2014
RIP Bishop Tony Palmer - Friend of Pope Francis - Recorded Video for Evangelicals from Pope
RIP Sister Philomene of Australia - Nun Killed on Flight over Ukraine
Death Toll in Palestine 502 Killed by Israel in Conflict - Please PRAY
Evangelical Bishop Tony Palmer, friend of Pope Francis, has died in a motorcycle accident on Sunday July 20, 2014. Palmer was born in Britain but lived in South Africa when he was younger. He died in hospital after surgery due to his motorcycle accident in the UK. He lived with his wife Emiliana and two children in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. Palmer was a bishop with the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. In January Pope Francis sent a video message with Bishop Palmer to a charismatic conference hosted by television evangelist Kenneth Copeland. Bishop Palmer visited the Pope at the Vatican before the conference. Palmer used his iPhone to record a message from the Pope to the Pentecostal conference. In that video, Pope Francis says to the Pentecostals, 'Let's give each other a spiritual hug.' Introducing the video Palmer said, "Brothers and sisters, Luther's protest is over. Is yours?" He belonged to the Convergent Movement - which is linked to Anglicanism - the CEEC used the 1978 Episcopal liturgy.
RIP Sister Philomene of Australia - Nun Killed on Flight over Ukraine
Sister Philomene's Legacy Of Love, Caring, Wisdom & Compassion
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
21 Jul 2014
21 Jul 2014
Sister Philomene Tiernan and Principal of Kincoppal-Rose Bay Hilary Johnston-Croke
"They are still stunned and in shock," says Kincoppal-Rose Bay Principal, Hilary Johnston-Croke who says the chaos at the site of the downed plane is adding to their distress.
The school is providing counselling to students who have been deeply affected by the tragic loss of Sister Phil as she was affectionately known as well as all the other passengers on the doomed flight.
Photographs of Sr Phil have been posted at the entrance to the school's chapel as well as inside the chapel and students are being encouraged to pray and write their thoughts and memories of her.
Condolence books have been placed throughout the school for primary as well as senior students to remember Sr Phil and what she meant to them.
Sr Philomene Tiernan RSCJ left a legacy of kindness, love, care and love of the Sacred Heart
"Our school motto is 'Cor Unum' which means one heart and this was very much how Sr Phil lived every day of her life. She lived the love of the Sacred Heart in all her interactions each and every day," Ms Johnston-Croke says.
Sr Phil was associated with Kincoppal-Rose Bay and the Rose Bay community for more than 30 years, holding variety of roles including Director of Boarding and teaching thousands of students, while providing pastoral care inside and outside the school.
"We are all honoured to have known her," says Ms Johnson-Croke who describes the 77-year-old religious sister as her mentor and close personal friend. "Sr Phil touched, cared about and deeply influenced many many lives and the wonderful love she showed all those she dealt with, and her compassion and kindness will be greatly missed."
Born in Murgon, Queensland, Sr Phil grew up with her two brothers and one sister at the hotel and pub the Tiernan family had owned since 1912. As a child she clearly remembers the years of World War II when her uncle, Flight Sergeant Patrick Tiernan left Murgon in 1942 to join the army and head for Britain where he joined the RAAF.
Two years later, Uncle Pat as she called her 29 year old uncle, was part of the seven man crew in a Halifax MZ715 bomber shot down over the Netherlands.
A telegram sent to her father, John Tiernan in Murgon later confirmed that Flt Sgt Tiernan had died during the assault.
Not only is it a strange coincidence that both Sr Phil also died in a plane that had been shot down exactly 70 years later, but one of the reasons for her trip to Europe had been to attend a memorial service in the Dutch town of Dodwaard Uden where the body of Patrick Tiernan was buried.
Sr Philomene RSCJ pays respects to her uncle Patrick Tiernan who died when his plane was shot down over Holland during World War II
The people of the small town in the Netherlands had buried the young Flight Sergeant and tended his grave.
Over the years different members of the Tiernan family had visited the grave in Dodwaard Uden and this year, Sr Phil was among 11 members of her extended family to journey to the Netherlands for the 70th anniversary of his death.
"She was of Irish origin generations back and really loved her stay in Ireland," says her close friend of many years, Irish Sister of the Sacred Heart, Sr Aideen Kinlen rscj. "She really loved her stay in Ireland and said it was a great 'craic' here. It wasn't her first time in Ireland. She was here a couple of years ago too."
Sr Aideen said her nephew was bowled over by the Australian sister's warmth and said "I've never met a nicer nun."
"Sr Phil was a wonderful person - a happy, committed religious woman. And she was a very outgoing type of woman with a terrific sense of humour," she says adding that she was one of the last people to spend time with the Australian-born nun.
Kincoppal-RoseBay School senior students following the Mass at St Mary's Cathedral
As part of her trip, Sr Phil attended a conference in the UK and visited ST Francis Xavier Church in Paris where the founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart is buried.
"We travelled together to Paris and went on to a retreat in Joigny. It was just her and me on the retreat and we travelled together after," Sr Aideen says, recalling how on the last day of their pilgrimage, Sr Tiernan took lots of photographs to show her students, teachers and friends back home.
The two sisters first met in Rome in 1993 when she was struggling to come to terms with the violent death of her brother, Dermot Tiernan who was the publican at the family's hotel in Murgon and had been killed when he tried to break up a fight.
Sr Aideen was one of the last people to spent time with Sr Phil and says as they talked during the retreat she suggested to Sr Phil to think about her own death and read to her a poem "So what will matter."
Students remember Sr Philomene as a warm, generous and faithful friend
Excerpts of the poem read "Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. What will matter is not your memories that live in those that loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered and by whom."
"She was a leading light and is an incredible loss to the Society of the Sacred Heart and a huge loss to our school community," Ms Johnston-Croke says. Shared from Archdiocese of Sydney
Death Toll in Palestine 502 Killed by Israel in Conflict - Please PRAY
ASIA NEWS REPORT: Yesterday, the most violent day: 140 Palestinians and 13 Israeli soldiers killed. Half of the Palestinian victims are women, children and the elderly. Two Israeli civilians killed as a result of rockets fired from Gaza. The UN Security Council has called for respect of international law and the protection of civilians. Netanyahu: no other choice against "terror"; Abbas: "crimes against humanity".
Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has termed called it Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, aiming to stop the rain of rockets on towns in the south and other areas in Israel "an atrocious action".
Since the beginning of operation "Border protection" July 8, at least 502 Palestinians have been killed, 140 in one day yesterday, the bloodiest so far.
On the Israeli side, 13 Israeli soldiers in the Golani Brigade were killed yesterday, bringing to 18 the number of Israeli victims since the start of the offensive. According to the army, seven soldiers were killed by the explosion of a bomb at the passing of one of their armored vehicles; 3 were shot in an exchange of fire with Islamic activists and 3 others in a building on fire.
The spokesman for the emergency services, Ashraf al-Qoudra says that the Israeli army launched its deadliest bombing raid in Shajaya, a suburb east of Gaza City, killing 72 Palestinians. At least nine Palestinians, including 7 children, were killed this morning during a raid in Rafah.
In a raid last night on Khan Younes, another 16 Palestinians were killed, their bodies found today under the rubble of the building. They are added to the 9 people killed yesterday.
Many people were wounded yesterday; 250 in Shajaya and 450 in the Strip.
At least half of the Palestinians killed were women, children and the elderly. The Israeli civilian casualties, because of the rockets fired from Gaza, are people two so far. Approximately 81 thousand Palestinians have sought refuge in schools run by the UN.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Shejaya raid was necessary because it is "a fortress of terror" and rocket launching center and that Israel has no other choice but to enter into densely populated areas, after having warned people to leave their homes.
The UN Security Council convened yesterday afternoon urgently calling for a cease-fire and immediately condemning the mounting number of deaths. The meeting lasted two hours and at Jordan's request demanded the observance of international humanitarian law regarding the protection of civilians.
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, who had also requested the emergency meeting, called the situation in Gaza "intolerable" and the Israeli attacks a "crime against humanity".
Yesterday during the Angelus, Pope Francis again asked everyone to intensify their prayer for peace in the Middle East. "Violence - he said - can never be defeated with violence. Violence can only be defeated by peace".
Shared by Asia News IT
Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has termed called it Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, aiming to stop the rain of rockets on towns in the south and other areas in Israel "an atrocious action".
Since the beginning of operation "Border protection" July 8, at least 502 Palestinians have been killed, 140 in one day yesterday, the bloodiest so far.
On the Israeli side, 13 Israeli soldiers in the Golani Brigade were killed yesterday, bringing to 18 the number of Israeli victims since the start of the offensive. According to the army, seven soldiers were killed by the explosion of a bomb at the passing of one of their armored vehicles; 3 were shot in an exchange of fire with Islamic activists and 3 others in a building on fire.
The spokesman for the emergency services, Ashraf al-Qoudra says that the Israeli army launched its deadliest bombing raid in Shajaya, a suburb east of Gaza City, killing 72 Palestinians. At least nine Palestinians, including 7 children, were killed this morning during a raid in Rafah.
In a raid last night on Khan Younes, another 16 Palestinians were killed, their bodies found today under the rubble of the building. They are added to the 9 people killed yesterday.
Many people were wounded yesterday; 250 in Shajaya and 450 in the Strip.
At least half of the Palestinians killed were women, children and the elderly. The Israeli civilian casualties, because of the rockets fired from Gaza, are people two so far. Approximately 81 thousand Palestinians have sought refuge in schools run by the UN.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Shejaya raid was necessary because it is "a fortress of terror" and rocket launching center and that Israel has no other choice but to enter into densely populated areas, after having warned people to leave their homes.
The UN Security Council convened yesterday afternoon urgently calling for a cease-fire and immediately condemning the mounting number of deaths. The meeting lasted two hours and at Jordan's request demanded the observance of international humanitarian law regarding the protection of civilians.
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, who had also requested the emergency meeting, called the situation in Gaza "intolerable" and the Israeli attacks a "crime against humanity".
Yesterday during the Angelus, Pope Francis again asked everyone to intensify their prayer for peace in the Middle East. "Violence - he said - can never be defeated with violence. Violence can only be defeated by peace".
Shared by Asia News IT
Today's Mass and Readings : Monday July 21, 2014
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 395
Reading 1MI 6:1-4, 6-8
Hear what the LORD says:
Arise, present your plea before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice!
Hear, O mountains, the plea of the LORD,
pay attention, O foundations of the earth!
For the LORD has a plea against his people,
and he enters into trial with Israel.
O my people, what have I done to you,
or how have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
from the place of slavery I released you;
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow before God most high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with myriad streams of oil?
Shall I give my first-born for my crime,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
You have been told, O man, what is good,
and what the LORD requires of you:
Only to do the right and to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Arise, present your plea before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice!
Hear, O mountains, the plea of the LORD,
pay attention, O foundations of the earth!
For the LORD has a plea against his people,
and he enters into trial with Israel.
O my people, what have I done to you,
or how have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
from the place of slavery I released you;
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow before God most high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with myriad streams of oil?
Shall I give my first-born for my crime,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
You have been told, O man, what is good,
and what the LORD requires of you:
Only to do the right and to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Responsorial Psalm PS 50:5-6, 8-9, 16BC-17, 21 AND 23
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
Gospel MT 12:38-42
Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
He said to them in reply,
“An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign,
but no sign will be given it
except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights,
so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth
three days and three nights.
At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah;
and there is something greater than Jonah here.
At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and there is something greater than Solomon here.”
“Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
He said to them in reply,
“An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign,
but no sign will be given it
except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights,
so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth
three days and three nights.
At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah;
and there is something greater than Jonah here.
At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and there is something greater than Solomon here.”
Saint July 21 : St. Lawrence of Brindisi : Doctor : Capuchin Franciscan
St. Lawrence of Brindisi
DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, CAPUCHIN FRANCISCAN, NOTED PREACHER
Feast: July 21
Born at Brindisi in 1559; died at Lisbon on 22 July, 1619. In baptism he received the names of Julius Caesar. Guglielmo de Rossi -- or Guglielmo Russi, according to a contemporary writer -- was his father's name; his mother was Elisabetta Masella. Both were excellent Christians. Of a precocious piety, Lorenzo gave early evidence of a religious vocation. The Conventuals of Brindisi were entrusted with his education. His progress in his studies was very rapid, and, when barely six, he had already given indication of his future success in oratory. Consequently, he was always the one chosen to address, in accordance with the Italian custom, a short sermon to his compatriots on the Infant Jesus during the Christmas festivities. When he was twelve years of age his father died. He then pursued his studies at Venice with the clerics of St. Mark's and under the supervision of one of his uncles. In 1575 he was received into the Order of Capuchins under the name of Brother Lorenzo, and, after his preofession, made his philosophical and theological studies at the University of Padua. Owing to his wonderful memory he mastered not only the principal European languages, but also most of the Semitic tongues. It was said he knew the entire original text of the Bible. Such a knowledge, in the eyes of many, could be accounted for only by supernatural assistance, and, during the process of beatification, the examiners of the saint's writings rendered the following judgment: "Vere inter sanctos Ecclesiae doctores adnumerari potest."
Such unusual talents, added to a rare virtue, fitted Brother Lorenzo for the most diverse missions. When still a deacon he preached the Lenten sermons in Venice, and his success was so great that he was called successively to all the principal cities of the peninsula. Subsequently, thanks to his numerous journeys, he was enabled to evangelize at different periods most of the countries of Europe. The sermons he left fill no less than eight folio volumes. He adopted the method of preaching in favour with the great Franciscan missionaries, or rather with apostolic workers of all times, who, aiming primarily to reach men's hearts and convert them, always adapt their style of discourse to the spiritual needs of their hearers. Brother Lorenzo held successively all the offices of his order. From 1596 to 1602 he had, as general definitor, to fix his residence in Rome. Clement VIII assigned him the task of instructing the Jews; thanks to his knowledge of Hebrew and his powerful reasoning, he brought a great number of them to recognize the truth of the Christian religion. His saintliness, combined with his great kindliness, completed the preparing of the way for the grace of conversion. His success in Rome caused him to be called to several other cities, where he also baptized numerous Jews. At the same time he was commissioned to establish houses of his order in Germany and Austria. Amid the great difficulties created by the heretics he founded the convents of Vienna, Prague, and Graz, the nuclei of three provinces. At the chapter of 1602 he was elected vicar-general. (At that time the Order of Capuchins, which had broken away from the Observants in 1528 and had an independent constitution, gave its first superior the title of vicar-general only. It was not until 1618 that Pope Paul V changed it to that of minister general). The very year of his election the new superior began the visitation of the provinces. Milan, Paris, Marseilles, Spain, received him in turn. As his coming was preceded by a great reputation for holiness, the people flocked to hear him preach and to receive his blessing. His administration characterized by wise firmness and fatherly tenderness, was of great benefit to the order. At the Chapter of 1605 he refused to undertake for a second term the government of his brethren, but until his death he was the best adviser of his successors.
It was on the occasion of the foundation of the convent of Prague (1601) that St. Lorenzo was named chaplain of the Imperial army, then about to march against the Turks. The victory of Lepanto (1571) had only temporarily checked the Moslem invasion, and several battles were still necessary to secure the final triumph of the Christian armies. Mohammed III had, since his accession (1595), conquered a large part of Hungary. The emperor, determined to prevent a further advance, sent Lorenzo of Brindisi as deputy to the German princes to obtain their cooperation. They responded to his appeal, and moreover the Duke of Mercœur, Governor of Brittany, joined the imperial army, of which he received the effective command. The attack on Albe-Royal (now Stulweissenburg) was then contemplated. To pit 18,000 men against 80,000 Turks was a daring undertaking and the generals, hesitating to attempt it, appealed to Lorenzo for advice. Holding himself responsible for victory, he communicated to the entire army in a glowing speech the ardour and confidence with which he was himself animated. As his feebleness prevented him from marching, he mounted on horseback and, crucifix in hand, took the lead of the army, which he drew irresistibly after him. Three other Capuchins were also in the ranks of the army. Although the most exposed to danger, Lorenzo was not wounded, which was universally regarded as due to a miraculous protection. The city was finally taken, and the Turks lost 30,000 men. As however they still exceeded in numbers the Christian army, they formed their lines anew, and a few days later another battle was fought. It always the chaplain who was at the head of the army. "Forward!" he cried, showing them the crucifix, "Victory is ours." The Turks were again defeated, and the honour of this double victory was attributed by the general and the entire army to Lorenzo.
Having resigned his office of vicar-general in 1605, he was sent by the pope to evangelize Germany. He here confirmed the faith of the Catholics, brought back a great number to the practice of virtue, and converted many heretics. In controversies his vast learning always gave him the advantage, and, once he had won the minds of his hearers, his saintliness and numerous miracles completed their conversion. To protect the Faith more efficaciously in their states, the Catholic princes of Germany formed the alliance called the "Catholic League". Emperor Rudolph sent Lorenzo to Philip III of Spain to persuade him to join the League. Having discharged this mission successfully, the saintly ambassador received a double mandate by virtue of which he was to represent the interests of the pope and of Madrid at the court of Maximilian of Bavaria, head of the League. He was thus, much against his wishes, compelled to settle in Munich near Maximilian. Besides being nuncio and ambassador, Lorenzo was also commissary general of his order for the provinces of Tyrol and Bavaria, and spiritual director of the Bavarian army. He was also chosen as arbitrator in the dispute which arose between the princes, and it was in fulfillment of this rtle that, at the request of the emperor, he restored harmony between the Duke of Mantua and a German nobleman. In addition to all these occupations he undertook, with the assistance of several Capuchins, a missionary campaign throughout Germany, and for eight months travelled in Bavaria, Saxony, and the Palatinate.
Amid so many various undertakings Lorenzo found time for the practices of personal sanctification. And it is perhaps the greatest marvel of his life to have combined with duties so manifold anunusually intense inner life. In the practice of the religious virtues St. Lorenzo equals the greatest saints. He had to a high degree the gift of contemplation, and very rarely celebrated Holy Mass without falling into ecstasies. After the Holy Sacrifice, his great devotion was the Rosary and the Office of the Blessed Virgin. As in the case of St. Francis of Assisi, there was something poetical about his piety, which often burst forth into canticles to the Blessed Virgin. It was in Mary's name that he worked his miracles, and his favourite blessing was: "Nos cum prole pia benedicat Virgo Maria." Having withdrawn to the monastery of Caserta in 1618, Lorenzo was hoping to enjoy a few days of seclusion, when he was requested by the leading men of Naples to go to Spain and apprise Philip III of the conduct of Viceroy Ossuna. In spite of many obstacles raised by the latter, the saint sailed from Genoa and carried out his mission successfully. But the fatigues of the journey exhausted his feeble strength. He was unable to travel homeward, and after a few days of great suffering died at Lisbon in the native land of St. Anthony (22 July, 1619), as he had predicted when he set out on his journey. He was buried in the cemetery of the Poor Clares of Villafranca.
The process of beatification, several times interrupted by various circumstances, was concluded in 1783. The canonization took place on 8 December, 1881. With St. Anthony, St. Bonaventure, and Blessed John Duns Scotus, he is a Doctor of the Franciscan Order.
The known writings of St. Lorenzo of Brindisi comprise eight volumes of sermons, two didactic treatises on oratory, a commentary on Genesis, another on Ezechiel, and three volumes of religious polemics. Most of his sermons are written in Italian, the other works being in Latin. The three volumes of controversies have notes in Greek and Hebrew. [Note: In 1959 Pope John XXIII proclaimed St. Lorenzo da Brindisi a Doctor of the Universal Church.]
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SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/L/stlawrenceofbrindisi.asp#ixzz1Skd5DZ8x
IMAGE SOURCE: CLARESCATHOLICCLUTTER BLOGSPOT
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Pope Francis "Violence cannot be overcome with violence. Violence is overcome with peace!” Angelus
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday expressed his concern for the plight of Christian communities in the Iraqi town of Mosul and in other parts of the Middle East.
Speaking after the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope turned his thoughts to those Christians who are now persecuted in the lands they have lived since the beginning of Christianity, offering - he said - a precious contribution to the good of society. “Today our brothers are persecuted” – the Pope said – "they are banished from their homes and forced to flee without even being able to take their belongings!”
And, assured them of his closeness and constant prayer he said: “My dear brothers and sisters who are persecuted, I know how much you suffer; I know that you are deprived of all. I am with you in faith in He who conquered evil”.
The Pope then appealed to all – to those present in the Square and far beyond – to persevere in praying for peace in all situations of tension and conflict in the world, and he especially mentioned the Middle East and Ukraine.
“May the God of peace” – Francis said – “arouse in all an authentic desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence cannot be overcome with violence. Violence is overcome with peace!”
The Pope’s appeal followed his Sunday address to the crowds gathered in the Square for the recitation of the Angelus prayer.
Taking his cue from the Gospel reading of the day, the Pope reflected on the parable that tells of the man who sowed good seed in his field while his enemy sowed weeds. But when the man’s servants offer to pull up the weeds, the man stoped them saying “if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them”.
This parable – Pope Francis explained – speaks to us of the problem of evil in the world and it highlights God’s patience.
The devil – he said – plants evil where there is good, trying to divide people, families and nations. But God – he continued – knows how to wait. He looks into the ‘field’ of each person with patience and mercy: he sees the dirt and the evil much better than we do, but he also sees the seeds of good and patiently awaits their germination.
God – Pope Francis said – is a patient father who waits with an open heart to welcome us and to forgive us. But – he pointed out – His patience does not mean He is indifferent to evil. One must not confuse good and evil. And at the end, at the time of the harvest, Jesus will judge us all separating those who have sown good seed from those who have sown weeds. And – Francis said – we will be judged with the same meter with which we judged others; we will be shown the same mercy we showed towards others.
Let us ask Our Lady – Pope Francis concluded – to help us grow in patience and in mercy. Shared from Radio Vaticana
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