|
|
|
 |
|
The
Fourth Commandment: Honor your father and mother. |
|
|
|
It
is interesting to say the least that nowhere does
the Bible say "Love your Parents" but instead in
Mark 12:31,
|
|
'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
|
|
Sure, with inclusivism one can infer that your
parents are your neighbors, too. And yet there it
is, the Bible teaches that honoring someone is
greater than loving someone. In fact great enough
to be part of the Ten Commandments.
Perhaps the problems, tensions and tenuous
relationships that some people have with their
parents existed then as they do now.
With very rare exceptions, we should all honor our
parents. And in most cases, honoring often
includes loving them.
|
|
|
|
Happy Mother's Day to All! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And
now, some humor! |
|
Things my mother taught me
(A
Reader's Contribution from a long time ago) |
|
|
|
My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside
- I just finished cleaning!"
My mother taught me RELIGION
"You better pray that will come out of the
carpet."
My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL
"If you don't straighten up,
I'm going to knock you into the middle
of next week!"
My mother taught me REASON
"Because I said so, that's why."
My Mother taught me LOGIC
"If you fall out of that swing and break your
neck, you're not going to the store with me."
My mother taught me FORESIGHT
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case
you're in an accident"
My mother taught me IRONY
"Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry
about."
My mother taught me about the
science of OSMOSIS
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper!"
My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM
"Will you "look" at the dirt on the back of your
neck!"
My mother taught me about STAMINA
"You'll sit there 'till all that spinach is
finished."
My mother taught me about WEATHER
"It looks as if a tornado swept through your
room."
My mother taught me how to solve PHYSICS PROBLEMS
"If I yelled because I saw a meteor coming toward
you, would you listen then?"
My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY
"If I've told you once, I've told you a million
times--Don't
exaggerate!!!"
My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you
out."
My mother taught me about
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
"Stop acting like your father!"
My mother taught me about ENVY!
"There are millions of less fortunate children in
this world who don't have wonderful parents like
you do!"
My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION
"Just wait until we get home."
My Mother taught me about RECEIVING
"You are going to get it when we get home!"
My Mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are
going to freeze that way."
My Mother taught me to THINK AHEAD
"If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll
never get a good job."
My Mother taught me ESP
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when
you're cold?"
My Mother taught me HUMOR
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't
come running to me."
My Mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never
grow up."
My Mother taught me about SEX
"How do you THINK you got here?"
My Mother taught me about GENETICS
"You're just like your father."
My Mother taught me about my ROOTS
"Do you think you were born in a barn?"
My Mother taught me about WISDOM OF AGE
"When you get to be my age, you will understand."
And my all time favorite...
My Mother taught me about JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids ... and I hope they turn
out just like you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What
is
|
|
Pentecost Sunday
|
|
On
Sunday, May 11, 2008 the Universal Church
celebrates the Pentecost Sunday when the Holy
Spirit descends on the apostles. It is the 50th
Sunday after the resurrection of Christ, tenth day
after the Ascension of the LORD and marks the end
of the Easter season.
This is one of the most ancient feast of the
Church, mentioned in the
Acts of the Apostles
20:16 and
First Letter Paul's to
the Corinthians 16:8. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE CHURCH IS
ALWAYS IN A STATE OF PENTECOST |
|
|
|
|
VATICAN CITY, 7 MAY 2008 (VIS) - In the
general audience, held this morning in St.
Peter's Square in the presence of 20,000
faithful, the Holy Father used the occasion of
the visit to Rome of His Holiness Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all
Armenians, to focus his remarks on ecumenical
dialogue. The Patriarch, who was present at
the audience, also made a brief address in
which he reflected on the same theme, also
dwelling upon the history of the Armenian
people.
Greeting the Patriarch in English, Benedict
XVI referred to the statue of St. Gregory the
Illuminator, founder of the Armenian Church,
which is located in a niche of the Vatican
Basilica and "serves to remind us of the
|
 |
|
|
severe persecutions suffered by Armenian
Christians, especially during the last century.
Armenia's many martyrs are a sign of the power of
the Holy Spirit working in times of darkness, and
a pledge of hope for Christians everywhere".
The Patriarch's presence, said the Pope, "revives
our hope for the full unity of all Christians",
and he noted the well-known "commitment of the
Armenian Apostolic Church to ecumenical dialogue".
|
|
|
|
"These days of preparation that immediately
precede the Solemnity of Pentecost stimulate us
to renew our hope in the help of the Holy Spirit
to advance along the path of ecumenism. We have
the certainty that the Lord Jesus never abandons
us in our search for unity, because His Spirit
is tirelessly at work to support the efforts we
make to overcome all forms of division".
Benedict XVI went on: The Holy Spirit is "a
power for the forgiveness of sins, for the
renewal of our hearts and our lives. It renews
the earth and creates unity where before there
was division". When it descended upon the
Apostles they spoke in tongues, a sign that "the
Babylonian dispersion, fruit of the pride which
divides mankind, was overcome in the Spirit,
which is charity and gives us unity in
diversity".
"Since the first moment of her existence the
Church, thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit,
has spoken in all tongues and lived in all
cultures. She destroys nothing of their history
and gifts, but assumes them all in a great and
new unity, which reconciles unity with the
multiplicity of forms. With its power, the Holy
Spirit ... unites divided man in divine charity
and thus creates ... the great community which
is the Church in all the world".
Pope Benedict then went on to highlight how "the
Church is always, so to say, in a state of
Pentecost. Gathered in the Cenacle, she prays
incessantly to obtain ever new effusions of the
gifts of the Holy Spirit, ... and is not afraid
to announce the Gospel to the furthest confines
of the earth. This is why, faced with
difficulties and divisions, Christians cannot
resign themselves or give way to discouragement.
"This is what Christ asks of Christians: to
persevere in prayer in order to keep alive the
flame of faith, hope and charity, and the
longing for full unity", the Pope added. He then
went on to mention his recent apostolic trip to
the United States during which he had made
reference "to the centrality of prayer in the
ecumenical movement. In this period of
globalisation and, at the same time, of
fragmentation, 'without prayer ecumenical
structures, institutions and programs would be
deprived of their heart and soul'", he said.
Finally, the Holy Father quoted St. Paul's
Letter to the Galatians where it is written that
"the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Today", he
concluded, "we too invoke these gifts of the
Spirit for all Christians, so that in the joint
and generous service of the Gospel they may be a
sign in the world of God's love for humanity".
|
|
AG/ECUMENISM
PENTECOST/KAREKINVIS 080507 (660)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
So
you think you know -
|
|
Scripture and the Catechism
of the Catholic Church |
| |
The Office of Catechism
of the United States Congress of Catholic Bishops
website puts our knowledge of the Catholic
Faith to a test!
This
is just a sample. |
|
|
|
- Who is the
author
of Sacred Scripture?
True or False:
The authors of Scripture were only instruments
under the influence of the Holy Spirit, who
dictated to them the words to be written down.
True or False:
The Bible is to be understood literally.
In
addition to knowing the literary genres of
Scripture itself, what other
sources are
needed in order to interpret the Scripture
correctly?
True or False:
Even though we live in the New Testament times as
inaugurated by Christ, the Old Testament is still
indispensable.
The
illumination
of the unity of the divine plan gained by
discerning in God's works of the Old Covenant
prefigurations of what he accomplished in the
fullness of time in the person of his incarnate
Son is called:
|
|
a). transubstantiation
b). inerrancy
c). impeccability
d). typology
e). inspiration
|
|
To
learn more about Our Faith, please
click here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pentecost
Sunday
May 11, 2008 |
|
 |
|
|
First Reading from the Acts of the
Apostles |
|
Acts 2:1-11 |
|
|
When
the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were
all in one place together.
And
suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a
strong driving wind, and it filled the entire
house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit
enabled them to proclaim.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under
heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but
they were confused because each one heard them
speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked,
“Are not all these people who are speaking
Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in
his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and
Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and
Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as
well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and
converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we
hear them speaking in our own tongues of the
mighty acts of God.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Responsorial From the Book of Psalms:
|
|
Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30,
31, 34 |
|
|
|
|
|
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face
of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O Lord!
the earth is full of your creatures;
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the
face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the
face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the
face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Reading from the First Letter to the
Corinthians |
|
1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13
|
| |
|
| |
Brothers and sisters:
No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the
Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of
spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are
different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God who
produces all of them in everyone.
To
each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is
given for some benefit.
As a body is one though it has many parts, and all
the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all
baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks,
slaves or free persons, and we were all given to
drink of one Spirit. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reading From the Gospel of John |
|
Jn 20:19-23
|
|
|
|
On the evening of
that first day of the week, when the doors were
locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said
to them, “Peace be with you.”
When
he had said this, he showed them his hands and his
side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As
the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he
breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive
are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are
retained.” |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Suggested Readings |
|
 |
Happiness Is a Serious
Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual
by Dennis Prager.
In this unique blend of self-help and moral
philosophy, talk-radio host Dennis Prager
asserts that we're actually obligated to be
happy, because it makes us better people. |
|
|
|
 |
Praying With Frederic Ozanam
(Companions for the Journey Series)
-
Paperback, by Ronald Cm Ramson (Author) |
|
|
|
 |
Praying With Louise De
Marillac (Companions for the Journey Series)
by Audrey Gibson (Author), Kieran Kneaves
(Author) |
|
|
|
 |
Praying with Vincent de
Paul (Companions for the Journey)
2004, by Thomas McKenna
|
|
|
|
 |
The Rise of Christianity:
How the Obscure, Marginal, Jesus Movement Became
the Dominant Religious Force ....
(Paperback) by Rodney Stark
(Author)
From the Publisher
"... this account of Christianity's remarkable
growth within the Roman Empire |
|
is already the subject of much fanfare. "Anyone
who has puzzled over Christianity's rise to
dominance... must read it," ...
Read the first page. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Living Liturgy:
Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for
Sundays and Solemnities, Year A,
2008 (Paperback) by C.PP.S. Joyce Ann Zimmerman
(Author), Thomas A. Greisen (Author), S.N.D. de
N. Kathleen Harmon (Author), M.S. Thomas L.
Leclerc (Author) |
|
"Perfect for home use or to prepare for weekly
liturgy . . . It includes help for the
celebration, ideas for catechesis on the
particular event, and ways to understand the
readings more deeply. Finally, it includes
sample questions from which priests, deacons,
lay groups, ministers and others can jump off
into deeper discussion." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Straight Answers, Answers
to 100 Questions about the Catholic Faith
by Ph.D Rev. William P.
Saunders (Author)
Review by: Reverend William G. Curlin Bishop of
Charlotte
Straight Answers offers Catholics a simple and
direct response to the many questions concerning
the Catholic Church. It spells out profound
truths in very |
|
simple language for all who seek a better
understanding of their Faith. I highly recommend
it for Catholics, both young and old. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The Power of Intention:
Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way
From Amazon:
After years of spiritual study and reflection,
inspirational speaker and |
|
bestselling
author Wayne Dyer has emerged a highly esteemed
teacher. His current message about tapping into
the power of intention may sound like good old
positive thinking: just stay focused on what you
want, rather than focusing on the lack of having
what you want. But the teaching here goes deeper
than just controlling thoughts (although he does
acknowledge that thought control is a
surprisingly challenging and significant
endeavor).
This book might
help readers land a better job, but it's more
relevant for those who are ready to detach from
an ego-driven life filled with quick fixes of
happiness and step into a more authentic,
joyful, and spiritually fulfilling life. His
core teachings speak to tapping into a universal
source of energy that can also be called the
"power of intention." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The Chariot of Israel:
Exploits of the Prophet of Elijah
THE CHARIOT OF ISRAEL: When Elijah was caught up
to heaven, his disciple Elisha cried out, "the
chariot of Israel, and its horsemen." Elisha was
referring not to the chariot but to the prophet.
This study of Elijah’s life will captivate you
as it walks you through a pivotal period in
Israel’s history, and illustrative maps will
give you a better picture of the physical
geography of this ancient land. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read
more about the Liturgical Year |
| |
|
 |
The Origins of the
Liturgical Year (Pueblo Books)
by Thomas J. Talley (Author) The Rev. Dr.
Thomas J. Talley, Professor of Liturgics
at the General Theological Seminary in New
York, is one of the leading liturgists in
the country. He gives us a fresh
examination of the complex history of the
Liturgical Year. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The Cultural World
of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday, Cycle C.
(Bestseller! the Cultural World of Jesus:
Sunday by Sunday)
by John J. Pilch (Author)
Reader
Review: The book by Pilch provides those
who not only fill the pulpits across this
country but also all interested in the
cultural world in which Jesus lived with a
lot of pertinent information that sheds
light on a lot of areas that have been
"muddled" in the past. Yes, I highly
recommend this book. - James Mauldin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Learn
more and read the Old Testament. |
 |
Preaching from the
Old Testament
by Elizabeth Achtemeier (Author) Reader
Review: The author of these thirty-two
short chapters begins and ends with the
assumption that problems we experience
with the Old Testament are our problem,
not the Bible's. This subordinating of the
Bible reader to the well-weathered book he
holds in his hand opens doors, not to
forced harmonisations of problematic
passages, but to fresh reappraisal of
difficult texts on their own terms. -
David A. Baer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The Navarre Bible:
Pentateuch (The Navarre Bible: Old
Testament)
This volume helps you make the first five
books of the Old Testament a vital part of
your spiritual reading and practical
growth in the Christian life. It contains
the full English and Latin texts of these
books, along with extensive and faithfully
Catholic commentaries. Like other volumes
in the world-renowned Navarre Bible
series, these commentaries draw on Church
documents, the exegesis of Fathers
|
|
and Doctors of the Church, and the works of
contemporary spiritual writers — particularly
St. Josemaría Escrivá, who initiated the
Navarre Bible project. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Comments and Suggestions are Most Welcome.
If you have any comments or contributions,
please
use the form in this link.
|
|
|
| |
| |
Comments and Suggestions are Most Welcome.
If you have any comments or contributions,
please
use the form in this
link.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Our Engine |
| |
 |
This newsletter
and the website is powered by Site Build It!
It really is a "Genie In A Box."
Don't forget to check out the Quick Tour Slide
Show!
|
|
| |
Want to try to win a free copy of
the "Genie In A Box?"
Click right here!
|
|
|
|
This
volume of commentary on the New English Bible text of the First Book of Kings
follows the pattern of the now well-established series on the Old and New
Testaments. The main divisions of the text are those provided by the New English
Bible itself, but these are further subdivided for the purposes of the
commentary, which is printed in short sections following the relevant portion of
the text.
