Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI on the Cross:

Tribulation Times

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/june.asp?version=63&startmmdd=0101

June 9, 2010 

(1Co 1:20-24) Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For, seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe. For both the Jews require signs: and the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness: But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God. 

POPE BENEDICT XVI ON THE CROSS

In his homily during the votive Mass for the Holy Cross, the Holy Father affirmed that the Cross "is something far greater and more mysterious than it at first appears. It is indeed an instrument of torture, suffering and defeat, but at the same time it expresses the complete transformation, the definitive reversal of these evils: that is what makes it the most eloquent symbol of hope that the world has ever seen.
 
"It speaks to all who suffer - the oppressed, the sick, the poor, the outcast, the victims of violence - and it offers them hope that God can transform their suffering into joy, their isolation into communion, their death into life. It offers unlimited hope to our fallen world."

"That", he added, "is why the world needs the Cross. The Cross is not just a private symbol of devotion, it is not just a badge of membership of a certain group within society, and in its deepest meaning it has nothing to do with the imposition of a creed or a philosophy by force. It speaks of hope, it speaks of love, it speaks of the victory of non-violence over oppression, it speaks of God raising up the lowly, empowering the weak,conquering division, and overcoming hatred with love.
 
"A world without the Cross would be a world without hope, a world in which torture and brutality would go unchecked, the weak would be exploited and greed would have the final word. Man's inhumanity to man would be manifested in ever more horrific ways, and there would be no end to the vicious cycle of violence. Only the Cross puts an end to it".

The Holy Father went on: "While no earthly power can save us from the consequences of our sins, and no earthly power can defeat injustice at its source, nevertheless the saving intervention of our loving God has transformed the reality of sin and death into its opposite. That is what we celebrate when we glory in the Cross of our Redeemer".

VIDEO: Pope calls for Christian unity in Cyprus

HEADLINE: Pope: Respect Mideast Christians' rights

"The Israeli occupation of Palestinian Territories is creating difficulties in everyday life, inhibiting freedom of movement, the economy and religious life -- access to the holy places is dependent on military permission, which is granted to some and denied to others on security grounds," it said. "Moreover, certain Christian fundamentalist theologies use sacred Scripture to justify Israel's occupation of Palestine, making the position of Christian Arabs an even more sensitive issue."

The document called for dialogue among all faiths in the region and also highlighted the Christian minority's difficulties with Islam.

"Oftentimes, relations between Christians and Muslims are difficult, principally because Muslims make no distinction between religion and politics, thereby relegating Christians to the precarious position of being considered non-citizens," the document said.

MORE: Pope calls for 'urgent, concerted effort' to resolve tensions in Middle East

RELATED: Afghans burn pope effigy over proselytizing claims

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions, and virtues"

51. As an example of the fear of the Lord, let us take the fear that we feel in the presence of rulers and wild beasts; and as an example of desire for God, let carnal love serve as a model for you. There is nothing against taking examples of the virtues from what is contrary.      

Prayer request?  Send an email to: PrayerRequest3@aol.com

This month's archive can be found at: http://www.catholicprophecy.info/news2.html

Posted via email from deaconjohn's posterous

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please no anonymous comments. I require at least some way for people to address each other personally and courteously. Having some name or handle helps.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.