Not drama, truth....
Friday, 11 May 2012
Arundel and Brighton Diocese Plea for Coptic Christians
From the A and B newsletter. If you can, please respond.
Following this success we have a further plea for help, this time from Brighton Voices in Exile. They ask if they can be given food, toiletries, and wool for their women's group. They are currently experiencing a high demand for our services at the moment with many Copts arriving from Egypt and facing destitution situations. Any support that cold be given would be greatly appreciated. Contact or send anything to Mary - Jane Burkett,Director, Brighton Voices In Exile, 55 Upper North Street, Brighton BN1 3FH. Tel: . Email:bvie@hotmail.co.uk.
A and B Diocesan news; American photo
St. Paul shipwrecked gives us hope in Europe
In my old missal today, it is the feast of SS. Philip and James. The Gospel is from John 14:1-13. I find this particularly comforting in the midst of European chaos. St. Paul was on his way to Europe, to Rome, when his ship broke up near Malta. No one died. He met Publius, now a saint, and the Church was established on that small jewel in the Mediterranean. Even in a wreck, God brought forth new life for an entire people, who would not have heard the Good News without this tragedy, at least the loss of material goods.
Hope, pray, fast. love, have faith. Here is part of today's TLM reading: At this time: Jesus said to his disciples:
Do not let your heart be distressed; as you have faith in God, have faith in me. There are many dwelling-places in my Father's house; otherwise, should I have said to you, I am going away to prepare a home for you? And though I do go away, to prepare you a home, I am coming back; and then I will take you to myself, so that you too may be where I am. Read the entire section today, and be cheerful in the Lord.
And, to my friends in Malta, I can phone you, much cheaper and more often, after the new ruling in the EU on roaming charges which begins July 1st. Thank goodness for a small blessing...Here is St. Luke on the meeting of SS. Paul and Publius.
In the vicinity of that place were lands belonging to a man named Publius, the chief of the island. He welcomed us and received us cordially as his guests for three days. It so happened that the father of Publius was sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and, after praying, laid his hands on him and healed him. After this had taken place, the rest of the sick on the island came to Paul and were cured. They paid us great honor and when we eventually set sail they brought us the provisions we needed. - Acts 28:7-10
"Love in a cold climate..."
I recall that that our hearts are formed while we are living, and the amount of charity we have metaphorically, "in our hearts" has depended upon several movements as rational, baptized persons. This is what life is all about-moving into Love, who is a Person. Some further ideas on this process follow:
First, baptism is essential, and "thanks" to the those readers who have encouraged me in that discussion. Without sanctifying grace, we cannot be holy.
Second, only by being in conformity with the teaching of the Catholic Church, can we become saints. Heretics, even in "small things" cannot become perfect. This means a knowledge of our self, hopefully gained through community, marriage, a spiritual director, or other input from objective persons. This person could be a doctor, a counselor, even a Catholic psychologist, who understands God, prayer, the life of grace. The Church provides this objectivity. Human nature needs the interaction of both the rational, spiritual, and material aspect of the body and soul.
Third, as Allers, in the book I have been reading, The Psychology of Character, states, "a proper development of love for one's neighbor is a necessary antecedent to the love given to God, and is demanded by the nature of man...the garnered experience of man's spiritual life shows that our love for our fellow-men passes over into love for God."
In other words, spiritual perfection without love of neighbor is impossible.
Fourth, all the problems in families, marriages, parishes, etc. are linked to the lack of love for others, based on the lack of love for one's self. Absorbing the love of God in prayer and through the sacrament, opens our hearts to other people. We must love others, as we love ourselves....If we think we are holy, all we need to do, as Allers notes, is to ask the question, and I reform his statement into a plural form, "how we stand with our fellow-humans determines how we are loving God."
The never-ending story......is Love, Who is a Person, Who is God.
Franklin Graham on Obama
Thank God for our brothers and sisters in Christ who still believe in the basic teachings of God. Franklin Graham has come out with a strong statement against Obama. Now, this will be a significant development for many Evangelicals and other Protestants.
Here is a snippet. The link is at the bottom.
Evangelist Franklin Graham said President Barack Obama has “shaken his fist at God” by voicing support for gay marriage.
In an interview Wednesday with ABC News, Obama said his opinions had evolved and he now believes same-sex couples should have the right to wed.
“At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama said.
Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham, said the president was defying God’s will by changing his opinion on the issue.
“President Obama has, in my view, shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage. It grieves me that our president would now affirm same-sex marriage, though I believe it grieves God even more,” Graham said in a statement.
“This is a sad day for America. May God help us,” he said.
Graham supported a measure to amend North Carolina’s constitution to bar gay marriage. Voters on Tuesday passed the amendment with a 61 percent approval rate.
Read more on Newsmax.com: Franklin Graham: Obama Has ‘Shaken His Fist’ at God
Important: Do You Support Pres. Obama's Re-Election? Vote Here Now!
Here is a snippet. The link is at the bottom.
Evangelist Franklin Graham said President Barack Obama has “shaken his fist at God” by voicing support for gay marriage.
In an interview Wednesday with ABC News, Obama said his opinions had evolved and he now believes same-sex couples should have the right to wed.
“At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama said.
Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham, said the president was defying God’s will by changing his opinion on the issue.
“President Obama has, in my view, shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage. It grieves me that our president would now affirm same-sex marriage, though I believe it grieves God even more,” Graham said in a statement.
“This is a sad day for America. May God help us,” he said.
Graham supported a measure to amend North Carolina’s constitution to bar gay marriage. Voters on Tuesday passed the amendment with a 61 percent approval rate.
Read more on Newsmax.com: Franklin Graham: Obama Has ‘Shaken His Fist’ at God
Important: Do You Support Pres. Obama's Re-Election? Vote Here Now!