Food of the Day
Today's Mass Readings and Homily: "God will not hear our prayers unless we acknowledge ourselves to be sinners. We do this when we ponder on our own sins alone, and not on those of our neighbor.
-- St. Moses the Ethiopian"
-- St. Moses the Ethiopian"
May 21 Judgment Day Claims
The claim being circulated that May 21 will mark the end of the world and be a day of judgment by God has no basis in Scripture or authentic Christian teaching, according to Catholic scholar Dr. Jared Staudt.
The professor of theology at the Augustine Institute, located in Denver, said that Biblical teaching and Church tradition show 'it's clear that it is not scriptural to seek for a date for the day of judgment.'
'It sometimes can be easy to ridicule groups like this for coming up with such calculations, but we should remember that this is a perennial problem,' Staudt told CNA.
'In the end, I think it is a problem of faith. We have a hard time simply trusting in the Lord and waiting for Him.'
Family Radio, a religious group out of Oakland, California that has been broadcasting for several decades, recently launched a nationwide campaign claiming that May 21 at 6:00 p.m. will signal the beginning of hell on earth for non-believers, and a day when Christians around the world will be 'raptured' into heaven.
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The professor of theology at the Augustine Institute, located in Denver, said that Biblical teaching and Church tradition show 'it's clear that it is not scriptural to seek for a date for the day of judgment.'
'It sometimes can be easy to ridicule groups like this for coming up with such calculations, but we should remember that this is a perennial problem,' Staudt told CNA.
'In the end, I think it is a problem of faith. We have a hard time simply trusting in the Lord and waiting for Him.'
Family Radio, a religious group out of Oakland, California that has been broadcasting for several decades, recently launched a nationwide campaign claiming that May 21 at 6:00 p.m. will signal the beginning of hell on earth for non-believers, and a day when Christians around the world will be 'raptured' into heaven.
-Read More...
Food of the Day
O Sacred Heart of Jesus! Living and life-giving Fountain of eternal life, infinite treasure of the Divinity, glowing furnace of Love! You are my refuge and my sanctuary. Oh my adorable and lovely Savior, consume my heart with that burning fire with which You are inflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Your Love, and let my heart be so united with Yours, that our wills may be one, and mine in all things conformed to Yours. May Your Will be the rule alike of my desires and all my actions. Amen
-- St. Gertrude the Great"
-- St. Gertrude the Great"
EWTN.com - Boxer Manny Pacquiao Joins Catholic Opposition To Reproductive Health Bill
Champion boxer Manny Pacquiao has sided with the Philippines' Catholic bishops in a continuing controversy over a reproductive health bill that would fund access to free contraceptives.
Pacquiao said he would never have been born or become an international boxing champion if his poor, unemployed parents practiced birth control.
'God said go forth and multiply. He did not say go and have just one or two children,' the boxer said after a May 17 meeting with officials of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.
In addition to being an eight-division world champion and the first boxer in history to win 10 world titles, Pacquiao is also a member of the Philippines House of Representatives.
He said that life is God's gift that no man or government can rip asunder, according to CBCP News. He blamed poverty on corruption, not population size.
The boxer called on his fans to rally behind the Catholic Church and 'follow God's command, not man's.'
-Read More...
Pacquiao said he would never have been born or become an international boxing champion if his poor, unemployed parents practiced birth control.
'God said go forth and multiply. He did not say go and have just one or two children,' the boxer said after a May 17 meeting with officials of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.
In addition to being an eight-division world champion and the first boxer in history to win 10 world titles, Pacquiao is also a member of the Philippines House of Representatives.
He said that life is God's gift that no man or government can rip asunder, according to CBCP News. He blamed poverty on corruption, not population size.
The boxer called on his fans to rally behind the Catholic Church and 'follow God's command, not man's.'
-Read More...
Food of the Day
Dismiss all anger and look into yourself a little. Remember that he of whom you are speaking is your brother, and, as he is in the way of salvation, God can make him a Saint, in spite of his present weakness.
-- St. Thomas of Villanova"
-- St. Thomas of Villanova"
Rome's Exorcist Finding Bl. John Paul II Effective Against Satan
The chief exorcist of Rome is seeing a rising number of young people coming under the influence of evil, but he has found in recent years that Blessed John Paul II is a powerful intercessor in the battle for souls.
A small, unassuming office in south-west Rome seems a rather ordinary setting in which to play out a grand battle between good and evil. It is here, though, that Father Gabriele Amorth has carried out most of his 70,000 exorcisms over the past 26 years.
'The world must know that Satan exists,' he told CNA recently. 'The devil and demons are many and they have two powers, the ordinary and the extraordinary.'
The 86-year-old Italian priest of the Society of St. Paul and official exorcist for the Diocese of Rome explained the difference.
'The so-called ordinary power is that of tempting man to distance himself from God and take him to Hell. This action is exercised against all men and women of all places and religions.'"
-Read More...
A small, unassuming office in south-west Rome seems a rather ordinary setting in which to play out a grand battle between good and evil. It is here, though, that Father Gabriele Amorth has carried out most of his 70,000 exorcisms over the past 26 years.
'The world must know that Satan exists,' he told CNA recently. 'The devil and demons are many and they have two powers, the ordinary and the extraordinary.'
The 86-year-old Italian priest of the Society of St. Paul and official exorcist for the Diocese of Rome explained the difference.
'The so-called ordinary power is that of tempting man to distance himself from God and take him to Hell. This action is exercised against all men and women of all places and religions.'"
-Read More...
EWTN.com - 'Gay Marriage' Fight Revived In New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's attempt to push for 'gay marriage' in New York state has again brought out supporters of traditional marriage who say the proposal threatens to create an 'Orwellian' redefinition of the basic truth about marriage.
'Marriage is the fundamental building block of society. It has been from time immemorial,' New York Catholic Conference communications director Dennis Poust told CNA May 16. 'We believe that what this bill would do is separate forever the link between marriage and procreation, which we think would have a devastating long-term impact on society.
'The state ought to be looking at ways to strengthen marriage as we know it to be, rather than changing it and watering it down and being politically correct and saying marriage is something other than what we know it to be.'
A New York bill to recognize same-sex 'marriage' failed in the state Senate in 2009 by a vote of 38-24.
Gov. Cuomo, who took office this year, has characterized the issue as a 'fundamental civil rights battle.' However, he will not introduce the bill unless he is certain it will pass. His administration is trying to coax more votes from undecided legislators by gradually increasing pressure instead of twisting arms, the Wall Street Journal reports.
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'Marriage is the fundamental building block of society. It has been from time immemorial,' New York Catholic Conference communications director Dennis Poust told CNA May 16. 'We believe that what this bill would do is separate forever the link between marriage and procreation, which we think would have a devastating long-term impact on society.
'The state ought to be looking at ways to strengthen marriage as we know it to be, rather than changing it and watering it down and being politically correct and saying marriage is something other than what we know it to be.'
A New York bill to recognize same-sex 'marriage' failed in the state Senate in 2009 by a vote of 38-24.
Gov. Cuomo, who took office this year, has characterized the issue as a 'fundamental civil rights battle.' However, he will not introduce the bill unless he is certain it will pass. His administration is trying to coax more votes from undecided legislators by gradually increasing pressure instead of twisting arms, the Wall Street Journal reports.
-Read More...
Mexican Bishop Reiterates Church Teaching On Homosexuality
The director of the Mexican bishops' Family Ministry Office issued a statement reiterating the Church's teachings on homosexuality.
Bishop Francisco Javier Chavolla told CNA that he hopes his statement will clarify what the Church teaches about those who have homosexual tendencies and the pastoral care they should receive.
He noted that the teaching that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered is based on natural law because '(same-sex couples) do not produce genital complementarity and are not ordered towards the procreation of the human species.'
At the same time, he said, the Church distinguishes between homosexual acts and homosexual tendencies, the latter which 'does not of itself constitute a moral disorder. The homosexual act, however, is considered a moral disorder and objectively grave sin.'
In accord with the teaching of Jesus, he continued, the Church extends mercy and understanding to practicing and non-practicing homosexuals alike, 'recognizing their personal dignity and status as children of God, above all.' The Church exhorts them to live in chastity with the aid of penance and the sacraments, as 'all Christians are called to holiness' and 'to follow the will of God.
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Bishop Francisco Javier Chavolla told CNA that he hopes his statement will clarify what the Church teaches about those who have homosexual tendencies and the pastoral care they should receive.
He noted that the teaching that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered is based on natural law because '(same-sex couples) do not produce genital complementarity and are not ordered towards the procreation of the human species.'
At the same time, he said, the Church distinguishes between homosexual acts and homosexual tendencies, the latter which 'does not of itself constitute a moral disorder. The homosexual act, however, is considered a moral disorder and objectively grave sin.'
In accord with the teaching of Jesus, he continued, the Church extends mercy and understanding to practicing and non-practicing homosexuals alike, 'recognizing their personal dignity and status as children of God, above all.' The Church exhorts them to live in chastity with the aid of penance and the sacraments, as 'all Christians are called to holiness' and 'to follow the will of God.
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Pope Invites Catholics To Pray The Rosary During May
Pope Benedict XVI issued a special call to pray the Rosary during May, the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The pontiff spoke at the conclusion of his May 11 General Audience. He exhorted 'everyone to intensify the pious practice of the Holy Rosary, especially in this month of May dedicated to the Mother of God.'
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The pontiff spoke at the conclusion of his May 11 General Audience. He exhorted 'everyone to intensify the pious practice of the Holy Rosary, especially in this month of May dedicated to the Mother of God.'
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Filipino Bishops Cut Off Talks With Government Over Reproductive Health Bill
Bishops in the Philippines are halting dialogue with the local government as the country's president voices increasing support for a highly controversial Reproductive Health Bill.
'This bill fundamentally disrespects God's teachings on human dignity and the respect and protection of human life,' said Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro-Carambula, interim president of Human Life International.
The proposed legislation would attempt to control population growth through widespread distribution of contraceptives and compulsory sex education in schools. Human Life International reported that the bill has provisions to jail critics who provide undefined 'inaccurate' opposition to it.
A spokesman for the country's President Aquino, who backs the bill, said on May 9 that the president still hopes there will be 'common ground' reached in talks with the Filipino Catholic Church.
However, the Philippines Catholic bishops' conference responded on May 10 saying that negotiations are futile, as the president is likely to push the measure ahead despite the bishops' concerns"
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'This bill fundamentally disrespects God's teachings on human dignity and the respect and protection of human life,' said Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro-Carambula, interim president of Human Life International.
The proposed legislation would attempt to control population growth through widespread distribution of contraceptives and compulsory sex education in schools. Human Life International reported that the bill has provisions to jail critics who provide undefined 'inaccurate' opposition to it.
A spokesman for the country's President Aquino, who backs the bill, said on May 9 that the president still hopes there will be 'common ground' reached in talks with the Filipino Catholic Church.
However, the Philippines Catholic bishops' conference responded on May 10 saying that negotiations are futile, as the president is likely to push the measure ahead despite the bishops' concerns"
-Read More...
Egyptian Churches
Members of the Salafist Jihadi Islamist movement attacked three Coptic churches in the Egyptian city of Giza on May 7, killing a dozen people and injuring more than 200.
'We have no law or security - we are in a jungle,' said Giza's Coptic Orthodox Bishop Anba Theodosius. 'We are in a state of chaos. One rumor burns the whole area. Every day we have a catastrophe.'
But the Copts 'will never leave our country,' the bishop added according to the Assyrian International News Agency,
The attack began on the evening of May 7 when a mob of 3,000 Muslims, thought to be followers of the hardline Salafist school of Islam, converged on St. Mina's Church. Leaders of the mob accused members of the Coptic clergy of kidnapping a Christian woman who had married a Muslim man."
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'We have no law or security - we are in a jungle,' said Giza's Coptic Orthodox Bishop Anba Theodosius. 'We are in a state of chaos. One rumor burns the whole area. Every day we have a catastrophe.'
But the Copts 'will never leave our country,' the bishop added according to the Assyrian International News Agency,
The attack began on the evening of May 7 when a mob of 3,000 Muslims, thought to be followers of the hardline Salafist school of Islam, converged on St. Mina's Church. Leaders of the mob accused members of the Coptic clergy of kidnapping a Christian woman who had married a Muslim man."
-Read More...
Food of the Day
"You don't know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and as soon as you have said, 'Lord, I don't even know how to pray!' you can be sure you have already begun."
- Saint Josemaria Escriva
- Saint Josemaria Escriva
Food of the Day
The sin is caused not by the flesh, but by the will of the soul, and the corruption contracted from sin is not sin, but sin's punishment.
-- St. Augustine"
-- St. Augustine"
3rd Sunday of Easter
St. Paul Center For Biblical Theology: "We should put ourselves in the shoes of the disciples in today’s Gospel. Downcast and confused they’re making their way down the road, unable to understand all the things that have occurred.
They know what they’ve seen - a prophet mighty in word and deed. They know what they were hoping for - that He would be the redeemer of Israel. But they don’t know what to make of His violent death at the hands of their rulers.
They can’t even recognize Jesus as He draws near to walk with them. He seems like just another foreigner visiting Jerusalem for the Passover.
Note that Jesus doesn’t disclose His identity until they they describe how they found His tomb empty but “Him they did not see.” That’s how it is with us, too. Unless He revealed himself we would see only an empty tomb and a meaningless death."
-Read More...
They know what they’ve seen - a prophet mighty in word and deed. They know what they were hoping for - that He would be the redeemer of Israel. But they don’t know what to make of His violent death at the hands of their rulers.
They can’t even recognize Jesus as He draws near to walk with them. He seems like just another foreigner visiting Jerusalem for the Passover.
Note that Jesus doesn’t disclose His identity until they they describe how they found His tomb empty but “Him they did not see.” That’s how it is with us, too. Unless He revealed himself we would see only an empty tomb and a meaningless death."
-Read More...
Today's Mass Readings and Homily
Today's Mass Readings and Homily: "Daily advance, then, in this love, both by praying and by well doing, that through the help of Him who enjoined it on you, and whose gift it is, it may be nourished and increased, until, being perfected, it render you perfect.
-- St. Augustine"
-- St. Augustine"
Food of the Day
Let us work hard every day at making progress toward God. If we are tested or tempted in our children or in our purses, let's not panic but place our hope in God. We are Christians, and our homeland is not here. Like good children, let us turn our steps homeward, that our course may be approved and guided to its conclusion. Heal and open my eyes, Lord, that I may recognize Your will. Put to flight my foolishness that I may know You.
-- St. Augustine
-- St. Augustine
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