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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: SUN. FEB. 28, 2010


















CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: SUN. FEB. 28, 2010: HEADLINES-

VATICAN: SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ROMAN CURIA: RENEWAL OF PRIESTHOOD- EUROPE: SPAIN: BISHOP'S CALL ON COUNTRY TO ABOLISH ABORTION LAW-
AMERICA: COLOMBIA: PRO-LIFERS DEBATE ON LAWS-
AUSTRALIA: ROSEMARY GOLDIE HONORED AS FIRST WOMAN IN ROMAN CURIA-ASIA: PAKISTAN: CHRISTIAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR BLASPHEMY-
AFRICA: 5-YEAR CAMPAIGN TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN-

VATICAN
SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ROMAN CURIA: RENEWAL OF PRIESTHOOD

(VIS) - At the end of his annual Lenten spiritual exercises, the Holy Father made some brief off-the-cuff remarks thanking the preacher, Fr. Enrico Dal Covolo S.D.B. who, he said, had guided the participants in the exercises "along the path of renewal of our priesthood". The Holy Father recalled how the preacher "chose as starting point, as ever-present backdrop and as goal, ... Solomon's prayer for 'a heart that listens'. Truly I feel", he went on, "that this encapsulates the entire Christian vision of man. Man is not perfect in himself, man needs relationships, he is a relational being. It is not his 'cogito' that can 'cogitare' all of reality. He needs to listen, to listen to others, above all to the Other with a capital 'O', to God. Only in this way does he know himself, only in this way does he become himself". The Pope went on: "From my place here I was always able to see the Mother of the Redeemer, the 'Sede Sapientiae', the living throne of wisdom with Wisdom incarnate in her womb. And, as we have seen, St. Luke presents Mary as a woman with a heart that listens, a woman immersed in the Word of God, who listens to the Word, meditates upon it ... and conserves it in her heart. The Fathers of the Church said that at the moment of the conception of the eternal Word in the womb of the Virgin, the Holy Spirit entered into Mary through her ear. Through listening she conceived the eternal Word, gave her flesh to this Word. Thus she shows us what it is to have a heart that listens. "Mary", he added, "is here surrounded by the fathers and mothers of the Church, by the communion of the saints. Thus over these days have we seen and understood that it is not in the isolated 'I' that we can truly listen to the Word, but only in the 'us' of the Church, in the 'us' of the communion of saints". "You", said Benedict XVI addressing Fr. Dal Covolo, "have shown us and given voice to five exemplary figures of priests, from St. Ignatius of Antioch to the beloved Venerable John Paul II. In this way have we again perceived what it means to be a priest, to become priests ever more profoundly". "Consecration tends towards mission", the Pope concluded. "Over these days we have, with God's help, deepened our own consecration. And with renewed courage we now wish to face our mission".AC/SPIRITUAL EXERCISES/... VIS 100301 (440)

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS VATICAN CITY, 27 FEB 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father: - Appointed Fr. Jose de Jesus Gonzalez Hernandez O.F.M., rector and pastor of the cathedral church of Inhambane, Mozambique, as bishop prelate of territorial prelature of Jesus Maria (area 25,000, population 146,000, Catholics 134,000, priests 27, permanent deacons 1, religious 72), Mexico. The bishop-elect was born in Etzatlan, Mexico in 1964 and ordained a priest in 1994. He succeeds Bishop Jose Antonio Perez Sanchez, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same territorial prelature the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law. - Appointed Archbishop Andre-Mutien Leonard of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium, also as military ordinary for Belgium.NER:RE:NA/.../GONZALEZ:PEREZ:LEONARD VIS 100301 (120)



ANGELUS: JESUS ALONE MUST SUFFICE US FOR OUR JOURNEY VATICAN CITY, 28 FEB 2010 (VIS) - At midday today, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with faithful gathered below in St. Peter's Square. Benedict XVI began his remarks by referring to his recently-concluded spiritual exercises with members of the Roman Curia. "We spent", he said, "days of meditation and intense prayer, during which we reflected on the priestly vocation, in keeping with the Year for Priests currently being celebrated by the Church". Commenting then on today's liturgy, in which St. Luke recounts the episode of the Transfiguration, the Pope explained how the Evangelist "describes the event using two elements: Jesus face which changed appearance, and His clothes which became dazzling white, in the presence of Moses and Elijah, symbol of the Law and the Prophets. The three disciples present at the scene were overcome with sleep. Theirs was the attitude of people who, though witnesses of divine prodigies, fail to understand. Only by struggling against their torpor could Peter, James and John 'see' the glory of Jesus". A little later, as Peter speaks to Jesus in amazement, a cloud came and covered them. "It was a cloud which, while covering, revealed the glory of God, as happened with the people wandering in the desert", said the Holy Father. "Their eyes could not see, but their ears heard the voice emerging from the cloud: 'This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to Him'. "Then", he added, "the disciples no longer found themselves before a transfigured face or dazzling garments, nor a cloud revealing the divine presence. Before their eyes 'Jesus was found alone', ... and this is what must suffice us for our journey. He is the only voice to listen to, the only one to follow, He Who climbing towards Jerusalem would give His life and one day 'transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of His glory'". "The Transfiguration reminds us that the joys God disseminates in our lives are not goals in themselves but lights He gives us on our earthly pilgrimage, that 'Jesus alone' may be our Law and His Word the criterion that guides our existence". "In this period of Lent", Benedict XVI concluded, "I invite everyone to meditate assiduously upon the Gospel. Furthermore, it is my hope that in this Year for Priests, pastors 'may truly be pervaded by the Word of God, know it authentically and love it to the extent that it truly does give them life and form their thoughts'".ANG/TRANSFIGURATION/... VIS 100301 (440)





HELP FOR IRAQI CHRISTIANS AND CHILEAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS VATICAN CITY, 28 FEB 2010 (VIS) - In remarks following today's Angelus prayer, the Pope mentioned the recent killing of a number of Christians in Iraq, and the people affected by an earthquake in Chile. "With great sadness did I learn the tragic news of the killing of a number of Christians in the city of Mosul, and with great concern have I followed other episodes of violence committed against defenceless people of various religious confessions in the martyred land of Iraq. Over these days of intense meditation I often prayed for all the victims of those attacks, and today I wish to unite myself spiritually to the prayer for peace and the return of security promoted by the Council of Bishops of Nineveh. I remain affectionately close to the Christian communities of the entire country. Never tire of being a leaven for good in the homeland to which you, for many centuries, fully and rightly belong. "In this delicate political phase that Iraq is currently experiencing", he added, "I appeal to the civil authorities to make every effort to restore security to the population, in particular to the most vulnerable religious minorities, My hope is that no-one succumb to the temptation to make temporary and partisan interests prevail over the safety and fundamental rights of each citizen. Finally, as I greet the Iraqis present here in St. Peter's Square, I exhort the international community to do everything possible to give Iraqis a future of reconciliation and justice, as I trustingly invoke the precious gift of peace from Almighty God". The Holy Father then went on to mention the people affected by the recent earthquake in Chile, "which caused great loss of human life and vast material damage. I pray for the victims and remain spiritually close to the people so sorely tried by such a serious calamity. I ask God to being them relief in their suffering and courage in adversity; and I am sure that no lack of solidarity will be shown, especially by ecclesial organisations".ANG/IRAQ CHILE/... VIS 100301 (350)




BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH VATICAN CITY, 1 MAR 2010 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for March is: "That the world economy may be managed according to the principles of justice and equity, taking account of the real needs of peoples, especially the poorest". His mission intention is: "That the Churches in Africa may be signs and instruments of reconciliation and justice in every part of that continent".BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/MARCH/... VIS 100301 (80)




AUDIENCES VATICAN CITY, 1 MAR 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Five prelates from the Uganda Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit: - Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki, apostolic administrator of Arua. - Bishop Giuseppe Franzelli M.C.C.J. of Lira, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Joseph Oyanga. - Bishop Martin Luluga of Nebbi. - Archbishop Julian Barrio Barrio of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, accompanied by an entourage. On Saturday 27 February, he received in audience Fr. Enrico Dal Covolo S.D.B., preacher of the Lenten spiritual exercises.AL:AP/.../... VIS 100301 (100)





EUROPE

SPAIN: BISHOP'S CALL ON COUNTRY TO ABOLISH ABORTION LAW

CNA report:


The secretary general of the Bishops’ Conference of Spain, Auxiliary Bishop Juan Antonio Martinez Camino, is calling for the country's new law on abortion to “be abolished as soon as possible.”
The Spanish Senate voted last Wednesday to pass the Socialist government’s new law on abortion. The decision will allow women over the age of 16 to obtain the procedure up until the 14th week of pregnancy.
The auxiliary bishop, who is from Madrid, remarked that the Church “welcomes” and “will support” any mobilization in support of life and against this law, such as the marches planned for March 7 in Madrid and Bilbao.
“Anything that can be done to keep people aware of what is at stake, which is the right to life of the innocent and weak, is welcome, no matter who does it,” he said. The Church “will continue speaking out for the voiceless, and she will support and welcome all movements” to defend the unborn, Bishop Martinez Camino said.
Asked about whether King Juan Carlos would be barred from Communion if he signs the new law, as would be the case with politicians who voted in favor of it, Bishop Martinez Camino explained that the king’s situation is “unique” and therefore must receive different consideration. “It is not the same act. That of the king is unique and very distinct from that of a politician who votes in favor of this law when he or she doesn’t have to,” he added.
According to Spain's constitution, the king must sign laws passed by Parliament within 15 days.
Bishop Martinez Camino called the new law “a grave step backward in the protection of the inviolable right to life” that “leaves women abandoned.” Abortion is “a tragedy and a crime,” the bishop said, announcing that the Church plans to hold a social awareness campaign on March 25.
He then lamented that the “educational system has been made into a political instrument and that restrictions have been placed on conscientious objection.” He noted that one of the “most troubling” aspects of the new law is that it makes education an instrument at the service of pro-abortion ideology. “Education aimed at darkening the conscience with regards to the inviolable right to life of the unborn” must be rejected.
Abortion “is a tragedy that cries out to heaven,” he emphasized. The Church is devoted to “continuing to defend the right of the unborn and to offer alternatives to the crime of abortion.”http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/bishops_of_spain_abolish_new_abortion_law_as_soon_as_possible/




AUSTRALIA
ROSEMARY GOLDIE HONORED AS FIRST WOMAN IN ROMAN CURIA

CNA report:
The Australian Catholic Church has paid tribute to the extraordinary life and achievements of Rosemary Goldie, the first woman to hold an official post of authority in the Roman Curia.
Rosemary, who took on a special place in Church history with her appointment in 1966 as Under-Secretary of the Council for the Laity, died at the Little Sisters of the Poor, in Randwick in Sydney's east, on Saturday, aged 94, said the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Phillip Wilson said Rosemary had made a tremendous contribution to the life of the church.
"At a time when lay people and particularly lay women might have struggled to find a voice in Church affairs, Rosemary Goldie was making history by being the first woman appointed as a Vatican curial official," he said.
"Her commitment to the lay apostolate was a life-long passion and her achievements helped pave the way for current generations.
"I offer my prayers for the repose of Rosemary's soul and for all those who knew and loved her at this sad time."
Once described as "the Roman Curia's human microchip memory on the development of the lay apostolate", Rosemary was also one of the few women appointed as an auditor to the Second Vatican Council, the bishops' statement said.
One of four children of Sydney journalists, Goldie was raised by her maternal grandmother and graduated from Sydney University in 1936. For the next two years she continued her studies at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Rosemary was invited to join the Permanent Committee for International Congresses of the Lay Apostolate set up in Rome by Pius XII in 1952. In 1959 she became Executive Secretary of the Committee. This body was the nucleus of the Council for the Laity, created by Paul VI as a result of Vatican II.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=19664

ASIA

PAKISTAN: CHRISTIAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR BLASPHEMY

Asia News report:
Qamar David was in prison since 2006. In the weeks after his arrest police failed to find any concrete evidence against him. Muslim co-defendant acquitted, for lack of evidence. Christian activists: verdict result of "influences and prejudices” and motivated by “ external pressures ".
Karachi (AsiaNews) - Qamar David, a Christian in the dock on charges of blasphemy, was sentenced to life imprisonment. The basis of the ruling, issued on Feb. 25, the fact that the man "hurt the religious feelings" of Muslims; however, the co-defendant was acquitted for lack of evidence. The police had arrested the man in 2006, although there was no evidence against him.
Additional District and Sessions Judge found Qamar David guilty of using blasphemous remarks about the Islamic Prophet and Quran and pronounced the verdict after hearing final arguments from both sides, daily Dawn reported yesterday.
According to the verdict, a SIM phone card was found in possession of the convict and the data produced by the cellular company established that messages were sent from the seized phone card, which they claim belonged to the Christian.
A contact close to the accused is of the opinion that the facts, evidence and law were in his favour. The evidence against him is said to be based on hearsay, and an accused Muslim in a parallel case was fully acquitted on the same facts. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source described the final judgement as “biased and prejudiced,” and believes that external pressure on the court may have played a part in distorting the outcome, a news release issued by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) states.
CSW is deeply concerned over news that a Pakistani Christian from Lahore was sentenced to life imprisonment for blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed, the communiqué. The Christian man was arrested in May 2006 for allegedly spreading blasphemous messages through his cellphone. During that time both Mr David and his lawyer, Parvez Choudhry, were regularly subjected to assassination attempts and threats of violence from abusive mobs.
CSW’s National Director Stuart Windsor said: “This alarming verdict is yet further illustration of the urgent need for the government of Pakistan to repeal its blasphemy laws. The legislation continues to be abused for the satisfaction of personal vendettas against Pakistanis of all faiths. It is a dangerous tool in the hands of those seeking to persecute or discriminate against religious minorities.”
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a human rights organisation which specialises in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Karachi,-a-Christian-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-for-blasphemy-17749.html


AMERICA
COLOMBIA: PRO-LIFERS DEBATE ON LAWS


CNA report: Pro-abortion leaders gathered at the Latin American Forum of Strategies for the Legalization of Abortion last week in Bogota, Colombia where they discussed their intention to take advantage of ambiguous international laws to pressure governments in the region to legalize the procedure.
Luisa Cabal, director of the International Legal Program for the Center for Reproductive Rights in New York, called on feminists and pro-abortion groups to pressure Latin American governments to continue debating legalized abortion.
The forum was organized by a Colombian pro-abortion organization and was attended by Cecilia Olea of the Flora Tristan Center in Peru; Lucy Garrido of Everyday Women in Uruguay; Paula Viana, executive secretary of the Conference for the Right to Legal and Safe Abortion in Brazil; Luisa Cabal, director of the International Legal Program at the Center for Reproductive Rights of New York; Maria Consuelo Mejia of the National Alliance for the Right to Choose; and Martha Maria Blandon, director of Planned Parenthood for Central America, who participated via video conference.http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/feminists_agree_on_strategy_to_legalize_abortion_in_latin_america/


AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA: 5-YEAR CAMPAIGN TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

CISA report: A global youth initiative will launch a five-year campaign to stop Violence Against Women (VAW) and girls during the World Cup 2010 scheduled in June 11 and July 11 in South Africa.The campaign is organized by an international group called Man Up and will bring together 200 young men and women from 50 countries across the globe.Man Up target is to support organizations tackling violence against women, building a network of young advocates and defenders, and linking the efforts of community based and mainstream organizations, and the corporate, entertainment and sports communities.Man Up, an international organization that mobilizes young leaders in a movement to stop violence against women and girls is a brainchild of renowned author and activist Jimmie Briggs and Karen Robinson, former Education Director at Amnesty International USA. Harnessing the universal power of music and sport, Man Up provides innovative training, resources and support to young men and women and the organizations that collaborate with them.Man Up is calling on everyone to be part of this global summit in South Africa.Delegates to the Summit will learn how to plan and execute initiatives in their native countries and will be offered a multitude of resources and guidance from renowned non-governmental organizations, athletes, musicians and artists throughout the five-year campaign.This same cadre of delegates will gather again in Brazil at The World Cup 2014 to share their experiences and demonstrate how youth can make the world a safer place for women and girls.Robinson, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Man Up, said statistics show that one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. “Violence against women is not just a women’s issue, it affects all of us. Everyone needs to be part of the solution. We owe it to our daughters and their daughters,” says Briggs.He said, “To create long-term, sustainable change, we must engage young people who will lead us into the next generation.” Man Up was officially launched in September 2009 at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York with their partner Vital Voices, a leader in the effort to build women’s leadership to promote peace and prosperity around the world.http://www.cisanewsafrica.org/story.asp?ID=4442





TODAY'S SAINT

St. Hilary
POPE
Feast: February 28
Information:
Feast Day:
February 28 or November 17
Born:
at Sardinia
Died:
28 February 468 at Rome, Italy

Elected 461; the date of his death is given as 28 Feb., 468. After the death of Leo I, an archdeacon named Hilarus, a native of Sardinia, according to the "Liber Pontificalis", was chosen to succeed him, and in all probability received consecration on 19 November, 461. Together with Julius, Bishop of Puteoli, Hilarus acted as legate of Leo I at the "Robber Synod" of Ephesus in 449. There he fought vigorously for the rights of the Roman See and opposed the condemnation of Flavian of Constantinople (see FLAVIAN, SAINT). He was therefore exposed to the violence of Dioscurus of Alexandria, and saved himself by flight. In one of his letters to the Empress Pulcheria, found in a collection of letters of Leo I ("Leonis I Epistolae", num. xlvi., in P.L., LIV, 837 sq.), Hilarus apologizes for not delivering to her the pope's letter after the synod; but owing to Dioscurus, who tried to hinder his going either to Rome or to Constantinople, he had great difficulty in making his escape in order to bring to the pontiff the news of the result of the council. His pontificate was marked by the same vigorous policy as that of his great predecessor. Church affairs in Gaul and Spain claimed his special attention. Owing to political disorganization in both countries, it was important to safeguard the hierarchy by strengthening church government. Hermes, a former archdeacon of Narbonne, had illegally acquired the bishopric of that town. Two Gallican prelates were dispatched to Rome to lay before the pope this and other matters concerning the Church in Gaul. A Roman synod held on 19 November, 462, passed judgment upon these matters, and Hilarus made known the following decisions in an Encyclical sent to the provincial bishops of Vienne, Lyons, Narbonne, and the Alps: Hermes was to remain Titular Bishop of Narbonne, but his episcopal faculties were withheld. A synod was to be convened yearly by the Bishop of Arles, for those of the provincial bishops who were able to attend; but all important matters were to be submitted to the Apostolic See. No bishop could leave his diocese without a written permission from the metropolitan; in case such permission be withheld he could appeal to the Bishop of Arles. Respecting the parishes (paroeciae) claimed by Leontius of Arles as belonging to his jurisdiction, the Gallican bishops could decide, after an investigation. Church property could not be alienated until a synod had examined into the cause of sale.
Shortly after this the pope found himself involved in another diocesan quarrel. In 463 Mamertus of Vienne had consecrated a Bishop of Die, although this Church, by a decree of Leo I, belonged to the metropolitan Diocese of Arles. When Hilarus heard of it he deputed Leontius of Arles to summon a great synod of the bishops of several provinces to investigate the matter. The synod took place and, on the strength of the report given him by Bishop Antonius, he issued an edict dated 25 February, 464, in which Bishop Veranus was commissioned to warn Mamertus that, if in the future he did not refrain from irregular ordinations, his faculties would be withdrawn. Consequently the consecration of the Bishop of Die must be sanctioned by Leontius of Arles. Thus the primatial privileges of the See of Arles were upheld as Leo I had defined them. At the same time the bishops were admonished not to overstep their boundaries, and to assemble in a yearly synod presided over by the Bishop of Arles. The metropolitan rights of the See of Embrun also over the dioceses of the Maritime Alps were protected against the encroachments of a certain Bishop Auxanius, particularly in connection with the two Churches of Nice and Cimiez.
In Spain, Silvanus, Bishop of Calahorra, had, by his episcopal ordinations, violated the church laws. Both the Metropolitan Ascanius and the bishops of the Province of Tarragona made complaint of this to the pope and asked for his decision. Before an answer came to their petition, the same bishops had recourse to the Holy See for an entirely different matter. Before his death Nundinarius, Bishop of Barcelona, expressed a wish that Irenaeus might be chosen his successor, although he had himself made Irenaeus bishop of another see. The request was granted, a Synod of Tarragona confirming the nomination of Irenaeus, after which the bishops sought the pope's approval. The Roman synod of 19 Nov., 465, took the matters up and settled them. This is the oldest Roman synod whose original records have been handed down to us. It was held in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. After an address of the pope, and the reading of the Spanish letters, the synod decided that the church laws must not be tampered with. In addition to this Hilarus sent a letter to the bishops of Tarragona, declaring that no consecration was valid without the sanction of the Metropolitan Ascanius; and no bishop was permitted to be transferred from one diocese to another, so that some one else must be chosen for Barcelona in place of Irenaeus. The bishops consecrated by Silvanus would be recognized if they had been appointed to vacant sees, and otherwise met the requirements of the Church. The "Liber Pontificalis" mentions an Encyclical that Hilarus sent to the East, to confirm the Oecumenical Councils of Nicaea, Ephesus, and Chalcedon, and the dogmatic letter of Leo I to Flavian, but the sources at our disposal furnish us no further information. In Rome Hilarus worked zealously for the integrity of the Faith. The Emperor Anthemius had a favourite named Philotheus, who was a believer in the Macedonian heresy and attended meetings in Rome for the promulgation of this doctrine, 476. On one of the emperor's visits to St. Peter's, the pope openly called him to account for his favourite's conduct, exhorting him by the grave of St. Peter to promise that he would do all in his power to check the evil. Hilarus erected several churches and other buildings in Rome. Two oratories in the baptistery of the Lateran, one in honour of St. John the Baptist, the other of St. John the Apostle, are due to him. After his flight from the "Robber Synod" of Ephesus, Hilarus had hidden himself in the crypt of St. John the Apostle, and he attributed his deliverance to the intercession of the Apostle. Over the ancient doors of the oratory this inscription is still to be seen: "To St. John the Evangelist, the liberator of Bishop Hilarus, a Servant of Christ". He also erected a chapel of the Holy Cross in the baptistery, a convent, two public baths, and libraries near the Church of St. Laurence Outside the Walls. He built another convent within the city walls. The "Liber Pontificalis" mentions many votive offerings made by Hilarus in the different churches. He died after a pontificate of six years, three months, and ten days. He was buried in the church of St. Laurence Outside the Walls. His feast day is celebrated on 17 November.
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/H/sthilary.asp




TODAY'S MASS READINGS
2ND SUNDAY OF LENT/YEAR C

Genesis 15: 5 - 12, 17 - 18
5
And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
6
And he believed the LORD; and he reckoned it to him as righteousness.
7
And he said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chalde'ans, to give you this land to possess."
8
But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?"
9
He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a she-goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."
10
And he brought him all these, cut them in two, and laid each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.
11
And when birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
12
As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram; and lo, a dread and great darkness fell upon him.
17
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.
18
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphra'tes,



Psalms 27: 1, 7 - 9, 13 - 14
1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
7
Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
8
Thou hast said, "Seek ye my face." My heart says to thee, "Thy face, LORD, do I seek."
9
Hide not thy face from me. Turn not thy servant away in anger, thou who hast been my help. Cast me not off, forsake me not, O God of my salvation!
13
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
14
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD!



Philippians 3: 17 - 21
17
Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an example in us.
18
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19
Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
20
But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21
who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.



GOSPEL


Luke 9: 28 - 36
28
Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.
29
And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white.
30
And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli'jah,
31
who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem.
32
Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.
33
And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah" -- not knowing what he said.
34
As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
35
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!"
36
And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

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