2014
Pope Francis "Pray hard for Peace" Angelus Video/Text
Viral Video by Father of young Daughter Killed by Drunk Driver - SHARE Save a Life
Free Catholic Movie : The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima : Drama
Pregnant Christian Woman Burnt to Death in Pakistan - Please PRAY
Pope Francis "Pray hard for Peace" Angelus Video/Text
Reflecting on Wednesday’s catechesis Pope Francis described how the Church is a new people, founded on a new covenant. He explained, however, that the newness brought by Christ does not set aside what went before, but brings it to completion.
Then focusing on one of the great Saints of the Church, John the Baptist, the Pope underlined how this man of God is a bridge between the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament and their fulfilment in the New. John, said the Holy Father “points to Jesus and calls us to follow him in repentance and conversion”.
Looking the Gospel of St Matthew for inspiration, Pope Francis noted that Jesus tells us that our Christian life will be judged on how we treat him in the least of our brethren. He also added that in the Beatitudes, Jesus shows us the way in which, with his grace, we can attain authentic happiness.
The Holy Father concluded his catechesis by giving the pilgrims gathered some homework to do. He asked them to always keep a little book of the Gospels handy, whether it be in their pockets or in a bag, so they can read the Beatitudes contained in Matthew, that have been given to us by Jesus.
Rick Ellis gives a powerful message to people who drink and drive from his daughter's cemetery. Ellis lost his 6 year old daughter four years ago in a drunk driving accident. While standing at her grave he says, “My little girl was killed from a mother who wanted to get high; drink, party and have fun. It didn’t work out too well. I’m going to show you something that is the end result of your partying on Friday nights, Saturday nights, whenever. Want to get drunk, play around, get stupid? 
This is what happens…” Then he points the camera to the grave stone of Christy M Johnson Ellis and Lindsey Kay Ellis. Rick goes on to say, “This is my precious little girl who had been killed in a drunk driving accident. Her mother had been partying for two days, staying up all night, drinking whiskey, having fun. Everything was great. Well, it ‘aint so great now.” “My little girl was six years old. She died instantly. Both were crushed to death. She died in Beaumont Mississippi.
This is what happens…” Then he points the camera to the grave stone of Christy M Johnson Ellis and Lindsey Kay Ellis. Rick goes on to say, “This is my precious little girl who had been killed in a drunk driving accident. Her mother had been partying for two days, staying up all night, drinking whiskey, having fun. Everything was great. Well, it ‘aint so great now.” “My little girl was six years old. She died instantly. Both were crushed to death. She died in Beaumont Mississippi.
SHARE THIS YOU MIGHT SAVE A LIFE
Pope Francis 3 Words to Families "forgive, thanks, please...." - Full Text Congress
(Vatican Radio) From August 4 to 9, the First Latin American Congress on the Pastoral Care of the Family sponsored by Celam, is beinging held in Panama. The theme is: "Family and social development for full life and missionary communion. On Thursday, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family is expected to give an address.
Below is a Vatican Radio translation in English of the message sent by the Pope to the Congress:
Below is a Vatican Radio translation in English of the message sent by the Pope to the Congress:
Dear brothers and sisters,
I unite with all the participants in this first Latin American Congress for the Pastoral Care of the family, organized by Celam and I congratulate you on this initiative in favour of a value so dear and important today for our peoples.
What is the family? Beyond its more pressing problems and its most urgent needs, the family is a "centre of love," where reigns the law of respect and communion, able to withstand the attacks of manipulation and dominance of the worldly "centres of power ". In the home, the person is integrated in a natural and harmonious way in a human group, overcoming the false opposition between the individual and society. Within the family, no one is discarded: both the elder and child are welcome. The culture of encounter and dialogue, openness to solidarity and transcendence have it in its cradle.
For this reason, the family is a great "social wealth" (cf. Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 44). In this sense, I would like to emphasize two primary contributions: stability and fertility.
We learn to live in the nuclear family based on loving relationships that are faithful unto death, such as that of a spose, father, child and brother or sister. These relationships form the basic fabric of human society, when they are given cohesion and consistency. Because you cannot be part of a community that opens itself out to others, to feel close to one another, to take account of the most needly and most unfortunate, if the human heart were to shatter these relationships that provide basic security to man.
In addition, family love is fruitful, not only because it generates new lives, but also because it broadens the horizon of existence, creates a new world; makes us believe, against all despair and defeat, that a coexistence based on respect and trust is possible. Faced with a materialistic view of the world, the family does not reduce man to sterile utilitarianism, but channels his deepest desires.
Finally, I would like to tell you that, thanks to the founding of family love, man also grows in his openness to God as Father. For this, the Aparecida document indicates that the family should not only be considered the object of evangelization, but also an agent of evangelization (cf. nn. 432, 435). The family reflects the image of God, in his deepest mystery, and in this way allows you to see human love as a sign of God's love and presence (Lumen fidei, 52). In the family, faith is mixed with maternal milk. For example, the simple and spontaneous gesture to ask for a blessing that is conserved in many of our peoples, encapsulates the biblical conviction that God's blessing is passed on from father to son.
Aware that family love ennobles everything that man does, giving it an added value, it is important to encourage families to cultivate healthy relationships among its members, to know how to say to each other "forgive", "thanks , " " please, "and turn to God with the beautiful name of" Father ".
May Our Lady of Guadalupe obtain from God abundant blessings for the families of America and make it the seed of life, harmony and a strong faith, nourished by the Gospel and by good works.
I ask you, please, to pray for me because I need it.
fraternally,
I unite with all the participants in this first Latin American Congress for the Pastoral Care of the family, organized by Celam and I congratulate you on this initiative in favour of a value so dear and important today for our peoples.
What is the family? Beyond its more pressing problems and its most urgent needs, the family is a "centre of love," where reigns the law of respect and communion, able to withstand the attacks of manipulation and dominance of the worldly "centres of power ". In the home, the person is integrated in a natural and harmonious way in a human group, overcoming the false opposition between the individual and society. Within the family, no one is discarded: both the elder and child are welcome. The culture of encounter and dialogue, openness to solidarity and transcendence have it in its cradle.
For this reason, the family is a great "social wealth" (cf. Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 44). In this sense, I would like to emphasize two primary contributions: stability and fertility.
We learn to live in the nuclear family based on loving relationships that are faithful unto death, such as that of a spose, father, child and brother or sister. These relationships form the basic fabric of human society, when they are given cohesion and consistency. Because you cannot be part of a community that opens itself out to others, to feel close to one another, to take account of the most needly and most unfortunate, if the human heart were to shatter these relationships that provide basic security to man.
In addition, family love is fruitful, not only because it generates new lives, but also because it broadens the horizon of existence, creates a new world; makes us believe, against all despair and defeat, that a coexistence based on respect and trust is possible. Faced with a materialistic view of the world, the family does not reduce man to sterile utilitarianism, but channels his deepest desires.
Finally, I would like to tell you that, thanks to the founding of family love, man also grows in his openness to God as Father. For this, the Aparecida document indicates that the family should not only be considered the object of evangelization, but also an agent of evangelization (cf. nn. 432, 435). The family reflects the image of God, in his deepest mystery, and in this way allows you to see human love as a sign of God's love and presence (Lumen fidei, 52). In the family, faith is mixed with maternal milk. For example, the simple and spontaneous gesture to ask for a blessing that is conserved in many of our peoples, encapsulates the biblical conviction that God's blessing is passed on from father to son.
Aware that family love ennobles everything that man does, giving it an added value, it is important to encourage families to cultivate healthy relationships among its members, to know how to say to each other "forgive", "thanks , " " please, "and turn to God with the beautiful name of" Father ".
May Our Lady of Guadalupe obtain from God abundant blessings for the families of America and make it the seed of life, harmony and a strong faith, nourished by the Gospel and by good works.
I ask you, please, to pray for me because I need it.
fraternally,
Franciscus.
Free Catholic Movie : The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima : Drama
Pregnant Christian Woman Burnt to Death in Pakistan - Please PRAY
ASIA NEWS REPORT: "I saw my niece burn alive." The dramatic story of an attack on Ahmadis in Punjab by Jibran Khan
Arslan Shahyar describes the pain of the terrible death of a young, pregnant woman, in the fire that destroyed her home. Extremist madness unleashed by an alleged case of blasphemy. The solidarity of Christians. Ahmadis take to the streets to demand justice. But in Pakistan there are still cases of abuse and violence against minorities.
Islamabad (AsiaNews) - "It was the worst night of my life. I saw my niece burned alive. And she was also pregnant, what could she possibly be guilty of?": Arslan Shahyar describes the pain and suffering of his family to AsiaNews. He is the uncle of the Ahmadi woman killed on July 27 in Punjab by an angry mob that attacked and set fire to some houses in the area as a result of an alleged accusation of blasphemy.
"It was barbaric" echoes Asma Bibi, who says there are no words to describe "the pain we feel seeing the baby die, right before our eyes". At the end of July in Gujranwala, Islamic extremists set fire to several houses belonging to members of the Muslim minority, persecuted because they do not recognize Muhammad as the last prophet.
Political institutions and local authorities were unwilling to condemn the assault, denying the violence; at least four people were killed in the attack, including two children, one of whom was seven years old and the other only eight months, several others were wounded.
Victims' relatives want justice, but their appeals have fallen on deaf ears. "Where is the law?" demands Asma Bibi, who bursts into tears and lays the blame with the authorities who "are unable to protect us." Fr. John Aslam, a priest in Gujranwala, condemned the incident and has brought the support and prayers of Christians to the family affected by the tragedy. Human rights activist Aqeel Mehdi says similar cases of violent episodes "becoming increasingly frequent" and authorities "fail to take the necessary measures to protect minorities."
Founded in India in the late 19th century, the Ahmadi doctrine is considered "heretical" by much of the Muslim world, both Sunni and Shiite. It honors its founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, and has beliefs related to other religions. In Pakistan, the law bans followers from using Islamic greetings and prayers, and to refer to their places of worship as "mosques". This is why the Ahmadis as a community - together with Christians - are often the victims of the blasphemy laws used to persecute minorities.
Yesterday morning the Ahmadi community in Gujranwala, along with activists and members of civil society, took to the streets in protest. The attack was sparked by an allegedly blasphemous photo posted on Facebook by a boy belonging to the Muslim minority. Some local extremists have tried to capture him, then decided to strike the whole family by setting fire to the house in which he lived.
This is the latest in a long list of cases of sectarian violence against an entire community, sparked by an alleged case of blasphemy. Similar incidents have occurred in the past in Lahore, Pasrur, Shanti Nagar and Korian. On July 31, the local Christian community marked five years since the dramatic Gojra massacre, also triggered by a dispute related to the "black law" and abuse that it causes.
According to a report prepared by the Life For All Pakistan activist movement, in the last six months there have been attacks of various kinds - rapes, murders, forced conversions, kidnappings - against Shia (150 cases), Hazara (23) Hindu (45) Sikhs (21) Christian (66), Ahmadi (22) and other minorities (13).
In 2013 at least a thousand Hindu and Christian women were forced to marry to a Muslim and converted to Islam; again last year, at least 13 thousand Christians fled Pakistan for fear of attacks.
ASIA NEWS IT REPORT
Today's Mass and, Readings : Wed. August 6, 2014 - Transfiguration Feast
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Lectionary: 614
Reading 1DN 7:9-10, 13-14
As I watched:
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
his throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw:
One like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
his throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw:
One like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Responsorial Psalm PS 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
We did not follow cleverly devised myths
when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father
when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,
“This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven
while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.
You will do well to be attentive to it,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Reading 22 PT 1:16-19
Beloved:We did not follow cleverly devised myths
when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father
when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,
“This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven
while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.
You will do well to be attentive to it,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Gospel MT 17:1-9
Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Saint August 6 : Feast of The Transfiguration of the Lord
The Transfiguration of the Lord
Feast: August 6
 Information:
|
The Transfiguration of Christ is the culminating point of His public life, as His Baptism is its starting point, and His Ascension its end. Moreover, this glorious event has been related in detail by St. Matthew (xvii, 1-6), St. Mark (ix, 1-8), and St. Luke (ix, 28-36), while St. Peter (II Pet., i, 16-18) and St. John (i, 14), two of the privileged witnesses, make allusion to it.
About a week after His sojourn in Caesarea Philippi, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them to a high mountain apart, where He was transfigured before their ravished eyes. St. Matthew and St. Mark express this phenomenon by the word metemorphothe, which the Vulgate renders transfiguratus est. The Synoptics explain the true meaning of the word by adding "his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow," according to the Vulgate, or "as light," according to the Greek text.
This dazzling brightness which emanated from His whole Body was produced by an interior shining of His Divinity. False Judaism had rejected the Messias, and now true Judaism, represented by Moses and Elias, the Law and the Prophets, recognized and adored Him, while for the second time God the Father proclaimed Him His only-begotten and well-loved Son. By this glorious manifestation the Divine Master, who had just foretold His Passion to the Apostles (Matt., xvi, 21), and who spoke with Moses and Elias of the trials which awaited Him at Jerusalem, strengthened the faith of his three friends and prepared them for the terrible struggle
of which they were to be witnesses in Gethsemani, by giving them a foretaste of the glory and heavenly delights to which we attain by suffering.
LOCATION OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
Already in Apostolic times the mount of the Transfiguration had become the "holy mount" (II Pet., i, 18). It seems to have been known by the faithful of the country, and tradition identified it with Mount Thabor. Origen said (A.D. 231-54) "Thabor is the mountain of Galilee on which Christ was transfigured" (Comm. in Ps. lxxxviii, 13). In the next century St. Cyril of Jerusalem (Catech., II, 16) and St. Jerome (Ep. xlvi, ad Marcel.; EP. viii, ad Paulin.; Ep. cviii, ad Eust.) likewise declare it categorically. Later St. Proculus, Patriarch of Constantinople (d. 447; Orat. viii, in Transfig.), Agathangelus (Hist. of Armenia, II, xvii), and Arnobius the Younger (d. 460; Comm. in Ps. lxxxviii, 13) say the same thing. The testimonies increase from century to century without a single dissentient note, and in 553 the Fifth Council of Constantinople erected a see at Mount Thabor (Notitif Antioch. . . . patriarch.).
Some modern writers claim that the Transfiguration could not have taken place on Mount Thabor, which, according to Josephus, was then surmounted by a city. This is incorrect; the Jewish historian speaks neither of a city nor a village; he simply fortified, as he repeats three times, "the mount called Itabyrion" ("Bell. Jud.", II, xx, 6; IV, i, 8; Vita , 37). The town of Atabyrion of Polybius, the Thabor or Celeseth Thabor, the "flank of Thabor" of the Bible, is situated at the foot of Mount Thabor. In any case the presence of houses on a wooded height would not have made it impossible to find a place apart.
It is again objected that Our Lord was transfigured on Mount Hermon, since He was at that time in its vicinity. But the Synoptics are all explicit concerning the lapse of time, six days, or about eight days including those of departure and arrival, between the discourse in Caesarea and the Transfiguration, which would infer a somewhat lengthy journey. Moreover the summits of Hermon are covered with snow as late as June, and even the lesser peaks of 4000 or 5000 feet are likewise snow-covered in February and March, the period of the Transfiguration. Finally, the ancients judged of the height of mountains by their appearance, and Thabor especially was considered a "high mountain", if not by David and Jeremias, at least by Origen and St. Jerome and the pilgrims who made the ascent.
|
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/T/transfigurationofthelord.asp#ixzz1UFvTmfM8
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Pope Francis meets 50000 Altar Servers from Germany
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
