If you head over to the Ratzinger Fan Club website blog, http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/blog/index.html, they have a fascinating collection of reactions to Pope Benedict's recent encyclical "Deus Charitas Est."
The main part of the website contains a wealth of information about the former Cardinal Ratzinger. There are a number of helpful links to some of his past writings, as well as some pretty cool merchandise.
So check it out! Know your Pope!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Reflection on this Sunday's Readings
The King's Authority
Readings
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-91
Corinthians 7:32-35
Mark 1:21-28
Last week, Jesus announced the kingdom of God is at hand. This week, in mighty words and deeds, He exercises His dominion - asserting royal authority over the ruler of this world, Satan (see John 12:31).Notice that today's events take place on the sabbath. The sabbath was to be an everlasting sign -both of God's covenant love for His creation (see Exodus 20:8-11; 31:12-17), and His deliverance of his covenant people, Israel, from slavery (see Deuteronomy 6:12-15).
On this sabbath, Jesus signals a new creation - that the Holy One has come to purify His people and deliver the world from evil."With an unclean spirit" is biblical language for a man possessed by a demon, Satan being the prince of demons (see Mark 3:22). The demons' question: "What have you to do with us?" is often used in Old Testament scenes of combat and judgment (see Judges 11:12; 1 Kings 17:18). And as God by His word "rebuked" the forces of chaos in creating the world (see Psalms 104:7; Job 26:10-12), and again rebuked the Red Sea so the Israelites could make their exodus (see Psalm 106:9), Mark uses the same word to describe Jesus rebuking the demons (see Mark 4:39; Zechariah 3:2).
Jesus is the prophet foretold by Moses in today's First Reading (see Acts 3:22). Though He has authority over heaven and earth (see Daniel 7:14,27; Revelation 12:10), He becomes one of our own kinsmen. He comes to rebuke the forces of evil and chaos - not only in the world, but in our lives. He wants to make us holy in body and spirit, as Paul says in today's Epistle (see Exodus 31:12). In this liturgy, we hear His voice and "see" His works, as we sing in today's Psalm. And as Moses tells us today, we should listen to Him.
@St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: www.salvationhistory.com
Readings
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-91
Corinthians 7:32-35
Mark 1:21-28
Last week, Jesus announced the kingdom of God is at hand. This week, in mighty words and deeds, He exercises His dominion - asserting royal authority over the ruler of this world, Satan (see John 12:31).Notice that today's events take place on the sabbath. The sabbath was to be an everlasting sign -both of God's covenant love for His creation (see Exodus 20:8-11; 31:12-17), and His deliverance of his covenant people, Israel, from slavery (see Deuteronomy 6:12-15).
On this sabbath, Jesus signals a new creation - that the Holy One has come to purify His people and deliver the world from evil."With an unclean spirit" is biblical language for a man possessed by a demon, Satan being the prince of demons (see Mark 3:22). The demons' question: "What have you to do with us?" is often used in Old Testament scenes of combat and judgment (see Judges 11:12; 1 Kings 17:18). And as God by His word "rebuked" the forces of chaos in creating the world (see Psalms 104:7; Job 26:10-12), and again rebuked the Red Sea so the Israelites could make their exodus (see Psalm 106:9), Mark uses the same word to describe Jesus rebuking the demons (see Mark 4:39; Zechariah 3:2).
Jesus is the prophet foretold by Moses in today's First Reading (see Acts 3:22). Though He has authority over heaven and earth (see Daniel 7:14,27; Revelation 12:10), He becomes one of our own kinsmen. He comes to rebuke the forces of evil and chaos - not only in the world, but in our lives. He wants to make us holy in body and spirit, as Paul says in today's Epistle (see Exodus 31:12). In this liturgy, we hear His voice and "see" His works, as we sing in today's Psalm. And as Moses tells us today, we should listen to Him.
@St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: www.salvationhistory.com
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
DEUS CARITAS EST (Pope's 1st Encyclical!)
1. “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 Jn 4:16). These words from the First Letter of John express with remarkable clarity the heart of the Christian faith: the Christian image of God and the resulting image of mankind and its destiny. In the same verse, Saint John also offers a kind of summary of the Christian life: “We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us”.
We have come to believe in God's love: in these words the Christian can express the fundamental decision of his life. Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. Saint John's Gospel describes that event in these words: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should ... have eternal life” (3:16). In acknowledging the centrality of love, Christian faith has retained the core of Israel's faith, while at the same time giving it new depth and breadth......
To read the entire document, goto: http://www.zenit.org/english/
I will report on what I think about it later today or tomorrow after I am able to read it a few times.
We have come to believe in God's love: in these words the Christian can express the fundamental decision of his life. Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. Saint John's Gospel describes that event in these words: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should ... have eternal life” (3:16). In acknowledging the centrality of love, Christian faith has retained the core of Israel's faith, while at the same time giving it new depth and breadth......
To read the entire document, goto: http://www.zenit.org/english/
I will report on what I think about it later today or tomorrow after I am able to read it a few times.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
USCCB Top Films of 2005
NEW YORK (January 23, 2006) -
www.usccb.org
The Chronicles of Narnia, based on the C.S. Lewis classic, and Crash, a searing study of racial prejudice, stand among the top 10 films of 2005 hailed by the U.S. Bishops' Office for Film and Broadcasting. The Office also listed top 10 family films of 2005. "There were some wonderful movies this year that presented a strong and clear moral vision even as some dealt with adult themes," said Harry Forbes, director of the Film and Broadcasting Office. "While much on theater screens is reprehensible, it is important to acknowledge those outstanding pictures from Hollywood and abroad that not only exhibit high artistic merit, but also reflect gospel values." Below are the films in alphabetical order with the classification from the Film and Broadcasting Office and their rating from the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America):
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, captivating live-action fantasy adventure based on C.S. Lewis' beloved children's classic set in World War II-era England about four siblings' adventures in the enchanted realm of Narnia. Seeded with Christian symbolism and subtext, the beautifully told and faithful adaptation explores themes of good and evil. A-II (PG)
Cinderella Man, moving true-life story of Depression-era boxer Jimmy Braddock who - after several years out of the ring - took up fighting again to support his loving wife and their three young children, making a miracle comeback. The human story of Jimmy's devotion to his family is paramount. A-III (PG-13)
Crash, powerful drama with a strong moral center about a disparate, racially mixed group of Los Angeles residents whose lives intersect in unlikely and redemptive ways. A transcendently moving essay on the benevolence that may lie beneath racial intolerance, and the interconnectedness of human beings, showing how good and bad can coexist in all of us, and how the former generally prevails. L (R)
Dear Frankie, heartwarming film set in Scotland about a loving single mother who pretends to her 9-year-old deaf son Frankie that his father - who m the boy has never seen -simply away at sea, and forges letters purporting to be from the absent father, then pays a stranger to pose as the father for a day. A beautifully written story that is immensely appealing, sensitively acted, and sure to bring a lump to the throat. A-III (PG-13)
The Greatest Game Ever Played, absorbing and inspiring true-life story of a young amateur working-class golfer, Francis Ouimet, who played against British golf champion Harry Vardon in the 1913 U.S. Open. The themes of class conflict, overcoming the odds, loyalty, and good sportsmanship are vividly drawn. A-I (PG)
Millions, disarming fable about 7-year-old enthralled by the lives of the saints, who finds a stash of stolen money and, believing it is from God, tries to do good with it by giving it to the poor. There are delightful vignettes in which the young hero talks with various saints, and the modest film touches on themes of the corrupting influence of money, and humanity's basic decency. A-II (PG)
The Ninth Day, quietly arresting drama about an interned Catholic priest who is given nine days to convince the staunchly anti-Nazi bishop to sign a letter supporting Hitler. Based on the prison diaries of Father Jean Bernard, the film is an emotionally forceful and morally complex meditation on faith, redemption and the cost of true discipleship. A-III (Not Rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.)
North Country, compelling drama set in northern Minnesota about a struggling single mother who takes a job at a local mine, encountering hostility and abuse from the predominantly male ranks, eventually filing a landmark sexual harassment lawsuit against the mining company. Touching on issues of gender discrimination, justice, family, community and human dignity, the film's highlight is a tender scene with strong pro-life undertones. L (R)
An Unfinished Life, absorbing story of an embittered Wyoming rancher who takes care of a ranch hand badly mauled by a bear, and gives shelter to his son's widow and the 11-year-old granddaughter he never knew he had, when the woman flees her abusive boyfriend. The film vividly conveys an admirable message about forgiveness and letting go of the past. A-III (PG-13)
The Upside of Anger, profoundly moving comedy-drama set in a Detroit suburb about an embittered wife deserted by her husband who finds healing with a burned-out DJ who becomes a surrogate father to her four daughters. A sharply observant spin on the nature of anger, which intercuts the story with clips of hatred's ramifications on a global scale, and imparts a strong moral about the destructive nature of misplaced animosity. L (R)
I must say that I have only seen The Chronicles of Narnia out of this list of ten. I enjoyed the film quite a bit, although I didn't think it was on the same level as the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Perhaps that is an unfair comparison? Maybe. Of the remaining nine films, I think I am going to try to see the Ninth Day and Cinderella Man. Both look quite good, and I have heard good things about them.
Reading this list made me wonder why I don't go see as many movies as I once did. What I realized is that there are two primary reasons for this. First, movies have become soooo expensive to go to these days. Most places charge eight dollars at least for a ticket, and then if you want a bag of popcorn larger than ziplock bag you have to dish out five more dollars. Then if you want a bag of M&M's you will pay 2 dollars and a Coke is 4 dollars. Eh???? You know, I find that the best deal at a movie theater these days are the nachos....but I digress.
The second reason I go fewer times to the movie theater is that I find so many of the movies that are made to be predictable and uninspiring. I mean, how many remakes can they make of old TV shows like The Dukes of Hazzard and Bewitched....and that is only to name two! Also, the films that are "original" are actually so predictable. Each film has the basic plotline of impending doom, betrayal, some sort of "romantic" triangle, and the typical "everything turns out OK" ending. Of course if you don't like that type of movie, then you can go see one of the numerous slasher movies, like Saw or Hostel, that make the Roman Collisseum look like child day care.
Often these days I find myself watching the Turner Classic Movie station because they show movies with actual dialogue between characters. Yes, they actaully develop the characters in the movie! I was flipping through the TV stations one night and watched the Song of Bernadette on Turner Classic. That was nice! I also saw The Quiet Man with John Wayne, although I think that might have been on AMC.
The point is that for every good movie made, there are probably 8-10 terrible movies being produced.
www.usccb.org
The Chronicles of Narnia, based on the C.S. Lewis classic, and Crash, a searing study of racial prejudice, stand among the top 10 films of 2005 hailed by the U.S. Bishops' Office for Film and Broadcasting. The Office also listed top 10 family films of 2005. "There were some wonderful movies this year that presented a strong and clear moral vision even as some dealt with adult themes," said Harry Forbes, director of the Film and Broadcasting Office. "While much on theater screens is reprehensible, it is important to acknowledge those outstanding pictures from Hollywood and abroad that not only exhibit high artistic merit, but also reflect gospel values." Below are the films in alphabetical order with the classification from the Film and Broadcasting Office and their rating from the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America):
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, captivating live-action fantasy adventure based on C.S. Lewis' beloved children's classic set in World War II-era England about four siblings' adventures in the enchanted realm of Narnia. Seeded with Christian symbolism and subtext, the beautifully told and faithful adaptation explores themes of good and evil. A-II (PG)
Cinderella Man, moving true-life story of Depression-era boxer Jimmy Braddock who - after several years out of the ring - took up fighting again to support his loving wife and their three young children, making a miracle comeback. The human story of Jimmy's devotion to his family is paramount. A-III (PG-13)
Crash, powerful drama with a strong moral center about a disparate, racially mixed group of Los Angeles residents whose lives intersect in unlikely and redemptive ways. A transcendently moving essay on the benevolence that may lie beneath racial intolerance, and the interconnectedness of human beings, showing how good and bad can coexist in all of us, and how the former generally prevails. L (R)
Dear Frankie, heartwarming film set in Scotland about a loving single mother who pretends to her 9-year-old deaf son Frankie that his father - who m the boy has never seen -simply away at sea, and forges letters purporting to be from the absent father, then pays a stranger to pose as the father for a day. A beautifully written story that is immensely appealing, sensitively acted, and sure to bring a lump to the throat. A-III (PG-13)
The Greatest Game Ever Played, absorbing and inspiring true-life story of a young amateur working-class golfer, Francis Ouimet, who played against British golf champion Harry Vardon in the 1913 U.S. Open. The themes of class conflict, overcoming the odds, loyalty, and good sportsmanship are vividly drawn. A-I (PG)
Millions, disarming fable about 7-year-old enthralled by the lives of the saints, who finds a stash of stolen money and, believing it is from God, tries to do good with it by giving it to the poor. There are delightful vignettes in which the young hero talks with various saints, and the modest film touches on themes of the corrupting influence of money, and humanity's basic decency. A-II (PG)
The Ninth Day, quietly arresting drama about an interned Catholic priest who is given nine days to convince the staunchly anti-Nazi bishop to sign a letter supporting Hitler. Based on the prison diaries of Father Jean Bernard, the film is an emotionally forceful and morally complex meditation on faith, redemption and the cost of true discipleship. A-III (Not Rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.)
North Country, compelling drama set in northern Minnesota about a struggling single mother who takes a job at a local mine, encountering hostility and abuse from the predominantly male ranks, eventually filing a landmark sexual harassment lawsuit against the mining company. Touching on issues of gender discrimination, justice, family, community and human dignity, the film's highlight is a tender scene with strong pro-life undertones. L (R)
An Unfinished Life, absorbing story of an embittered Wyoming rancher who takes care of a ranch hand badly mauled by a bear, and gives shelter to his son's widow and the 11-year-old granddaughter he never knew he had, when the woman flees her abusive boyfriend. The film vividly conveys an admirable message about forgiveness and letting go of the past. A-III (PG-13)
The Upside of Anger, profoundly moving comedy-drama set in a Detroit suburb about an embittered wife deserted by her husband who finds healing with a burned-out DJ who becomes a surrogate father to her four daughters. A sharply observant spin on the nature of anger, which intercuts the story with clips of hatred's ramifications on a global scale, and imparts a strong moral about the destructive nature of misplaced animosity. L (R)
I must say that I have only seen The Chronicles of Narnia out of this list of ten. I enjoyed the film quite a bit, although I didn't think it was on the same level as the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Perhaps that is an unfair comparison? Maybe. Of the remaining nine films, I think I am going to try to see the Ninth Day and Cinderella Man. Both look quite good, and I have heard good things about them.
Reading this list made me wonder why I don't go see as many movies as I once did. What I realized is that there are two primary reasons for this. First, movies have become soooo expensive to go to these days. Most places charge eight dollars at least for a ticket, and then if you want a bag of popcorn larger than ziplock bag you have to dish out five more dollars. Then if you want a bag of M&M's you will pay 2 dollars and a Coke is 4 dollars. Eh???? You know, I find that the best deal at a movie theater these days are the nachos....but I digress.
The second reason I go fewer times to the movie theater is that I find so many of the movies that are made to be predictable and uninspiring. I mean, how many remakes can they make of old TV shows like The Dukes of Hazzard and Bewitched....and that is only to name two! Also, the films that are "original" are actually so predictable. Each film has the basic plotline of impending doom, betrayal, some sort of "romantic" triangle, and the typical "everything turns out OK" ending. Of course if you don't like that type of movie, then you can go see one of the numerous slasher movies, like Saw or Hostel, that make the Roman Collisseum look like child day care.
Often these days I find myself watching the Turner Classic Movie station because they show movies with actual dialogue between characters. Yes, they actaully develop the characters in the movie! I was flipping through the TV stations one night and watched the Song of Bernadette on Turner Classic. That was nice! I also saw The Quiet Man with John Wayne, although I think that might have been on AMC.
The point is that for every good movie made, there are probably 8-10 terrible movies being produced.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Saturday's West Coast Walk for Life
"Success" is a difficult word to use when you're talking about something like the West Coast Walk for Life. What counts as "success"?
If people show up? Well, then the 2006 Walk for Life was a "success" because people showed up. It looked as if there were at least twice as many prolifers as last year. Which means something like 14,000 or 15,000 walkers.
Is it "success" when you make the papers? Well, the 2006 Walk for Life did that, too. Here is a link to the Walk for Life page with links to some of the news coverage.
Ultimately, "success" in such matters is measured according Mother Teresa's maxim about God not calling us to be successful, but faithful. The only "success" that counts is fidelity. Judging from the fervent prayers, peaceful witness, and overall charitable atmosphere of the prolifer walkers, fidelity abounded at the event.
Mission accomplished.
From Ignatius Press Weblog: http://insightscoop.typepad.com/
I think it is a wonderful testimony to see so many young people involved in the Pro-Life movement. Watching the March for Life in Washington today, the number of young people (16-39) is just staggering. Seeing the growth in this movement is very inspirational! It reminds us that there is always hope in the young. Let us continue to pray for all those who have been victims of abortions, as well as the mothers and those who procure abortions. All of them are in need of our prayers!
Prayer to End Abortion
Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life, And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.
I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion, Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by the Resurrection of Your Son.
I am ready to do my part in ending abortion. Today I commit myself Never to be silent, Never to be passive, Never to be forgetful of the unborn.
I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement, And never to stop defending life Until all my brothers and sisters are protected, And our nation once again becomes A nation with liberty and justice Not just for some, but for all.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen!
If people show up? Well, then the 2006 Walk for Life was a "success" because people showed up. It looked as if there were at least twice as many prolifers as last year. Which means something like 14,000 or 15,000 walkers.
Is it "success" when you make the papers? Well, the 2006 Walk for Life did that, too. Here is a link to the Walk for Life page with links to some of the news coverage.
Ultimately, "success" in such matters is measured according Mother Teresa's maxim about God not calling us to be successful, but faithful. The only "success" that counts is fidelity. Judging from the fervent prayers, peaceful witness, and overall charitable atmosphere of the prolifer walkers, fidelity abounded at the event.
Mission accomplished.
From Ignatius Press Weblog: http://insightscoop.typepad.com/
I think it is a wonderful testimony to see so many young people involved in the Pro-Life movement. Watching the March for Life in Washington today, the number of young people (16-39) is just staggering. Seeing the growth in this movement is very inspirational! It reminds us that there is always hope in the young. Let us continue to pray for all those who have been victims of abortions, as well as the mothers and those who procure abortions. All of them are in need of our prayers!
Prayer to End Abortion
Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life, And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.
I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion, Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by the Resurrection of Your Son.
I am ready to do my part in ending abortion. Today I commit myself Never to be silent, Never to be passive, Never to be forgetful of the unborn.
I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement, And never to stop defending life Until all my brothers and sisters are protected, And our nation once again becomes A nation with liberty and justice Not just for some, but for all.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Reflection on this Sunday's Readings
Following Him
Readings
Jonah 3:1-5,10
Psalm 25:4-91
Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
The calling of the brothers in today's Gospel evokes Elisha's commissioning by the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 19:19-21). As Elijah comes upon Elisha working on his family's farm, so Jesus sees the brothers working by the seaside. And as Elisha left his mother and father to follow Elijah, so the brothers leave their father to come after Jesus. Jesus' promise - to make them "fishers of men" - evokes Israel's deepest hopes. The prophet Jeremiah announced a new exodus in which God would send "many fishermen" to restore the Israelites from exile, as once He brought them out of slavery in Egypt (see Jeremiah 16:14-16).
By Jesus' cross and resurrection, this new exodus has begun (see Luke 9:31). And the apostles are the first of a new people of God, the Church - a new family, based not on blood ties, but on belief in Jesus and a desire to do the Father's will (see John 1:12-13; Matthew 12:46-50). From now on, even our most important worldly concerns - family relations, occupations, and possessions - must be judged in light of the gospel, Paul says in today's Epistle. The first word of Jesus' gospel - repent - means we must totally change our way of thinking and living, turning from evil, doing all for the love of God. And we should be consoled by Nineveh's repentance in today's First Reading. Even the wicked Nineveh could repent at Jonah's preaching. And in Jesus we have a greater than Jonah (see Matthew 12:41). We have God come as our savior, to show sinners the way, as we sing in today's Psalm.
This should give us hope - that loved ones who remain far from God will find compassion if they turn to Him. But we, too, must continue along the path of repentance - striving daily to pattern our lives after His.
@ St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology www.salvationhistory.com
Readings
Jonah 3:1-5,10
Psalm 25:4-91
Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
The calling of the brothers in today's Gospel evokes Elisha's commissioning by the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 19:19-21). As Elijah comes upon Elisha working on his family's farm, so Jesus sees the brothers working by the seaside. And as Elisha left his mother and father to follow Elijah, so the brothers leave their father to come after Jesus. Jesus' promise - to make them "fishers of men" - evokes Israel's deepest hopes. The prophet Jeremiah announced a new exodus in which God would send "many fishermen" to restore the Israelites from exile, as once He brought them out of slavery in Egypt (see Jeremiah 16:14-16).
By Jesus' cross and resurrection, this new exodus has begun (see Luke 9:31). And the apostles are the first of a new people of God, the Church - a new family, based not on blood ties, but on belief in Jesus and a desire to do the Father's will (see John 1:12-13; Matthew 12:46-50). From now on, even our most important worldly concerns - family relations, occupations, and possessions - must be judged in light of the gospel, Paul says in today's Epistle. The first word of Jesus' gospel - repent - means we must totally change our way of thinking and living, turning from evil, doing all for the love of God. And we should be consoled by Nineveh's repentance in today's First Reading. Even the wicked Nineveh could repent at Jonah's preaching. And in Jesus we have a greater than Jonah (see Matthew 12:41). We have God come as our savior, to show sinners the way, as we sing in today's Psalm.
This should give us hope - that loved ones who remain far from God will find compassion if they turn to Him. But we, too, must continue along the path of repentance - striving daily to pattern our lives after His.
@ St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology www.salvationhistory.com
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Priest Must Prove in Court Jesus Christ Did Exist
ROME -- Lawyers for a small-town parish priest have been ordered to appear in court next week after the Roman Catholic cleric was accused of unlawfully asserting what many people take for granted: that Jesus Christ existed.
The Rev. Enrico Righi was named in a 2002 complaint filed by Luigi Cascioli after Righi wrote in a parish bulletin that Jesus did indeed exist, and that he was born of a couple named Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem and lived in Nazareth.
Cascioli, a lifelong atheist, claims that Righi violated two Italian laws by making the assertion: so-called "abuse of popular belief" in which someone fraudulently deceives people; and "impersonation" in which someone gains by attributing a false name to someone.
Cascioli says that for 2,000 years the Roman Catholic Church has been deceiving people by furthering the fable that Christ existed, and says the church has been gaining financially by impersonating as Christ someone by the name of John of Gamala, the son of Judas from Gamala......
for the rest of the story go to http://www.clickondetroit.com/family/6280637/detail.html
That kind of messes with the whole creed thing we say on Sundays.......I beleive in one lord, John of Gamala. Hmmm...... I am always amazed by how much publicity this kind of negative portrayal of Christianity gets......strike that.....actually I am not surprised. I mean, how often are we spoon fed the "work" of such groups like the Jesus Seminar who continually try to undercut 2000 years of Christian belief by asserting that Jesus was a wandering sage or that the Gospels only contain a few quotes directly from Jesus. Well, there will obviously be more stories like this in the future, particularly when the Duh Vinci Code comes out in theaters later this year. (And yes I meant duh!)
The Rev. Enrico Righi was named in a 2002 complaint filed by Luigi Cascioli after Righi wrote in a parish bulletin that Jesus did indeed exist, and that he was born of a couple named Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem and lived in Nazareth.
Cascioli, a lifelong atheist, claims that Righi violated two Italian laws by making the assertion: so-called "abuse of popular belief" in which someone fraudulently deceives people; and "impersonation" in which someone gains by attributing a false name to someone.
Cascioli says that for 2,000 years the Roman Catholic Church has been deceiving people by furthering the fable that Christ existed, and says the church has been gaining financially by impersonating as Christ someone by the name of John of Gamala, the son of Judas from Gamala......
for the rest of the story go to http://www.clickondetroit.com/family/6280637/detail.html
That kind of messes with the whole creed thing we say on Sundays.......I beleive in one lord, John of Gamala. Hmmm...... I am always amazed by how much publicity this kind of negative portrayal of Christianity gets......strike that.....actually I am not surprised. I mean, how often are we spoon fed the "work" of such groups like the Jesus Seminar who continually try to undercut 2000 years of Christian belief by asserting that Jesus was a wandering sage or that the Gospels only contain a few quotes directly from Jesus. Well, there will obviously be more stories like this in the future, particularly when the Duh Vinci Code comes out in theaters later this year. (And yes I meant duh!)
Friday, January 20, 2006
Fears for whale in River Thames
LONDON, England -- Fears are growing among marine experts after what is believed to be a Northern Bottle-nosed Whale was spotted swimming in the River Thames in the heart of London.
One whale rescuer, Tony Martin, said that such whales were normally only found in very deep water and would require a specialist rescue operation. "This is a unique experience. Northern Bottle-nosed Whales are normally only found in very deep water so the fact it's here probably means it's ill. This is going to take a number of boats and organization to coax it back into deeper water," Martin told Sky News on Friday. "This is not going to be an easy job."
Another expert from the Natural History Museum, Richard Sabin, told the Press Association it was the first sighting of the species in the Thames since records began in 1913, he said.
Police boats tracked the whale, which is between 5 and 8 meters (15 to 24 feet) in length, as it cautiously circled near the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, moving gradually upstream, and television news helicopters hovered above.
A second whale was also spotted further east, nearer the mouth of the river, in Southend, TV news stations reported.
In central London, three men waded into the river when the whale beached near the landmark Battersea Power Station. They splashed the water to make it swim away and punched the air in celebration as it moved off. Blood appeared to be coming from its body.
Peter Evans of the Sea Watch foundation said the creature was either sick, had become disorientated or had simply got lost chasing fish. "It can dive to 3,000 metres and stay submerged for an hour. It will only come into such shallow waters if it is ill. But in doing so it is committing suicide."
"Sighting of things like Porpoises in the estuary have become more frequent in the past five years -- indicating that fish have become more abundant which in turn shows how much cleaner the river is than it used to be," he told Reuters.....
Story continues at www.cnn.com
One whale rescuer, Tony Martin, said that such whales were normally only found in very deep water and would require a specialist rescue operation. "This is a unique experience. Northern Bottle-nosed Whales are normally only found in very deep water so the fact it's here probably means it's ill. This is going to take a number of boats and organization to coax it back into deeper water," Martin told Sky News on Friday. "This is not going to be an easy job."
Another expert from the Natural History Museum, Richard Sabin, told the Press Association it was the first sighting of the species in the Thames since records began in 1913, he said.
Police boats tracked the whale, which is between 5 and 8 meters (15 to 24 feet) in length, as it cautiously circled near the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, moving gradually upstream, and television news helicopters hovered above.
A second whale was also spotted further east, nearer the mouth of the river, in Southend, TV news stations reported.
In central London, three men waded into the river when the whale beached near the landmark Battersea Power Station. They splashed the water to make it swim away and punched the air in celebration as it moved off. Blood appeared to be coming from its body.
Peter Evans of the Sea Watch foundation said the creature was either sick, had become disorientated or had simply got lost chasing fish. "It can dive to 3,000 metres and stay submerged for an hour. It will only come into such shallow waters if it is ill. But in doing so it is committing suicide."
"Sighting of things like Porpoises in the estuary have become more frequent in the past five years -- indicating that fish have become more abundant which in turn shows how much cleaner the river is than it used to be," he told Reuters.....
Story continues at www.cnn.com
Kind of a sad story here out of London. Although, it made me wonder if there has ever been a sightings of a whale in the Detroit River? My guess would be no, probably because it would never make it past Lake Erie.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
New Encyclical January 25!
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 18, 2006 (Zenit.org).-
At the end of this today's general audience, Benedict XVI announced the publication of his first encyclical, which is entitled "Deus Caritas Est" (God Is Love). Below is a translation of the Pope's statement. * * *
In this connection and with these sentiments, next Wednesday, January 25, feast of the conversion of the Apostle to the Gentiles, I shall follow in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls to pray with Orthodox and Protestant brothers: to pray in thanksgiving for what the Lord has granted us; to pray that the Lord may guide us on the paths of unity. On that same day, January 25, moreover, my first encyclical will finally be published, the title of which is already known, "Deus Caritas Est," "God Is Love."
The topic is not directly ecumenical, but the framework and background are ecumenical, as God and our love are the condition for the unity of Christians. They are the condition for peace in the world. With this encyclical I would like to show the concept of love in its different dimensions. Today, in the terminology that it is known, "love" often seems something very remote from what a Christian thinks when he speaks of charity. I would like to show that it is one movement with different dimensions. The "eros," the gift of love between man and woman, comes from the same source of the Creator's goodness, as well as the possibility of a love that denies itself in favor of the other. The "eros" is transformed in "agape" in the measure in which the two really love one another and one no longer seeks oneself, one's enjoyment, one's happiness, but seeks above all the good of the other. In this way, the "eros" is transformed in charity, in a path of purification, of deepening. From one's family one opens wide to the larger family of society, to the family of the Church, to the family of the world. I also try to show that the totally personal act that comes to us from God is a unique act of love. It must also be expressed as an ecclesial, organizational act. If it is really true that the Church is the expression of God's love, of that love that God has for his human creature, it must also be true that the fundamental act of faith, which creates and unites the Church and gives us the hope of eternal life and of the presence of God in the world, engenders an ecclesial act. In other words, the Church, including as Church, as community, must love in an institutional manner. And this "Caritas" is not a mere organization, as other philanthropic organizations, but a necessary expression of the profound act of personal love with the God who has created us, awakening in our hearts the thrust to love, reflection of God-Love, that his image makes us. Time has passed before the text was ready and translated. Now the fact that it will be published precisely on the day in which we pray for the unity of Christians seems a gift of Providence. I hope it might illuminate and help our Christian life.
[Translation by ZENIT]
At the end of this today's general audience, Benedict XVI announced the publication of his first encyclical, which is entitled "Deus Caritas Est" (God Is Love). Below is a translation of the Pope's statement. * * *
In this connection and with these sentiments, next Wednesday, January 25, feast of the conversion of the Apostle to the Gentiles, I shall follow in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls to pray with Orthodox and Protestant brothers: to pray in thanksgiving for what the Lord has granted us; to pray that the Lord may guide us on the paths of unity. On that same day, January 25, moreover, my first encyclical will finally be published, the title of which is already known, "Deus Caritas Est," "God Is Love."
The topic is not directly ecumenical, but the framework and background are ecumenical, as God and our love are the condition for the unity of Christians. They are the condition for peace in the world. With this encyclical I would like to show the concept of love in its different dimensions. Today, in the terminology that it is known, "love" often seems something very remote from what a Christian thinks when he speaks of charity. I would like to show that it is one movement with different dimensions. The "eros," the gift of love between man and woman, comes from the same source of the Creator's goodness, as well as the possibility of a love that denies itself in favor of the other. The "eros" is transformed in "agape" in the measure in which the two really love one another and one no longer seeks oneself, one's enjoyment, one's happiness, but seeks above all the good of the other. In this way, the "eros" is transformed in charity, in a path of purification, of deepening. From one's family one opens wide to the larger family of society, to the family of the Church, to the family of the world. I also try to show that the totally personal act that comes to us from God is a unique act of love. It must also be expressed as an ecclesial, organizational act. If it is really true that the Church is the expression of God's love, of that love that God has for his human creature, it must also be true that the fundamental act of faith, which creates and unites the Church and gives us the hope of eternal life and of the presence of God in the world, engenders an ecclesial act. In other words, the Church, including as Church, as community, must love in an institutional manner. And this "Caritas" is not a mere organization, as other philanthropic organizations, but a necessary expression of the profound act of personal love with the God who has created us, awakening in our hearts the thrust to love, reflection of God-Love, that his image makes us. Time has passed before the text was ready and translated. Now the fact that it will be published precisely on the day in which we pray for the unity of Christians seems a gift of Providence. I hope it might illuminate and help our Christian life.
[Translation by ZENIT]
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Lions set to name Marinelli coach
via: ESPN.com news services
Rod Marinelli was nearing an agreement with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday night to become their new head coach, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported.
The Lions and Marinelli were finalizing contact details Wednesday evening. The Lions scheduled a news conference for Thursday morning but did not provide any other details.
Marinelli spent the past 10 seasons in Tampa Bay as defensive line coach. His unit helped establish an NFL record with 69 straight games with at least one sack from 1999 to 2003. He had the title of assistant head coach added in 2002.
He has not been a head coach at any level but attracted interest from at least one other team with an opening this offseason. The Oakland Raiders interviewed Marinelli on Monday and then he traveled to suburban Detroit for a second interview with Lions president Matt Millen.
Former New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett said he was scheduled to travel from his home in Louisiana to Michigan on Wednesday night for a second interview. But on Wednesday evening, he told the AP he had not heard from the Lions about his travel arrangements or his prospects for the job.
Unlike Millen's first two coaching searches, he took his time and interviewed several candidates. Millen hired Marty Mornhinweg quickly in 2001, hoping Cleveland wouldn't hire him. Two years later, Millen hired Steve Mariucci with such haste that he was fined $200,000 by the NFL because he didn't follow the league's minority interview policy.
Marinelli's coaching career began in 1973 as an assistant at Rosemead (Calif.) High School. He was an assistant at Utah State from 1973-82 before moving on to California for nine seasons, Arizona State for three seasons and Southern California for one season.
He went to Tampa Bay in 1996 and was the defensive line coach for six seasons. The past four seasons, he also had the title of assistant head coach.
My first reaction to this little bit of local Detroit sports news, and yes every once and a while there will be a sports post, is who? My second thought was hmmm.....same old Lions. I mean, in the next few weeks we will hear the pros and cons of this new coach. "He doesn't have any head coaching experience" or "He is a defensive coach and our biggest need is on offense." But, ultimately it means nothing! Those of us who watch a little sports here in Detroit know that the Lions are doomed to fail. We are basically the Chicago Cubs East in regards to the Lions. "Our lovable loosers!" But there is always hope right? A squirrel finds a nut every once in a while right? Right?
Rod Marinelli was nearing an agreement with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday night to become their new head coach, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported.
The Lions and Marinelli were finalizing contact details Wednesday evening. The Lions scheduled a news conference for Thursday morning but did not provide any other details.
Marinelli spent the past 10 seasons in Tampa Bay as defensive line coach. His unit helped establish an NFL record with 69 straight games with at least one sack from 1999 to 2003. He had the title of assistant head coach added in 2002.
He has not been a head coach at any level but attracted interest from at least one other team with an opening this offseason. The Oakland Raiders interviewed Marinelli on Monday and then he traveled to suburban Detroit for a second interview with Lions president Matt Millen.
Former New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett said he was scheduled to travel from his home in Louisiana to Michigan on Wednesday night for a second interview. But on Wednesday evening, he told the AP he had not heard from the Lions about his travel arrangements or his prospects for the job.
Unlike Millen's first two coaching searches, he took his time and interviewed several candidates. Millen hired Marty Mornhinweg quickly in 2001, hoping Cleveland wouldn't hire him. Two years later, Millen hired Steve Mariucci with such haste that he was fined $200,000 by the NFL because he didn't follow the league's minority interview policy.
Marinelli's coaching career began in 1973 as an assistant at Rosemead (Calif.) High School. He was an assistant at Utah State from 1973-82 before moving on to California for nine seasons, Arizona State for three seasons and Southern California for one season.
He went to Tampa Bay in 1996 and was the defensive line coach for six seasons. The past four seasons, he also had the title of assistant head coach.
My first reaction to this little bit of local Detroit sports news, and yes every once and a while there will be a sports post, is who? My second thought was hmmm.....same old Lions. I mean, in the next few weeks we will hear the pros and cons of this new coach. "He doesn't have any head coaching experience" or "He is a defensive coach and our biggest need is on offense." But, ultimately it means nothing! Those of us who watch a little sports here in Detroit know that the Lions are doomed to fail. We are basically the Chicago Cubs East in regards to the Lions. "Our lovable loosers!" But there is always hope right? A squirrel finds a nut every once in a while right? Right?
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Biblical Reflection on this Sunday's Mass Readings
Hearing the Call
Readings
1 Samuel 3:3-10,19
Psalm 40:2,4,7-101
Corinthians 6:13-15,17-20
John 1:35-42
In the call of Samuel and the first Apostles, today's Readings shed light on our own calling to be followers of Christ.Notice in the Gospel today that John's disciples are prepared to hear God's call. They are already looking for the Messiah, so they trust in John's word and follow when he points out the Lamb of God walking by. Samuel is also waiting on the Lord - sleeping near the Ark of the Covenant where God's glory dwells, taking instruction from Eli, the high priest. Samuel listened to God's word and the Lord was with him. And Samuel, through his word, turned all Israel to the Lord (see 1 Samuel 3:21; 7:2-3).
The disciples too, heard and followed - words we hear repeatedly in today's Gospel. They stayed with the Lord and by their testimony brought others to the Lord. These scenes from salvation history should give us strength to embrace God's will and to follow His call in our lives.God is constantly calling to each of us - personally, by name (see Isaiah 43:1; John 10:3). He wants us to seek Him in love, to long for His word (see Wisdom 6:11-12). We must desire always, as the apostles did, to stay where the Lord stays, to constantly seek His face (see Psalm 42:2). For we are not our own, but belong to the Lord, as Paul says in today's Epistle. We must have ears open to obedience, and write His word within our hearts.
We must trust in the Lord's promise - that if we come to Him in faith, He will abide with us (see John 15:14; 14:21-23), and raise us by His power. And we must reflect in our lives the love He has shown us, so that others too may find the Messiah.As we renew our vows of discipleship in this Eucharist, let us approach the altar singing the new song of today's Psalm: "Behold I come . . . to do your will O God."
Copyright: St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology (www.salvationhistory.com)
Readings
1 Samuel 3:3-10,19
Psalm 40:2,4,7-101
Corinthians 6:13-15,17-20
John 1:35-42
In the call of Samuel and the first Apostles, today's Readings shed light on our own calling to be followers of Christ.Notice in the Gospel today that John's disciples are prepared to hear God's call. They are already looking for the Messiah, so they trust in John's word and follow when he points out the Lamb of God walking by. Samuel is also waiting on the Lord - sleeping near the Ark of the Covenant where God's glory dwells, taking instruction from Eli, the high priest. Samuel listened to God's word and the Lord was with him. And Samuel, through his word, turned all Israel to the Lord (see 1 Samuel 3:21; 7:2-3).
The disciples too, heard and followed - words we hear repeatedly in today's Gospel. They stayed with the Lord and by their testimony brought others to the Lord. These scenes from salvation history should give us strength to embrace God's will and to follow His call in our lives.God is constantly calling to each of us - personally, by name (see Isaiah 43:1; John 10:3). He wants us to seek Him in love, to long for His word (see Wisdom 6:11-12). We must desire always, as the apostles did, to stay where the Lord stays, to constantly seek His face (see Psalm 42:2). For we are not our own, but belong to the Lord, as Paul says in today's Epistle. We must have ears open to obedience, and write His word within our hearts.
We must trust in the Lord's promise - that if we come to Him in faith, He will abide with us (see John 15:14; 14:21-23), and raise us by His power. And we must reflect in our lives the love He has shown us, so that others too may find the Messiah.As we renew our vows of discipleship in this Eucharist, let us approach the altar singing the new song of today's Psalm: "Behold I come . . . to do your will O God."
Copyright: St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology (www.salvationhistory.com)
Friday, January 13, 2006
"Da Vinci Code" -- A Blessing for Opus Dei?
ROME, JAN. 12, 2006 (Zenit.org).-
The forthcoming film "The Da Vinci Code" might not be so bad for Opus Dei after all. For the first time, in this interview, a representative of the "evil one of the film" -- the Opus Dei prelature -- offers his view on this production, which Sony-Columbia will release in May. Marc Carroggio, who oversees Opus Dei's relationship with the international media, told ZENIT that interest about the book and the film "is turning out to be a sort of indirect publicity for us." Carroggio added that, given the existence of the movie, there will be no fight against anyone. An effort is being made to take advantage of the great interest aroused to propose the figure of Jesus Christ, he stressed.
Q: What do you most dislike about the book and now the movie?
Carroggio: I realize that fiction has its own rules and you shouldn't take it too seriously, but like any Christian I dislike the frivolous way the book plays with the life of Jesus Christ. Moreover, scripts like this demonize a particular group. It presents the Catholic Church as a band of criminals who for 2,000 years has tried to hide a huge lie. Although the story is absurd and at times somewhat humorous, it produces a hateful image of the institution and it is well known that hateful images like this produce feelings of hatred in those who lack a critical sense. I don't think we need more caricatures of any religion. We should all be working for harmony, tolerance and understanding. You cannot be seeking peace with your left hand while you are beating people over the head with your right.
Q: Opus Dei does not usually give official responses to events. Will there be an exception for the "Da Vinci Code" movie?
Carroggio: Some people are waiting for a "declaration of war" from the Catholic Church and from Opus Dei. This might interest those who are marketing the movie -- you know, a big fight in public. But I can assure you that Opus Dei's only response will be a declaration of peace. No one is going to make threats or organize boycotts or anything like that. We would have been happy if the producer, Sony-Columbia, had given us some sign that they would respect us. I would call their response so far "polite but noncommittal," with little indication that they intend to respect religious beliefs.
Q: How do you think the members of Opus Dei will react to the movie?
Carroggio: The reaction of the members of Opus Dei, like that of many other Christians, will be to "use the lemon to make lemonade." Actually this event gives us a wonderful chance to talk about Jesus Christ. After all, it is the figure of Jesus Christ that explains, to a large degree, the popularity of the book. The novel is essentially parasitical: The author makes a name for himself by attacking a major cultural figure, and he presents it as art. If the plot did not center on Jesus Christ, the book would lose its appeal. I think that the best response is simply to help people to know Jesus Christ. I suspect that in the coming year, many people will be moved to read the Gospels or a book about the life of Jesus Christ. They will be drawn to consider the great themes of faith, which give light to the most difficult questions of human existence. For me, these are all ways of turning the lemon into lemonade.
Q: In a certain way, Dan Brown has made Opus Dei more fashionable and given you an opportunity to explain yourselves. Have you noticed an increase in numbers of people seeking information?
Carroggio: Undoubtedly. In the last year, in just the United States, more than a million persons have visited our Web site [www.opusdei.org] and this is primarily due to interest generated by "The Da Vinci Code." So we are receiving a sort of indirect publicity. This reminds me of what used to happen in the former Communist countries. If an official organ published an article against the Church - at times attacking Opus Dei as well - we would receive secret messages from individuals who would read the article "backward." They would conclude that if Opus Dei was being criticized by people who criticized the Catholic Church, then Opus Dei must be interesting. Something similar is occurring with "The Da Vinci Code." We have already made quite a bit of lemonade with the book and, God willing, we hope the movie only increases production. We will try to give out as much information as possible and will be completely open and available: The doors are open. We would like to offer anyone who wants it the chance to know about Opus Dei firsthand. This, by the way, is something that seemed to interest neither the author of the book nor the producer of the movie.
Q: Are you going to take legal action against the movie?
Carroggio: I would be surprised if that happened. Of course there are more than enough reasons. Suppose a movie revealed that Sony-Columbia was not what we had always thought but was a secret group of assassins run by the Mafia, but included a disclaimer that it was just fiction. Somehow I doubt their lawyers would be satisfied. I am sure they would threaten a suit. Still, legal action is like an icon of institutional conflict. It would be "Opus Dei vs. Sony-Columbia." To me that just sounds almost surreal. As I said earlier, the only thing Opus Dei is going to do is to make a declaration of peace. It takes two to fight and in this case we lack a quorum. But there are members of Opus Dei in 60 countries. Some of them, with others, run centers that train farmers and young people who can't find work. They also run hospitals in underprivileged areas. All these activities depend financially on the help of many donors. Obviously the novel and movie could make their fund raising more difficult. For this reason, it would not surprise me if some of these organizations thought about seeking damages.
Q: Is Opus Dei going to advise its members not to see the movie? Or would it prefer that they be aware of the negative perception of Opus Dei in some circles?
Carroggio: Members of Opus Dei are adults. We are not going to advise them either way. An interesting question is whether this movie should be only for adults. Any adult with a minimum of education can distinguish reality from fiction. But when history is manipulated, you cannot expect a child to make proper judgments. Merely adding a disclaimer that says "Fiction" is not enough. Just as we protect children from explicit sex and violence, it would seem to make sense to protect them from violence that is more subtle and thus more insidious. I think it is reasonable to be concerned about this question. Besides thinking about profits, one should also think about possible negative influences on the young. As I said earlier, this is not the time for sowing disharmony among persons, nations and religions, but rather understanding.
It will be interesting to see the reaction and reviews by the "media" once this movie is released. I wonder how those who bashed "The Passion of the Christ" will react to this movie, which is based on Dan Brown's not only ant-Christian but anti-Catholic novel. Now some may say "Hey, don't get so worked up over a movie or a fictional book." But there are too many people in this country who get their education and ideas about Christ and His Church from movies and novels. (Actually a lot of Catholics learn about their faith this way!) So, we need to make sure that we are prepared for the release of this film. As St. Peter said, "Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15)." We need to be ready to respond to the many false statements that will be made about Our Lord. So, now is the time to prepare ourselves. (Actually this should remind all of us that we always need to be learning the endless riches of our faith!) Keep in mind Pier Giorgio who said, "We, who by the grace of God are Catholics...must steel ourselves for the battle we shall certianly have to fight to fulfill our program and give our country, in the the not too distant future, happier days and a morally healthy society." Praise be to Jesus Christ!
The forthcoming film "The Da Vinci Code" might not be so bad for Opus Dei after all. For the first time, in this interview, a representative of the "evil one of the film" -- the Opus Dei prelature -- offers his view on this production, which Sony-Columbia will release in May. Marc Carroggio, who oversees Opus Dei's relationship with the international media, told ZENIT that interest about the book and the film "is turning out to be a sort of indirect publicity for us." Carroggio added that, given the existence of the movie, there will be no fight against anyone. An effort is being made to take advantage of the great interest aroused to propose the figure of Jesus Christ, he stressed.
Q: What do you most dislike about the book and now the movie?
Carroggio: I realize that fiction has its own rules and you shouldn't take it too seriously, but like any Christian I dislike the frivolous way the book plays with the life of Jesus Christ. Moreover, scripts like this demonize a particular group. It presents the Catholic Church as a band of criminals who for 2,000 years has tried to hide a huge lie. Although the story is absurd and at times somewhat humorous, it produces a hateful image of the institution and it is well known that hateful images like this produce feelings of hatred in those who lack a critical sense. I don't think we need more caricatures of any religion. We should all be working for harmony, tolerance and understanding. You cannot be seeking peace with your left hand while you are beating people over the head with your right.
Q: Opus Dei does not usually give official responses to events. Will there be an exception for the "Da Vinci Code" movie?
Carroggio: Some people are waiting for a "declaration of war" from the Catholic Church and from Opus Dei. This might interest those who are marketing the movie -- you know, a big fight in public. But I can assure you that Opus Dei's only response will be a declaration of peace. No one is going to make threats or organize boycotts or anything like that. We would have been happy if the producer, Sony-Columbia, had given us some sign that they would respect us. I would call their response so far "polite but noncommittal," with little indication that they intend to respect religious beliefs.
Q: How do you think the members of Opus Dei will react to the movie?
Carroggio: The reaction of the members of Opus Dei, like that of many other Christians, will be to "use the lemon to make lemonade." Actually this event gives us a wonderful chance to talk about Jesus Christ. After all, it is the figure of Jesus Christ that explains, to a large degree, the popularity of the book. The novel is essentially parasitical: The author makes a name for himself by attacking a major cultural figure, and he presents it as art. If the plot did not center on Jesus Christ, the book would lose its appeal. I think that the best response is simply to help people to know Jesus Christ. I suspect that in the coming year, many people will be moved to read the Gospels or a book about the life of Jesus Christ. They will be drawn to consider the great themes of faith, which give light to the most difficult questions of human existence. For me, these are all ways of turning the lemon into lemonade.
Q: In a certain way, Dan Brown has made Opus Dei more fashionable and given you an opportunity to explain yourselves. Have you noticed an increase in numbers of people seeking information?
Carroggio: Undoubtedly. In the last year, in just the United States, more than a million persons have visited our Web site [www.opusdei.org] and this is primarily due to interest generated by "The Da Vinci Code." So we are receiving a sort of indirect publicity. This reminds me of what used to happen in the former Communist countries. If an official organ published an article against the Church - at times attacking Opus Dei as well - we would receive secret messages from individuals who would read the article "backward." They would conclude that if Opus Dei was being criticized by people who criticized the Catholic Church, then Opus Dei must be interesting. Something similar is occurring with "The Da Vinci Code." We have already made quite a bit of lemonade with the book and, God willing, we hope the movie only increases production. We will try to give out as much information as possible and will be completely open and available: The doors are open. We would like to offer anyone who wants it the chance to know about Opus Dei firsthand. This, by the way, is something that seemed to interest neither the author of the book nor the producer of the movie.
Q: Are you going to take legal action against the movie?
Carroggio: I would be surprised if that happened. Of course there are more than enough reasons. Suppose a movie revealed that Sony-Columbia was not what we had always thought but was a secret group of assassins run by the Mafia, but included a disclaimer that it was just fiction. Somehow I doubt their lawyers would be satisfied. I am sure they would threaten a suit. Still, legal action is like an icon of institutional conflict. It would be "Opus Dei vs. Sony-Columbia." To me that just sounds almost surreal. As I said earlier, the only thing Opus Dei is going to do is to make a declaration of peace. It takes two to fight and in this case we lack a quorum. But there are members of Opus Dei in 60 countries. Some of them, with others, run centers that train farmers and young people who can't find work. They also run hospitals in underprivileged areas. All these activities depend financially on the help of many donors. Obviously the novel and movie could make their fund raising more difficult. For this reason, it would not surprise me if some of these organizations thought about seeking damages.
Q: Is Opus Dei going to advise its members not to see the movie? Or would it prefer that they be aware of the negative perception of Opus Dei in some circles?
Carroggio: Members of Opus Dei are adults. We are not going to advise them either way. An interesting question is whether this movie should be only for adults. Any adult with a minimum of education can distinguish reality from fiction. But when history is manipulated, you cannot expect a child to make proper judgments. Merely adding a disclaimer that says "Fiction" is not enough. Just as we protect children from explicit sex and violence, it would seem to make sense to protect them from violence that is more subtle and thus more insidious. I think it is reasonable to be concerned about this question. Besides thinking about profits, one should also think about possible negative influences on the young. As I said earlier, this is not the time for sowing disharmony among persons, nations and religions, but rather understanding.
It will be interesting to see the reaction and reviews by the "media" once this movie is released. I wonder how those who bashed "The Passion of the Christ" will react to this movie, which is based on Dan Brown's not only ant-Christian but anti-Catholic novel. Now some may say "Hey, don't get so worked up over a movie or a fictional book." But there are too many people in this country who get their education and ideas about Christ and His Church from movies and novels. (Actually a lot of Catholics learn about their faith this way!) So, we need to make sure that we are prepared for the release of this film. As St. Peter said, "Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15)." We need to be ready to respond to the many false statements that will be made about Our Lord. So, now is the time to prepare ourselves. (Actually this should remind all of us that we always need to be learning the endless riches of our faith!) Keep in mind Pier Giorgio who said, "We, who by the grace of God are Catholics...must steel ourselves for the battle we shall certianly have to fight to fulfill our program and give our country, in the the not too distant future, happier days and a morally healthy society." Praise be to Jesus Christ!
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Pope's 1st Encyclical Due January 25?
Rome, Jan. 11 (CWNews.com) -
The first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) will be published on January 25, reports the Italian weekly Famiglia Cristiana.
The Vatican has not yet announced a date for the appearance of the encyclical, and several previous reports-- such as one story predicting that the Pope's letter would be released on January 6-- have already proven inaccurate. But Famiglia Cristiana lends extra weight to its report by promising readers that the full text of the encyclical will be printed in the magazine on January 25. Famiglia Cristiana offers a toll-free number for Italian pastors to call if they wish to order bulk deliveries of that special edition.
The encyclical, entitled Deus Caritas Est ("God Is Love"), was officially signed by Pope Benedict on Christmas day. Two days earlier the director of the Vatican press office, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, had told reporters that the document would be released in January. He did not specify a date, except to say that it would be after the feast of the Epiphany, which was observed in Italy on January 6.
Some Vatican-watchers remain uncertain about the publication date predicted by Famiglia Cristiana. The Pontifical Council Cor Unum will be holding a seminar January 23 and 24, to discuss the charitable work of the Church. Since that is a theme of the encyclical-- and since Pope Benedict reportedly asked for detailed information from Cor Unum as he drafted the document-- it might seem appropriate to have copies of the papal letter on hand during the seminar. That would require an earlier publication date.
On the other hand, some informed sources report that the Secretariat of State, which is charged with the responsibility for publishing the papal document, has encountered problems with the translation. Those problems could explain the delay in producing the encyclical, which was originally drafted in German, then translated into an official Latin version, to be subsequently rendered into several other languages in time for the release date.
If Pope Benedict XVI follows the pattern set by Pope John Paul II (bio - news), the publication of the encyclical will be accompanied by a news conference at the Vatican, which would be announced several days in advance. Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, the president of Cor Unum, would be a likely candidate to help introduce the encyclical, perhaps along with the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop William Levada.
Deus Caritas Est is reportedly a document of about 40 pages. By tradition a papal encyclical takes its title from the first words of the text; thus it appears that the Pope begins with a quote from the Epistle of St. John (4:8). The document is said to be a deeply theological meditation on the centrality of Christ, divine love and human love; but the text also speaks at length about the concrete expression of love in charitable action.
The first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) will be published on January 25, reports the Italian weekly Famiglia Cristiana.
The Vatican has not yet announced a date for the appearance of the encyclical, and several previous reports-- such as one story predicting that the Pope's letter would be released on January 6-- have already proven inaccurate. But Famiglia Cristiana lends extra weight to its report by promising readers that the full text of the encyclical will be printed in the magazine on January 25. Famiglia Cristiana offers a toll-free number for Italian pastors to call if they wish to order bulk deliveries of that special edition.
The encyclical, entitled Deus Caritas Est ("God Is Love"), was officially signed by Pope Benedict on Christmas day. Two days earlier the director of the Vatican press office, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, had told reporters that the document would be released in January. He did not specify a date, except to say that it would be after the feast of the Epiphany, which was observed in Italy on January 6.
Some Vatican-watchers remain uncertain about the publication date predicted by Famiglia Cristiana. The Pontifical Council Cor Unum will be holding a seminar January 23 and 24, to discuss the charitable work of the Church. Since that is a theme of the encyclical-- and since Pope Benedict reportedly asked for detailed information from Cor Unum as he drafted the document-- it might seem appropriate to have copies of the papal letter on hand during the seminar. That would require an earlier publication date.
On the other hand, some informed sources report that the Secretariat of State, which is charged with the responsibility for publishing the papal document, has encountered problems with the translation. Those problems could explain the delay in producing the encyclical, which was originally drafted in German, then translated into an official Latin version, to be subsequently rendered into several other languages in time for the release date.
If Pope Benedict XVI follows the pattern set by Pope John Paul II (bio - news), the publication of the encyclical will be accompanied by a news conference at the Vatican, which would be announced several days in advance. Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, the president of Cor Unum, would be a likely candidate to help introduce the encyclical, perhaps along with the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop William Levada.
Deus Caritas Est is reportedly a document of about 40 pages. By tradition a papal encyclical takes its title from the first words of the text; thus it appears that the Pope begins with a quote from the Epistle of St. John (4:8). The document is said to be a deeply theological meditation on the centrality of Christ, divine love and human love; but the text also speaks at length about the concrete expression of love in charitable action.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Pope Benedict's Weekly Audience
Christ’s victory not warlike, says Pope, but offers world freedom from evil
Vatican City, Jan. 11, 2006 (CNA)
In his weekly audience given earlier today at the Vatican, Pope Benedict reminded some 8,000 listeners that the victory of Christ was not political or warlike, but rather an “intervention of freedom against evil.” The Holy Father continued his ongoing catechesis on the Psalms today, this time speaking about the first part of Psalm 143, which he called "The king's prayer for victory and peace." Calling on his audience to bear in mind the historical context in which the Psalm was written, Pope Benedict said that it was clear "that the king who appears no longer has the profile of a Davidic sovereign.” Noting that “the Hebrew royal line had ended with the Babylonian exile of the sixth century BC…he represents the luminous and glorious figure of the Messiah, whose victory is no longer warlike and political but an intervention of freedom against evil."
The Pope said that while the hymn begins with a string of praises exalting the greatness of the Lord, before His omnipotence "the psalmist, despite his regal dignity, feels weak and fragile.”
“He makes a profession of humility,” Benedict pointed out, “describing himself as a 'passing shadow' ... immersed in the flow of fleeting time and marked by the limits of his status as a created being."
The major question, the Holy Father said, is, "why does God concern Himself and think of such a poor and lowly creature?” The answer comes by “the great bursting forth of the divinity; this so-called theophany is accompanied by a series of cosmic elements and historical events that all tend to celebrate the transcendence of the supreme King of life, the universe and history."
Benedict cited the early Christian writer Origen who, in a commentary on this psalm, wrote that, "Lord, you cannot save the misery that is man if You do not take that misery upon Yourself. ... You came down, you lowered the heavens and stretched out Your hand from on high, you deigned to take upon Yourself the flesh of man, and many believed in You."
The Holy Father ended his address with a note of hope, saying: "The psalm, which began with our discovery of being weak and far from divine splendor, reaches a surprising conclusion: near us is the God-Emmanuel, Who for Christians has the loving face of Jesus Christ, God-made-man."
After reading the comments by the Holy Father, I couldn't help but think of the text in St. Paul's Letter to the Romans when he says: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Rm 5:8)." This great "intervention" by God into human history, through His Son Jesus Christ, is truly remarkable when we recognize the fact that we are sinners. He didn't have to do it! Humanity in no way deserved a Redeemer. Yet "the loving face of Jesus Christ" as Pope Benedict says, shines on all of us and gives us the opportunity to be reconciled with God. Praise be to Jesus Christ!
Vatican City, Jan. 11, 2006 (CNA)
In his weekly audience given earlier today at the Vatican, Pope Benedict reminded some 8,000 listeners that the victory of Christ was not political or warlike, but rather an “intervention of freedom against evil.” The Holy Father continued his ongoing catechesis on the Psalms today, this time speaking about the first part of Psalm 143, which he called "The king's prayer for victory and peace." Calling on his audience to bear in mind the historical context in which the Psalm was written, Pope Benedict said that it was clear "that the king who appears no longer has the profile of a Davidic sovereign.” Noting that “the Hebrew royal line had ended with the Babylonian exile of the sixth century BC…he represents the luminous and glorious figure of the Messiah, whose victory is no longer warlike and political but an intervention of freedom against evil."
The Pope said that while the hymn begins with a string of praises exalting the greatness of the Lord, before His omnipotence "the psalmist, despite his regal dignity, feels weak and fragile.”
“He makes a profession of humility,” Benedict pointed out, “describing himself as a 'passing shadow' ... immersed in the flow of fleeting time and marked by the limits of his status as a created being."
The major question, the Holy Father said, is, "why does God concern Himself and think of such a poor and lowly creature?” The answer comes by “the great bursting forth of the divinity; this so-called theophany is accompanied by a series of cosmic elements and historical events that all tend to celebrate the transcendence of the supreme King of life, the universe and history."
Benedict cited the early Christian writer Origen who, in a commentary on this psalm, wrote that, "Lord, you cannot save the misery that is man if You do not take that misery upon Yourself. ... You came down, you lowered the heavens and stretched out Your hand from on high, you deigned to take upon Yourself the flesh of man, and many believed in You."
The Holy Father ended his address with a note of hope, saying: "The psalm, which began with our discovery of being weak and far from divine splendor, reaches a surprising conclusion: near us is the God-Emmanuel, Who for Christians has the loving face of Jesus Christ, God-made-man."
After reading the comments by the Holy Father, I couldn't help but think of the text in St. Paul's Letter to the Romans when he says: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Rm 5:8)." This great "intervention" by God into human history, through His Son Jesus Christ, is truly remarkable when we recognize the fact that we are sinners. He didn't have to do it! Humanity in no way deserved a Redeemer. Yet "the loving face of Jesus Christ" as Pope Benedict says, shines on all of us and gives us the opportunity to be reconciled with God. Praise be to Jesus Christ!
Supreme Court Nominations
ABORTION TAKES TOP BILLING AT ALITO HEARINGS
WASHINGTON DC, January 10 (CNA) -
As senate confirmation hearings for would-be Supreme Court Justice Judge Samuel Alito enter their second day, senators--particularly those on the left--have made it clear that abortion will be one of the judge's most aggressively pressed issues. While the battle seems clearly split down party lines, watchers on both sides of the debate admit that the abortion issue will likely pervade the entire confirmation process.
In his opening statements, Alito steered clear of controversial issues and said that a judge's only obligation "is to the rule of law. And what that means is that in every single case, the judge has to do what the law requires." He said that as a federal appellate judge, "I swore that I would administer justice without respect to persons, that I would do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I would carry out my duties under the Constitution and the laws of the United States." He added that "if I am confirmed, I pledge to you that that is what I would do on the Supreme Court."
Despite the conciliatory tone however, and the highest recommendation of the American Bar Association, many Senate democrats seemed unconvinced that Alito's Reagan influence and Catholic faith would not prevail in his opinions. Recently, Fr. Thomas Euteneuer warned senators that attacking Alito on the grounds of his Catholic faith would "only succeed in further aliening Roman Catholics who increasingly feel not wanted in a Democrat Party that seems to stand for nothing but abortion on demand." He cited what he called an "unrelenting campaign waged by many Senate Democrats, some who claim to be Catholics themselves, against Catholic judicial nominees who embrace and practice their Catholic faith..." He said that the act "is disgraceful at best and at worst is a blatant form of religious bigotry reminiscent of a less civil period of history." Following yesterday's opening statements, some, like Republican Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter feared that decisions--on both sides of the aisle--had already been made even before the first question was asked.
According to the Associated Press, he said that, "That applies to a few of the senators on my side of the aisle, but many more among the Democrats." The senators made it particularly clear that Alito would be aggressively questioned on the issue of abortion and the so-called right to choose in the coming days and weeks. Judge Alito was named prior to Thanksgiving as President Bush's choice to replace outgoing Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
WASHINGTON DC, January 10 (CNA) -
As senate confirmation hearings for would-be Supreme Court Justice Judge Samuel Alito enter their second day, senators--particularly those on the left--have made it clear that abortion will be one of the judge's most aggressively pressed issues. While the battle seems clearly split down party lines, watchers on both sides of the debate admit that the abortion issue will likely pervade the entire confirmation process.
In his opening statements, Alito steered clear of controversial issues and said that a judge's only obligation "is to the rule of law. And what that means is that in every single case, the judge has to do what the law requires." He said that as a federal appellate judge, "I swore that I would administer justice without respect to persons, that I would do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I would carry out my duties under the Constitution and the laws of the United States." He added that "if I am confirmed, I pledge to you that that is what I would do on the Supreme Court."
Despite the conciliatory tone however, and the highest recommendation of the American Bar Association, many Senate democrats seemed unconvinced that Alito's Reagan influence and Catholic faith would not prevail in his opinions. Recently, Fr. Thomas Euteneuer warned senators that attacking Alito on the grounds of his Catholic faith would "only succeed in further aliening Roman Catholics who increasingly feel not wanted in a Democrat Party that seems to stand for nothing but abortion on demand." He cited what he called an "unrelenting campaign waged by many Senate Democrats, some who claim to be Catholics themselves, against Catholic judicial nominees who embrace and practice their Catholic faith..." He said that the act "is disgraceful at best and at worst is a blatant form of religious bigotry reminiscent of a less civil period of history." Following yesterday's opening statements, some, like Republican Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter feared that decisions--on both sides of the aisle--had already been made even before the first question was asked.
According to the Associated Press, he said that, "That applies to a few of the senators on my side of the aisle, but many more among the Democrats." The senators made it particularly clear that Alito would be aggressively questioned on the issue of abortion and the so-called right to choose in the coming days and weeks. Judge Alito was named prior to Thanksgiving as President Bush's choice to replace outgoing Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
Monday, January 09, 2006
Man Who Shot Pope to Be Freed
By SELCAN HACAOGLU
Associated Press Writer
ANKARA, Turkey
A court has approved the release from prison the man who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981, saying he completed his sentence for crimes he committed in Turkey, the semiofficial Anatolia news agency reported Sunday.
Mehmet Ali Agca was extradited to Turkey in 2000 after serving almost 20 years in Italy for shooting and wounding the pope in St. Peter's Square in Rome. His motive for the attack remains unclear. Agca, 46, was expected to be released as early as Monday. Anatolia said he was expected to be immediately enlisted by the military for obligatory service, Anatolia said.
His lawyer and family said they were not aware of the court decision.
"I'm surprised," his lawyer, Dogan Yildirim, told The Associated Press by telephone. "If its true, justice will finally be served. He has been in prison for so long."
Agca's sister, Fatma Agca, also was surprised. "We did not hear it," Fatma Agca told the AP from family home in the southeastern city of Malatya. She refused to comment.
Upon his return to Turkey, Agca immediately was sent to prison to serve a 10-year sentence for murdering Turkish journalist Abdi Ipekci in 1979. He was separately sentenced to seven years and four months for two robberies in Turkey the same year.
An Istanbul court ruled in 2004 that Agca should only serve the longest sentence _ his conviction for killing Ipekci. That 10-year sentence was changed twice because of new Turkish laws.
Agca served less than six months in Turkish prison in 1979 for killing Ipekci before he escaped, resurfacing in 1981 in Rome. Given that earlier time served, the prison asked a court for permission to release Agca. The court ruled that Agca could now be freed this week, Anatolia said. Agca reportedly identified with the Gray Wolves, a far right-wing militant group that fought street battles against leftists in the He first confessed to killing Ipekci, one of the country's most prominent left-wing newspaper columnists, but later retracted his statements.
One of the great memories I have of John Paul "the Great" is when he went to visit and forgive Mehmet Ali Agca in prison after the assassination attempt. The image, shown on television, of the Pope sitting next to the man who tried to kill him was, and remains, a powerful witness to Christ's command to forgive. "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." It also reminds me of the great responsibility given to St. Peter and the other Apostles by Our Lord after His resurrection: "He breathed on them and said: Receive the Holy Spirit, If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven, if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained (John 20:22-23)." Today, and every day, is a great day to forgive someone! But, it is also important for us, individually, to ask for forgiveness. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is there for all of us! In St. Faustina's Dairy she reminds all of us that "In the Tribunal of Mercy (Sacrament of Reconciliation)...the greatest miracles take place and are incessantly repeated (1448). Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy (1602)." Pope John Paul II cetainly taught us a lot about forgiveness and mercy, by his words and actions. May we follow his example!
Associated Press Writer
ANKARA, Turkey
A court has approved the release from prison the man who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981, saying he completed his sentence for crimes he committed in Turkey, the semiofficial Anatolia news agency reported Sunday.
Mehmet Ali Agca was extradited to Turkey in 2000 after serving almost 20 years in Italy for shooting and wounding the pope in St. Peter's Square in Rome. His motive for the attack remains unclear. Agca, 46, was expected to be released as early as Monday. Anatolia said he was expected to be immediately enlisted by the military for obligatory service, Anatolia said.
His lawyer and family said they were not aware of the court decision.
"I'm surprised," his lawyer, Dogan Yildirim, told The Associated Press by telephone. "If its true, justice will finally be served. He has been in prison for so long."
Agca's sister, Fatma Agca, also was surprised. "We did not hear it," Fatma Agca told the AP from family home in the southeastern city of Malatya. She refused to comment.
Upon his return to Turkey, Agca immediately was sent to prison to serve a 10-year sentence for murdering Turkish journalist Abdi Ipekci in 1979. He was separately sentenced to seven years and four months for two robberies in Turkey the same year.
An Istanbul court ruled in 2004 that Agca should only serve the longest sentence _ his conviction for killing Ipekci. That 10-year sentence was changed twice because of new Turkish laws.
Agca served less than six months in Turkish prison in 1979 for killing Ipekci before he escaped, resurfacing in 1981 in Rome. Given that earlier time served, the prison asked a court for permission to release Agca. The court ruled that Agca could now be freed this week, Anatolia said. Agca reportedly identified with the Gray Wolves, a far right-wing militant group that fought street battles against leftists in the He first confessed to killing Ipekci, one of the country's most prominent left-wing newspaper columnists, but later retracted his statements.
One of the great memories I have of John Paul "the Great" is when he went to visit and forgive Mehmet Ali Agca in prison after the assassination attempt. The image, shown on television, of the Pope sitting next to the man who tried to kill him was, and remains, a powerful witness to Christ's command to forgive. "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." It also reminds me of the great responsibility given to St. Peter and the other Apostles by Our Lord after His resurrection: "He breathed on them and said: Receive the Holy Spirit, If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven, if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained (John 20:22-23)." Today, and every day, is a great day to forgive someone! But, it is also important for us, individually, to ask for forgiveness. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is there for all of us! In St. Faustina's Dairy she reminds all of us that "In the Tribunal of Mercy (Sacrament of Reconciliation)...the greatest miracles take place and are incessantly repeated (1448). Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy (1602)." Pope John Paul II cetainly taught us a lot about forgiveness and mercy, by his words and actions. May we follow his example!
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Biblical Reflection on this Sunday's Mass Readings
Newborn King
Readings
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-2,7-8, 10-13
Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
Matthew 2:1-12
Today the child born on Christmas is revealed to be the long-awaited king of the Jews. As the priests and scribes interpret the prophecies in today's Gospel, he is the ruler expected from the line of King David, whose greatness is to reach to the ends of the earth (see Micah 5:1-3; 2 Samuel 5:2).Jesus is found with His mother, as David's son, Solomon, was enthroned alongside his Queen Mother (see 1 Kings 2:19). And the magi come to pay Him tribute, as once kings and queens came to Solomon (see 1 Kings 10:2,25). His coming evokes promises that extend back to Israel's beginnings.
Centuries before, an evil king seeking to destroy Moses and the Israelites had summoned Balaam, who came from the East with two servants. But Balaam refused to curse Israel, and instead prophesied that a star and royal staff would arise out of Israel and be exalted above all the nations (see Numbers 22:21; 23:7; 24:7,17).This is the star the three magi follow. And like Balaam, they too, refuse to be tangled in an evil king's scheme. Their pilgrimage is a sign - that the prophesies in today's First Reading and Psalm are being fulfilled. They come from afar, guided by God's light, bearing the wealth of nations, to praise Israel's God.
We celebrate today our own entrance into the family of God, and the fulfillment of God's plan that all nations be united with Israel as co-heirs to His Fatherly blessings, as Paul reveals in today's Epistle. We too, must be guided by the root of David, the bright morning star (see Revelation 22:16), and the light of the world (see Isaiah 42:6; John 8:12). As the magi adored Him in the manger, let us renew our vow to serve Him, placing our gifts - our intentions and talents - on the altar in this Eucharist. We must offer to Him our very lives in thanksgiving. No lesser gift will suffice for this newborn King.
copyright: The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology
www.salvationhistory.com
Readings
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-2,7-8, 10-13
Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
Matthew 2:1-12
Today the child born on Christmas is revealed to be the long-awaited king of the Jews. As the priests and scribes interpret the prophecies in today's Gospel, he is the ruler expected from the line of King David, whose greatness is to reach to the ends of the earth (see Micah 5:1-3; 2 Samuel 5:2).Jesus is found with His mother, as David's son, Solomon, was enthroned alongside his Queen Mother (see 1 Kings 2:19). And the magi come to pay Him tribute, as once kings and queens came to Solomon (see 1 Kings 10:2,25). His coming evokes promises that extend back to Israel's beginnings.
Centuries before, an evil king seeking to destroy Moses and the Israelites had summoned Balaam, who came from the East with two servants. But Balaam refused to curse Israel, and instead prophesied that a star and royal staff would arise out of Israel and be exalted above all the nations (see Numbers 22:21; 23:7; 24:7,17).This is the star the three magi follow. And like Balaam, they too, refuse to be tangled in an evil king's scheme. Their pilgrimage is a sign - that the prophesies in today's First Reading and Psalm are being fulfilled. They come from afar, guided by God's light, bearing the wealth of nations, to praise Israel's God.
We celebrate today our own entrance into the family of God, and the fulfillment of God's plan that all nations be united with Israel as co-heirs to His Fatherly blessings, as Paul reveals in today's Epistle. We too, must be guided by the root of David, the bright morning star (see Revelation 22:16), and the light of the world (see Isaiah 42:6; John 8:12). As the magi adored Him in the manger, let us renew our vow to serve Him, placing our gifts - our intentions and talents - on the altar in this Eucharist. We must offer to Him our very lives in thanksgiving. No lesser gift will suffice for this newborn King.
copyright: The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology
www.salvationhistory.com
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Death of the West?
It's the Demography, Stupid
The real reason the West is in danger of extinction.
BY MARK STEYN Wednesday, January 4, 2006 12:01 a.m. EST
Most people reading this have strong stomachs, so let me lay it out as baldly as I can: Much of what we loosely call the Western world will not survive this century, and much of it will effectively disappear within our lifetimes, including many if not most Western European countries. There'll probably still be a geographical area on the map marked as Italy or the Netherlands--probably--just as in Istanbul there's still a building called St. Sophia's Cathedral. But it's not a cathedral; it's merely a designation for a piece of real estate. Likewise, Italy and the Netherlands will merely be designations for real estate. The challenge for those who reckon Western civilization is on balance better than the alternatives is to figure out a way to save at least some parts of the West.....
Follow the link for the rest of the article:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007760
A fascinating article about an issue that we will have to deal with in the near future like it or not.
Thanks Matthew Hill for the link!
The real reason the West is in danger of extinction.
BY MARK STEYN Wednesday, January 4, 2006 12:01 a.m. EST
Most people reading this have strong stomachs, so let me lay it out as baldly as I can: Much of what we loosely call the Western world will not survive this century, and much of it will effectively disappear within our lifetimes, including many if not most Western European countries. There'll probably still be a geographical area on the map marked as Italy or the Netherlands--probably--just as in Istanbul there's still a building called St. Sophia's Cathedral. But it's not a cathedral; it's merely a designation for a piece of real estate. Likewise, Italy and the Netherlands will merely be designations for real estate. The challenge for those who reckon Western civilization is on balance better than the alternatives is to figure out a way to save at least some parts of the West.....
Follow the link for the rest of the article:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007760
A fascinating article about an issue that we will have to deal with in the near future like it or not.
Thanks Matthew Hill for the link!
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