(Obviously Facetious) Question of the day: Why do Christian men just adore looking at a near naked God nailed to a cross?
(Obviously Facetious) Question of the day: Why do Christian men just adore looking at a near naked God nailed to a cross?
Answer: We adore the man, not the image, because the man, Jesus,
is our Lord, God and Holy Redeemer, who laid down his life for us,
so that we might defeat the power of death and hell, through him.
Asked and answered today, on Yahoo! Answers.
What “success” looks like
When my kids are grown, it won’t really matter if they got an A or a B in 7th grade history. It won’t really matter how far they can hit a baseball. It won’t really even matter much if they’ve made a lot of money or been “successful” according to the world. What will matter much more is this:
12 Most Important Metrics for your Child’s (and your) Education
According to a new study, the more intelligent a person is, the more likely he/she would be turn away from religion.
Study: “Most extant explanations (of a negative relation) share one central theme —the premise that religious beliefs are irrational, not anchored in science, not testable and, therefore, unappealing to intelligent people…”
Editor’s note: All of which goes to prove the eminent practicality of Catholicism, which is based on Jesus Christ – an actual historical person – plus faith and reason – including the entirely logical premise that anyone who claims to be God and subsequently raises himself from the dead in order to prove it – most likely IS precisely who he claims to be!
The ultimate hypocrisy: Convicted abortionist/murderer/baby-killer Kermit Gosnell made a deal and chose life – for himself.
He won’t die by an induced, painless, “humane” death.
He won’t die from a lethal dose of poison or a snip of the spine.
No, when given his last choice as a free human being
in the United States of America, he chose life.
He chose life even if it means he will suffer and be unwanted.
He chose life even if it means
he will be totally dependent on others to take care of him.
It would have been murder if someone had killed him in the outside world.
It would not have been murder if the authorities had killed him in prison.
Prison is the womb he has chosen to live in, and not to die in.
Something to think about.
Maybe the memory of the dead will help secure final victory in the war of abortion.
The beauty of human life
To see a baby’s development between weeks 1-25 (the time range of legal abortion in the US) click on the links below:
http://www.babycenter.com/2_inside-pregnancy-weeks-1-to-9_10302602.bc
http://www.babycenter.com/2_inside-pregnancy-weeks-10-to-14_10308108.bc
http://www.babycenter.com/2_inside-pregnancy-weeks-15-to-20_10308111.bc
http://www.babycenter.com/2_inside-pregnancy-weeks-21-to-27_10312242.bc
To hear the voices of women who have survived abortion and women who have had abortions, click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dawFw_fPCw8
Want to do something about this?
Don’t forget to attend the March for Life this Friday!
March for life homepage: http://www.marchforlife.org/
Related activities: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/2013-u.s.-march-for-life-schedule-of-events
And to continue following this cause!
National Right to Life: http://www.nrlc.org/
Life News: http://www.lifenews.com/
Thanks to Maria Kaufmann, Turtle Bay and Beyond
An unborn baby is “not a potential life, but a life with potential.”
A few years ago, my father commented on one of his favorite pro-life bumper stickers. That bumper-sticker phrase has stuck with me. The phrase is very truthful: “if it’s not a baby, then you’re not pregnant.”
Not only is such a phrase truthful, but it is very commonsense and simple – or at least should be. Now, there are those who will disagree with me, and may even express such disagreement right here on this forum. So, for the people who disagree, I have to ask: if what is in the mother’s womb is not a baby, what is it?
Your participation is requested: USCCB Call To Prayer For Life, Marriage, And Religious Liberty.
Join the Movement
- What: The U.S. bishops have approved a pastoral strategy to advance a Movement for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty. It is essentially a call to prayer, penance, and sacrifice for the sake of renewing a culture of life, marriage, and religious liberty in our country.
- Why: The well-being of society requires that life, marriage, and religious liberty are promoted and protected. Serious threats to each of these goods, however, have raised unprecedented challenges to the Church and to the nation. Two immediate flashpoints are the following:First is the HHS Mandate, which requires almost all employers, including Catholic employers, to pay for employees’ contraception, sterilization, and abortifacient drugs regardless of conscientious objections. This is a clear affront to America’s first freedom, religious liberty, as well as to the inherent dignity of every human person.Second, current trends in both government and culture are moving toward redefining marriage as the union of any two persons, ignoring marriage’s fundamental meaning and purpose as the universal institution that unites a man and a woman with each other and with the children born from their union. These challenges call for increased awareness and formation, as well as spiritual stamina and fortitude among the faithful, so that we may all be effective and joyful witnesses of faith, hope and charity.
- When: In this Year of Faith, starting on the feast of the Holy Family (Dec. 30, 2012) until the feast of Christ the King (Nov. 24, 2013)
- Who: All of the Catholic faithful are encouraged to participate
- Where: Throughout the entire country; at your local parish, cathedral, school or home
NASA definition of life seems plausible … at first.
Make sure you read this one all the way to the end…
Former abortionist sees the light
He described the experience of watching “the life drain from them” from just inches away:
“As you do the procedure, you begin to kill another human being up close. That reality goes through your hand and into your heart. [Performing abortions] hardens your heart every time, because you have to continually justify your actions to yourself.”
* * * NEWS FLASH – swallowing small amounts of saliva, over extended periods of time, is ALWAYS FATAL * * *
Momento mori: Latin phrase meaning, “Remember, you will die”.
This is the truest reality there is. This is what makes us all the same. It doesn’t matter how rich we are, or how popular we are, or how powerful we are: we are all going to “kick the bucket” one day. Isn’t that a nice thought?
Okay, you may say, so what? After we come to accept this basic reality, we have to make sure we do everything with our end in mind. God tells us in the Book of Sirach, “Call no man happy before his death, for by how he ends, a man is known” (11:28 [RNAB]). The world is filled with examples of men who began well and ended badly! We need to make sure that we are not one of them!
If we keep our end in mind then we can begin to reflect on what is most important: What will I accomplish with my short time on earth? What do I want people to say about me once I’ve taken my last breath? Was my life worth living? Will I be a person who changed the world? Will I be a person who gave more than I took? Or will I be a person who took more than I gave? Will people say of me, “I loved to be around that man because he was a true man and he gave his life away for others”? Or will they say, “That person was one of the most miserable human beings you would ever want to meet”? What will others say about you?
You never know when your time will come, so please don’t wait to make amends.
Over the last few months, your father started going to Sunday Mass with me again. After all those years, he finally started reconnecting with the Church!
We also had a few short conversations recently about his desire to do things differently with the rest of his life and I could tell he was really troubled with a lot on his mind. He was coming to some big decision points about his life.
Now I am going to give you both something I found next to the computer in your dad’s study the morning after… the morning after he passed away….
Be sure to watch this short related video clip
Video clip submitted by AndyP/Doria2
Jesus Christ, a blood red moon, darkness at mid-day … and much, much more.
And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: and I am the Lord your God, and there is none besides: and my people shall not be confounded forever.
And it shall come to pass after this, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy: your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Moreover, upon my servants and handmaids in those days I will pour forth my spirit.
And I will shew wonders in heaven; and in earth, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood: before the great and dreadful day of the Lord doth come.
And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved: for in Mount Sion, and in Jerusalem shall be salvation, as the Lord hath said, and in the residue whom the Lord shall call. (Joel 2:27-32)
************
Unto the end, for the morning protection, a psalm for David. O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.
O my God, I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me. But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel. In thee have our fathers hoped: they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them. They cried to thee, and they were saved: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
But I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head. He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him. (Psalms 22:1-8)
************
I set the Lord always in my sight: for he is at my right hand, that I be not moved. Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: moreover, my flesh also shall rest in hope. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life, thou shalt fill me with joy with thy countenance: at thy right hand are delights even to the end. (Psalms 16:8-11)
************
And going out, he went, according to his custom, to the Mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him. And when he was come to the place, he said to them: Pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
And he was withdrawn away from them a stone’s cast. And kneeling down, he prayed. Saying: Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not my will, but thine be done.
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed the longer. And his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground. (Luke 22:39-44)
************
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers with them derided him, saying: He saved others: let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, And saying: If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. (Luke 23:35-37)
Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over the whole earth, until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? That is, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:45-46)
************
And on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled back from the sepulchre. And going in, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were astonished in their mind at this, behold, two men stood by them, in shining apparel. And as they were afraid and bowed down their countenance towards the ground, they said unto them: Why seek you the living with the dead?
He is not here, but is risen.
Remember how he spoke unto you, when he was yet in Galilee, Saying: The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words. (Luke 24:1-8)
************
And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming: and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were of fire: and it sat upon every one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost: and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.
Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue. And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying: Behold, are not all these that speak Galilean? And how have we heard, every man our own tongue wherein we were born?
Parthians and Medes and Elamites and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews also, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians: we have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all astonished, and wondered, saying one to another: What meaneth this?
But others mocking, said: These men are full of new wine. But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you and with your ears receive my words.
For these are not drunk, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day: But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass, in the last days, (saith the Lord), I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy: and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
And upon my servants indeed and upon my handmaids will I pour out in those days of my spirit: and they shall prophesy. And I will shew wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire, and vapor of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and manifest day of the Lord to come. And it shalt come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Acts 2:1-21)
Michael Voris “brags” about the “Coolness” of Catholicism
Truth is .. Catholicism always has been cool.
We built western civilization .. the only thing that relativists, socialists and atheists ever built was guillotines and death camps.
Our problem of late it just that many of us have been asleep for a while .. not really minding or paying attention to the candy store.
And while many of us were sleeping .. losers sneaked past and somehow claimed the mantle of cool.
Well .. if you think broken homes, shattered childhoods, self-esteem rooted in lies, cheating spouses, objectification of women, the death of masculinity, the ascendancy of lesbian-centered feminism, the glorification of mothers murdering their children, the nightmare of addictions .. and every other such social evil is cool .. then you need to hit the road Jack.
What’s so cool about a mounting toll of human physical, emotional and psychological carnage,?
So why is Catholic so cool? Because it makes you a man .. it makes you able to stand on your own two feet. While all these social losers tear you down .. they are actually jealous of you and what you have.
Newt’s remarks on when life begins are seriously at odds with Catholic Canon Law
In 1988, the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts authoritatively (authentice) answered the question about whether deliberate destruction of pre-natal human beings “by any method at any time after the moment of conception” (quocumque modo et quocumque tempore a momento conceptionis) was an excommunicable offense under Canon 1398. The Council’s answer, approved by Pope John Paul II on 23 May 1988, was Yes. See AAS 80 (1988) 1818-1819.
Is Newt just another faithless, expedient “converso”?
by Doug Lawrence
Newt Gingrich is a Catholic convert. And even though, due to various ethical lapses and serious personal issues, his past remains questionable, many recently seemed to be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Hence, Newt has recently moved up to front runner status, in the Republican primary race.
But there are signs of big trouble … the most recent being Mr. Gingrich’s apparent break with authentic Catholic teaching about when human life begins.
In a recent television interview with ABC White House Correspondent Jake Tapper, Gingrich clearly argued that life begins at the moment the fertilized egg is implanted in the wall of the uterus. Yet, according to the Church, life begins the moment the egg and sperm come together, in fertilization. The moment of conception.
A brilliant politician, and a very intelligent man, it’s unlikely that Newt Gingrich would have made a statement such as this, unless he believed it. And if he actually believes what he appears to advocate, there’s probably going to be a lot of conservative Catholics shopping around for a new Republican presidential candidate.
Is this a calculated appeal to the “moderate Republicans” and the “independent voters” out there … the types who prefer to leave morality (abortion, homosexual marriage, etc.) out of politics … and who have, in the past, willingly thrown in with the Democrats to stop any real anti-abortion reform?
If it is, it just might work, since long experience shows that abortion tends to be a zero sum political issue … with pro and con just about evenly split … when it comes to votes.
What’s much more disturbing is the distinct possibility that Newt Gingrich is just another dime a dozen, faithless, opportunistic, Catholic in name only, politician.
Time will tell.
This week’s Ask Alice: Why do Catholics pray the Hail Mary prayer. Isn’t being a Christian all about life? Not death?
She’ll answer your Catholic questions
right here, every Thursday.
Email responses will also be provided, as time permits.
JH writes: Why do Catholics pray the Hail Mary prayer. Isn’t being a Christian all about life? Not death?
Alice responds: As Christians, we are called to live each day with our eyes fixed on Heaven, our true home. Jesus taught His disciples to live their earthly lives in preparation for Heaven..
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in Heaven……For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” (Matthew 6:20-21)
But the “Hail Mary” isn’t a prayer for death. Actually, it’s a beautiful prayer that proclaims and celebrates life! Only the final 5 words of this prayer mentions “the hour of our death.” This pro-life prayer invokes Mary’s help and intercession in the present moment of our life. Happily, the “Hail Mary” covers all bases, since, at some point, death will be the present moment of our life.
Listen to the precious words of life prayed to Our Heavenly Mother:
1) “Hail Mary, full of grace”- Mary is recognized for her purity, grace and perfect obedience to God.
2) “the Lord is with thee”- Mary has found favor with the Lord.
3) “blessed art thou among women”- Mary was specially chosen and sanctified by God to be the Mother of His only Son.
4) “blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus”- Blessed is Jesus, our Savior, who Mary carried in her womb.
5) “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now”- We ask for Mary’s motherly intercession and help at the present moment in our life.
6) “and at the hour of our death”- Since Catholics believe that death is a homecoming, we pray for Mary’s intercession in leading us to our eternal life with God in Heaven.
How blessed we are to have our Mother Mary who dearly loves each of her children and is always ready and eager to intercede for us to our Father in Heaven.
In Christ’s Love,
Alice
The life giving quality of classical education is born in the culture of life and civilization of love the blood of Christ once made possible and still makes possible today.
Classical education is oriented towards the wisdom of contemplation, and because of this, such education opens students up to the possibility of living a wonderful life. It is precisely that we might live life to the full that the Lord came.
Nine biblical truths about life (and abortion)
The pro-life movement is comprised of people of many faiths and no faith. So is MCCL. Ours is not a “religious” position. The facts of science (showing that the unborn is a living human organism) combined with sound moral reasoning (showing the equal dignity of every member of the human family) confirm the pro-life position that abortion unjustly takes the life of an innocent human being. This truth — like the truth that slavery is wrong, or that killing homeless people is wrong, or that kindness is good and praiseworthy — is accessible to everyone, regardless of religious conviction. (See, for example, SecularProLife.org.)
Having said that, Christians who embrace the Bible have additional reason to reject abortion and accept the pro-life position. From the Christian perspective, what we know from “general revelation” (science, natural law) is even further confirmed by “special revelation” (the teaching of Scripture). Below are the biblical truths most relevant to abortion, as best as I can discern them. These points should matter for anyone who believes the Bible is true or authoritative, and perhaps also for those who believe the Bible contains at least some truth or wisdom.
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July 25, 2022
Categories: Books & Publications . Tags: apologetics, bible, catholic, church, commentary, courses, death, devil, dictionary, eucharist, faith, heaven, hell, holy communion, jesus, Knights of Columbus, life, mass, passion, studies, truth . Author: Hosted by Doug Lawrence . Comments: Leave a comment