POPE FRANCIS "ENVY RUSTS THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY" AND LATEST FROM VATICAN
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : SAT. MAY 18, 2013
WORLD YOUTH DAY PREPARATIONS WITH YOUTH IN AUSTRALIA
FLOODING IN CHINA KILLS 50 AND DISPLACES THOUSANDS
SILENT MARCH IN JORDAN FOR RELEASE OF 2 KIDNAPPED BISHOPS
WATCH THE LIFE OF ST. DAMIEN MOLOKAI PART 9 - FREE MOVIE
NOVENA TO HOLY SPIRIT DAY 8 FOR PENTECOST
TODAY'S SAINT : MAY 18 : ST. JOHN I POPE
Vatican Radio REPORT: The Christian must overcome the temptation to "interfere in the lives of others," was the exhortation of Pope Francis at Mass this morning at the Casa Santa Marta. The Pope also stressed that talk and envy do so much harm to the Christian community.
"What is it to you?" Pope Francis begin his homily referring to a question Jesus posed to Peter when he had meddled in the life of the disciple John, "whom Jesus loved." Peter, the Pope pointed out, had "a dialogue of love" with the Lord, but then the dialogue "is diverted to another track," and he also suffers from a temptation: "to interfere in the lives of others." How do you say "vulgar," said the Pope, Peter becomes "nosy". Focus is therefore on two modes of this mix in the lives of others. First, the "comparison", "to compare oneself with others." When there is this comparison, Pope Francis said, "we end up in bitterness and even envy, but envy rusts the Christian community, "it brings much hurt," the "devil wants that." The second mode of this temptation, he added, is gossip. It begins "in an educated way," but then we end up “feeling bad”.
"We all chat in Church! As Christians we chat! The chatter is hurtful? We hurt one another. It is as if we want to put each other down.: instead of growing one makes the other feel small while I feel great. That will not do! It seems nice to chat ... I do not know why, but it looks nice. Like sweet of honey, right? You take one and then another, and another, and another, and in the end you have a stomach ache. And why ? The chatter is like that eh? It is 'sweet at first and it ruins you, it ruins your soul! Rumours are destructive in the Church, they are destructive ... It’s 'a little' like the spirit of Cain who killed his brother, his tongue; it kills his brother! "
On this road, the Holy Father said, "we become Christians of good manners and bad habits." But how do we do this ? Normally, Pope Francis noted, "we do three things":
"We supply misinformation: we tell only half that suits us and not the other half, the other half we do not say because it is not convenient for us. You smile at that ... Is that true or not? Did you see that thing? It goes on. The second is defamation: When a person truly has a flaw, it is big, they tell it, 'like a journalist' ... And the character of this person is ruined. And the third is the slander of saying things that are not true. It is like killing ones brother! All three - disinformation, defamation and slander - are sins! This is sin! It is to slap Jesus in the person of his children, his brothers. "
That is why Jesus does with us what he did with Peter when he says: "What is it to you? Follow me, "The Lord in this instance" points the way ":
"'This kind of talk will not do you any good, because it will just bring to the Church a spirit of destruction. Follow me! '. These are the beautiful words of Jesus, it is so clear, that he has so much love for us. As if to say: 'Don’t have fantasies, believing that salvation is in the comparisons with others or in gossip. Salvation is to go behind me '. Following Jesus! Today we ask the Lord Jesus to give us this grace not to ever get involved in the lives of others, not to become Christians of good manners and bad habits, it is to follow Jesus, to walk behind Jesus on his way. And this is enough. "
During his homily, Pope Francis also recalled an episode from the life of St. Therese who wondered why Jesus gave so much to one and not to another. The older sister then took a thimble and a glass and filled them with water and then asked Therese which of the two was more full. "But both are full," said the future saint. Jesus, the Pope said, does this with us", "he does not care if you're big, you're or small." What interests him is "if you are filled with the love of Jesus."
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
POPE FRANCIS MEETS GERMAN CHANCELLOR MERKEL
Vatican Radio REPORT This morning, Saturday May 18, 2013, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Federal Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, was received in audience by Holy Father Francis. Afterwards, Merkel met with Mons. Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.
During the cordial conversation, the long history of relations existing between the Holy See and Germany was discussed, with emphasis on themes of common interest, such as the social, economic, and religious situations in Europe and in the world. In particular, topics of discussion included the protection of human rights; persecution of Christians; religious liberty; and international collaboration for the promotion of peace.
There was also an exchange of views about Europe as a Community of values and its responsibilities to the world, calling for the commitment of all civil and religious components to support a development founded on the dignity of the person and inspired by principles of subsidiarity and solidarity.SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : SAT. MAY 18, 2013
| Luke 12: 22 - 31 | |
| 22 | And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. |
| 23 | For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. |
| 24 | Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! |
| 25 | And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life? |
| 26 | If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? |
| 27 | Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. |
| 28 | But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O men of little faith! |
| 29 | And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind. |
| 30 | For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them. |
| 31 | Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well. |
WORLD YOUTH DAY PREPARATIONS WITH YOUTH IN AUSTRALIA
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
17 May 2013
More than 600 people including students, teachers and parents gathered in St Mary's Cathedral this morning to be commissioned by His Eminence Cardinal Pell as pilgrims for the Catholic Education Office (CEO) WYD pilgrimage to Rio in 2013. The Mass was concelebrated by the official WYD chaplains who are accompanying the pilgrims through Santiago, Lima, Peru, Rio de Janeiro and Iguacu Falls.
His Eminence, who has always been a great WYD supporter, told the students that WYD is a great opportunity to strengthen their faith and continue to learn more about the church.
" However don't go expecting to be comfortable," he reminded them.. Sharing stories of his previous WYD experiences the Cardinal commented; "Patience is needed during WYD. Be prepared for anything, but always remember we are pilgrims, not tourists".
The Sydney CEO delegation will comprise over 350 pilgrims including students and teachers who will embark on a journey to WYD with a particular feature on mission.
The group will engage in mission work with the Christian Life Movement, a local Peruvian community working with the poor and marginalised.
At the end of Mass, Dr Dan White, Executive Director of the CEO said to everyone; "Pilgrimages have a unique opportunity to take you back to your past, bring you into the present and connect you with the future".
"You will also be experiencing poverty and situations which will challenge your faith and make you realise the comfort of our lives". He encouraged the pilgrims to not be scared of this because "you will come to believe in Christ, because you have seen the face of Christ in your travels".
The first reading of the Mass was spoken in Portuguese, and some of the hymns chosen also included verses sung in different languages.
"The Mass was a good beginning for me, and it helped me realise more of what we are about to undertake on our pilgrimage" said Ebony Taulaga, a Year 11 student from Mount St Joseph Milperra. Ebony is also looking forward to visiting Peru and experiencing the different lifestyle of the community she will be working with. "It will be challenging, but I think it will be a life changing experience for me" she commented.
At the conclusion of the Mass, all pilgrims received a special blessing from His Eminence as he commissioned them as pilgrims of their schools, but also of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
David Cloran, Archdiocesan Youth Ministry coordinator who has been working hard on organising the efforts of the CEO pilgrimages to WYD, announced after the Mass that due to the fundraising efforts of the CEO students and through private sponsorship, they were able to sponsor 18 young people from Iquitos in Peru to travel to Rio. "This is due to the generous effort of our students, and school communities who have supported our WYD efforts so generously" said David.
Fr John Andersen, an Archdiocese of Sydney priest permanently stationed in Iquitos on mission, will be accompanying the local young pilgrims to join with the Australian delegation.
Over the coming weeks, pilgrims will continue to receive formation before they depart for their pilgrimages in July. In his final remarks, Dr Dan White commented that he hopes that the pilgrims will "gain a strong belief in Christ, because you would have met the true face of Christ in your travels".
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
17 May 2013
Students, teachers and parents are attended the CEO - WYD pilgrim mass
His Eminence, who has always been a great WYD supporter, told the students that WYD is a great opportunity to strengthen their faith and continue to learn more about the church.
" However don't go expecting to be comfortable," he reminded them.. Sharing stories of his previous WYD experiences the Cardinal commented; "Patience is needed during WYD. Be prepared for anything, but always remember we are pilgrims, not tourists".
Fr Greg Morgan preaches the Gospel
The group will engage in mission work with the Christian Life Movement, a local Peruvian community working with the poor and marginalised.
At the end of Mass, Dr Dan White, Executive Director of the CEO said to everyone; "Pilgrimages have a unique opportunity to take you back to your past, bring you into the present and connect you with the future".
"You will also be experiencing poverty and situations which will challenge your faith and make you realise the comfort of our lives". He encouraged the pilgrims to not be scared of this because "you will come to believe in Christ, because you have seen the face of Christ in your travels".
David Cloran
"The Mass was a good beginning for me, and it helped me realise more of what we are about to undertake on our pilgrimage" said Ebony Taulaga, a Year 11 student from Mount St Joseph Milperra. Ebony is also looking forward to visiting Peru and experiencing the different lifestyle of the community she will be working with. "It will be challenging, but I think it will be a life changing experience for me" she commented.
At the conclusion of the Mass, all pilgrims received a special blessing from His Eminence as he commissioned them as pilgrims of their schools, but also of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Fr John Andersen baptizing in his parish
Fr John Andersen, an Archdiocese of Sydney priest permanently stationed in Iquitos on mission, will be accompanying the local young pilgrims to join with the Australian delegation.
Over the coming weeks, pilgrims will continue to receive formation before they depart for their pilgrimages in July. In his final remarks, Dr Dan White commented that he hopes that the pilgrims will "gain a strong belief in Christ, because you would have met the true face of Christ in your travels".
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
SILENT MARCH IN JORDAN FOR RELEASE OF 2 KIDNAPPED BISHOPS
Agenzia Fides REPORT – On Tuesday, May 21 Christians in Amman will start off a silent march with candles to demand the release of the two bishops of Aleppo, Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim (Syrian Orthodox) and Boulos al-Yazigi (Greek Orthodox) in the hands of unknown kidnappers for a month. "In the march," says to Fides Agency the Archbishop Maroun Laham, Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem "all the Christian churches will take part. We will leave from the Orthodox Cathedral of Amman to reach Syriac, passing by the Latin Rite Catholic cathedral. In this way even the Christians of Amman and Jordan can join in the prayer that rises from all Christians in the Arab world, so our brother bishops and all the other victims of kidnapping are soon released."
The silent march was convened by the Assembly of the Heads of Churches in Jordan. In January 2009, a similar march was organized in Amman to demand an end to the military campaign "Cast Lead" waged by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip. (GV)
The silent march was convened by the Assembly of the Heads of Churches in Jordan. In January 2009, a similar march was organized in Amman to demand an end to the military campaign "Cast Lead" waged by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip. (GV)
FLOODING IN CHINA KILLS 50 AND DISPLACES THOUSANDS
ASIA NEWS REPORT
The bad weather has hit the city located at the foot of mountains. So far there are 14 missing and over 900 thousand people affected. The most serious damage reported in Guangdong. Landslides have devastated the nine cities, including Guangzhou, the provincial capital.
Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The toll from devastating flooding that has hit the province of Guangdong and the Fujian, in southern China is of 50 dead, 14 missing and thousands displaced. Torrential rains, landslides and mudslides buried more than 2,700 houses. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, at least 900 thousand people have been affected by the tragedy.
The government has sent rescue teams to the mountainous areas, which are currently the most devastated. The heavy rains in recent days swept nine cities including that of Guangzhou, the provincial capital.
Zhang Dong, head of Guangdong Meteorological Services said that "the disaster was caused by the huge amount of rain that lasted for many hours, triggering floods and landslides." Yongmin Zhong, a resident of the county of Shixing in northern Guangdong, said that many houses in the area were already flooded on Thursday night. "The water of the river in front of my house - he says - is several meters above normal levels. My whole family was barricaded in the house."
Torrential rains have also affected the neighboring provinces. In Xiamen, in Fujian, the weather caused five deaths. Zeng Demeng, head of rescue teams operating in the area, reports that many roads in the city are flooded with water exceeding one meter, flooding subways and tunnels. About 600 buildings collapsed and 800 people were trapped in their cars for several hours.
According to meteorologists the wave of bad weather will continue over the next few days, with the risk of new floods.SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
The bad weather has hit the city located at the foot of mountains. So far there are 14 missing and over 900 thousand people affected. The most serious damage reported in Guangdong. Landslides have devastated the nine cities, including Guangzhou, the provincial capital.
_0518_-_Alluvioni.jpg)
Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The toll from devastating flooding that has hit the province of Guangdong and the Fujian, in southern China is of 50 dead, 14 missing and thousands displaced. Torrential rains, landslides and mudslides buried more than 2,700 houses. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, at least 900 thousand people have been affected by the tragedy.
The government has sent rescue teams to the mountainous areas, which are currently the most devastated. The heavy rains in recent days swept nine cities including that of Guangzhou, the provincial capital.
Zhang Dong, head of Guangdong Meteorological Services said that "the disaster was caused by the huge amount of rain that lasted for many hours, triggering floods and landslides." Yongmin Zhong, a resident of the county of Shixing in northern Guangdong, said that many houses in the area were already flooded on Thursday night. "The water of the river in front of my house - he says - is several meters above normal levels. My whole family was barricaded in the house."
Torrential rains have also affected the neighboring provinces. In Xiamen, in Fujian, the weather caused five deaths. Zeng Demeng, head of rescue teams operating in the area, reports that many roads in the city are flooded with water exceeding one meter, flooding subways and tunnels. About 600 buildings collapsed and 800 people were trapped in their cars for several hours.
According to meteorologists the wave of bad weather will continue over the next few days, with the risk of new floods.SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
WATCH THE LIFE OF ST. DAMIEN MOLOKAI PART 9 - FREE MOVIE
NOVENA TO HOLY SPIRIT DAY 8 FOR PENTECOST
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. / I adore the brightness of Your purity the unerring keenness of Your justice and the might of Your love. You are the Strength / and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart! To be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light: and listen to Your voice and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You / by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds / and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart / I implore You / Adorable Spirit I Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere / “Speak Lord for Your servant heareth.” Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul / the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth / the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with You I and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God find know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable / the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples / and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.
DAY 8 OF NOVENA
Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray!
The Gift of Wisdom
Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written "all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands." It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: "Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.
(Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts)
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TODAY'S SAINT : MAY 18 : ST. JOHN I POPE
St. John I
POPE
Feast: May 18
Information:
| Died at Ravenna on 18 or 19 May (according to the most popular calculation), 526. A Tuscan by birth and the son of Constantius, he was, after an interregnum of seven days, elected on 13 August, 523, and occupied the Apostolic see for two years, nine months, and seven days. We know nothing of the matter of his administration, for his Bullarium contains only the two letters addressed to an Archbishop Zacharias and to the bishops of Italy respectively, and it is very certain that both are apocryphal. We possess information -- though unfortunately very vague -- only about his journey to Constantinople, a journey which appears to have had results of great importance, and which was the cause of his death. The Emperor Justin, in his zeal for orthodoxy, had issued in 523 a severe decree against the Arians, compelling them, among other things, to surrender to the Catholics the churches which they occupied. Theodoric, King of the Ostrogoths and of Italy, the ardent defender of Arianism, keenly resented these measures directed against his coreligionists in the Orient, and was moreover highly displeased at seeing the progress of a mutual understanding between the Latin and Greek Churches, such as might favour certain secret dealings between the Roman senators and the Byzantine Court, aiming at the re-establishment of the imperial authority in Italy. To bring pressure to bear upon the emperor, and force him to moderate his policy of repression in regard to the heretics, Theodoric sent to him early in 525 an embassy composed of Roman senators, of which he obliged the pope to assume the direction, and imposed on the latter the task of securing a withdrawal of the Edict of 523 and -- if we are to believe "Anonymous Valesianus" -- of even urging the emperor to facilitate the return to Arianism of the Arians who had been converted. There has been much discussion as to the part played by John I in this affair. The sources which enable us to study the subject are far from explicit and may be reduced to four in number: "AnonymousValesianus", already cited; the "Liber Pontificalis"; Gregory of Tours's "Liber in gloria martyrum"; and the "Liber Pontificalis Ecclesiæ Ravennatis". But it is beyond question that the pope could only counsel Justin to use gentleness and discretion towards the Arians; his position as head of the Church prevented his inviting the emperor to favour heresy. That this analysis of the situation is correct is evident from the reception which the pope was accorded in the East -- a reception which certainly would not have been kindly, had the Roman ambassadors opposed the emperor and this Catholic subjects in their struggle waged against the Arian sect. The inhabitants of Constantinople went out in throngs to meet John. The Emperor Justin on meeting him prostrated himself, and, some time afterwards, he had himself crowned by the pope. All the patriarchs of the East made haste to manifest their communion in the Faith with the supreme pontiff; only Timothy of Alexandria, who had shown himself hostile to the Council of Chalcedon, held aloof. Finally, the pope, exercising his right of precedence over Epiphanius, Patriarch of Constantinople, solemnly officiated at St. Sophia in the Latin Rite on Easter Day, 19 April, 526. Immediately afterwards he made his way back to the West. If this brilliant reception of John I by the emperor, the clergy, and the faithful of the Orient proves that he had not been wanting in his task as supreme pastor of the Church, the strongly contrasting behaviour of Theodoric towards him on his return is no less evident proof. This monarch, enraged at seeing the national party reviving in Italy, had just stained his hands with the murder of Boethius, the great philosopher, and of Symmachus his father-in-law. He was exasperated against the pope, whose embassy had obtained a success very different from that which he, Theodoric, desired and whom, moreover, he suspected of favouring the defenders of the ancient liberty of Rome. As soon as John, returning from the East, had landed in Italy, Theodoric caused him to be arrested and incarcerated at Ravenna. Worn out by the fatigues of the journey, and subjected to severe privations, John soon died in prison. His body was transported to Rome and buried in the Basilica of St. Peter. In his epitaph there is no allusion to his historical role. The Latin Church has placed him among its martyrs, and commemorates him on 27 May, the ninth lesson in the Roman Breviary for that date being consecrated to him. (Taken From Catholic Encyclopedia) |
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohni.asp#ixzz1vDjwFGSj
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