Today is Thursday in the Twenty-Eighth Week of Ordinary Time.
God’s righteousness exists beyond the control of man, beyond the understanding of man. God’s righteousness begins in the lyrical language of the prophets, in the pristine language of the oracles. Jesus Christ embodied righteousness, Jesus Christ encouraged his disciples, his followers to seek righteousness. The righteousness of Jesus Christ signals the beauty of faith, the beauty of trust, the bounty of God’s love, God’s patience, God’s mercy.
Righteousness is an expression of obedience, is an expression of supreme faithfulness, is an expression of supreme trustfulness, is an expression of beauty, is an expression of bounty.
God encourages each Christian to seek that which is righteous and only that which is righteous, to love that which is righteous and only that which is righteous, and to obey that which is righteous and only that which is righteous.
The principle of faith rests quietly with the request to be righteous.
Christians have examples of righteous deeds, Christians can choose righteousness as a manner of living, as a manner of becoming closer to God.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
And Now for the News of the Day - Wednesday, October 12
God is impartial. God offers justice.
Here are today’s News headlines from around the world. Here is some information to read, to reflect upon. Each of these events and issues require our prayers. Remember that God has a plan for each believer, each faithful follower.
Always direct love and generosity toward God. Strive to be good tenants of the vineyard. Do not betray God. Fidelity with God is essential for our spiritual health, spiritual well-being.
Pope Benedict XVI used today’s general audience for catechesis on Psalm 126 which “celebrates the great things which the Lord has done for his people, and which he continues to do for all believers.”
Pope Benedict spoke on redemption, salvation. This psalm moves beyond being simply historical, there is also a theological dimension. Imagery is used to allude to the mysterious truth of redemption. “The Psalm teaches us that ... we must remain hpeful and firm in our faith in God. Our history, though often marked by suffering, uncertainty and moments of crisis, is a history of salvation and ‘restoration of fortunes’. In Jesus our exile ends: ... in the mystery of His cross, in death transformed into life, like the seed which splits in the earth and becomes and an ear of wheat”.
On October 27, 2011the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul’s World Day of Prayer from Peace will be the date of “Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace” which will be held in Assisi. This will be a meeting of world religious leaders in Assisi which will not contain inter-religious prayers. A Catholic prayer vigil will occur in St. Peter’s Square in Rome the night before.
When they gather in Baltimore for their November 14-16 Fall General Assembly the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will vote for their secretary-elect, the chairman-elect of five committees and the new chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace.
Angelina Jolie made a two day trip to Libya to assist agencies bringing aid to Libyans in Tripoli and Misurata. Jolie is an actress and United Nations goodwill ambassador.
Israel has concluded negotiations with Hamas to release a 25 year old soldier Gilad Shalit who has been a prisoner since 2006. Israel is expected to release between 450 and 1,000 Palestinian prisoners including some behind terrorist attacks that killed Israelis.
With the turmoil and unrest in the region, Israel decided to offer this gesture as it reflects on its position in the region as former dictatorships willing to coexist peacefully with Israel are moving to new governments which might not be peaceful.
As a sign that it is moving toward democracy, Burma released 120 political prisoners including one of its most famous dissidents a comedian Zarganar who was arrested in 2008 after organizing deliveries of aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis. Zarganar was a prominent satirist and government critic.
The Philippine president has announced a stimulus package to protect the nation’s economy from fallout from Europe’s debt crisis. The package is worth $1.68 billion.
Tuesday, hundreds of Occupy Wall Street protesters marched by the homes of some of the wealthiest executives in America. New York City’s Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue sidewalks were filled with the protesters.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have set October as Respect Life month and as Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Here are today’s News headlines from around the world. Here is some information to read, to reflect upon. Each of these events and issues require our prayers. Remember that God has a plan for each believer, each faithful follower.
Always direct love and generosity toward God. Strive to be good tenants of the vineyard. Do not betray God. Fidelity with God is essential for our spiritual health, spiritual well-being.
Pope Benedict XVI used today’s general audience for catechesis on Psalm 126 which “celebrates the great things which the Lord has done for his people, and which he continues to do for all believers.”
Pope Benedict spoke on redemption, salvation. This psalm moves beyond being simply historical, there is also a theological dimension. Imagery is used to allude to the mysterious truth of redemption. “The Psalm teaches us that ... we must remain hpeful and firm in our faith in God. Our history, though often marked by suffering, uncertainty and moments of crisis, is a history of salvation and ‘restoration of fortunes’. In Jesus our exile ends: ... in the mystery of His cross, in death transformed into life, like the seed which splits in the earth and becomes and an ear of wheat”.
On October 27, 2011the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul’s World Day of Prayer from Peace will be the date of “Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace” which will be held in Assisi. This will be a meeting of world religious leaders in Assisi which will not contain inter-religious prayers. A Catholic prayer vigil will occur in St. Peter’s Square in Rome the night before.
When they gather in Baltimore for their November 14-16 Fall General Assembly the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will vote for their secretary-elect, the chairman-elect of five committees and the new chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace.
Angelina Jolie made a two day trip to Libya to assist agencies bringing aid to Libyans in Tripoli and Misurata. Jolie is an actress and United Nations goodwill ambassador.
Israel has concluded negotiations with Hamas to release a 25 year old soldier Gilad Shalit who has been a prisoner since 2006. Israel is expected to release between 450 and 1,000 Palestinian prisoners including some behind terrorist attacks that killed Israelis.
With the turmoil and unrest in the region, Israel decided to offer this gesture as it reflects on its position in the region as former dictatorships willing to coexist peacefully with Israel are moving to new governments which might not be peaceful.
As a sign that it is moving toward democracy, Burma released 120 political prisoners including one of its most famous dissidents a comedian Zarganar who was arrested in 2008 after organizing deliveries of aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis. Zarganar was a prominent satirist and government critic.
The Philippine president has announced a stimulus package to protect the nation’s economy from fallout from Europe’s debt crisis. The package is worth $1.68 billion.
Tuesday, hundreds of Occupy Wall Street protesters marched by the homes of some of the wealthiest executives in America. New York City’s Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue sidewalks were filled with the protesters.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have set October as Respect Life month and as Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Prayer for the Day - October 12
Lord
Teach me to obey the truth
Teach me to seek a clean mind
and a pure heart
Teach me to always love my brothers
and sisters with compassion and mercy
May I learn how to become your
humble penitent servant
May my life be filled with penance
and sacrifice
May my actions lead others to salvation
and redemption
Lord, I am sinful and sorrowful
Please show me forgiveness and mercy
Please help me to follow in your footsteps
Amen.
Teach me to obey the truth
Teach me to seek a clean mind
and a pure heart
Teach me to always love my brothers
and sisters with compassion and mercy
May I learn how to become your
humble penitent servant
May my life be filled with penance
and sacrifice
May my actions lead others to salvation
and redemption
Lord, I am sinful and sorrowful
Please show me forgiveness and mercy
Please help me to follow in your footsteps
Amen.
Thought for the Day - October 12
As Christians we are asked to be obedient to God’s wishes. Our obedience is natural, loving, an act of free will. As Christians we are asked to follow the commandments. Each choice that we make has a consequence. Each choice that we make can encourage others to seek salvation, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Each choice that we make can discourage others from seeking salvation, from following Christ. As Christians the challenge of living a life of universal, unconditional love with unconditional mercy, unconditional compassion requires prayer, reflection, effort, persistence. Loving our neighbor will always be a difficult request. Showing mercy, compassion are becoming more and more difficult as technology separates people from people, reduces real person to person contact. What is the real benefit to any individual of walking on a crowded street yelling into a cell phone. Too much collateral anxiety bombards each human being every day. Expletives are Bad words are used easily, freely. They are acceptable. To not use expletives is becoming abnormal.
As Catholics we are asked to have a life of charity, humility, obedience. As Catholics our faith encourages us to be selfless, to create penitent hearts.
As Catholics we seek eternal life by praying, by reflecting on Holy Scripture, by doing good works. Peace, honor, glory will be the rewards for obeying God, for doing good works.
As Catholics we are asked to have a life of charity, humility, obedience. As Catholics our faith encourages us to be selfless, to create penitent hearts.
As Catholics we seek eternal life by praying, by reflecting on Holy Scripture, by doing good works. Peace, honor, glory will be the rewards for obeying God, for doing good works.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week
Today is Wednesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time.
As Christians we are reminded of our place in the world, we are reminded of the cost of doing evil. But, for some reason the lessons never are learned, never are accepted. Man wants to be the Masters of the universe. Man judges, does all type of evil forgetting that there are consequences for his actions. Why are there so much unrest in the world? Why are there so many wars? What central ideas are forgotten? What is being disobeyed?
As Christians we are reminded of our place in the world, we are reminded of the cost of doing evil. But, for some reason the lessons never are learned, never are accepted. Man wants to be the Masters of the universe. Man judges, does all type of evil forgetting that there are consequences for his actions. Why are there so much unrest in the world? Why are there so many wars? What central ideas are forgotten? What is being disobeyed?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
And Now for the News of the Day - Tuesday, October 11
Here are today’s News briefs from around the world. Here is some information to read, to reflect upon. Each of these events and issues require our prayers. Remember that God has a plan for each believer, each faithful follower.
Always direct love and generosity toward God. Strive to be good tenants of the vineyard. Do not betray God. Fidelity with God is essential for our spiritual health, spiritual well-being.
Mr. Thein Sein, Burma’s president granted amnesty to approximately 6300 prisoners. The announcement was made on state radio and television. This appears to be the first step steps of reforms of the new elected government. There had been an appeal from the government appointed Human Rights Commission requesting that the president to grant amnesty as a gesture of forgiveness.
According to a report issued by the United Nations Taliban detainees in 47 facilities, in 24 provinces run by the Afghan National Police and Directorate of Security received interrogation techniques considered to be torture under international and Afghan law. These practices were not encouraged by the government. They were individual actions routinely overlooked by the security services.
In the 14 years since control of Hong Kong was returned back to the Chinese government the number of poor has increased by a staggering 50 percent. The Chinese government estimates that there are 1.26 people living below the poverty line. The conditions of the poor are now for the first time worse on Hong Kong than in many of China’s mainland cities. There is pressure for Hong Kong’s political leadership to correct this situation.
Despite having available land, the city built under 14000 units last year. 150000 families are on a waiting list for low rent public housing. Many poor citizens live in tenements subdivided by slumlords into plywood boxes locally known as “coffin homes”.
Would-be travelers to Japan may receive free flights to Japan sponsored by the Japan Tourist Agency to boost tourism in the country following the March natural disasters. Travelers would apply online, provide details on which parts of the country they would like to visit. Successful entrants will be asked to write a report on the visit to Japan which would be published on the internet.
If the program is approved, it is scheduled to begin in April. Travelers would still have to pay for their accommodations. Tourism declined over 50 percent in the three months after the March 11 earthquake tsunami caused meltdowns and explosions at the Fukishima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Coptic Christians are beginning three days of fasting and prayers to mourn Christians killed in violence with Muslims and Security forces on Sunday night.
At least 26 deaths occurred in Cairo, Egypt after what started out as a peaceful protest requesting police protection of Christian churches became violent with police shooting into the crowd of protesters and driving their vehicles over the protesters.
Coptic Christians in Egypt are the victims of sectarian attacks on both churches and Coptic worshippers. Several churches have been destroyed. Hundreds of Coptic worshippers have been injured or killed. Islamist militants with connections to Egypt’s Salafist sect are blamed for the violence.
Coptic Christians constitute approximately 10 percent of Egypt’s 85 million population. Egypt’s interim government’s inability to provide adequate protection for the Coptic Christians does not provide a postive outlook for the country’s future political development.
Christians throughout the Middle East find themselves under attack by radical Islamic groups.
The European Union is preparing to announce new sanctions against Syria because of the increased violence in the country and the defiant political rhetoric of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad in which foreign meddling is being blamed for the turmoil and unrest in the country. Estimated dead is 3000 including 30 people killed after security forces open fire on a funeral in the city of Homs where the army fought against former soldiers who defected to the opposition.
This rebellion started as essentially peaceful demonstrations which escalated to an armed insurrection that is building strength, mobility, popularity on the periphery of what remains a civilian revolt.
Pope Benedict’s October general prayer is: “That the terminally ill may be supported by their faith in God and the love of their brothers and sisters”.
Pope Benedict’s mission intention is: “That the celebration of World Mission Day may foster in the People of God a passion for evangelization with the willingness to support the missions with prayer and economic aid for the poorest Churches”.
World Mission Day is October 23, 2011.
October is Respect Life Month.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Prayer for the Day - October 11
Father
Lead us away from all wickedness,
Teach us to do your will
Teach us to revere and worship you
Show us the path to salvation
the path to forgiveness, the path to mercy
We are sinners,
We kneel before you sinful, sorrowful
asking for assistance, asking to be saved
from all that distracts us from your love
from all that diverts are love from you
Amen.
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