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Bad World Tour
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Sabbath shalom brothers and sisters
is that time of the year again...
here´s another movie
[video=youtube;rhe8KhSxWGo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhe8KhSxWGo[/video]
is that time of the year again...
here´s another movie
[video=youtube;rhe8KhSxWGo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhe8KhSxWGo[/video]
Bad World Tour
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Re: Any Believers in Jesus Christ Here? (Non-debate thread for believers only)
Great lesson !
Great lesson !
Antwort
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March 25th - Feast of the Annunciation (the beginning of the Gospel of Life)
Mary's consent at the Annunciation and her motherhood stand at the very beginning of the mystery of life which Christ came to bestow on humanity (cf. Jn 10:10). Through her acceptance and loving care for the life of the Incarnate Word, human life has been rescued from condemnation to final and eternal death. (Evangelium Vitae - Holy John Paul II encyclical - March 25th 1995)
The encyclical published 22 years ago today contains some of the most inspiring and powerful words ever addressed from the Petrine Chair. Its message about "the value and inviolability of human life" was aimed mainly at the "lay faithful and all people of good will". Sadly, its relevance seems to be even greater today than in 1995.
What follows is a most personal and utterly non-random selection of essential fragments from it. In our social media age with character limits and little patience for messages longer than a couple of lines this may prove too long of a read. Also, for those who embrace and cherish our era's misconstrued definitions of freedom it will prove to be disturbing. As Christians though we are called to please God and not men and stand up for truth irrespective of how many or how powerful adversaries the Gospel of Christ may have.
104. The hostility of the powers of evil is, in fact, an insidious opposition which, before affecting the disciples of Jesus, is directed against his mother. To save the life of her Son from those who fear him as a dangerous threat, Mary has to flee with Joseph and the Child into Egypt (cf. Mt 2:13-15).
Mary thus helps the Church to realize that life is always at the centre of a great struggle between good and evil, between light and darkness. The dragon wishes to devour "the child brought forth" (cf. Rev 12:4), a figure of Christ, whom Mary brought forth "in the fullness of time" (Gal 4:4) and whom the Church must unceasingly offer to people in every age. But in a way that child is also a figure of every person, every child, especially every helpless baby whose life is threatened, because-as the Council reminds us-"by his Incarnation the Son of God has united himself in some fashion with every person".It is precisely in the "flesh" of every person that Christ continues to reveal himself and to enter into fellowship with us, so that rejection of human life, in whatever form that rejection takes, is really a rejection of Christ. This is the fascinating but also demanding truth which Christ reveals to us and which his Church continues untiringly to proclaim: "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me" (Mt 18:5); "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me" (Mt 25:40).
75. God's commandments teach us the way of life. The negative moral precepts, which declare that the choice of certain actions is morally unacceptable, have an absolute value for human freedom: they are valid always and everywhere, without exception. They make it clear that the choice of certain ways of acting is radically incompatible with the love of God and with the dignity of the person created in his image. Such choices cannot be redeemed by the goodness of any intention or of any consequence; they are irrevocably opposed to the bond between persons; they contradict the fundamental decision to direct one's life to God.
The negative moral precepts have an extremely important positive function. The "no" which they unconditionally require makes clear the absolute limit beneath which free individuals cannot lower themselves. ....The commandments, in particular the negative moral precepts, are the beginning and the first necessary stage of the journey towards freedom.
58. Among all the crimes which can be committed against life, procured abortion has characteristics making it particularly serious and deplorable. The Second Vatican Council defines abortion, together with infanticide, as an "unspeakable crime". But today, in many people's consciences, the perception of its gravity has become progressively obscured. The acceptance of abortion in the popular mind, in behaviour and even in law itself, is a telling sign of an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense, which is becoming more and more incapable of distinguishing between good and evil, even when the fundamental right to life is at stake. Given such a grave situation, we need now more than ever to have the courage to look the truth in the eye and to call things by their proper name, without yielding to convenient compromises or to the temptation of self-deception. In this regard the reproach of the Prophet is extremely straightforward: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness" (Is 5:20). Especially in the case of abortion there is a widespread use of ambiguous terminology, such as "interruption of pregnancy", which tends to hide abortion's true nature and to attenuate its seriousness in public opinion. Perhaps this linguistic phenomenon is itself a symptom of an uneasiness of conscience. But no word has the power to change the reality of things: procured abortion is the deliberate and direct killing, by whatever means it is carried out, of a human being in the initial phase of his or her existence, extending from conception to birth.
The moral gravity of procured abortion is apparent in all its truth if we recognize that we are dealing with murder and, in particular, when we consider the specific elements involved. The one eliminated is a human being at the very beginning of life. No one more absolutely innocent could be imagined. In no way could this human being ever be considered an aggressor, much less an unjust aggressor! He or she is weak, defenceless, even to the point of lacking that minimal form of defence consisting in the poignant power of a newborn baby's cries and tears. The unborn child is totally entrusted to the protection and care of the woman carrying him or her in the womb. And yet sometimes it is precisely the mother herself who makes the decision and asks for the child to be eliminated, and who then goes about having it done.
It is true that the decision to have an abortion is often tragic and painful for the mother, insofar as the decision to rid herself of the fruit of conception is not made for purely selfish reasons or out of convenience, but out of a desire to protect certain important values such as her own health or a decent standard of living for the other members of the family. Sometimes it is feared that the child to be born would live in such conditions that it would be better if the birth did not take place. Nevertheless, these reasons and others like them, however serious and tragic, can never justify the deliberate killing of an innocent human being.
13.It is true that in many cases contraception and even abortion are practised under the pressure of real-life difficulties, which nonetheless can never exonerate from striving to observe God's law fully. Still, in very many other instances such practices are rooted in a hedonistic mentality unwilling to accept responsibility in matters of sexuality, and they imply a self-centered concept of freedom, which regards procreation as an obstacle to personal fulfilment.
95. We need to begin with the renewal of a culture of life within Christian communities themselves. Too often it happens that believers, even those who take an active part in the life of the Church, end up by separating their Christian faith from its ethical requirements concerning life, and thus fall into moral subjectivism and certain objectionable ways of acting. With great openness and courage, we need to question how widespread is the culture of life today among individual Christians, families, groups and communities in our Dioceses.
The full text of this amazing document can be found at http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html
Abortion is a genocide the scale of which is beyond compare. It is estimated that A BILLION people have been killed through abortions in the last 100 years!!! The Malthusians of the world would say that is too small of a number; but the Gandhis of the earth would sharply disagree. Countries like Russia and Romania could have had double or even triple populations had they not been so viciously efficient at suppressing life. Tomorrow's leaders, especially European ones, will be forced by simple demographics and sheer pragmatism to support pro-birth and pro-life policies since they will want to have functioning economies, pensions systems and social peace.
The fight after all is not just against abortion, but against its wider causes. Making it illegal doesn't serve any true purpose. There's no need for doctors and women to go to jail because of it. What are desperately needed are policies which will make birth cheaper and above all, child rearing affordable. I understand that in America birth is an extremely expensive procedure, whilst abortion on demand is free. The huge costs of raising children prevent people both from the developing and the developed world to raise any or more than one child. That is why it is important for policy-makers to have the courage to sustain the economic growth of their countries by protecting and nurturing families. And that includes everything from day-care centers to support for pregnant mothers to easing adoption procedures and above all, it entails job creation and work stability so parents can adequately provide for their children. But as long as most of our leaders bow at the altars of profit, mechanical efficiency and hedonistic enslavement to sin we won't have such measures.
We can however pray that the time will come when people, with God's help and mercy, will create a civilization of authentic peace built on the respect for all life, genuine freedom and true love. We can confidently address Mother Mary in helping us achieve that. The prayer at the end of Evangelium Vitae does that wonderfully.
O Mary,
bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of babies not allowed to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and women
who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel
as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it
resolutely, in order to build,
together with all people of good will,
the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.
Mary's consent at the Annunciation and her motherhood stand at the very beginning of the mystery of life which Christ came to bestow on humanity (cf. Jn 10:10). Through her acceptance and loving care for the life of the Incarnate Word, human life has been rescued from condemnation to final and eternal death. (Evangelium Vitae - Holy John Paul II encyclical - March 25th 1995)
The encyclical published 22 years ago today contains some of the most inspiring and powerful words ever addressed from the Petrine Chair. Its message about "the value and inviolability of human life" was aimed mainly at the "lay faithful and all people of good will". Sadly, its relevance seems to be even greater today than in 1995.
What follows is a most personal and utterly non-random selection of essential fragments from it. In our social media age with character limits and little patience for messages longer than a couple of lines this may prove too long of a read. Also, for those who embrace and cherish our era's misconstrued definitions of freedom it will prove to be disturbing. As Christians though we are called to please God and not men and stand up for truth irrespective of how many or how powerful adversaries the Gospel of Christ may have.
104. The hostility of the powers of evil is, in fact, an insidious opposition which, before affecting the disciples of Jesus, is directed against his mother. To save the life of her Son from those who fear him as a dangerous threat, Mary has to flee with Joseph and the Child into Egypt (cf. Mt 2:13-15).
Mary thus helps the Church to realize that life is always at the centre of a great struggle between good and evil, between light and darkness. The dragon wishes to devour "the child brought forth" (cf. Rev 12:4), a figure of Christ, whom Mary brought forth "in the fullness of time" (Gal 4:4) and whom the Church must unceasingly offer to people in every age. But in a way that child is also a figure of every person, every child, especially every helpless baby whose life is threatened, because-as the Council reminds us-"by his Incarnation the Son of God has united himself in some fashion with every person".It is precisely in the "flesh" of every person that Christ continues to reveal himself and to enter into fellowship with us, so that rejection of human life, in whatever form that rejection takes, is really a rejection of Christ. This is the fascinating but also demanding truth which Christ reveals to us and which his Church continues untiringly to proclaim: "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me" (Mt 18:5); "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me" (Mt 25:40).
75. God's commandments teach us the way of life. The negative moral precepts, which declare that the choice of certain actions is morally unacceptable, have an absolute value for human freedom: they are valid always and everywhere, without exception. They make it clear that the choice of certain ways of acting is radically incompatible with the love of God and with the dignity of the person created in his image. Such choices cannot be redeemed by the goodness of any intention or of any consequence; they are irrevocably opposed to the bond between persons; they contradict the fundamental decision to direct one's life to God.
The negative moral precepts have an extremely important positive function. The "no" which they unconditionally require makes clear the absolute limit beneath which free individuals cannot lower themselves. ....The commandments, in particular the negative moral precepts, are the beginning and the first necessary stage of the journey towards freedom.
58. Among all the crimes which can be committed against life, procured abortion has characteristics making it particularly serious and deplorable. The Second Vatican Council defines abortion, together with infanticide, as an "unspeakable crime". But today, in many people's consciences, the perception of its gravity has become progressively obscured. The acceptance of abortion in the popular mind, in behaviour and even in law itself, is a telling sign of an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense, which is becoming more and more incapable of distinguishing between good and evil, even when the fundamental right to life is at stake. Given such a grave situation, we need now more than ever to have the courage to look the truth in the eye and to call things by their proper name, without yielding to convenient compromises or to the temptation of self-deception. In this regard the reproach of the Prophet is extremely straightforward: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness" (Is 5:20). Especially in the case of abortion there is a widespread use of ambiguous terminology, such as "interruption of pregnancy", which tends to hide abortion's true nature and to attenuate its seriousness in public opinion. Perhaps this linguistic phenomenon is itself a symptom of an uneasiness of conscience. But no word has the power to change the reality of things: procured abortion is the deliberate and direct killing, by whatever means it is carried out, of a human being in the initial phase of his or her existence, extending from conception to birth.
The moral gravity of procured abortion is apparent in all its truth if we recognize that we are dealing with murder and, in particular, when we consider the specific elements involved. The one eliminated is a human being at the very beginning of life. No one more absolutely innocent could be imagined. In no way could this human being ever be considered an aggressor, much less an unjust aggressor! He or she is weak, defenceless, even to the point of lacking that minimal form of defence consisting in the poignant power of a newborn baby's cries and tears. The unborn child is totally entrusted to the protection and care of the woman carrying him or her in the womb. And yet sometimes it is precisely the mother herself who makes the decision and asks for the child to be eliminated, and who then goes about having it done.
It is true that the decision to have an abortion is often tragic and painful for the mother, insofar as the decision to rid herself of the fruit of conception is not made for purely selfish reasons or out of convenience, but out of a desire to protect certain important values such as her own health or a decent standard of living for the other members of the family. Sometimes it is feared that the child to be born would live in such conditions that it would be better if the birth did not take place. Nevertheless, these reasons and others like them, however serious and tragic, can never justify the deliberate killing of an innocent human being.
13.It is true that in many cases contraception and even abortion are practised under the pressure of real-life difficulties, which nonetheless can never exonerate from striving to observe God's law fully. Still, in very many other instances such practices are rooted in a hedonistic mentality unwilling to accept responsibility in matters of sexuality, and they imply a self-centered concept of freedom, which regards procreation as an obstacle to personal fulfilment.
95. We need to begin with the renewal of a culture of life within Christian communities themselves. Too often it happens that believers, even those who take an active part in the life of the Church, end up by separating their Christian faith from its ethical requirements concerning life, and thus fall into moral subjectivism and certain objectionable ways of acting. With great openness and courage, we need to question how widespread is the culture of life today among individual Christians, families, groups and communities in our Dioceses.
The full text of this amazing document can be found at http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html
Abortion is a genocide the scale of which is beyond compare. It is estimated that A BILLION people have been killed through abortions in the last 100 years!!! The Malthusians of the world would say that is too small of a number; but the Gandhis of the earth would sharply disagree. Countries like Russia and Romania could have had double or even triple populations had they not been so viciously efficient at suppressing life. Tomorrow's leaders, especially European ones, will be forced by simple demographics and sheer pragmatism to support pro-birth and pro-life policies since they will want to have functioning economies, pensions systems and social peace.
The fight after all is not just against abortion, but against its wider causes. Making it illegal doesn't serve any true purpose. There's no need for doctors and women to go to jail because of it. What are desperately needed are policies which will make birth cheaper and above all, child rearing affordable. I understand that in America birth is an extremely expensive procedure, whilst abortion on demand is free. The huge costs of raising children prevent people both from the developing and the developed world to raise any or more than one child. That is why it is important for policy-makers to have the courage to sustain the economic growth of their countries by protecting and nurturing families. And that includes everything from day-care centers to support for pregnant mothers to easing adoption procedures and above all, it entails job creation and work stability so parents can adequately provide for their children. But as long as most of our leaders bow at the altars of profit, mechanical efficiency and hedonistic enslavement to sin we won't have such measures.
We can however pray that the time will come when people, with God's help and mercy, will create a civilization of authentic peace built on the respect for all life, genuine freedom and true love. We can confidently address Mother Mary in helping us achieve that. The prayer at the end of Evangelium Vitae does that wonderfully.
O Mary,
bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of babies not allowed to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and women
who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel
as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it
resolutely, in order to build,
together with all people of good will,
the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.
Last edited:
Bad World Tour
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Re: Any Believers in Jesus Christ Here? (Non-debate thread for believers only)
Bad World Tour
Proud Member
- Joined
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For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood;do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26New International Version (NIV)
Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8New International Version (NIV)
Passover 2017 begins Monday evening, April 10, and ends Tuesday evening, April 18
Happy Passover:ciao:
[video=youtube;RGeQNJV4Nyk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGeQNJV4Nyk&t=2m5s[/video]
Bad World Tour
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"The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Pray for our brothers in Egypt and our Muslim cousins so they accept the Son and be saved.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/09/...osion-egypt-coptic-christian-church.html?_r=0
wishing you a safe and Holy week:ciao:
...........
John 12:23;John 3:14-15; Numbers 21:9;John3:16;John3:36;1John 5:13;John 8:36;1 Timothy 1:15Ephesians 2:8-10
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
[video=youtube;9aIDAqKCh3o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aIDAqKCh3o[/video]
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Pray for our brothers in Egypt and our Muslim cousins so they accept the Son and be saved.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/09/...osion-egypt-coptic-christian-church.html?_r=0
wishing you a safe and Holy week:ciao:
...........
John 12:23;John 3:14-15; Numbers 21:9;John3:16;John3:36;1John 5:13;John 8:36;1 Timothy 1:15Ephesians 2:8-10
Antwort
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Today, the Church notes with great sadness Judas' betrayal of the Lord.
Why was there a Judas? To prepare the faithful for apostate bishops – Fr. John Hardon S.J.
That has got to be the single, most eloquent explanation I've come across among a few others. Some of them were quite reasonable (e.g. the apostle's greed, his disappointment in Jesus and the perceived mission) and others yet ever so fanciful they don't even deserve mentioning. But the idea that Judas served as an example and warning for apostasy among the highest of clergymen is most interesting. One thing is certain - there is no room in heaven for the Judases of this world (within or outside the Church), those who are ready and willing to betray Christ for the comforts of this sinful world.
And although wayward shepherds have a far greater responsibility than mere mortals, we also have the duty to not become traitors of Christ. In a sermon I heard on Palm Sunday the priest was saying how we all betray Jesus through our sinning. And indeed that is very true.
Our duty as Christians is to be steadfast as the faithful apostles and quick to appeal to Lord's mercy when we fall, something which Judas didn't do, something which completely and eternally separated him from his former companions and his former master. Peter denied even knowing Christ three times a short few hours after he had promised to lay down his life for Jesus. The rest of the apostles were scattered in the garden as the guards took Jesus. John was the only one the Gospels mention at the foot of the Cross and that may very well be the reason why tradition notes he was the only one among the apostles not martyred. The rest of them all betrayed Christ. But the difference between so many of the apostles and Judas was that they genuinely repented and returned to the Lord rightfully counting on His forgiveness once they acknowledged their sin and refrained from it.
Forgiveness is terribly important in Christianity, but it is vital not just to ask forgiveness from the Lord for the crimes we committed against Him, our brethren and ourselves, but it is also important to offer forgiveness to those who trespassed against us. Earlier in the day I found one of the few wise sayings that I could honestly adhere to and it went something like this - Forgive yourself for the blindness that put you on the path of those who betrayed you. I know from personal experience just how tall and high an order that is, both when it comes to forgiving others and the self, I know all too well that. But it is our duty as Christians to give it our best try and hope that the Lord will supplement with His mercy and His forgiveness what is lacking in us.
Another interesting quote I found online is the next one and it is very much related to this Holy Week and the ways in which we can betray God, ergo sin.
A world increasingly hostile to the proclamation of God's sovereignty and the call to Christian virtues is in dire need of acknowledging sin. Post-modern man would rather pretend there is no God and no divine natural law, rather than recognize his fall. Abstaining from greed, promiscuity, showing faith and hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversities – they have ALWAYS been difficult, excruciatingly difficult tasks. But only the modern and post-modern ages have gone as far as justifying sin and fully embracing it. In the days of old, people were just as corrupt, cruel and vicious as we are today, but at least they recognized the idea they fell short of a moral high ground. Today, we are told there is no higher ground, our inner compass and civil laws are the only behavioral harnesses we have. In previous eras people sinned just as boldly, but at least they admitted it and thus left room for a possible redemption. But in our day and age we are taught there is no such thing as sin, hence no need for repentance and the struggle for improving one's inner and outer life, in any case not in relation to an almighty One whom so many deny in words, actions and omissions.
May the good and loving Lord have mercy on us all and our failures to live up to the Gospel. May He grant us the courage to recognize our sins and help us overcome as many of them as humanly possible. Because, after all......every saint had a past and every sinner has a future.
Why was there a Judas? To prepare the faithful for apostate bishops – Fr. John Hardon S.J.
That has got to be the single, most eloquent explanation I've come across among a few others. Some of them were quite reasonable (e.g. the apostle's greed, his disappointment in Jesus and the perceived mission) and others yet ever so fanciful they don't even deserve mentioning. But the idea that Judas served as an example and warning for apostasy among the highest of clergymen is most interesting. One thing is certain - there is no room in heaven for the Judases of this world (within or outside the Church), those who are ready and willing to betray Christ for the comforts of this sinful world.
And although wayward shepherds have a far greater responsibility than mere mortals, we also have the duty to not become traitors of Christ. In a sermon I heard on Palm Sunday the priest was saying how we all betray Jesus through our sinning. And indeed that is very true.
Our duty as Christians is to be steadfast as the faithful apostles and quick to appeal to Lord's mercy when we fall, something which Judas didn't do, something which completely and eternally separated him from his former companions and his former master. Peter denied even knowing Christ three times a short few hours after he had promised to lay down his life for Jesus. The rest of the apostles were scattered in the garden as the guards took Jesus. John was the only one the Gospels mention at the foot of the Cross and that may very well be the reason why tradition notes he was the only one among the apostles not martyred. The rest of them all betrayed Christ. But the difference between so many of the apostles and Judas was that they genuinely repented and returned to the Lord rightfully counting on His forgiveness once they acknowledged their sin and refrained from it.
Forgiveness is terribly important in Christianity, but it is vital not just to ask forgiveness from the Lord for the crimes we committed against Him, our brethren and ourselves, but it is also important to offer forgiveness to those who trespassed against us. Earlier in the day I found one of the few wise sayings that I could honestly adhere to and it went something like this - Forgive yourself for the blindness that put you on the path of those who betrayed you. I know from personal experience just how tall and high an order that is, both when it comes to forgiving others and the self, I know all too well that. But it is our duty as Christians to give it our best try and hope that the Lord will supplement with His mercy and His forgiveness what is lacking in us.
Another interesting quote I found online is the next one and it is very much related to this Holy Week and the ways in which we can betray God, ergo sin.
A world increasingly hostile to the proclamation of God's sovereignty and the call to Christian virtues is in dire need of acknowledging sin. Post-modern man would rather pretend there is no God and no divine natural law, rather than recognize his fall. Abstaining from greed, promiscuity, showing faith and hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversities – they have ALWAYS been difficult, excruciatingly difficult tasks. But only the modern and post-modern ages have gone as far as justifying sin and fully embracing it. In the days of old, people were just as corrupt, cruel and vicious as we are today, but at least they recognized the idea they fell short of a moral high ground. Today, we are told there is no higher ground, our inner compass and civil laws are the only behavioral harnesses we have. In previous eras people sinned just as boldly, but at least they admitted it and thus left room for a possible redemption. But in our day and age we are taught there is no such thing as sin, hence no need for repentance and the struggle for improving one's inner and outer life, in any case not in relation to an almighty One whom so many deny in words, actions and omissions.
May the good and loving Lord have mercy on us all and our failures to live up to the Gospel. May He grant us the courage to recognize our sins and help us overcome as many of them as humanly possible. Because, after all......every saint had a past and every sinner has a future.
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Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. (Isaiah 53: 1-3 NIV)
4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
[video=youtube;sBX2nPLVnXw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBX2nPLVnXw[/video]
[video=youtube;1sRKHUkW58A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sRKHUkW58A[/video]
http://trappistabbey.org/?page_id=723 - a really interesting series of sculptures for the Way of the Cross
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Maybe Judas had doubts that Yeshua was not the Messiah.
The Roman empire was still there... and King Herod was the King.
But Yeshua is the Messiah ! He is the Torah in the Flesh. Jesus is none other than YHVH-God in the flesh.
.................................................. .................................................. ...
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.Genesis 1:5
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb Luke 24
But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” Genesis 22:11-12
For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.john 3:16
.................................................. .................................................. .....
The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel
And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midstExodus 25:1;8
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.John 1:14
On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” john 2:19
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.John 21:25
“Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”john 20:27-28
[video=youtube;AVTQY6i7pBs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVTQY6i7pBs[/video]
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.1 John 5:20
Revelation 22:20-21
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
The Roman empire was still there... and King Herod was the King.
But Yeshua is the Messiah ! He is the Torah in the Flesh. Jesus is none other than YHVH-God in the flesh.
.................................................. .................................................. ...
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.Genesis 1:5
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb Luke 24
But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” Genesis 22:11-12
For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.john 3:16
.................................................. .................................................. .....
The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel
And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midstExodus 25:1;8
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.John 1:14
On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” john 2:19
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.John 21:25
“Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”john 20:27-28
[video=youtube;AVTQY6i7pBs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVTQY6i7pBs[/video]
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.1 John 5:20
Revelation 22:20-21
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
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[video=youtube;GM4taXRi1xk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM4taXRi1xk [/video]
Very, very powerful indeed. Loved it
And since in the designs of Providence there are no coincidences, on this Easter Sunday the Catholic Church also celebrates one of its greatest theologians ever, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who turns 90 today. May God bless him and keep him and listen to his prayers for the Church and the world.
A man of consciene, is one who never acquires tolerance, well-being, success, public standing, and approval on the part of prevailing opinion, at the expense of truth - Pope Benedict XVI
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ - 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (NIV)
[video=youtube;KDlCFqy7KG4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDlCFqy7KG4[/video]
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Re: Any Believers in Jesus Christ Here? (Non-debate thread for believers only)
What happened after the Pesach?
The story of Jesus did not end with the resurrection! After Jesus was resurrected, he stayed for several days teaching the disciples. Likewise, the story does not end when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. This is just the beginning! Now Jesus wants to teach you and help you grow.
This is a great film to watch after Pesach. Give it a try i know you will enjoy it.
Its from the Jehovah Witness.(I heard they had problems in Russia pray for them)
Shabbat Shalom:ciao:
What happened after the Pesach?
The story of Jesus did not end with the resurrection! After Jesus was resurrected, he stayed for several days teaching the disciples. Likewise, the story does not end when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. This is just the beginning! Now Jesus wants to teach you and help you grow.
This is a great film to watch after Pesach. Give it a try i know you will enjoy it.
Its from the Jehovah Witness.(I heard they had problems in Russia pray for them)
Shabbat Shalom:ciao:
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Feast of Divine Mercy
Absolutely, the Resurrection was only the beginning. Very, very well said. The movie you posted sounds very interesting as well. Will try to watch it soon.
The Gospel today recalls the episode with Apostle Thomas. Our Eastern brothers call this St. Thomas' Sunday. It is the moment which prompted St. Thomas to recognize Christ's resurrection and His divinity and we now borrow his words at every mass during Holy Communion ......My Lord and my God!
It is also known as White Sunday and, above all.................as the feast of Divine Mercy.
May the blood and water which gushed forth from the Sacred Heart of Jesus cleanse us from sin, renew our strength and show us God's infinite goodness and mercy.
Christ's Passion and suffering, His cross and His death were the necessary conditions for man's redemption. But His Resurrection assures us that neither death nor sin have the last word. Love and light do. The sum of our weaknesses and the fury of hell are nothing compared to God's might and His ever faithful love for us.
His is the victory, His is the glory. May His will be done and may His mercy be praised always! Amen
What happened after the Pesach?
The story of Jesus did not end with the resurrection! After Jesus was resurrected, he stayed for several days teaching the disciples. Likewise, the story does not end when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. This is just the beginning! Now Jesus wants to teach you and help you grow.
Absolutely, the Resurrection was only the beginning. Very, very well said. The movie you posted sounds very interesting as well. Will try to watch it soon.
The Gospel today recalls the episode with Apostle Thomas. Our Eastern brothers call this St. Thomas' Sunday. It is the moment which prompted St. Thomas to recognize Christ's resurrection and His divinity and we now borrow his words at every mass during Holy Communion ......My Lord and my God!
It is also known as White Sunday and, above all.................as the feast of Divine Mercy.
May the blood and water which gushed forth from the Sacred Heart of Jesus cleanse us from sin, renew our strength and show us God's infinite goodness and mercy.
Christ's Passion and suffering, His cross and His death were the necessary conditions for man's redemption. But His Resurrection assures us that neither death nor sin have the last word. Love and light do. The sum of our weaknesses and the fury of hell are nothing compared to God's might and His ever faithful love for us.
His is the victory, His is the glory. May His will be done and may His mercy be praised always! Amen
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Re: Any Believers in Jesus Christ Here? (Non-debate thread for believers only)
Love you all :ciao:
Love you all :ciao:
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The youngest non-martyred saints in the Catholic calendar
Mary’s messages to the young children were a warning to all people about leading “a way of life that is godless and indeed profanes God in his creatures. Such a life – frequently proposed and imposed – risks leading to hell. Mary came to remind us that God’s light dwells within us and protects us,” - Pope Francis
An excellent article based exactly on this very idea can be found at
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2017/05/12/fatima-at-100-our-ladys-harrowing-message-of-freedom/
Fatima's true message is not one made of conspiracy theories and doom's day scenarios, nor is it about plastic statues. It is a simple and beautiful call to repentance and submission to God.
May the new saints, Francisco and Jacinta teach us all the miracles of the Rosary, the joyful obedience to God's laws and the loving embrace of His and our Mother. May they also protect children everywhere, especially those most exposed to the dangers of this dark world which seeks to destroy all that is true and pure.
But in spite of sin's overwhelming power, we can rest assured that we have the greatest advocate in Mother Mary and that victory belongs to heaven.
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Ascension of the Lord...
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14
Old testament - God (Father)
Gospel (Matthew to John) - God (Son)
New Testament - God (Holy Spirit)
last book Revelation - all 3 ?
The next Holiday is Shavuot Feast of Weeks or Pentecost next Tuesday May 31.
The word Shavuot means “weeks.” It marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot.
The Torah was given by God to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai on Shavuot more than 3,300 years ago. Every year on the holiday of Shavuot we renew our acceptance of God’s gift, and God “re-gives” the Torah
Shavuot in the New Testament
(see Acts 2)
The giving of the gospel: God’s grace revealed through the Living Word
When the Holy Spirit came to the disciples in tongues of flames and they began speaking other languages, they were preaching the gospel of Jesus to God-fearing Jews who had come to Jerusalem from every nation under heaven to observe Shavuot at the Temple.
One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.Deuteronomy 19:15
But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
Matthew 18:16
I think spiritually is the Torah, Tanakh and B'rit hadashah...
pentateuch . old testament and the New testament...:ciao:
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14
Old testament - God (Father)
Gospel (Matthew to John) - God (Son)
New Testament - God (Holy Spirit)
last book Revelation - all 3 ?
The next Holiday is Shavuot Feast of Weeks or Pentecost next Tuesday May 31.
The word Shavuot means “weeks.” It marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot.
The Torah was given by God to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai on Shavuot more than 3,300 years ago. Every year on the holiday of Shavuot we renew our acceptance of God’s gift, and God “re-gives” the Torah
Shavuot in the New Testament
(see Acts 2)
The giving of the gospel: God’s grace revealed through the Living Word
When the Holy Spirit came to the disciples in tongues of flames and they began speaking other languages, they were preaching the gospel of Jesus to God-fearing Jews who had come to Jerusalem from every nation under heaven to observe Shavuot at the Temple.
One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.Deuteronomy 19:15
But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
Matthew 18:16
I think spiritually is the Torah, Tanakh and B'rit hadashah...
pentateuch . old testament and the New testament...:ciao:
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The octave which begins today is full of important holidays.
Today we celebrate the first and most important mystery in Christendom: the glory and the power, the awe and the reverence due to the Holy Trinity – the source of everything, the fountain of all wisdom, grace and beauty in this world and well beyond it.
Although the Trinity is ineffable and well beyond the capacity of mere mortals to truly grasp and comprehend, even with our finite abilities we do know that the Holy Trinity is the primordial expression of love, the one between the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. It is an infinite love which was externalized through the creation of the universe and the redemption of man in the Paschal mysteries of Christ’s Passion and glorious Resurrection. It is indeed a love which surpasses all understanding.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum….Per ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso, est tibi Deo Patri omnipotenti, in unitate Spiritus Sancti, omnis honor et gloria per omnia saecula saeculorum. (Through Christ our Lord. ….Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.) This truly is the high point of any Catholic mass, when the Holy Eucharist is raised in honor of the Blessed Trinity in remission of sins and assurance of salvation.
On Tuesday, June 13th the Church celebrates he who is probably the most famous of miracle-workers, St. Anthony of Padua.
I know for all of us in MJfam, June 13th holds a very special significance and it is also a feast day – a day when truth and justice won, perhaps the last time when the world heard an essential truth about Michael. At times, I cannot help but wonder if the timing of the verdict in 2005 on St. Anthony’s day wasn’t a mere coincidence….I usually try to stay clear of interpreting events in view of faith because we may end up seeing providential signs even when there aren’t any, but when it comes to the first half of 2005 I cannot help but make several associations. Irrespective of any such connections, I feel honored and blessed to have have witnessed the proclamation of Michael’s innocence in front of the entire world and on St. Anthony’s feast of all days.
And the life of St. Anthony is one of the greatest examples of such a holy existence spent praising the Lord and loving people. Although a son of Portugal, St. Anthony spent much of his time in Italy. Eight centuries after his death, his power and appeal among the faithful is still going strong.
Next Thursday, June 15th we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).
The Eucharist is the pinnacle of sacraments since it represents the new covenant – Christ’s body and blood offered for the salvation of many. And just like Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross two thousand years ago, it is a daily bridge between the sinfulness and fall of man and God’s loving grace and mercy. It is therefore imperative for Christians to treat it with the utmost respect. We are after all in the presence of the living God. In another of Christianity's many wonderful paradoxes, the Eucharist, although a sign of Christ's death actually brings us in presence and the life of the risen Lord. And some of the simplest ways in which to show deference for the holiest of sacraments is by kneeling in front of it and not defile it by receiving it in a state of unrepentant sinfulness.
God is merciful and forgiving, but His mercy extends only to those who recognize their faults, turn to Him for forgiveness and make a sincere commitment to amending their lives. After all, Christ promised salvation only to the thief on His right, whilst to the adulterer He said ”Go and sin no more” after absolving her of sins. Clerics who impart to the masses a misconstrued vision of God’s mercy in which there is no need for repentance are mere populists who care more about worldly approval than the truth of the Gospel and the spiritual well-being of the flock in their care. May God grant them the wisdom and the courage to preach forcefully against all forms of rebellion to Christ and the virtues that He preached and called the world to. And may the Holy Eucharist, preceded by Confession, be a source of constant renewal and purification of the Church.
The feast of Corpus Christi will be marked by processions in cities all over the world coming next Sunday, June 18th. From Poland to Spain to shores of America, Catholics everywhere will be celebrating Christ and His immense love for us.
It is a beautiful tradition which reminds us of the joys of being a Christian. In spite of our sins, weaknesses and many shortcomings, our failures to honor Him and love our human brethren, the Lord, in His infinite mercy loved us so much that He gave His only son to defeat the darkness in the world and bring us to the real and eternal light. We serve and worship an awesome God, the infinite One, the eternal One, full of glory, might and all knowledge, but above all, full of love.
And since His is a true and all-consuming love for us, He expects the same in return. A love which cannot be returned freely, due to one own’s will, is not real love at all. He didn’t want robots, therefore He gave us the ultimate freedom – the one to deny Him and His authority at the peril of our own immortality. In the absence of such a freedom and a choice between good and evil, we couldn’t have known Him and truly loved Him. The suffering in the world, especially that of the innocents, is one of the greatest mysteries which torments humanity, but as C.S. Lewis beautifully put it……
If a thing is free to be good it's also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having (…) Of course God knew what would happen if they used their freedom the wrong way: apparently, He thought it worth the risk. (...) If God thinks this state of war in the universe a price worth paying for free will -that is, for making a real world in which creatures can do real good or harm and something of real importance can happen, instead of a toy world which only moves when He pulls the strings- then we may take it it is worth paying.
May human choices be increasingly in favor of good so His will be done on earth as it is in heaven and may the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and the Holy Spirit be praised always. Amen
Today we celebrate the first and most important mystery in Christendom: the glory and the power, the awe and the reverence due to the Holy Trinity – the source of everything, the fountain of all wisdom, grace and beauty in this world and well beyond it.
Although the Trinity is ineffable and well beyond the capacity of mere mortals to truly grasp and comprehend, even with our finite abilities we do know that the Holy Trinity is the primordial expression of love, the one between the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. It is an infinite love which was externalized through the creation of the universe and the redemption of man in the Paschal mysteries of Christ’s Passion and glorious Resurrection. It is indeed a love which surpasses all understanding.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum….Per ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso, est tibi Deo Patri omnipotenti, in unitate Spiritus Sancti, omnis honor et gloria per omnia saecula saeculorum. (Through Christ our Lord. ….Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.) This truly is the high point of any Catholic mass, when the Holy Eucharist is raised in honor of the Blessed Trinity in remission of sins and assurance of salvation.
On Tuesday, June 13th the Church celebrates he who is probably the most famous of miracle-workers, St. Anthony of Padua.
I know for all of us in MJfam, June 13th holds a very special significance and it is also a feast day – a day when truth and justice won, perhaps the last time when the world heard an essential truth about Michael. At times, I cannot help but wonder if the timing of the verdict in 2005 on St. Anthony’s day wasn’t a mere coincidence….I usually try to stay clear of interpreting events in view of faith because we may end up seeing providential signs even when there aren’t any, but when it comes to the first half of 2005 I cannot help but make several associations. Irrespective of any such connections, I feel honored and blessed to have have witnessed the proclamation of Michael’s innocence in front of the entire world and on St. Anthony’s feast of all days.
And the life of St. Anthony is one of the greatest examples of such a holy existence spent praising the Lord and loving people. Although a son of Portugal, St. Anthony spent much of his time in Italy. Eight centuries after his death, his power and appeal among the faithful is still going strong.
Next Thursday, June 15th we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).
The Eucharist is the pinnacle of sacraments since it represents the new covenant – Christ’s body and blood offered for the salvation of many. And just like Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross two thousand years ago, it is a daily bridge between the sinfulness and fall of man and God’s loving grace and mercy. It is therefore imperative for Christians to treat it with the utmost respect. We are after all in the presence of the living God. In another of Christianity's many wonderful paradoxes, the Eucharist, although a sign of Christ's death actually brings us in presence and the life of the risen Lord. And some of the simplest ways in which to show deference for the holiest of sacraments is by kneeling in front of it and not defile it by receiving it in a state of unrepentant sinfulness.
God is merciful and forgiving, but His mercy extends only to those who recognize their faults, turn to Him for forgiveness and make a sincere commitment to amending their lives. After all, Christ promised salvation only to the thief on His right, whilst to the adulterer He said ”Go and sin no more” after absolving her of sins. Clerics who impart to the masses a misconstrued vision of God’s mercy in which there is no need for repentance are mere populists who care more about worldly approval than the truth of the Gospel and the spiritual well-being of the flock in their care. May God grant them the wisdom and the courage to preach forcefully against all forms of rebellion to Christ and the virtues that He preached and called the world to. And may the Holy Eucharist, preceded by Confession, be a source of constant renewal and purification of the Church.
The feast of Corpus Christi will be marked by processions in cities all over the world coming next Sunday, June 18th. From Poland to Spain to shores of America, Catholics everywhere will be celebrating Christ and His immense love for us.
It is a beautiful tradition which reminds us of the joys of being a Christian. In spite of our sins, weaknesses and many shortcomings, our failures to honor Him and love our human brethren, the Lord, in His infinite mercy loved us so much that He gave His only son to defeat the darkness in the world and bring us to the real and eternal light. We serve and worship an awesome God, the infinite One, the eternal One, full of glory, might and all knowledge, but above all, full of love.
And since His is a true and all-consuming love for us, He expects the same in return. A love which cannot be returned freely, due to one own’s will, is not real love at all. He didn’t want robots, therefore He gave us the ultimate freedom – the one to deny Him and His authority at the peril of our own immortality. In the absence of such a freedom and a choice between good and evil, we couldn’t have known Him and truly loved Him. The suffering in the world, especially that of the innocents, is one of the greatest mysteries which torments humanity, but as C.S. Lewis beautifully put it……
If a thing is free to be good it's also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having (…) Of course God knew what would happen if they used their freedom the wrong way: apparently, He thought it worth the risk. (...) If God thinks this state of war in the universe a price worth paying for free will -that is, for making a real world in which creatures can do real good or harm and something of real importance can happen, instead of a toy world which only moves when He pulls the strings- then we may take it it is worth paying.
May human choices be increasingly in favor of good so His will be done on earth as it is in heaven and may the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and the Holy Spirit be praised always. Amen
Bad World Tour
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Re: Any Believers in Jesus Christ Here? (Non-debate thread for believers only)
It was a Thursday...
Naku Penda Piya
Naku Taka Piya Mpenziwe
Keep the faith:ciao:
It was a Thursday...
Naku Penda Piya
Naku Taka Piya Mpenziwe
Keep the faith:ciao:
GracielaPonchio
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Re: Any Believers in Jesus Christ Here?
Me too ^_^
I'm Catholic, so yes. I believe in Jesus.
Me too ^_^
Antwort
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Today, the Church celebrates the triumphant and glorious Assumption of Holy Mary into heaven. She who faithfully agreed to God’s plan for salvation by clothing in flesh the Word was called into her Son’s kingdom not only in spirit, but in body also.
No other human being compares in magnificience and obedience to God, but her Assumption is a sign of our own hope for resurrection. Now enthroned in heaven above all other creatures, she is our mediator and greatest helper and interceeds with the Holy Trinity on behalf of us, sinners.
May she take us all under her loving protection, especially those most in need of her assistance and God’s mercy – from the ones in agony for whatever terrible reasons to the ones who aren’t even aware they need her maternal care. And may the light of her Assumption be an everlasting reflection of her Son’s glory and power.
Almighty God,
You gave a humble Virgin
the privilege of being
mother of your Son,
and crowned her
with the glory of heaven.
May the prayers of the Virgin Mary
bring us to the salvation of Christ
and raise us up to eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
For our Eastern brothers, the feast is called the Dormition of the Mother of God.
(tone 1)By the royal command of God,
the divinely inspired apostles are caught up
from over all the world into the clouds on high.
(tone 5) Reaching thy immaculate body,
the source of Life, they salute it with mighty honour.
(tone 2) The highest powers of heaven
stood by with their own Master.
(tone 6) Seized with dread
they accompany thy inviolate body that had held God,
and they went on high before thee, crying, unseen,
to the hierarchies above:
'Lo, the Queen of all, the Maid of God, is nigh.'
(tone 3) Open wide the gates and receive above the world
the Mother of the everlasting Light.
(tone 7) For through her the salvation of all mankind has come.
We have not the strength to look upon her,
and are unable to render honours worthy of her,
(tone 4) for her excellence is past all understanding.
(tone 8) Therefore, O most pure Theotokos,
who livest forever with Thy Son, the King Who brings life,
pray without ceasing that thy newborn people
be guarded on every side and saved from all adverse assault:
for we are under thy protection,
(tone 1) and we bless thee in beauty and light unto all ages.
O Blessed Virgin Mary,
united to the victorious Christ in heaven,
you are the image and first-flowering of the Church
as she is to be perfected in the world to come.
You shine forth as a sign of sure hope and solace
for the pilgrim People of God.
In your Assumption,
you manifest the fullness of redemption
and appear as the spotless image of the Church
responding in joy
to the invitation of the Bridegroom, your Son,
who is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Grant that we may follow your example on earth
thereby imitating your Son as well
and being enabled to share your glory,
with Him for all eternity.
No other human being compares in magnificience and obedience to God, but her Assumption is a sign of our own hope for resurrection. Now enthroned in heaven above all other creatures, she is our mediator and greatest helper and interceeds with the Holy Trinity on behalf of us, sinners.
May she take us all under her loving protection, especially those most in need of her assistance and God’s mercy – from the ones in agony for whatever terrible reasons to the ones who aren’t even aware they need her maternal care. And may the light of her Assumption be an everlasting reflection of her Son’s glory and power.
Almighty God,
You gave a humble Virgin
the privilege of being
mother of your Son,
and crowned her
with the glory of heaven.
May the prayers of the Virgin Mary
bring us to the salvation of Christ
and raise us up to eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
For our Eastern brothers, the feast is called the Dormition of the Mother of God.
(tone 1)By the royal command of God,
the divinely inspired apostles are caught up
from over all the world into the clouds on high.
(tone 5) Reaching thy immaculate body,
the source of Life, they salute it with mighty honour.
(tone 2) The highest powers of heaven
stood by with their own Master.
(tone 6) Seized with dread
they accompany thy inviolate body that had held God,
and they went on high before thee, crying, unseen,
to the hierarchies above:
'Lo, the Queen of all, the Maid of God, is nigh.'
(tone 3) Open wide the gates and receive above the world
the Mother of the everlasting Light.
(tone 7) For through her the salvation of all mankind has come.
We have not the strength to look upon her,
and are unable to render honours worthy of her,
(tone 4) for her excellence is past all understanding.
(tone 8) Therefore, O most pure Theotokos,
who livest forever with Thy Son, the King Who brings life,
pray without ceasing that thy newborn people
be guarded on every side and saved from all adverse assault:
for we are under thy protection,
(tone 1) and we bless thee in beauty and light unto all ages.
O Blessed Virgin Mary,
united to the victorious Christ in heaven,
you are the image and first-flowering of the Church
as she is to be perfected in the world to come.
You shine forth as a sign of sure hope and solace
for the pilgrim People of God.
In your Assumption,
you manifest the fullness of redemption
and appear as the spotless image of the Church
responding in joy
to the invitation of the Bridegroom, your Son,
who is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Grant that we may follow your example on earth
thereby imitating your Son as well
and being enabled to share your glory,
with Him for all eternity.
Bad World Tour
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Re: Any Believers in Jesus Christ Here? (Non-debate thread for believers only)
Bible dating tipsraying
Bible dating tips
raying
Antwort
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Nativity of the Mother of God
If in August we celebrated Mother Mary's Ascension, now we celebrate her wondrous birth. The Mother of God also had a mother of her own, St. Anne, but unlike her divine Son, she also had a human father, St. Joachim.
Thanks for the post above BWT. I remember talkin' to you about Paul Washer last year. He truly is awesome, isn't he? From the videos I've discovered of him, I loved most his ardent love for Christ - the man is bursting with zeal and passion for the Lord. His love for God and devotion is obvious and most genuine. Not only that, but he provides a credible and poignant example through his own life experience, especially his physical struggles and his missionary past in Latin America. I also admire him (and anyone else, for that matter) who is bold and steadfast enough in their defense of Christian values, especially when it comes to family and the moral issues surrounding it. Their testimony is nothing short of brave and extraordinary in such a morally-confused world as the one we live in.
If in August we celebrated Mother Mary's Ascension, now we celebrate her wondrous birth. The Mother of God also had a mother of her own, St. Anne, but unlike her divine Son, she also had a human father, St. Joachim.
Thanks for the post above BWT. I remember talkin' to you about Paul Washer last year. He truly is awesome, isn't he? From the videos I've discovered of him, I loved most his ardent love for Christ - the man is bursting with zeal and passion for the Lord. His love for God and devotion is obvious and most genuine. Not only that, but he provides a credible and poignant example through his own life experience, especially his physical struggles and his missionary past in Latin America. I also admire him (and anyone else, for that matter) who is bold and steadfast enough in their defense of Christian values, especially when it comes to family and the moral issues surrounding it. Their testimony is nothing short of brave and extraordinary in such a morally-confused world as the one we live in.
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Bad World Tour
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@Girl
Hi sister ! Yes you introduce me that brother and i check it out thanks.
Ill check today one of his teachings - How to be a man (Biblical Manhood)
................................................................................................................
Just want to share some verses for you to meditate keep the faith brothers.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6:4
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
I and the Father are one. John 10:30
one = in hebrew is ’e·ḥāḏ or אֶחָֽד׃
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance 259. echad meaning = united, i.e. One, alike, altogether, together
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3
Hi sister ! Yes you introduce me that brother and i check it out thanks.
Ill check today one of his teachings - How to be a man (Biblical Manhood)
................................................................................................................
Just want to share some verses for you to meditate keep the faith brothers.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6:4
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
I and the Father are one. John 10:30
one = in hebrew is ’e·ḥāḏ or אֶחָֽד׃
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance 259. echad meaning = united, i.e. One, alike, altogether, together
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3
Antwort
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Re: Any Believers in Jesus Christ Here? (Non-debate thread for believers only)
I'm very glad that you discovered Paul Washer's sermons BWT. Another thing I like very much about him is his boldness in addressing sin. He is unafraid of telling people highly uncomfortable things, doesn't provide easy answers and false mercies. I think his preaching is very much in tune with the following messages:
There is nothing remotely merciful in accommodating people in their sin, shielding them from truth, while telling them what they want to hear. Many people perceive God's laws as burdensome entrapments, aimed at reducing freedom and enjoyment. But in reality, they are the only means through which humans can be truly free. Submission to God and His commandments doesn't enslave us, but makes us genuinely free - free to be the dignified creatures God made us, creatures with eternal souls called to much higher and nobler realities than the ones offered by the cheap illusions of our day and age. However, such ideas are sheer lunacy to many people. Christian values are indeed dissonant with a world which highlights self-assertion and profit at all costs, hedonism and the denial of any other reality beyond the observable one. However countercultral they may be, they still must be testified.
Too busy focusing on ourselves and not His Majesty just came to mind, whilst listening to Shout on the radio just now.
Thankfully, there are bright pockets of authentic Christianity all over the world, clergy and laity of many different denominations who strive to lead a coherent life in accord with the demands of the Gospel and for the glory of the Holy Trinity. Paul Washer and the people he reaches are such a group. May their numbers increase, but above all, may they persevere in their fervor and faithfulness to Christ!
I'm very glad that you discovered Paul Washer's sermons BWT. Another thing I like very much about him is his boldness in addressing sin. He is unafraid of telling people highly uncomfortable things, doesn't provide easy answers and false mercies. I think his preaching is very much in tune with the following messages:
There is nothing remotely merciful in accommodating people in their sin, shielding them from truth, while telling them what they want to hear. Many people perceive God's laws as burdensome entrapments, aimed at reducing freedom and enjoyment. But in reality, they are the only means through which humans can be truly free. Submission to God and His commandments doesn't enslave us, but makes us genuinely free - free to be the dignified creatures God made us, creatures with eternal souls called to much higher and nobler realities than the ones offered by the cheap illusions of our day and age. However, such ideas are sheer lunacy to many people. Christian values are indeed dissonant with a world which highlights self-assertion and profit at all costs, hedonism and the denial of any other reality beyond the observable one. However countercultral they may be, they still must be testified.
Too busy focusing on ourselves and not His Majesty just came to mind, whilst listening to Shout on the radio just now.
Thankfully, there are bright pockets of authentic Christianity all over the world, clergy and laity of many different denominations who strive to lead a coherent life in accord with the demands of the Gospel and for the glory of the Holy Trinity. Paul Washer and the people he reaches are such a group. May their numbers increase, but above all, may they persevere in their fervor and faithfulness to Christ!
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Bad World Tour
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I think he speaks Spanish and Portuguese so it would be cool to meet him one day my "engirsh" is meh
I check him out, He is on twitter and Facebook if anyone of you are interested is good you can learn with him.
I agree with you but hey sometimes is hard to manage the "sword" (word of God) i must admit i myself "cut some ears" instead of healing.
You can´t dilute/attenuate the Truth to please everybody.
Paul washer:" You learn and Live instead of You Live and Learn".
Hey by the way next Wednesday is Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets).
If i found out something "cool" about that ill share with you´all
In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:18
(i heard the news about the hurricane)
Keep the faith
my "engirsh" is mehI check him out, He is on twitter and Facebook if anyone of you are interested is good you can learn with him.
I agree with you but hey sometimes is hard to manage the "sword" (word of God) i must admit i myself "cut some ears" instead of healing.
You can´t dilute/attenuate the Truth to please everybody.
Paul washer:" You learn and Live instead of You Live and Learn".
Hey by the way next Wednesday is Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets).
If i found out something "cool" about that ill share with you´all
In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:18
(i heard the news about the hurricane)
Keep the faith
Bad World Tour
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Re: Any Believers in Jesus Christ Here? (Non-debate thread for believers only)
Shabbat Shalom folks !
https://www.museumofthebible.org/#
Keep the faith.
Shabbat Shalom folks !
https://www.museumofthebible.org/#
Keep the faith.
Bad World Tour
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Tonight is the night !
[video=youtube;q5A3NLI3h8s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5A3NLI3h8s[/video]
Luke 22:19
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
[video=youtube;q5A3NLI3h8s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5A3NLI3h8s[/video]