It’s An Offer You Can’t Refuse!

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 09:00 PM PDT

Acts 8:26-40 / Jn 6:44-51

Trying to comprehend who and what God is is a project doomed in advance to failure, and the process of trying can make our heads hurt. The idea of an infinite, utterly transcendent being is just too big to wrap our minds around. And at the other end of the spectrum, the idea of an immanent God who actually dwells within us feels almost too good to be true. But true it is, as Jesus told us. The Holy Spirit of God dwells within each one of us at all times. Even when we sin, the Spirit does not abandon us, but whispers to us and guides us back to Jesus’ way.

Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles gives us an instance of the indwelling Spirit’s active guidance of Philip the Apostle. What’s important to note is not just that the Spirit spoke to Philip’s need for guidance at a specific moment, but that Philip heard and acted upon the Spirit’s guidance. That’s the real marvel! And it’s also our challenge. Few things are more vital to our lives as followers of Jesus than developing the habit of listening to the Spirit and the skill of discerning whether it’s the Spirit speaking or just our own wishes and desires trying to make themselves heard.

The Spirit is offering us wisdom and insight — all for free. Listen carefully and watch your life gain a whole new dimension.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Truth!

Posted: 27 Apr 2009 09:00 PM PDT
Acts 7:51-8, 1 / Jn 6:30-35
What an extraordinary circumstance we find in today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, a whole crowd of people so disturbed by what St. Stephen was saying that they ground their teeth, put their hands over their ears, tried to drown him out with their shouting, and finally killed him. How afraid they must have been to hear what he had to say. The truth he spoke could have set them free, but they closed their hearts to it, and in doing so they closed their hearts to the Lord who only wanted to give them life.

It happens all the time, people ducking and dodging to avoid the truth, as if it were an enemy. To be sure, the truth can sometimes wound us very deeply. But if we receive it and accept it, it can free us both from foolish illusions and from sinful paths. “The pain will be more than we can bear,” we silently object. But we are wrong, for God never gives us more than we can manage. With every challenge comes the grace to face the challenge and to prevail.
Trust in the power of God’s grace, embrace the truth, and be free!

Today's Inspirational Quote:
"The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible,
but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore."
-- Vincent Van Gogh

Prelate Laments Murder of Iraqi Christians

Says Probable Motive Was to Force Church's Exodus
KIRKUK, Iraq, APRIL 27, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The archbishop of Kirkuk is lamenting the murder of three Christians Sunday night, and is stating that despite this tragedy, the Church will remain in Iraq.

Archbishop Louis Sako told Aid to the Church in Need today that although the killers have not been arrested, it is clear that the murders "were premeditated and that one probably key motive was to force Christians to leave."Susan Latif David and her mother-in-law, Muna Banna David, were killed by a group of armed men who entered their home in the Domeez section of Kirkuk. Both were Chaldean Catholics, and Susan was newly married to a man who owns a restaurant near the cathedral.In another part of the city, Basil Shaba, a recently engaged Syrian Orthodox, was killed in a similar attack Sunday evening. His brother, Thamir, and father, Yousif, were also injured.

The archbishop described the funeral, reporting that it was filled with people expressing "tears and sadness" for these three "innocent loved ones."He said: "People were crying. We are all so sad. We only hope that the blood of the martyrs will one day bring us peace and stability."The prelate noted that leaders from Kirkuk united to condemn the attacks, and that many came to the funeral, including the mayor and leading sheikhs.

He added that the city's police chief personally told him that he is committed to "do everything to ensure that those responsible will be arrested."Archbishop Sako said that attacks could be linked to "ongoing uncertainty over Kirkuk's political future either as part of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in the north or under the jurisdiction of Baghdad."Despite the tragedy, the prelate asserted: "We will not leave Iraq. We have a mission to stay here."We have to give witness to our Christian values. Even if they try to kill us we will stay."

Spokesman: Franciscans a Gift or All

Father Lombardi Comments on Order's Charism
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 26, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The charism that God gave the Franciscans 800 years ago constitutes a gift for all humanity, says a Vatican spokesman.Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said this during the most recent edition of the Vatican Television program "Octava Dies," in which he reflected on the occasion of the eighth centenary of the approval of the monastic rule of St. Francis by Pope Innocent III.

Benedict XVI marked the anniversary April 18 by receiving in audience at the pontifical residence at Castel Gandolfo members of the Franciscan family upon the conclusion of their "Chapter of Mats," which began April 15 in Assisi. The gathering was organized on the occasion of the eighth centenary of the approval of the monastic rule of St. Francis by Pope Innocent III.

Explaining the Franciscan charism, Father Lombardi underlined that "all the saints of the Church have the Gospel as a rule of their own life, but in the figure of Francis, it shows through with particular transparency.""In the poverty, simplicity and charity of Francis," he continued, "Christians have always easily recognized the authenticity of evangelical inspiration, and also, beyond the walls of the Church, men of all religious or human faiths have taken a genuine and strong message of life and peace."The spokesman said the Franciscans had "an extraordinary charism," and that the order has always wanted "from the beginning to submit itself to the discernment of the authority of the Church."He noted that the order has always sought to insert "the little 'us' of the community of friars into the great 'us' of the one and universal Church."

Father Lombardi recalled Christ's request to St. Francis to "repair my Church," and Benedict XVI's words last week in which he urged the order to "go and continue repairing the house of the Lord, his Church!"The spokesman reiterated the Pontiff's invitation to the Franciscans to "continue helping the pastors of the Church to renew the flock of the Lord."He added that the order is "a gift for all," and one that contributes to the "eternal youth of the Church and peace of the human family."