move Him. Again, we must not forget that He cannot be moved, and needed not to be moved to love us.

When we finally grasp this perspective, when we realize that even the merits of His Son did not move the Father, who did not need to be moved, who could not be moved, but who made a setup suited to His own purpose--we already saw that that purpose entailed two things: His desire to fully satisfy everything that was right, i.e. , to rebalance the scales of the objective order, and, secondly to provide a means of giving to us, of making us open to receive.

Within, then, such a framework, with such an attitude on the part of Our Father, if He, the supreme master who makes the covenant, wants to set whatever condition it pleases Him to set, then if any human, even if it were a mere, an ordinary human, if that human fulfills the covenant condition, then the human is providing the Father with a reason for giving, which the Father did not need, but yet willed for the two reasons just reviewed. So if Our Lady joins in the condition set by the Father, there is no problem at all: she is meeting the condition which His excessive generosity liked to set, as a means of giving us abundant life.

What did that law of the Father, written on her heart call for? It called for what we have just said: That she positively will that her Son die, die then, die so horribly. In that, she was joining in the fulfillment of the Covenant condition. He, in Gethsemani, had said: "If it be possible, let this chalice pass ... but nonetheless, not what I will, but what you will." In other words, He obeyed. St. Paul stressed that too in Rom 5:19: "Just as by the disobedience of the one man [the first Adam] the many were made sinners [original sin] so by the obedience of the one man [the New Adam] the many will be constituted just."

In fact, had His death taken place without obedience, it would not have been a redemption, it would have been merely a tragedy. So it was obedience that was the covenant condition, it was that which gave the value to His death.

To look at the same reality from a different perspective, His death was a sacrifice. God had once complained through Isaiah 29:13: "This people honors me with their lips ... their hearts are far from me." The ancient Jews were very adept at what is sometimes, simplistically, called "participation." They loved to make the responses, to sing, to join in processions. But too often it was all empty, for their hearts were far from Him: their hearts did not act in obedience.

But Jesus did offer His sacrifice in obedience. So just as obedience is the covenant condition, so too, it is that without which His sacrifice would be as worthless as those of which God complained through Isaiah.

From a third perspective, the redemption was an act of reparation to make up for sin. Since sin is disobedience of God's will, it was, once again, Christ's obedience which gave his death value to make up for sin. But we return to Our Lady. At the annunciation, she obeyed, she said her fiat. She knew too much for comfort even then, of what that entailed, as we explained above. But now in the blackness of Calvary, she was called on to continue to obey the will of the Father. That she did. As we said, we know this since any soul is required to conform its will to that of the Father. But then, she knew that will of the Father, knew it all too well. It was that He should die then, die horribly. So what she had to do, unless she would break with the Father, was to will what He willed, to will the terrible death of her Son.

All this is, of course, entirely Scriptural. It merely points out that at the start, she obeyed in saying her fiat, as St. Luke tells us. At the Cross, as any soul that loves the will of the Father must do, she had to continue her fiat, to continue to obey. Isaiah 53 had said that, "by His stripes we are healed", that, "it was the will of the Lord to crush Him in pain." Even the Targum knew Isaiah spoke of the Messiah, although in the stiff-necks of many, the message was even inverted. But she was not such, she understood, and yet she did not take back her fiat, she obeyed the will of the Lord. That obedience of hers was a joining in the essential condition of the New Covenant, it was a joining in the necessary interior of His sacrifice.

Her love of Him would multiply the difficulty. It was the love of the best of Mothers for the best of Sons, a Son whom she understood as no other person could. We cannot really calculate the terrible difficulty of her obedience, going counter to such love.

Would the Father accept her obedience as part of the covenant obedience? In the old covenant, He accepted the obedience of even very ordinary, sinful people--how much more hers! Would He put her in such straits, call on her to obey when it was so incredibly hard, and then not accept her obedience as part of the covenant condition even as He had accepted the obedience of very ordinary, sinful people, as we said, in the old covenant.

He could have redeemed us with something immeasurably less painful--the mere fact of the incarnation, even without so much as a short prayer added, would have been superabundant. Yet in His love of all goodness, in His love of us, He would not stop short when there was any way to make it all richer. It was in that attitude that He called for the death of His Son, that He called for her immeasurably difficult obedience.

So, Vatican II in its teaching, merely unfolded, by pondering in hearts, what the Scripture contains, and what the Church over the course of the centuries has gradually come to understand: "In suffering with Him as He died on the cross, she cooperated in the work of the Savior"--in the essential requirement of the New Covenant, in the essential interior of the Great Sacrifice--"by obedience, faith, hope and burning love."

Sciptural Foundation




Many Protestants claim that the more advanced doctrines of the Catholic Church about Mary are unscriptural. They say this especially about our teaching concerning her cooperation in the redemption.

First, we want to notice that in the very earliest Fathers of the Church, such as St. Justin Martyr (c. 145-150), we find the New Eve doctrine, i.e., that just as the first Eve really contributed to the damage of original sin, so Mary, the New Eve, really contributed to removing it. They had in mind her obedient acceptance, in faith, to be the Mother of the Messiah.

But today the Church has considerably developed that early teaching. We quote a very official text, the Constitution on the Church of Vatican II, P61: "... in suffering with Him as He died on the cross, she cooperated in the work of the Savior, in an altogether singular way, by obedience, faith, hope and burning love, to restore supernatural life to souls." This same doctrine is found in every Pope from Leo XIII up to and including John Paul II.

So Vatican II was merely restating a repeated teaching. But the way it expressed it is very helpful. It said her role on Calvary was one of obedience. Earlier, in # 56, it had pointed out that obedience twice, in citing St. Irenaeus (late second century): "By obeying, she became a cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race." Then (we first recall the comparison St. Irenaeus made of all sin to a complex knot, in which the Saint said that to untie a knot, one must take the end of the rope backwards through every turn taken in tying it) it added, from St. Irenaeus: "Thus then, the knot of the disobedience of Eve was untied through the obedience of Mary."

At first sight this teaching seems to have no basis in Scripture. But if we look more closely, we will see something quite obvious. First, at the Annunciation, she was asked to consent, in faith, to be the Mother of the Messiah. She knew this perfectly clearly, for as soon as the Archangel said, "He will reign over the house of Jacob forever," she knew that only the Messiah could reign forever. So she knew it was the Messiah. Then there would begin to crowd into her thoughts all the ancient prophecies of the Messiah, especially Isaiah 53, of His dreadful sufferings and death. She was asked to consent to be the Mother of such a Messiah.

She did consent, as St. Luke tells us, saying: "Be it done to me according to your word. "She gave her fiat, her obedience to the will of God, as the angel told her of His will. Did she later retract this acceptance of God's will? Of course not. Any soul either falls back or goes ahead in holiness. Holiness really consists in the alignment of our wills, through grace, with the will of God--for the free will is the only thing free we have. So Mary faithfully stood by Him, keeping in the background when the crowds gave Him praise, but moving out into the dark blackness that hung over Calvary. There she stood.

What was her reaction? Of course, she grieved, as any Mother would, seeing her Son suffering so horribly. And she saw that suffering as our crucifixes do not generally let us see it--they contain no trace at all of the horrid scourging, leaving Him bloody all over.

But now we can begin to realize something tremendous. As we said, spiritual perfection consists in the alignment of our will with the will of the Father. Further, when we know what He positively wills, it is not enough for us to say, as it were: "Let it go". No, we are called on to positively will what He wills. But what did He will in that dread hour? She knew from Isaiah 53:10: "It was the will of the Lord to crush Him with pain." So the Father willed that His Son should die, die then, die so horribly. So did the Son will it. So she was then called upon to will what the Father willed, what her Son willed, in other words, she was called on to will positively that He die, die then, die horribly.

We must add: the redemption was, under one aspect, the making of the New Covenant, foretold by Jeremiah 31:31 ff: "I will make a New covenant. It will not be like the covenant I made with your Fathers, for they broke my covenant, and I had to show myself their master. But this is the Covenant. I will write my law on their heart. I will be their God, and they will be my people."

In the Covenant of Sinai, the essential condition had been the obedience of the people (Ex 19:5): "If you really hearken to my voice, and keep my covenant, you will be my special people." So the New Covenant would have again as its essential condition obedience, which Jeremiah expressed by speaking of a law written on hearts. Perhaps Jeremiah did not see it fully, but that obedience was to be the obedience of Christ.

St. Ambrose of Milan




So, then, the Holy Spirit is the River, and the abundant River, which according to the Hebrews flowed from Jesus in the lands, as we have received it prophesied by the mouth of Isaiah.[3] This is the great River which flows always and never fails. And not only a river, but also one of copious stream and overflowing greatness, as also David said: "The stream of the river makes glad the city of God."[4]

For neither is that city, the heavenly Jerusalem, watered by the channel of any earthly river, but that Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Fount of Life, by a short draught of Whom we are satiated, seems to flow more abundantly among those celestial Thrones, Dominions and Powers, Angels and Archangels, rushing in the full course of the seven virtues of the Spirit. For if a river rising above its banks overflows, how much more does the Spirit, rising above every creature, when He touches the as it were low-lying fields of our minds, make glad that heavenly nature of the creatures with the larger fertility of His sanctification.

And let it not trouble you that either here it is said "rivers,"[1] or elsewhere "seven Spirits,"[2] for by the sanctification of these seven gifts of the Spirit, as Isaiah said,[3] is signified the fulness of all virtue; the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and godliness, and the Spirit of the fear of God. One, then, is the River, but many the channels of the gifts of the Spirit. This River, then, goes forth from the Fount of Life.

And here, again, you must not turn aside your thoughts to lower things, because there seems to be some difference between a Fount and a River, and yet the divine Scripture has provided that the weakness of human understanding should not be injured by the lowliness of the language. Set before yourself any river, it springs from its fount, but is of one nature, of one brightness and beauty. And do you assert rightly that the Holy Spirit is of one substance, brightness, and glory with the Son of God and with God the Father. I will sum up all in the oneness of the qualities, and shall not be afraid of any question as to difference of greatness. For in this point also Scripture has provided for us; for the Son of God says: "He that shall drink of the water which I will give him, it shall become in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life."[4] This well is clearly the grace of the Spirit, a stream proceeding from the living Fount. The Holy Spirit, then, is also the Fount of eternal life. . . .

Good, then, is this water, even the grace of the Spirit. Who will give this Fount to my breast? Let it spring up in me, let that which gives eternal life flow upon me. Let that Fount overflow upon us, and not flow away. For Wisdom says: "Drink water out of thine own vessels, and from the founts of thine own wells, and let thy waters flow abroad in thy streets."[1] How shall I keep this water that it flow not forth, that it glide not away? How shall I preserve my vessel, lest any crack of sin penetrating it, should let the water of eternal life exude? Teach us, Lord Jesus, teach us as Thou didst teach Thine apostles, saying: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where rust and moth destroy, and where thieves break through and steal."[2]




http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/spirb1.htm

St. Augustine




There is no gift of God more excellent than this. It alone distinguishes the sons of the eternal kingdom and the sons of eternal perdition. Other gifts, too, are given by the Holy Spirit; but without love they profit nothing. Unless, therefore, the Holy Spirit is so far imparted to each, as to make him one who loves God and his neighbor, he is not removed from the left hand to the right. Nor is the Spirit specially called the Gift, unless on account of love. And he who has not this love, "though he speak with the tongues of men and angels, is sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal; and though he have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and though he have all faith, so that he can remove mountains, he is nothing; and though he bestow all his goods to feed the poor, and though he give his body to be burned, it profiteth him nothing."

How great a good, then, is that without which goods so great bring no one to eternal life! But love or charity itself,--for they are two names for one thing,--if he have it that does not speak with tongues, nor has the gift of prophecy, nor knows all mysteries and all knowledge, nor gives all his goods to the poor, either because he has none to give or because some necessity hinders, nor delivers his body to be burned, if no trial of such a suffering overtakes him, brings that man to the kingdom, so that faith itself is only rendered profitable by love, since faith without love can indeed exist, but cannot profit. And therefore also the Apostle Paul says, "In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith that worketh by love:" so distinguishing it from that faith by which even "the devils believe and tremble." Love, therefore, which is of God and is God, is specially the Holy Spirit, by whom the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by which love the whole Trinity dwells in us. And therefore most rightly is the Holy Spirit, although He is God, called also the gift of God. And by that gift what else can properly be understood except love, which brings to God, and without which any other gift of God whatsoever does not bring to God? . . .

Wherefore, if Holy Scripture proclaims that God is love, and that love is of God, and works this in us that we abide in God and He in us, and that hereby we know this, because He has given us of His Spirit, then the Spirit Himself is God, who is love. Next, if there be among the gifts of God none greater than love, and there is no greater gift of God than the Holy Spirit, what follows more naturally than that He is Himself love, who is called both God and of God? And if the love by which the Father loves the Son, and the Son loves the Father, ineffably demonstrates the communion of both, what is more suitable than that He should be specially called love, who is the Spirit common to both? For this is the sounder thing both to believe and to understand, that the Holy Spirit is not alone love in that Trinity, yet is not specially called love to no purpose.




http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/spirb3.htm

St. Basil the Great

Now the Spirit is not brought into intimate association with the soul by local approximation. How indeed could there be a corporeal approach to the incorporeal? This association results from the withdrawal of the passions which, coming afterwards gradually on the soul from its friendship to the flesh, have alienated it from its close relationship with God. Only then after a man is purified from the shame whose stain he took through his wickedness, and has come back again to his natural beauty, and as it were cleaning the Royal Image and restoring its ancient form, only thus is it possible for him to draw near to the Paraclete.

And He, like the sun, will by the aid of thy purified eye show thee in Himself the image of the invisible, and in the blessed spectacle of the image thou shalt behold the unspeakable beauty of the archetype. Through His aid hearts are lifted up, the weak are held by the hand, and they who are advancing are brought to perfection. Shining upon those that are cleansed from every spot, He makes them spiritual by fellowship with Himself. Just as when a sunbeam falls on bright and transparent bodies, they themselves become brilliant too, and shed forth a fresh brightness from themselves, so souls wherein the Spirit dwells, illuminated by the Spirit, themselves become spiritual, and send forth their grace to others.

Hence comes foreknowledge of the future, understanding of mysteries, apprehension of what is hidden, distribution of good gifts, the heavenly citizenship, a place in the chorus of angels, joy without end, abiding in God, the being made like to God, and, highest of all, the being made God [that is, sharers in the divine nature]. Such, then, to instance a few out of many, are the conceptions concerning the Holy Spirit, which we have been taught to hold concerning His greatness, His dignity, and His operations, by the oracles of the Spirit themselves.



http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/spirb2.htm

Quote from: hubag bohol on October 07, 2012, 09:30:43 AM
A friend of mine recently told me that he never gives anything to beggars who approach him in the streets. He then held me captive to an impassioned defense of his so-called "principle", too long-winded and elaborate for me to repeat here (or, for that matter, for me to have remembered fully).

Please share your thoughts. Thanks.

I wonder what type of principle your friend has. The principle of hard work? I have some friends also who don't give to the homeless , in conversations in the past regarding this topic. Their point was that everyone has the responsibility of caring for oneself, the spirit of "to each his own" was reiterated by this colleague of mine.

I was taken off by them, tho I do see their reasoning. For me, if we have means, why not share a little with those who are in need? By faith we are reminded that God loves a happy giver, and that He shall reward those who give generously.

There is a verse in Holy Scripture in which the Lord Jesus reminds us of the importance of helping those in need:

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25: 34-40

Yes, I do. Maluuy ko nila. Many of them are suffering with mental disorders and cannot help their state. Truly, there should be more services for them. I don't know how it is like in the Philippines in regards to social services for the homeless, but here in the United States, there is a lack of centralized services. Many of the services are spread around and depends on the states' ability to fund them.

Since the country closed many mental hospitals that were once government-run, many of those poor depraved souls with mental illnesses are forced into the street -- begging is their only form of sustenance.

Section 11

We ought to pray to and invoke the Holy Spirit, for each one of us greatly needs His protection and His help. The more a man is deficient in wisdom, weak in strength, borne down with trouble, prone to sin, so ought he the more to fly to Him who is the never-ceasing fount of light, strength, consolation, and holiness. And chiefly that first requisite of man, the forgiveness of sins, must be sought for from Him: "It is the special character of the Holy Ghost that He is the Gift of the Father and the Son. Now the remission of all sins is given by the Holy Ghost as by the Gift of God. " Concerning this Spirit the words of the Liturgy are very explicit: "For He is the remission of all sins." How He should be invoked is clearly taught by the Church, who addresses Him in humble supplication, calling upon Him by the sweetest of names: "Come, Father of the poor! Come, Giver of gifts! Come, Light of our hearts! O. best of Consolers, sweet Guest of the soul, our refreshment!" She earnestly implores Him to wash, heal, water our minds and hearts, and to give to us who trust in Him "the merit of virtue, the acquirement of salvation, and joy everlasting." Nor can it be in any way doubted that He will listen to such prayer, since we read the words written by His own inspiration: "The Spirit Himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings" (Rom. viii., 26). Lastly, we ought confidently and continually to beg of Him to illuminate us daily more and more with His light and inflame us with His charity: for, thus inspired with faith and love, we may press onward earnestly towards our eternal reward, since He "is the pledge of our inheritance" (Eph. i. 14).



http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/spirc1.htm

by Rev. William G. Most

We turn now to the Seven Gifts of the sanctifying category. They are: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of the Lord.

They each perfect certain basic virtues. Four of them perfect the intellectual virtues. Understanding gives an intuitive penetration into truth. Wisdom perfects charity, in order to judge divine things. Knowledge perfects the virtue of hope. The gift of counsel perfects prudence.

The other three gifts perfect virtues of the will and appetites. The gift of piety perfects justice in giving to others that which is their due. This is especially true of giving God what is His due. Fortitude perfects the virtue of fortitude, in facing dangers. Fear of the Lord perfects temperance in controlling disordered appetites.

To illustrate the difference between things done with the Gifts and those done with the ordinary virtues, we will take up the gift of counsel.

There are three kinds of guides a person may follow in making his decisions:

1) The whim of the moment. Aristotle in his Ethics 1. 5 says that to act that way is a life fit for cattle, who do just what they happen to feel like doing.

2) Reason, which in practice is always aided by actual graces, which God gives so generously. For example suppose I see three options open to me, all of which are moral. Ideally I would make at least mentally a list of the good points and of the bad points of each. The I would look over the whole board, and pick what gives the best effect for me. Or if I come to think I need penance for my sins, I would ask: How much have I sinned, so I can know how much penance? what kind of penance will fit with my health? with the obligations of my state in life? And after several steps, a decision is reached. This method is called discursive, since it moves from one step to another.

3) In the third and highest way a soul does not go from one step to another, in a discursive process, but the answer is, as it were, dropped fully made and complete into his mind by the Gifts. This was the case of Our Lady, for example at the annunciation. If she had been operating in the ordinary mode, she might well have reasoned: Now my people have been waiting for centuries for the Messiah (as soon as Gabriel said He would reign over the house of Jacob forever, even any ordinary Jew would have known that He was the messiah). Now he is here. I should share this news with others, especially the authorities in Jerusalem. And what about my husband Joseph? In a short time he will not be able to avoid dark thoughts. But the Gospel shows she did none of these things. God needed to send a special angel to tell Joseph. so the Gifts can lead souls to points not contrary to reason, but far more lofty than what reason would suggest.

Cf. the following from St. John of the Cross: (Ascent 3.2.10; cf. Living Flame 1.4; 1.9 and 2.34): "God alone moves the powers of these souls . . . to those deeds which are suitable, according to the will and plan of God, and they cannot be moved to others. . . . Such were the actions of the most glorious Virgin, our Lady, who, being elevated from the beginning [of her life] to this lofty state, had never the form of any creature impressed on her, nor was moved by such, but was always moved by the Holy Spirit."

But there is a danger: a soul could mistake its own desires for action of the Gifts, since the reasons are not clear to it. Two points must be kept in mind: 1) The full and apparent action of these gifts does not appear until one is well advanced in the spiritual life (hidden assistance by them can come earlier). 2) Ordinarily an inspiration via the Gifts leaves the soul not fully certain--a signal to consult a director or superior. Uncommonly they will give certitude, but only when a decision must be made on the spot, and there is no time to consult.

When a soul acts with usual actual graces God is the most important actor, yet the faculties of the human do churn out the result--hence it is easy to suppose the work is done basically by that soul. But under the action of the Gifts, the soul is more passive, and its own faculties contribute even less.



http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/spira3.htm

by Rev. William G. Most

Grace is any gift from God to us. There are two great categories or groups of graces: sanctifying, and charismatic.

Sanctifying graces are those that are aimed at making the recipient holy. They include: actual grace, a grace He sends me at this moment, to lead me and to enable me to do a particular good thing here and now, and habitual grace (also called sanctifying) which actually does make the recipient holy. It gives the soul the radical ability to take in the face to face vision of God in the next life. Increase in sanctifying grace means an increase in that capacity--for since the vision is infinite, our capacity can never reach the limit of growth.

The other category is called charismatic. These graces are not aimed directly an making the recipient holy. They are for some other sort of benefit to the individual or the community. There are two kinds of charismatic graces: ordinary and extraordinary.

Where do the Gifts of the Holy Spirit fit in? There are two groups of them, one in the sanctifying, one in the charismatic category.

In the "sanctifying category" we find the seven gifts, which are given along with sanctifying (habitual) grace.

In the "charismatic" category we find both the ordinary gifts--e.g, the gift to be a good parent or a good teacher--and the extraordinary gifts, those which are or seem miraculous, such as the gifts of healing, tongues, or miracles.



http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/spira2.htm

by Rev. William G. Most

The ordinary charismatic gifts, the invisible gifts that help us fulfill our state in life, are widely given. The extraordinary are given when and to whom the Spirit wills, as St. Paul tells us in 1 Cor 12.11. They are not routine today, though they were in the first generation Church, as we see from 1 Cor 12-14.

Some have claimed that these extraordinary graces are ordinary and were ordinary for the first centuries. But the Patristic texts cited for this view are few. Fairly clear are those of Tertullian (an early pentecostalist who eventually left the Church), St. Hilary, and St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Already by the fourth century, however, St. Augustine had to argue that the accounts of miracles in the early Church were not mere fables. In the East, St. John Chrysostom also noted that the age of the charismatic gifts as a regular occurence had long since ended. It is clear from the history of the early Church that as soon as Christians could point to the rapid spread of the Faith and the witness of martyrs in order to make converts, God began to give the charismatic gifts less frequentlyâ€"they were always by their nature extraordinary, and long before the time of Augustine and Chrysostom, they were no longer necessary on a large scale.

Thus, it is not true that extraordinary charismatic gifts are simply actualizations--putting to work--of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that all Catholics have. Rember, the special charismatic things belong to one category, the seven Gifts to another . One cannot suppose graces from one side of this divide will actualize those from the other side.

Still further, the possession of extraordinary charismatic favors does not even prove those who have them are in the state of grace. We think of the frightening words of Our Lord Himself in Mt 7. 22-23: "Many will say to me on that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out devils, and have done many marvels in your name? And then I will admit to them: I never knew you: depart from me you workers of iniquity."

Vatican II, Lumen gentium 12 said of the extraordinary gifts: ". . . they are not to be rashly sought, nor should one presumptuously expect of them the fruits of the apostolic works; but the judgment as to whether or not they are genuine, and as to their ordered use pertains to those who are in charge in the Church . . . ." When these gifts are used with careful discernment of spirits and obedience, they are "fitting and useful for the needs of the Church" (Ibid.)

It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.  Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.  Let him bury his face in the dust-- there may yet be hope.  Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.  For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.  Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.  For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.



Lamentations 3:27-33

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

And The LORD GOD said, "I, even I, Am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.  Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence."



-Isaiah 43:25-26

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.  You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7:18-19

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14

Quote from: chicogon on October 07, 2012, 02:51:26 AM
I had my cuzin prepared/cooked a lot of food - including an order of lechon from manga - when last minute my sister called to invite us for her son's 1st birthday. Sus, klaro na jud walay famil mo attend sa along arrival party... so we decided to bring our lechon, inatayan and dinuguan to my sister's house.

We ordered a 2nd lechon last friday thinking we're doing my arrival party the next day when suddenly my cuzin came to invite us for my aunt's 11th death anniversary. Toinks! We end up bringing our newly ordered lechon to Catigbian where my 2 cousin priests said a memorial mass at the Catigbian cemetery for my aunt, grandparents and deceased relatives. We had fun at the reception with so much good food, singing and bahalina (siete biernes).

So by Friday night I decided to just invite my bradix (Puppies friends) and 6 of them came. They ate all the food we prepared the day before, had a few drinks and talked and laughed til the break of the next day. They all went home at 5am the next day.

I told them hello for you and yes they still remember the last time you joined us 2 years ago. Brydon kept making hand signal as if drawing your beard hahaha.

Hahaha! I just got home from attending Holy Mass at 4:30 pm diri sa Chicago. The sermon today dealt with the importance of trusting in God's Word and the Will of God for the union of man and woman. Our parish priest, Fr. Daniel, offered a very insightful and inspirational message on looking and praying for God's continued guidance in finding the right partner, and if one finds that partner, to be loving to that individual. Fr. Daniel also reiterated the importance of the sanctity of friendship , which if fostered through faith, hope and love, can be bear good fruit. I was thinking thoroughly about my mother, my father, my sister, my brothers, my aunts, uncles, cousins, and all my relatives and friends there in the Philippines. Truly, it is good to pray for all our loved ones, friends and family.

When I came back to my apartment, I had a sense of gratitude for God's blessings in my life, as well as for His guidance in in the setbacks that I have experienced thus far. The lesson we learn from our mistakes instills in us a deep sense of appreciation for these experiences, afterall, all experiences is a lesson in life.

After I opened Tubag Bohol and read your posting of how you had met up with your sister, her child, mingled with your dear friends, Da Puppies, as well as your other relatives and friends, I could not help but feel a deep sense of happiness and tranquility in your joy. You have been through so much these past months with hospital visits, and i must say that i was worried for you during these times. I am so happy to hear that you're doing well, Thanks be to Our Lord Jesus Christ who is rich in Mercy, and enjoying all the joys of friend and family. Tho I was not there with you guys eating and laughing with you, know that I am there in spirit. I can already imagine the sound of your voice , and the voices of Dr. Brydon, and Mr. Tirol and all your friends ; and the songs sung. Maka hinomdom ko ninyo tanan and ma lipay pod ko. Thanks for making me smile, Fr. Roel.

I hope you're doing well, enjoying all the comforts of home and family. Please show some pictures of your vacation diri ha.


With Love,
Always,
Bran

Quote from: chicogon on October 07, 2012, 03:15:32 AM
Thank you, Isle. Just the fact that I'm already in Bohol is almost beyond imaging. It's not a dream... it's real. Besides, seeing family, relatives and friends is all what makes it all worthwhile.

To be in Bohol, our dear native land, is a blessing in its own. I am happy that you are home with your relatives and friends, to be with loved ones, and to enjoy the graces from God. Enjoy your stay back home, Fr. Roel!!

Post the pictures from back home here pod ha? I'm looking forward to seeing some vacation pictures.

Cute lagi ni sila bitaw.

Quote from: TUBAGBOHOL.com on October 07, 2012, 12:11:18 AM

source: facebook.com

a dog pulling his disabled owner forward across a very busy street. This is what we call unconditional love and a permanent job.

Very emotional picture. May God have mercy on the poor.

Quote from: islander on October 07, 2012, 12:04:01 AM
thanks, lorenz.  i can cope with emerald isle but not with pearl of the orient seas.  

p.s. you're one of the strengths here, naturally.

He he he! Sweet naman ka oy, Ms. Isles.

A big hug for you!

hahaha! love team diay ni diri?

first si pikoy and jenneth

now it's balong and islander?

hahaha jokezz

Quote from: balong on October 06, 2012, 09:41:22 PM
reasonable man nang $1000 a month. limpyo na na

da kujawa pod! pero how many days a week and how many hours a day diay?

Ms. Isles, please know that we love you here. You truly are a jewel of Tubag Bohol Dot Com.

Quote from: balong on October 06, 2012, 09:34:20 PM
mao bitaw nga surrender na ko. di na ko mo post about obama romney

bwahahaha! aww, ayaw'g give up, bai balong. Go Romzzz!

kadto diay imong sexretary?

Statistically, men are prone to depression after a break up. And suffer more adverse medical effects than, say, women.

Quote from: balong on October 06, 2012, 09:28:43 PM
the evidence is irrrefutable. dili na ni mada ug nobena. bisan ug unsaon pa ug abogado ni islander. dili sija lalakwe as she allege. babaeng babae jud ni sija. now i have the last word. sa wakas mo daug na jud ko against islander in an argument

It's hard to win an argument with Isles, nong balong. I can attest to that.

Hahay...luoy pod intawn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86lCCwpD2VY#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9ZFEs4wuss#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AzCMgAlxyY#

Nice choices!

haha!!

Quote from: bugsay on October 06, 2012, 09:05:25 PM
last year man tingale to...kalimot na ko, kini lage po'ng medyo luya na'g tuhod.....di lang siya akong na met, pakapin pa iyang banana republic, tsikiting ug iyang sistah...
kauban pod nako akong wifee...didto sa ayala.

he he he mao ba? that's good that you all were able to meet each other! next one is bai hubag eh?

Quote from: Pikoy on October 06, 2012, 08:59:10 PM
ok lang pod dok kalooy sa Ginoo,, ayg palabig kugi basin wanay kabutangan sa  imong mga grasya diha nga nag awas awas..hehe

okay lang pod ko diri bai, this week was so much, attended a general staff meeting gahapon, all week i've been attending meetings. pasalamat ko sa Ginoo nga tagaan tag grasya...kai without Him, dli gajod ta kahimo sa atua ra. i'm glad you're doing good over there too, bai piks. when are you going back sa atua dia?

Quote from: Pikoy on October 06, 2012, 08:55:10 PM
mau.. kuyaw diay jud ni si ma'm isle da...hadlok man sad ta makig kita hehehe

hahaha, hmm, i have a feeling that she's a very gentle soul. who knows bai piks, you might end up adopting an iring after you meet our dear ms. isles.

Quote from: Lollapalooza on October 03, 2012, 08:32:16 PM
"I'm a bee - can you be my honey?"


pusang iring!!!! weheheh

oh, sweet lagi ni kaajo. i should try this out next time.

Quote from: bugsay on October 06, 2012, 08:59:21 PM
yes.....malomo ug kasingkasing ni's ms isles....sama sa iyang mga iring.

he he he mao ba? taga asa man diay ni sija sa atua, bai bugsay? i'm glad you met her. maybe someday in the future, i can meet you both.

Quote from: Pikoy on October 06, 2012, 08:55:10 PM
mau.. kuyaw diay jud ni si ma'm isle da...hadlok man sad ta makig kita hehehe

Hahaha! Isug gajod, kai Valencianhon baja na sija.

Quote from: bugsay on October 06, 2012, 08:57:31 PM
mura'g tiger?...

bugsay, diba you met her before? 

Quote from: Pikoy on October 06, 2012, 08:39:18 PM
cactus ka ba?

bakit?

handa akong masugatan,


























mayakap ka lang..



charrrrrrrrrringggg...

ha ha haaa!

haha! i think i had really corny pick up lines , too.



lorenz: hey there! you look really beautiful.
girl: oh...thanks!
lorenzo: so do you have a number?
girl: you're pretty direct eh?
lorenz: i'd prefer the directions to your apartment, tho
girl: hahaha

Quote from: Pikoy on October 06, 2012, 08:45:10 PM
doc musta?

kumusta bai piks! okay lang , bai, nag kinamotkinamot intawn sa trabaho.

Ikaw, bai piks? kamusta man ka dinha?

I'm guessing Isles is in the same age group as my uncle boy, and my parents. Part of the baby boomer generation.

Quote from: Pikoy on October 06, 2012, 08:45:10 PM
doc musta?

nya kita nka niya sa personal Doc..?

striktahun mn siguro ni si ms isle ug nawong nuh?

ehehe

hahaha, dili. i'd like to meet her someday tho.

very professional man ni si isles. from her writings, she's very adept in the law, which makes sense because she's a good friend of my uncle boy, who was then the dean of the college of at san carlos university, before becoming a judge. so my guess is she took some paralegal or legal classes back in college. her husband also is an attorney. but isles' writings -- is that of an editor.

He he he, mo bisita man si Uncle boy diri from time to time.

Silent reader lang.

Quote from: islander on October 06, 2012, 08:31:13 PM

si islander ug si banana republic

She's a lady. She is a friend of my uncle, Judge Gabriel Torrero Ingles, the Associate Judge of The Philippine Court of Appeals. Uncle boy is in his early 60's, so Islander is part of that generation.

Quote from: Lollapalooza on October 06, 2012, 01:06:58 AM
Girl Reunited With Stolen Puppy After Offering Her Piggy Bank as Reward


A 10-year-old girl who offered everything in her piggy bank to get her 5-month-old puppy Meeko back finally got her wish.

Marissa Mabanag was reunited Thursday with Meeko, her shih tzu-yorkie mix, after a woman spotted the puppy in a Walmart parking lot in Los Banos, Calif., more than 100 miles from the family's San Jose, Calif., home. Blanca Del Real came forward, saying a woman gave her the puppy after finding it wandering around in the parking lot, according to ABC News affiliate KGO-TV.

"I just found him and I don't know whose he is," said Del Real.

Meeko was stolen from Mabanag's home on Monday along with thousands of dollars worth of electronics. Despite all the goods that were missing, it was Meeko that weighted heavily on the minds of the Mabanag family. Mabanag issued a public plea for help in locating her lost pup.

"Thank you to everybody who made this happen," said Mabanag Thursday. "I can't believe he is in my arms."



In June, Meeko was a surprise for gift for Mabanag's last day of school. Mabanag named her after the raccoon in the film "Pocahontas."

"I am so happy he's back with my family. That is all I care about," said Mabanag.

The police and fire unions put together a $5,000 reward for Meeko's return and Councilman Ash Kalra kicked the reward up to $6,000.

Del Real accepted their reward but declined to take Mabanag's piggy bank, according to KGO.

"This is not just a dog, it's not money, it's my daughter's heart," said Mabanag's mother, Marie.

ABC News' Anthony Castellano contributed to this report.

He he he! Good news, indeed.

Quote from: hubag bohol on October 01, 2012, 10:36:13 AM



Calling Bugsay, Tigbao, Pikoy, BolBuhol, pili lang mo...

...unsang brand sa beer ang imnon...

hmmmm, let me try some of those juicy and delicious beer cups.

Haha! Cute ang clothes, pero gi himosan lagi ko sa baby. Lami kusion ang aping ni ondoy tambotchoy.....

Quote from: hubag bohol on October 06, 2012, 09:31:11 AM
Kon mopalit kag cleaning slippers, palit lang pud ani...

Inchik kyut!!

My dear brother and friend, Michael. Wishing for you graces ad heaven's blessings this year and for years to come. Happy Birthday, Brod Mike.


With Love,
Bran

Heavenly Father, Please bless Michael Ligalig,
for today is his birthday.

Dear Lord, please protect and guide Michael as he
continues along the path you’ve chosen for him.
Give him the courage to follow in your light, and feel
your love wherever he goes.

Make him strong and give him the strength to make
good decisions in the coming year. Keep him free from
illness and sadness, for he is a truly good person who
deserves happiness and success in all aspects of life.

We know that life is like a book. With each new
chapter, we learn and grow towards what you would
have us be. Bless Michael now on this day, and in the future.

We ask and pray in Jesus' Name.

Amen.

Nothing wrong diay?

Quote from: chicogon on October 04, 2012, 09:47:59 AM
Salamat, Bran. Guess where I'm at now? On board Weesam to Bohol... we're actually sailing now. Sa Cebu rako natug gabii kay the plane arrived past midnight plus the time to get out of the airport. 2am nako nakatug

Salamat sa Ginoo that you're safe over there in Philippines.

Father, enjoy your time back home. Have fun with your friends and family. Please, give my warmest regards to DA PUPPIES. My regards to Mr. Tirol. Regards also to your Papa, si Engr. Lungay. Tell him I said, "I hope you're having fun inspecting your roads!" hahaha!


With Love ,
Always,
Bran

Quote from: chicogon on October 03, 2012, 04:19:23 PM
Hahaha sayop ko. I though my flight was midnight. Ayo gani na corrected kos babaye sa counter, 12:35pm diay dili past midnight. Habilin unta... hahaha

ha ha ha! Maayo gani ning ingon ton'g baji nimo nga hapit na mo larga imong flight. I had actually told the secretary that I was going out for lunch , i was planning to take you out to this nice Sushi restaurant in downtown Chicago called "Agami". Lami kaajo. After I got your text about your departure time, I came back to the hospital hahaha! Ingon ang secretary, "Oh Dr. Lucino, you had lunch that fast??"

Ingon pod ko, "Oh no, we had a change of plans!" Then she said to me, "Oh great! I brought some food, do you want to have some?"

"Sure! Of course!" ha ha ha ha!


Fr. Roel, next time, when we meet again, we will have to get sushi ha. My treat.

Palangga ko ikaw

Wala ko sang may nabal-an

Quote from: BolBuhol on October 03, 2012, 11:21:54 PM
paano gid ni man?

Amigo,

Diin ikaw nag halin?

At work. Thank goodness I have my warm cup of folgers coffee with french vanilla cream...i feel complete at the beginning of another ROUND. 


Hmmm, maybe i'll be lucky and get to talk to some hot nurses today.

hahaha! o ma suko na si inday, ay, patay si toto!!!

Lintik tika ron'....

Quote from: islander on October 02, 2012, 11:30:10 PM
i presume it's not a cruel reminder, hahaha!  one thing with cat owners is that they're almost like parents with babies.  these owners show pictures of their babies or cats around when to the rest of the world all babies look the same and all cats look the same.

i'm watching over our sick kitten.  i think she has a sprained left front paw, which is obvious when she walks.  she's been sleeping the whole day and hadn't eaten at all; unusual for a terribly active kitten.  if she doesn't improve by tomorrow, to the vet we go. 

To be honest, I was happy when I saw how her spirits went up as she talked about her lovable cat. Pets really do bring out the best in many people.

PS. I hope your kitten gets better. Regards.

Quote from: chicogon on October 02, 2012, 11:15:01 PM
Dia ko karon nag laroy2x sa O'Hare airport sa Chicago way tumong kay dako jamo ning ilang airport - dako pas sawang sa Tagbilaran - kamolo pakog pangita asa ang Terminal 5 kay tua didto ang Korean Air. Nihunong sa ko para makalili sa TB ug FB hehehe. Ako tawgon si Doc Lorenz karong taud2x kung makit-an na nako akong gipangita.

WELCOME to the City of Chicago!!

I'll call you! Maybe we can catch late lunch / early dinner today.

ha ha ha...cute.

The Noda government bends to the will of Chinese interests....tsk!

I hear Noda will select a pro-beijing Tanaka to join the cabinet.

PS.  To isles, today i saw a patient who was sharing with all of us -- the medical staff -- pictures of her cat. I thought of you. 

I was given the syllabus to help spearhead our university's online medical terminology course. The first of many courses we are going to offer online. I am also now working on the feasibility on the creation of our university's up and coming physical therapy program. The director of the medical & allied health department had appointed me to do research on this. It's interesting and a lot of researching / reading.

I love it tho. Medical research and quantitative studies -- is so effing awesome.

As i write this blog blurb here in TB, i need to get back on my paper -- which is on patient confidentiality in regards to the specific processes of the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act).

Back to work na pod. I think my fingers are becoming numb now from all this typing. ha ha ha!

Best,
Dr. Lorenz

I am at work writing a paper on patient confidentiality and all that jazz. Medical ethics....

Hoarding naman ni...

O Holy St. Gabriel the Archangel cover all of us with your ethereal wings , protect us from temptation, and instance to sin, and to gently remind us through a whisper to remember the Love of God in Jesus Christ.

St. Gabriel the Archangel, graciously hear our prayers and offer them to the Holy Throne of Jesus Christ.

St. Gabriel the Archangel, pray for us. Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekXFrabH23A#

PRAYER THAT NEVER FAILS. O Jesus who has said "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you" through the intercession of Mary, thy most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer will be granted (make request). O Jesus who said "All you ask of the Father in My name, He will grant you through the intercession of Mary, Thy most Holy Mother. I humbly and urgently ask thy Father in Thy name that my prayer be granted (make request). O Jesus, Who has said "Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my word shall not pass". Through the intercession of Mary, Thy most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted (make request). Publication must be printed to make novena answer. Say each day for nine days. Publication must be promised.

Yes, good point. It is also very helpful to trust in the Holy Spirit to direct our paths, it makes the journey of our human frailty much less burdensome. I have come to realize that.

Tinuod gayod that man cannot live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

he he he, thanks for that reminder, Bai Hubag Bohol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxIVh5SCn50#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXw3Hj6vRoc#

PRAYER TO BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail) O most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein You are my Mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech You from the bottom of my heart to succour me in the necessity (make request) There are none that can withstand Your power. O show me herein You are my Mother. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (three times). Holy Mother, I place this cause in your hands (three times.) (3 consecutive days) Publication must be made and promised in thanks for favours granted. Also thanksgiving to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Theresa of the Little Flower.

SACRED HEART of Jesus may your name be praised, adored and glorified throughout the world forever and ever. Amen. Say six times a day for nine days and your prayers will be answered before the ninth day, no matter how impossible. Don't forget to thank the Sacred Heart and promise publication with thanks.

Holy Spirit you who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideals. You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget all that is done to me. You who are in all the instincts of my life. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for everything and affirm once more that I never want to be separated from you (name whatever your request is). Say this prayer for 3 days. After the third day, the request will be granted, no matter how difficult. Promising to publish the entire dialogue is a condition for granting your request.

DEAR HEART OF JESUS In the past I have asked for many favours, this time I ask for this special one. Take it dear Heart of Jesus and place it with your own broken heart where your Father will see it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say prayer for 3 days, promise publication and favor will be granted. Never known to fail.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLTC6sl9kak#

Mga Higala,

Do you think that there will be a war with Iran?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vubX59co-8k#ws

What nation in this world can withstand the power of a United States Carrier Battle Group?

I pray that war will not come....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgxLf8zZg28#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fynJ9XLPRWk#ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKc0CBPwpsE#ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW8TC-Pvq68#ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CDVJ3opuCg#ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKig7yfUfxA#ws

No rounds penetrated his body armor, and he made it home with no permanent injuries. This happened in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.
*READ* From the cameraman:
" I got a hit a total of 4 times. My helmet cam died and i made it down the mountain on my own. I was also hit in the side of my helmet and my eye pro was shot off of my face. We were doing overwatch on the village to recon and gather intel. I was point heading down the face of the hill with the LT. when we got hit. the rest of the squad was pinned down by machine gun fire. I didn't start the video until a few mins into the firefight for obvious reasons. I came out into the open to draw fire so my squad could get to safety."

"A round struck the tube by my hand of the 203 grenade launcher which knocked it out of my hands. When I picked the rifle back up it was still functional but the grenade launcher tube had a nice sized 7.62 cal bullet hole in it and was rendered useless. "

This footage is part of an ongoing documentation of the war in Afghanistan. Subscribe for more footage uploaded daily.

More Afghanistan documentary footage at http://Funker530.Prochan.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLHU-_OhT8g#