tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21731000442959708312024-02-21T02:43:45.437+00:00The Red Rose SocietyThis blog is to commemorate Saints and the saintly people whose lives have been a living testament to Pontius Pilate’s enquiry into Our Lord’s mission “What is Truth?” The site’s patron is St Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower and her autobiography “Story of a Soul” is its inspiration that has led me towards becoming, living and worshiping as a Catholic. The name a hybrid of the two crowns offered to St Maximilian Kolbe, Sophie Scholl's White Rose Society and the Little Flower.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-77026576586960721672016-01-29T09:07:00.004+00:002016-01-29T09:07:56.380+00:00Theological Illustrations of the Word made Straight<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-5116073263891954652014-08-06T14:16:00.003+01:002014-08-23T19:58:31.182+01:00Original Justice according to Saints and Princes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGk7oLrDX0e68VFc3tGgupJYSXwGbv1v75g35zGKgSzJ1sueBXJrF07diYOX7Vm6rbIkfH7ilsx8dXVEe6W9kHQNJsN174yRcZXr6xG8FueZMDmnqvnSVmdf451Yzs_Q1N1_Pbsu0Q-Ht/s1600/domenico-di-michelino-divina-commedia-di-dante-dante-and-div.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGk7oLrDX0e68VFc3tGgupJYSXwGbv1v75g35zGKgSzJ1sueBXJrF07diYOX7Vm6rbIkfH7ilsx8dXVEe6W9kHQNJsN174yRcZXr6xG8FueZMDmnqvnSVmdf451Yzs_Q1N1_Pbsu0Q-Ht/s1600/domenico-di-michelino-divina-commedia-di-dante-dante-and-div.jpg" height="518" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Original Justice:<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To
theologians Original justice is defined as the human condition before original
sin destroyed the perfect harmony, between creature and Creator, between man
and woman, as well as the first human couple and all of creation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adam and Eve held a special
participation and esteemed place in the earthly paradise of the Garden of Eden.
The glue that held this utopian harmony together was God’s intimacy. Without
this, creation was left in disorder, confusion and a finite existence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
is all well established theology in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
However, is it feasible to assume these principles that form the history of
humanity, can possibly explain the very worst of human behaviour as well as the
very best? To be more precise the inexplicable ideologies of hate like Racism
and anti-Semitism to the more mild symptoms of narcissism, all with the innate
capacity to cause violence and murder to the innocent! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
faith of the faithful, whom are often martyred by hate regimes, hold the Word
of God in the highest esteem. The Bible is a means of living our lives in a way
that leads to being with God in spirit. Therefore, if occurrences and events of
human history can be explained using sound faith and reason prescribed by Holy
Scripture, then religion could be viewed as a means not a end to moral justice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span> </h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Human Nature: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">All
the evil in the world is caused by Original sin. Adam and Eve committed a
personal sin, but this sin affected our human nature. Sin propagates
all mankind within every person’s nature. A nature deprived of its original
holiness and justice. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
universality of the book of Genesis tells us that Adam and Eve were given
dominion over creation, to tend and nurture it. Undoubtedly that this grace was
initially given as a sign of great love for man and woman made in His own image
and likeness. But original sin severed this special bond, for God to remove
Himself from tending to our needs and wants. By breaching this Original justice
humanity is sentenced with affliction throughout their mortal lives. Although,
Genesis describes the effects on body and creation, the book of Revelation
mentions the curse to our souls when chapter 12:17 states: “<b>Then the
dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her
offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to
Jesus.</b>” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So how does this affect our day to day lives?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Cain Effect:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Cain’s
relationship with his brother manifests how this love for God, hatred of
sanctity, collides. Often in pain and suffering, and even death. After
God favours Abel’s offering, Cain tricks his only brother to go to a remote
place where he slays him in apparent rage of envy. God confronts Cain, like He
did with Adam, “<b>What have you done?”</b> Cain responds with a question “<b>I
do not know, am I my brother’s keeper?</b>” God punishes Cain and in time
answers the question through His only Son Jesus Christ. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What
is particularly telling from the wrongdoer’s response is their sense of
justice! that implies 'Am I not entitled innocence!' The serpent lied to Eve in
the Garden when he said your eyes will be opened and you will be like
gods. Trick them to believe that a new level of privilege and status
amongst all creation is possible if you only break God's commandment. At Babel
their descendants attempted to realise this pledge in exile in the wilderness,
but is refuted by the true God.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">One can
draw the conclusion that this tainted special relationship in the eyes of the
Almighty encompasses having the perception of not being able to do no wrong! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Cain
murders his younger brother because his mentality is in a state of extreme
privilege.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">God loves
mankind to such an extent that our nature is spoilt by entitlement. And God
empowers his highest ranked archangel to such a degree that he becomes jealous
of his competition, mankind. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">God
doesn't take anything away from this state of original justice as punishment.
Consequently, Cain displays the first narcissistic tendency as a murderer of his male sibling of righteousness.
Leading to Babel where his descendants signal their unrighteous intentions.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Babel Effect:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The story
of Babel highlights man’s desire to find eternal harmony in the kingdom of
Heaven, by using his own means and will. Genesis chapter 11 says “<b>the whole
earth had one language and few words</b>”. They appeared to operate on a belief
of if superior creatures from space ever visited earth, the first question they
will ask, in order to assess the level of civilisation, is “<b>Have you built a
city and a tower to reach the heavens yet?”</b> So God comes down from heaven.
He saw what was afoot and caused them such bewilderment that they dispersed
leaving their self-esteemed plans incomplete. The path to power and glory is
thwarted through confusion.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
key to the mystery of Babel is in the word ‘<b>language’</b>. To read the
passage in the context of “<b>language of faith in man</b>”, the errors of
man’s ways are revealed. Reassuringly, when God finds a problem He
goes on to provide a solution! The remedy to Babel in particular is religion
and the Church, established in the Upper room at Pentecost (Act 2:1-7). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Light
begins to shine in the darkness of confusion, as the <strong>language of faith in
God</strong> embodied through the <strong>Holy Spirit</strong> is poured out (ccc.239). Acts 2:1-6).
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This
is why sins against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29) cannot be
forgiven because it represents an affront of the will of God and hence forms
a crime against natural justice. Crimes like Racism, Anti-Semitism, and other
ideologies of based on hatred and the lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
universality of natural justice is established when Jesus defeats death on the
Cross with love and obedience of God’s will.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Original Justice according to a Saint:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This
perspective is summed up in a sentence by one of the greatest saints to serve
the Church;<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"<b>All
our justice is stained in Your eyes. I wish, then, to be clothed in Your own <i>Justice
</i>and to receive from Your <i>Love </i>the eternal possession of <i>Yourself</i>.
I want no other <i>Throne</i>, no other <i>Crown </i>but <i>You</i>, my <i>Beloved!"</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">St Therese
of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Original Justice according to a
Narcissist:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">To a
narcissist the senses of reality, collectively are rooted within 'Original'
justice and distorted in original sin, indicative of the actions of Cain
and possess all the ambition of the peoples of Babel. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Niccolò
Machiavelli's book "<strong>The Prince</strong>" is an insightful example of a Cain-like attitude to your neighbour and the other in realms of politics and business.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
disorder of a Narcissistic Personality involves arrogant behavior, a lack of
empathy for other people, and a need for admiration-all of which must be
consistently evident at work and in relationships. People who are narcissistic
are frequently described as cocky, self-centered, manipulative, and demanding.
Narcissists may concentrate on unlikely personal outcomes (e.g., fame) and may
be convinced that they deserve special treatment. Related Personality
Disorders: Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic. Narcissism is a less extreme
version of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Narcissism involves cockiness,
manipulativeness, selfishness, power motives, and vanity-a love of mirrors.
Related personality traits include: Psychopathy, Machiavellianism.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Narcissists
tend to have high self-esteem. However, narcissism is not the same thing as
self-esteem; people who have high self-esteem are often humble, whereas
narcissists rarely are. It was once thought that narcissists have high
self-esteem on the surface, but deep down they are insecure. However, the
latest evidence indicates that narcissists are actually secure or grandiose at
both levels. Onlookers may infer that insecurity is there because narcissists
tend to be defensive when their self-esteem is threatened (e.g., being
ridiculed); narcissists can be aggressive. The sometimes dangerous lifestyle
may more generally reflect sensation-seeking or impulsivity (e.g. bullying,
risky sex, bold financial decisions).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The most
distinct feature of a soul remote from God is their belief of ownership of
creation and denial of the Creator as opposed to the Faithful who are servants
of God’s will. Particular examples are the principles of Communism and of
Pharaoh’s refusal to let the Israelites have freedom (Exodus 4:21).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Their
hearts are cold and hardened to emotion. Power and authority is
their heart's desire. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
events of the holocaust demonstrates such a psyche and thirst for a
warped sense of justice that serves the sinners whim for power, wealth and
discrimination to the detriment of the presumed inferior.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Conclusion:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
misconception of the impact of Original Sin upon humanity I feel is a major
oversight by theologians and philosophers. Wars, conflicts, discrimination and
ideologies of hated are self-evident reminders of as our Lord describes the
phenomenon as the bursting of “<b>old wineskins</b>”. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Genesis
3:21 describes our first parents being clothed in animal fur to cover their
exposed and rebellious indignation. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
Christ becomes our new wineskin that holds both old and new wine (Matt
9:16-17) produced from fruits in God’s vineyard (Luke 20:9-19). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As we
celebrate the <b>feast of the Transfiguration</b> we consider the new cloak of
He who is Justice itself. Who radiates the magnificent splendour and
glory of “the Man” made in God’s image and likeness (Luke 9:29). The
"<b>Cornerstone</b>" of all creation, and it's journey toward our beloved destiny.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-38019386139891614022014-01-15T21:41:00.000+00:002014-01-20T08:51:36.643+00:00‘Just’ What Authority does the ‘Good Samaritan’ have to Save us? ...All!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
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<span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prologue:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
popular parable of the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:25-36] highlights the Christian
view on kindness towards fellow man or woman in their time of need. However,
could this inconspicuous narrative reveal a much fuller meaning of salvation?
First let’s set the framework for this reflection. Man cannot save himself! [Luke 23:39] To
be saved must be ordained from the Almighty, God the Father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Psalm 37:39</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> says </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold
in time of trouble</i>.”</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<h2 style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Salvation’s History (refer to Outline Charts below);<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It
all starts from a certain cry: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A voice cries!: “In the
wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway
for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be
made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it
together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">”. Isaiah 40:3-5; Matt 3:2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Basic Premise: </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The path of salvation commences with the
cry of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Abel</b> the Just for Justice;
and ends with the cry of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus</b> for compassion.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: large;">Evolution of Salvation History: Battle for Justice<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;"><span style="font-size: large;">Battle for
Justice Commentary:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
prophecy God pronounces in Genesis 3:15 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers</i>”.
In the end good and evil will be judged then will be separated (Matt 25:31-34).
If we fulfil God’s commandments as the Good Samaritan duly did then we will be
saved. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that the offspring of the woman can
be defined by the parable’s message. We know that the ‘woman’ cannot be Eve
(Gen 2:23), but a ‘woman’ born again by the powers used in Genesis to form the
earth in the beginning. Thereby the basis of this theological account is to
show a pattern of how as man through Cain forced God away from himself, God commenced to lay the
seed that would bring him back, for 'our hearts are restless until they rest in thee' (Matt.11:28, Isa.28:12). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After
Abel was slain for being righteous and his blood cried out from the ground (Gen
4:10). God commences on a spiritual journey to defeat man’s sinfulness and to
bring him back to perfection. From the ‘Great Flood’, Noah and his family, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Righteousness</b> (Gen 6:9) has strived be
victorious over unrighteousness. The parable can be viewed as an outline of how
to live righteously. Moses and Jesus lead the people as Holy Scripture states
in victories of both the mortal (bodily) and immortal (spiritual) aspects of
mankind. With God’s plan of salvation then fulfilled, we have an opportunity to
accept God’s offer to be saved. For those who wish with all their hearts to
enter paradise must do so by changing their heart, in a fashion like the “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">penitent thief</b>” on his cross (Luke
23:42-43). The merits of salvation are surely found not so much in the literal meaning
of God’s commandments, but how they are served in the heart, spiritually. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
Hebrew Bible tells us of how God’s people, Abraham’s descendants, struggle serve
the Lord as slave in Eygpt. God therefore commands Moses to lead them to exile
into the wilderness, to find a promise land of milk and honey. The power of God
is used to guide and protect the Israelites, who carry the seed of
righteousness in blood and faith. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jericho</b>
represents a fortified city of sin, symbolically housing the serpent’s
descendants, signifying the dominion on earth that had to be destroyed to enter
the Promised Land. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After
the miraculous and decisive victory, God tells Joshua of his <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">oath</b>. His proclamation indicates that
this event is a major milestone in history of salvation over man’s mortality.
For the city to raise again that cursed man would have to pay the price God had
paid in Adam and Abel. The new city God establishes is at the price of His only
begotten Son (refer to Table 6.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
next phase was to defeat sin spiritually began with birth of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. Consequently Jesus’ mission starts at the wedding feast at Cana, when he
produced his first miracle of changing water into wine. John the Baptist
prepares his path by calling people to repentance and renewal. To be baptised is
a personal ‘fiat’ in the name of God, in the wilderness in the river Jordan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Jesus
has immense compassion treats the faithful as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">friends</b> not servants (John 15:15; 2 Chron 20:7; Isaiah 41:8), is a
blessing to others (Matt 11:4-6) and teaches the ways of God the Father. His
mission is fulfilled with his death on the Cross and the giving up of his
spirit into His Father’s hands. His <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Resurrection</b>
merits the creation of a new heaven and a new earth for the righteous to
prosper for all eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">God’s
authority to create and destroy according to His will, accomplishes a new
beginning where everything is made new again (Rev 21:5). The nation of Israel’s
active participation was plainly crucial to accomplish this decisive victory
for all eternity; allowing for our own free-will to work together in
righteousness to save souls by obeying God’s will through faith and good works.
“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Not my will, but your will be done</b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;"><span style="font-size: large;">Parable’s Perspective
on Salvation:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
parable of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Good Samaritan</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Luke 10:26-37</i>) describes how salvation
is merited. That is by tending to the needs of your neighbour who is mortally
wounded whilst travelling to Jericho. If we interpret this journey in the
context of the Book of Joshua, then they are akin to a faithful Israelite on
their way to destroy the city of sin, a pilgrimage for righteousness sake.
Hence, assume that the journey is one of faithful sanctification, validating
the primary commandments of devotion to serving God’s cause for our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We
can look upon the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">fallen</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">victim </b>as being in a<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>mortally wounded state caused by sin and
the effects of sinners or robbers. Whose intention is to deprive God the joy of
being united with his creation made in his image. It is useful also to view
Christ’s journey to Jericho as suffering the same fate, left mortally dead on
the Cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Robbers</b> are the wicked sinners, the
unrighteous who use what limited authority they have with violence, to tempted,
demoralise and ensnare their victims to fall into being dispossessed of their
virtue and innocence, namely their dignity endowed by God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">passersby</b> represent the
self-righteous, who are cold-hearted (Matt 3:7-8) and tepid, although
faithfully travel towards Jericho with good intentions, fail to serve justly,
having a subjective, and inward-looking form of sanctification. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Good Samaritan</b>, are the righteous,
who faithfully serve God’s commandments, with full divine authority to heal and
inspire them to persevere on the right path. There are three persons who justly fulfil
this virtuous role. Firstly, God the Father, who receives his only, begotten
Son upon the resurrection. After which Christ’s authority is used to establish
his Church, to cleanse our own sins, in the form of oil and wine for anointing
and redemption by the precious Blood. Lastly, the faithful who are tasked imitate
God to tend to our neighbours sins using his grace merited on the Cross. Thereby achieving due unity
and oneness with God, in a similar affiliation as Adam was with Eve (Gen 2:24).
Excellent examples that demonstrate this point are the Jewish mitzvot and
Mother Teresa’s missionaries in serving the poor. This person is true to their
responsibility as an active steward in a civilised society crying to be blessed
with prosperity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Innkeeper </b>represents the Church
(ccc.1465) as distributors of the sacraments that allows grace to heal within the
house of the Lord. Also to act with responsibility as servants to those in spiritual need,
particularly the poor and a basis for evangelisation of the 'Good News'!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Payment</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> for services rendered (Luke 10:35) presently
and at the end of Time, when you will be judged according to the likeness of
Christ’s heart for God and his neighbour (1 John 2:29). Two Denarii was given
for the present. This is translated to; a few days lodgings in societal terms; Jesus’
Body and Blood (Matt 26:26-29) in our Saviours terms and a new Heaven and Earth
in God the<strong> Father’s Kingdom</strong> (Rev 21:1). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Subsequently when viewed in
this light main points can be noted which increase our merit of being saved.
These are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Journey
to Jericho is a pilgrimage to become sanctified before God;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Our
neighbour is anyone who requires help to live a more holy life and journey towards sanctification;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
Good Samaritan seeks to assist the sinner to be more righteous by using moral
support or encouraging them to be an active within the Church and evangelising
the faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
innkeeper’s are spiritual physicians addressing all wounds from sin applying the
Church's doctrine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Another
benefit of the parable is to define what constitutes virtue. As, are we not
tasked to use the gifts given by God as we consider suitable, to satisfying his Will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Biblical
References supporting Theme:</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td colspan="5" style="background-color: transparent; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 534.1pt;" valign="top" width="712"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Comparable themes between Hebrew & Christian
Bibles<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
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<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 20.4pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 27.6pt;" width="37"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mortal
Victory - Hebrew<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 20.4pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 238.1pt;" width="317"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Immortal
Victory – Christianity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 197.55pt;" valign="top" width="263"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A call for Israelites to follow</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.85pt;" width="94"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Isaiah 40:3-5</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A call for Nations to repentance</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 75.1pt;" width="100"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Matt 3:2</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 197.55pt;" valign="top" width="263"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The angel’s sword. </span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Josh 5:13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ’s sword of Judgement</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rev. 2:16</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ark of the Covenant </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Josh 6:6</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Ark of the New Covenant</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Luke 1:35; Rev 12:5-6; CCC. 2676</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7 days encircling Jericho</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Josh 6:3-4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7 days of Creation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gen. 1;2:1-3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">5</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 197.55pt;" valign="top" width="263"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">City of Sin Destruction </span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.85pt;" width="94"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Josh 6:17</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">New Heaven & Earth</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 75.1pt;" width="100"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rev. 21:1-8</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 197.55pt;" valign="top" width="263"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oath: Cursed be the man who builds a new Jericho, paying the price of
his first born & youngest son.</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.85pt;" width="94"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Josh 6:26</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 163pt;" valign="top" width="217"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cost of the new city of Holiest was His only begotten Son. </span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 75.1pt;" width="100"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Matt 3:17; Gen 4:10-11</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 197.55pt;" valign="top" width="263"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jerusalem </span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.85pt;" width="94"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Zech 8:3</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">New Jerusalem</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rev 21:9-27</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">8</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Render True Judgment</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Zech 7:9-10</span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sheep will be separated to Goats</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 75.1pt;" width="100"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Matt 25:31-46</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0cm 10pt;">
<b><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;"><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">This
more objective interpretation of this parable highlights how salvation can be
viewed more fully as well as more practically. The emphasis being that love is
best expressed with action. Not merely to be loved but to love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Christ
completed mission reflects the righteousness, pleasing to God the Father.
Therefore ‘to do likewise’ (Luke 10:37) we can be assured to imitate
perfection, the kind that saves us all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">History
is full of man’s victories and catastrophes forming the rise and fall of
nations, races and empires. Life is full of people who seek military solutions.
Yet the ‘meaning of life’ remains elusive or vague to those outside organised religions.
I hope that this earnest attempt to depict the means of salvation in a more
coherent way, serves to boost the faith and encourage peaceful relations
between not only Judeo-Christian religions, but also all Abrahamic-based
faiths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">To
succeed in serving your neighbour in the true sense, “Fraternity” is very much
at the heart of all relationships we encounter each and every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">‘Whoever does not love does not know God,
because God is love’</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">. 1
John 4:8.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaIgIOOhEg047cAu3PfY8Uzr8VbdU8eQSvMNgr3fPexvXFJGNBGeOWj_IQj_tsqBhtwsP0p1riZ91tqdO2gKO1XGhLblYF3XNY1ZsNNHmfks2dDSgF2Fx1qEiYCLyNBGXWhTlJ2n8MnhZ/s1600/Evolution+of+Salvation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaIgIOOhEg047cAu3PfY8Uzr8VbdU8eQSvMNgr3fPexvXFJGNBGeOWj_IQj_tsqBhtwsP0p1riZ91tqdO2gKO1XGhLblYF3XNY1ZsNNHmfks2dDSgF2Fx1qEiYCLyNBGXWhTlJ2n8MnhZ/s1600/Evolution+of+Salvation.jpg" height="640" title="History of Salvation" width="452" /></a></h3>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-9508078432671324232013-05-29T12:12:00.000+01:002013-05-29T23:29:15.068+01:00The Bible’s "Tale of Two Cities" narrated by St Augustine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQvanJd3zqC5TysqOxYSGk_IJ97KbdN22nbUXRm29Rper6AyUUgN7Wb2CgYL3BFUt4r993aGy0sFAcCh6qepLa62K8T61sTdlhjzJw7Rks1g4ThPGORqZ9dYcM5mVg5lC8aRBOyJtdxDZ/s1600/SalvationHistory29May2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQvanJd3zqC5TysqOxYSGk_IJ97KbdN22nbUXRm29Rper6AyUUgN7Wb2CgYL3BFUt4r993aGy0sFAcCh6qepLa62K8T61sTdlhjzJw7Rks1g4ThPGORqZ9dYcM5mVg5lC8aRBOyJtdxDZ/s1600/SalvationHistory29May2013.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On my third
Ignatius retreat in so many years, I received an epiphany, the type that changes
your life and deepens your faith in the Almighty God. After attending a Catechist course at
the Maryvale Institute, Birmingham I was introduced to portraying the teachings
of the Catholic Church in various ways in order to
evangelise more effectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I combined this with a Business Analyst skillset and lots of prayer and fruit began to bloom in a number of ways. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A few years ago I was able to express pictorially my
understanding of salvation (shown above). However, I had arrived at a point where I was
unsure as to how to develop the presentation further to obtain a better more fuller understanding. Sure I tried to
support its contents with Sacred Scripture; but I knew that there was much
more to unravel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Last year I was very fortunate to go on Pilgrimage to
Medjugorje before partaking on the Ignatius retreat that was held in the
idyllic countryside of France. Then in a moment of inspiration I asked one of the
Benedictine monk conducting the spiritual exercises “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What book should I read to better understand society and the world at
large?</b>” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His answer at the time was received with a little
disappointment as I considered the Church’s fore-Fathers as dare I say it abit old
fashioned! I should of known better in that St Augustine’s “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">City of God</b>” was the perfect answer to
my spiritual quandary. So much so that you would think the noble Saint had used
the illustration as a theme to his literary work. Explaining at length the fall
and rise through Christ of mankind. The only aspect not covered is the conflict
for souls to be saved (the middle section). Perhaps there is another book(s) which serves this purpose,
either published or to be published? Or maybe this is just a matter of devotion
to the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Virgin Mary</b> and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Divine Mercy</b> to accomplish its
more practical aspects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the 5<sup>th</sup>Century St Augustine wrote the “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">City of God</b>” as a Bishop, to present a
sound argument for Catholic Church’s position on the following key topics: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">+ Clarify
that Christianity was not to blame for the fall of the Roman Empire;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">+ Reveal
that even the most evil actions of fallen angels and sinful man cannot thwart
the unfolding of God’s eternal plan;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">+ Propose
that the fall of the Roman Empire was insignificant in the context of the
eternal plan of God;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">+ Describe
the choice we must all make choose to occupy either the <strong>City of God</strong> or the <strong>City
of Earth</strong> the consequence of which is eternal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In
contemporary terms I have tried to categorise these differences between the Cities of
God and of man outlined in the book in the following grid. Consequently this also can provides interpretation and better insight as to what
Jesus was referring to, when He spoke about division in the book of Luke:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I came to cast fire upon the earth; and
would that it were already blazing! [with the Holy Spirit] Do you suppose that I came to grant peace
on earth? I tell you, no, but rather Division</b>” - Luke 12:49-51; CCC.696.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Theme for reflection therefore is: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How
should we view this division?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: currentColor; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td colspan="3" style="background-color: transparent; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 462.1pt;" valign="top" width="616"><h2 align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Cambria; font-size: medium;">Table of Division</span></h2>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 161.35pt;" width="215"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">From God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Classification
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">–
Mark 11:30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">From Men<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<tr style="height: 34.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Heavenly City - </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-highlight: yellow;">CCC.1045</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 34.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">St
Augustine <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Book
“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">City of God</b>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 34.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Earthly City </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-highlight: yellow;">– CCC. 2124</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
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<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Moral authority <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Institution<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Immoral authority<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Walk in the Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Nature
of Journey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Walk in the Flesh<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The Natural Law –</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">CCC.1954-60</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Legislation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Law of the Land<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Good Shepherds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">- Moses, Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Leadership<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Dictators - Hitler<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Treasures in Heaven <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Wealth
- Matt 6:19-21<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Earthly Treasures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Democracy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Governance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Slavery, Captivity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 161.35pt;" width="215"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Truth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Values
& Principles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Lies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 161.35pt;" width="215"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Servant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Character<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Betrayer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Humility, Evangelisation <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Mindset<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Power, manipulation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Love, Compassion,
Supportive<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Language<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Hate, Envy, Jealously<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 161.35pt;" width="215"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Peace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Disposition<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 173.2pt;" width="231"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Anger<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 161.35pt;" width="215"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Brother’s Keeper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 19.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.55pt;" width="170"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Interests<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Murder & Pillage <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Forgiveness, Merciful<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Attitude
towards Neighbour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Accusation, Condemnation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5fQk4xbtlBE5bILJCfwg6dqREfV737LDd_5JJSkjDdWq6KlqSJvjuRggvQ9Dq0yZsV5G9AtAOnGHCs7WhswN0yLH6NCrD5R3YlGamfFQiYmw1YZk6cBJOYKOLiBmOqHn3EvtlD03DqMe/s1600/City+of+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5fQk4xbtlBE5bILJCfwg6dqREfV737LDd_5JJSkjDdWq6KlqSJvjuRggvQ9Dq0yZsV5G9AtAOnGHCs7WhswN0yLH6NCrD5R3YlGamfFQiYmw1YZk6cBJOYKOLiBmOqHn3EvtlD03DqMe/s320/City+of+God.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The <span style="font-family: Calibri;">“City of God” consists of 22 books; each described briefly as follows:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Summary:</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In effect, The City of God is a
challenge to human society to choose which city it wishes to be a part of, and
Augustine sees his task as clearly marking out the parameters of each choice.
Augustine concludes that the purpose of history is to show the unfolding of
God’s plan, which involves fostering the City of Heaven and filling it with
worthy citizens. For this purpose, God initiated all of creation itself. In
such a grand plan, the fall of Rome is insignificant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1201.htm" target="_blank">Link to New Advent St Augustine's City of God website</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120101.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 1</span></strong></a> Augustine censures the pagans,
who attributed the calamities of the world, and especially the recent sack of
Rome by the Goths, to the Christian religion, and its prohibition of the
worship of the gods. He speaks of the blessings and ills of life, which then,
as always, happened to good and bad men alike. Finally, he rebukes the
shamelessness of those who cast up to the Christians that their women had been
violated by the soldiers. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120102.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 2</span></strong></a> In this book Augustine reviews
those calamities which the Romans suffered before the time of Christ, and while
the worship of the false gods was universally practised; and demonstrates that,
far from being preserved from misfortune by the gods, the Romans have been by
them overwhelmed with the only, or at least the greatest, of all calamities—
the corruption of manners, and the vices of the soul. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120103.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 3</span></strong></a> As in the foregoing book
Augustine has proved regarding moral and spiritual calamities, so in this book
he proves regarding external and bodily disasters, that since the foundation of
the city the Romans have been continually subject to them; and that even when
the false gods were worshipped without a rival, before the advent of Christ,
they afforded no relief from such calamities. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120104.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 4</span></strong></a> In this book it is proved that
the extent and long duration of the Roman empire is to be ascribed, not to Jove
or the gods of the heathen, to whom individually scarce even single things and
the very basest functions were believed to be entrusted, but to the one true
God, the author of felicity, by whose power and judgment earthly kingdoms are
founded and maintained. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120105.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 5</span></strong></a> Augustine first discusses the
doctrine of fate, for the sake of confuting those who are disposed to refer to
fate the power and increase of the Roman empire, which could not be attributed
to false gods, as has been shown in the preceding book. After that, he proves
that there is no contradiction between God's prescience and our free will. He
then speaks of the manners of the ancient Romans, and shows in what sense it
was due to the virtue of the Romans themselves, and in how far to the counsel
of God, that he increased their dominion, though they did not worship him.
Finally, he explains what is to be accounted the true happiness of the
Christian emperors. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120106.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 6</span></strong></a> Hitherto the argument has been
conducted against those who believe that the gods are to be worshipped for the
sake of temporal advantages, now it is directed against those who believe that
they are to be worshipped for the sake of eternal life. Augustine devotes the
five following books to the confutation of this latter belief, and first of all
shows how mean an opinion of the gods was held by Varro himself, the most
esteemed writer on heathen theology. Of this theology Augustine adopts Varro's
division into three kinds, mythical, natural, and civil; and at once
demonstrates that neither the mythical nor the civil can contribute anything to
the happiness of the future life. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120107.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 7</span></strong></a> In this book it is shown that
eternal life is not obtained by the worship of Janus, Jupiter, Saturn, and the
other select gods of the civil theology. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120108.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 8</span></strong></a> Augustine comes now to the third
kind of theology, that is, the natural, and takes up the question, whether the
worship of the gods of the natural theology is of any avail towards securing
blessedness in the life to come. This question he prefers to discuss with the
Platonists, because the Platonic system is facile princeps among philosophies,
and makes the nearest approximation to Christian truth. In pursuing this
argument, he first refutes Apuleius, and all who maintain that the demons
should be worshipped as messengers and mediators between gods and men;
demonstrating that by no possibility can men be reconciled to good gods by
demons, who are the slaves of vice, and who delight in and patronize what good
and wise men abhor and condemn—the blasphemous fictions of poets, theatrical
exhibitions, and magical arts. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120109.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 9</span></strong></a> Having in the preceding book
shown that the worship of demons must be abjured, since they in a thousand ways
proclaim themselves to be wicked spirits, Augustine in this book meets those
who allege a distinction among demons, some being evil, while others are good;
and, having exploded this distinction, he proves that to no demon, but to
Christ alone, belongs the office of providing men with eternal blessedness. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120110.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 10</span></strong></a> In this book Augustine teaches
that the good angels wish God alone, whom they themselves serve, to receive
that divine honor which is rendered by sacrifice, and which is called latreia.
He then goes on to dispute against Porphyry about the principle and way of the
soul's cleansing and deliverance. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120111.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 11</span></strong></a> Here begins the second part of
this work, which treats of the origin, history, and destinies of the two
cities, the earthly and the heavenly. In the first place, Augustine shows in
this book how the two cities were formed originally, by the separation of the
good and bad angels; and takes occasion to treat of the creation of the world,
as it is described in Holy Scripture in the beginning of the book of Genesis. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120112.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 12</span></strong></a> Augustine first institutes two
inquiries regarding the angels; namely, whence is there in some a good, and in
others an evil will? And, what is the reason of the blessedness of the good,
and the misery of the evil? Afterwards he treats of the creation of man, and
teaches that he is not from eternity, but was created, and by none other than
God. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120113.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 13</span></strong></a> In this book it is taught that
death is penal, and had its origin in Adam's sin. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120114.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 14</span></strong></a> Augustine again treats of the
sin of the first man, and teaches that it is the cause of the carnal life and
vicious affections of man. Especially he proves that the shame which
accompanies lust is the just punishment of that disobedience, and inquires how
man, if he had not sinned, would have been able without lust to propagate his
kind. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120115.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 15</span></strong></a> Having treated in the four
preceding books of the origin of the two cities, the earthly and the heavenly,
Augustine explains their growth and progress in the four books which follow;
and, in order to do so, he explains the chief passages of the sacred history
which bear upon this subject. In this fifteenth book he opens this part of his
work by explaining the events recorded in Genesis from the time of Cain and
Abel to the deluge. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120116.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 16</span></strong></a> In the former part of this book,
from the first to the twelfth chapter, the progress of the two cities, the
earthly and the heavenly, from Noah to Abraham, is exhibited from Holy
Scripture: In the latter part, the progress of the heavenly alone, from Abraham
to the kings of Israel, is the subject. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120117.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 17</span></strong></a> In this book the history of the
city of God is traced during the period of the kings and prophets from Samuel
to David, even to Christ; and the prophecies which are recorded in the books of
Kings, Psalms, and those of Solomon, are interpreted of Christ and the church. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120118.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 18</span></strong></a> Augustine traces the parallel
courses of the earthly and heavenly cities from the time of Abraham to the end
of the world; and alludes to the oracles regarding Christ, both those uttered
by the Sibyls, and those of the sacred prophets who wrote after the foundation
of Rome, Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Micah, and their successors. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120119.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 19</span></strong></a> In this book the end of the two
cities, the earthly and the heavenly, is discussed. Augustine reviews the
opinions of the philosophers regarding the supreme good, and their vain efforts
to make for themselves a happiness in this life; and, while he refutes these,
he takes occasion to show what the peace and happiness belonging to the
heavenly city, or the people of Christ, are both now and hereafter. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120120.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 20</span></strong></a> Concerning the last judgment,
and the declarations regarding it in the old and new testaments. <br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120121.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 21</span></strong></a> Of the end reserved for the city
of the devil, namely, the eternal punishment of the damned; and of the
arguments which unbelief brings against it. <br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120122.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Book 22</span></strong></a> This book treats of the end of
the city of God, that is to say, of the eternal happiness of the saints; the
faith of the resurrection of the body is established and explained; and the
work concludes by showing how the saints, clothed in immortal and spiritual
bodies, shall be employed.</div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-68552522067988147992013-04-17T17:55:00.003+01:002013-04-18T10:17:00.063+01:00In Times of Trouble and Strife; in Life or Death; Love transcends all!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHuFnr8CGpb0m2RSUutxLUpS9vpUi7a7gtiXqCEQuREMtnAs4TxonIb4rniMlwbEB51dyGltpDS6lWhNX-dTwQQfIyhdax2S0D9hndteW8VBKWHyk2sA6uA51Kb-_qzi9WdRqo31gfLD5/s1600/maggie+thatcher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHuFnr8CGpb0m2RSUutxLUpS9vpUi7a7gtiXqCEQuREMtnAs4TxonIb4rniMlwbEB51dyGltpDS6lWhNX-dTwQQfIyhdax2S0D9hndteW8VBKWHyk2sA6uA51Kb-_qzi9WdRqo31gfLD5/s320/maggie+thatcher.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHuFnr8CGpb0m2RSUutxLUpS9vpUi7a7gtiXqCEQuREMtnAs4TxonIb4rniMlwbEB51dyGltpDS6lWhNX-dTwQQfIyhdax2S0D9hndteW8VBKWHyk2sA6uA51Kb-_qzi9WdRqo31gfLD5/s1600/maggie+thatcher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHuFnr8CGpb0m2RSUutxLUpS9vpUi7a7gtiXqCEQuREMtnAs4TxonIb4rniMlwbEB51dyGltpDS6lWhNX-dTwQQfIyhdax2S0D9hndteW8VBKWHyk2sA6uA51Kb-_qzi9WdRqo31gfLD5/s1600/maggie+thatcher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHuFnr8CGpb0m2RSUutxLUpS9vpUi7a7gtiXqCEQuREMtnAs4TxonIb4rniMlwbEB51dyGltpDS6lWhNX-dTwQQfIyhdax2S0D9hndteW8VBKWHyk2sA6uA51Kb-_qzi9WdRqo31gfLD5/s1600/maggie+thatcher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHuFnr8CGpb0m2RSUutxLUpS9vpUi7a7gtiXqCEQuREMtnAs4TxonIb4rniMlwbEB51dyGltpDS6lWhNX-dTwQQfIyhdax2S0D9hndteW8VBKWHyk2sA6uA51Kb-_qzi9WdRqo31gfLD5/s1600/maggie+thatcher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHuFnr8CGpb0m2RSUutxLUpS9vpUi7a7gtiXqCEQuREMtnAs4TxonIb4rniMlwbEB51dyGltpDS6lWhNX-dTwQQfIyhdax2S0D9hndteW8VBKWHyk2sA6uA51Kb-_qzi9WdRqo31gfLD5/s1600/maggie+thatcher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;" unselectable="on">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For all the respectful adoration or
vehement animosity aimed at Baroness Lady Margaret Thatcher’s legacy. To me she was an inspiration in my life as was I am sure the
case for many others like me. With passion and utter vigour she, in her own way,
encouraged people to do something with their lives. She was a pioneer of the “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">yes [you] can</b>” ethos. Her leadership
style of strength and conviction created a landscape for people to pursue
something better! One of optimism and hope! Just get up and do it! This is
quite meaningful when viewed from the perspective of religion, as Baroness Thatcher
was a committed Christian of the Methodist denomination, a person of loyal faith.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, her weakness in hindsight was that the ‘you’
should have been ‘we’! A point not lost on the Obama Administration I might
add. It is debateable that more emphasis on the 'Common Good' and
particularly compassion towards thy neighbour rather than own personal wealth
and standing, to be more selfless than selfish. Would maybe have mitigated the level of
resentment and universally increased condolences. Nevertheless
her accomplishments were staggeringly commendable by any measure. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Therefore as the historians start to
establish her legacy, I contemplate the extent to which her passion in the life of
politics was a case of ‘my will’ or ‘Thy will’? (In reference to Jesus in the
Garden of Gethsemane; Luke 22:42). She also was double-crossed in the end when she
was forced to step down from office as Prime Minister, after being betrayed by
some of her closest friends and colleagues. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sense of loss is something everyone one
has to endure to various degrees in our lives. However, as Christians and religious
depending on how we answer this choice of duty we can look upon our own loss
as God’s gain, by providing Him with an opportunity to make us complete again.
In a similar way he brought Our Lord back from the dead to life everlasting. So we
mustn’t waste these opportunities by allowing loss to corrode our souls with
bouts of hatred, rather to cherish them by relying on our faith in the victory
of righteousness over wickedness. And that God will always meet our every need,
through His ever giving and everlasting providence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The following is an excerpt from the books
“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Story of a Soul – Study Edition</b>
[Commentary Notes - Marc Foley O.C.D.]” – by St Therese of Lisieux and “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Search for Meaning</b>” by Dr Victor
Frankl; which collectively puts life and death into a thought provoking perspective
that illustrates why love will always conquer hate. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The former is an autobiography of a cloistered
nun who Pope Pius X proclaimed the “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Greatest
Saint of modern times</b>” after enduring many sufferings in her life. She died
an agonising death of tuberculosis at the tender age of 24. The latter being a
Jewish <span lang="EN-GB">psychiatrist and </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A</span>uschwitz survivor who wrote a thesis on his experience
in the death camps of WWII.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Therese recounts the time that she stood
before her mother’s coffin, the memory of standing before Mother Genevieve’s [Carmel’s
Mother Prioress] coffin come to her mind, she reflects upon the vast difference
between the two experiences. As a four year old child who had just lost her
mother, the coffin “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">appeared large and
dismal</i>”. In contrast, as an adult, who had “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grown up…the coffin appeared smaller…[and now, the reality of death,
seen through faith, was an occasion] to contemplate heaven</i>”. As Therese
looks back upon her four year old self, who had been shattered by the death of
her mother, she stands in amazement that she has survived this loss. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All my trials had come to an end and the
winter of my soul had passed on”.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like Therese, there are moments when we
take a backward glance upon our lives and stand in amazement that we were able
to survive a devastating loss. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Black
grief closed over my heart,”</i> wrote St Augustine on the death of a friend. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Everything I had shared with my friend
turned into hideous anguish without him. My eyes sought him everywhere, but he
was missing; I hated all things because they held him not…All this is over now,
Lord and my hurt has been assuaged with time</i>.”</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like Therese and Augustine, all of us have
experienced losses, which at the time; we felt that we did not have the
strength to bear. For when we are overwhelmed with black grief, it is beyond
the power of imagination to believe that the winter of our soul will ever pass.
Therese experienced time’s healing hand as she cast a backwards glance upon her
mother’s death, but she experienced something else, the faith that pierces the
dark veil of death. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I had no need to
raise my head to see and, in fact, no longer raised it but to contemplate
heaven which to me was filled with joy</i>”.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In less than a year after Therese had
penned these words, the thought of heaven would not fill her soul with joy but
with anguish. During her night of faith, when she doubted the existence of
heaven, she wrote, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that the thought of
heaven, up until then so sweet to me, was no longer anything but the cause of
struggle and torment”. </i>Yet, in the midst of her darkness, when she felt
that she lived<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “in a country that is
covered with thick fog</i>”, God’s light would periodically “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shine through even in the midst of the
darkest storm…[and for a brief moment] heaven was a calm and serene and I
believed I felt there was a heaven and that this heaven is peopled with souls
who actually love me, who consider me their child</i>”. Therese is describing
an experience of God’s love that pierces through our pain during times of our
deepest darkness and for a moment, we know that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">love is eternal</b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On a cold winter morning, as he and his
fellow inmates were marching to their work site in Auschwitz, Vickor Frankl had
such an experience.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We stumbled on in the darkness, over big
stones and through large puddles, along the road leading from the camp. The
accompanying guards kept shouting at us and driving us with the butts of their
rifles. Anyone with very sore feet supported himself on his neighbour’s arm.
Hardly a word was spoken; the icy wind did not encourage talk. Hiding his mouth
behind his upturned collar, the man marching next to me whispered suddenly:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If our wives could see us now! I do hope
they are better off in their camps and don’t know what is happening to us.”</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That brought thoughts of my own wife to
mind. And as we stumbled on for miles, slipping on icy spots, supporting each
other and again, dragging one another up and onward, nothing was said, but we
both knew: each of us was thinking of his wife. Occasionally I looked at the
sky, where the stars were fading and the pink light of the morning was
beginning to spread behind a dark bank of clouds. But my mind clung to my
wife’s image, imaging it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me,
saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look was then
more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A thought transfixed me: for the first time
in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed
as final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth – that love is ultimate and
highest goal to which man can achieve. Then I grasped the meaning of the
greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart:
The salvation of man is through love and in love. I understood how a man who
has nothing left in this world still may know this bliss, be it only for a
brief moment in the contemplation of his beloved. In a position of utter
desolation...for the first time in my life I was able to understand the meaning
of the words, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The angels are lost in
perpetual contemplation of an infinite glory</i>.”</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sensed my spirit piercing through the
enveloping gloom. I felt it transcend that hopeless, meaningless world. At that
moment a light was lit in a distant farmhouse, which stood on the horizon as if
painted there, in the midst of the miserable grey of a dawning morning of
Bavaria. “Ex lus in tenebris lucet” and the light shineth in the darkness.”</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baroness Margaret Thatcher RIP.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-72470094547274696842012-08-28T11:58:00.000+01:002012-08-28T14:38:01.219+01:00Meditation for the Feast of St Augustine of Hippo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVB0OA5gVeO5u03vi_Ryc9-O8LOIhNIiMrVHnDOMVer6O1RjiWFbHlHbN3EG80z75xIN5x0TjUHJjM4S6ZVDESbQnMUioREO8_B51zW6CvunUezsG2A08pVzkrHtLse6uB8htavZvCRty/s1600/Saint_Augustine_Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVB0OA5gVeO5u03vi_Ryc9-O8LOIhNIiMrVHnDOMVer6O1RjiWFbHlHbN3EG80z75xIN5x0TjUHJjM4S6ZVDESbQnMUioREO8_B51zW6CvunUezsG2A08pVzkrHtLse6uB8htavZvCRty/s320/Saint_Augustine_Portrait.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 24pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #365f91; font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;">What the Scribes and Pharisees Needed</span></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let us lead good lives, and while we lead good lives let us
on no account take it for granted that we are without sin. Living a life that
is praiseworthy includes begging pardon for things that are blameworthy. But
people who are beyond hope pay all the less attention to their own sins, they
are more interested in those of others. They are looking for a chance to tear
others to bits, not to put them right. Unable to excuse themselves, they are
only too ready to accuse others.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sin cannot possibly go unpunished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The forces of nature become imbalanced,
unstable and unsustainable. If a sin remains unpunished it is naturally unjust,
and so undoubtedly it must be punished. This is what your God says to you: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your sin is punished, either by man
repenting or by God judging”</i>. So either it, without you, it is punished by
you or else it together with you is punished by God. What is repentance after
all, but being angry with oneself? What’s the idea of beating your breast if
you aren’t just pretending? Why beat it if you aren’t angry with it? So when
you beat your breast you are being angry with your heart in order to make
amends to your Lord. This is also how we can understand the text ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be angry and do not sin</i>’. Be angry
because you have sinned, and by punishing yourself stop sinning. Give your
heart a shaking by repentance, and this will be a sacrifice to God.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Augustine of Hippo – Doctor of Grace</span></div>
Extract from "Magnificat" - August 2012. Vol 2 No11<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“He cannot have God for
his Father who will not have the Church for his mother.” </span></em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-
St. Augustine<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“This is the sum of
religion, to imitate whom you worship” - St. Augustine<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 24pt 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"></span> </h1>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-89116869912734981992012-08-27T17:34:00.002+01:002012-08-27T17:41:59.677+01:00St Monica - A Mother of Faith, Prayer and a Giant of the Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnBfmSoFBwAHvArj1H-I-7BjIlP6nIb0KH9upuQW64ljzbtXrqpdrwS5hP7-hjOzfSzsc8ZOa22cqid2vVzHnbMTceI20gBO9Jq4IpEegPtU2U48R1lv2rb11RrOV7zQXGR7zrojnlzmV/s1600/200px-Sainte_Monique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnBfmSoFBwAHvArj1H-I-7BjIlP6nIb0KH9upuQW64ljzbtXrqpdrwS5hP7-hjOzfSzsc8ZOa22cqid2vVzHnbMTceI20gBO9Jq4IpEegPtU2U48R1lv2rb11RrOV7zQXGR7zrojnlzmV/s1600/200px-Sainte_Monique.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wd37Wetxgew" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/embed/wd37Wetxgew</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reading St Augustine’s “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">City
of God</b>” for practical reasons, I look upon the feast day of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">St Monica</b> as a day of thanksgiving. The
Church has benefited so profoundly from the fruits of her endeavours, expressed
through <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">St Augustine</b>, her son. She
is a befitting example of the power of prayer and faith by way of virtues. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her life story is an example of the importance of family
bonds and the responsibilities of the parents in regarding their children as “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">children of God</b>” (CCC 222). I am quite
sure that the secret of St Augustine’s greatness was the holiness of his doting
mother St Monica. I know “Little Therese” (St Therese) whom I view in very high
regard, came from a very pious family, for her mother and father Blessed Louis
and Zelie Martin were beatified in October, 2008. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am reminded of the commentary from the excellent book I
read a few years ago “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Story of a
Family – The Home of St Therese of Lisieux</i>”. Which said; “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Giants in any sphere of human endeavour
stand on the shoulders of giants. Nobody gets to heaven alone. We are all what
our birth, our families, our education, our country, etc. Have helped to make
us”.</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Short commentary and pertaining Verses of Scripture:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The purpose of Christian faith is to view it as
a seed you nurture and growth both interiorly and exteriorly: “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Still other seed fell on good soil. It came
up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a
hundred times.”</b> Mark 4:8.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0cm 1em 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Always
believe in miracles and desire to do God’s will. St Therese so eloquently stated
in her oblation “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">’Whatsoever you ask the
Father in my name he will give it to you!’ I am certain, then, that you will
grant my desires, I know, O my God! That the more you want to give, the more you
make us desire...”</i></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you
do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go,
throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will
receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 21:21-22</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">St Monica’s biography from “Catholic
Online”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">St. Monica was married by arrangement to a pagan official in
North Africa, who was much older than she, and although generous, was also
violent tempered. His mother Lived with them and was equally difficult, which
proved a constant challenge to St. Monica. She had three children; Augustine,
Navigius, and Perpetua. Through her patience and prayers, she was able to
convert her husband and his mother to the Catholic faith in 370• He died a year
later. Perpetua and Navigius entered the religious Life. St. Augustine was much
more difficult, as she had to pray for him for 17 years, begging the prayers of
priests who, for a while, tried to avoid her because of her persistence at this
seemingly hopeless endeavor. One priest did console her by saying, "it is
not possible that the son of so many tears should perish." This thought,
coupled with a vision that she had received strengthened her. St. Augustine was
baptized by St. Ambrose in 387. St. Monica died later that same year, on the
way back to Africa from Rome in the Italian town of Ostia.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-86125595844545471042012-08-14T19:56:00.000+01:002012-08-15T09:11:25.040+01:00St Maximilian Kolbe Pray For Us All !<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtW8RafmMUuVOZ6y6WmHTBlVREZWH1KhKXclrdizXljYyPd26blWZ3GFFiJVVtUVk53pQcF44AZ0hyphenhyphen8Sg3xh6rjd5gehHVtOFS5kIxYMbT2RkTfzvHHHe2mi9Gt5_0wF5jTN-w9UVEwiy/s1600/8_06_2010_Kolbe_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtW8RafmMUuVOZ6y6WmHTBlVREZWH1KhKXclrdizXljYyPd26blWZ3GFFiJVVtUVk53pQcF44AZ0hyphenhyphen8Sg3xh6rjd5gehHVtOFS5kIxYMbT2RkTfzvHHHe2mi9Gt5_0wF5jTN-w9UVEwiy/s1600/8_06_2010_Kolbe_2.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I have come....to proclaim the Truth. Everyone
who is of the Truth hears my voice. Pilate questions, "What is Truth?”</b> (John
18:37-38). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Feast day! St Maximilian Kolbe,
the Patron Saint of Difficult Times.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_Kolbe"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_Kolbe</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His life and
death is an excellent testament to the Truth, proclaiming the embodiment of
Christianity in its purest form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
following points are as to why I believe in regards particularly to St
Maximilian Kolbe’s life this is very much the case. For he...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...proclaimed the “Good News” of
Christ through the devotion of his mother, the Blessed Virgin, entirely
throughout his life. Using media technology at the time and ministry to spread
the truth of God’s word in the most far-off reaches of the world, like Japan
(Matt 28:19-20);<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...spread the joy of the Truth by
raising his friends and acquaintances spirits when the world or trial was
getting them down (Matt 25:21). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...in living he loved, to the extent
of giving his all including himself, for God and his neighbour (Matt 22:39).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...showed compassion to his enemies
and prayed to the great Mother of God. For the sinless to save the sinful, by asking
the Virgin Mary for their hearts to softened and become converted by granting them
the gift of faith to appreciate the Truth (Luke 6:27-31) ;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...lived a life as an exemplary
example of a child of God in humility and charity, by accepting completely our
Mother’s “fiat” (“so be it” Luke 1:38), offered to him by way of two crowns one
white for chastity the other red for martyrdom, in doing so he embraced our
Lord’s passion and will quite devoutly (CCC 494). Thus obtaining prestigious entitlement
from God’s first promise of righteousness conquering evil (Gen 3:15); <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Book of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Revelation
20:4-6</b> provides a revealing validation as to why St Maximilian’s life of
Christ is extremely important for everyone to hear all over the globe. Because in
divine terms it describes what God’s Judgement of a soul’s destiny means separated
between heaven, purgatory and hell. From Christ’s first resurrection to His
Second Coming where body is reunited with soul. It is the very reason why we
should emulate this example and similar others like St Therese for instance, in
our own lives, but especially for bloggers!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a pertinent theological explanation by <b><a href="http://mhc.biblecommenter.com/revelation/20.htm"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Matthew
Henry's Concise Commentary</span></a></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Here is an account of the reign of the saints, for the same
space of time as Satan is bound. Those who suffer with Christ, shall reign with
him in his spiritual and heavenly kingdom, in conformity to him in his wisdom,
righteousness, and holiness: this is called the first resurrection, with which
none but those who serve Christ, and suffer for him, shall be favoured. The
happiness of these servants of God is declared. None can be blessed but those
that are holy; and all that are holy shall be blessed. We know something of
what the first death is, and it is very awful; but we know not what this second
death is. It must be much more dreadful; it is the death of the soul, eternal
separation from God. May we never know what it is: those who have been made
partakers of a spiritual resurrection, are saved from the power of the second
death. We may expect that a thousand years will follow the destruction of the
anti-christian, idolatrous, persecuting powers, during which pure Christianity,
in doctrine, worship, and holiness, will be made known over all the earth (<em>bloggers take note</em>). By
the all-powerful working of the Holy Spirit, fallen man will be new-created;
and faith and holiness will as certainly prevail, as unbelief and unholiness
now do. We may easily perceive what a variety of dreadful pains, diseases, and
other calamities would cease, if all men were true and consistent Christians. All
the evils of public and private contests would be ended, and happiness of every
kind largely increased. Every man would try to lighten suffering, instead of
adding to the sorrows around him. It is our duty to pray for the promised
glorious days, and to do everything in our public and private stations which
can prepare for them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Meditation Point</span></b>: “<span class="text">beheaded because of their testimony” or righteousness (Rev 20:4). Is
this a reference directly to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John the
Baptist</b> in the New Testament and indirectly <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Abel</b> in the Old Testament!? </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To the Patron Saint of difficult
times, Pray for us!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-77235412530762947572011-11-20T15:00:00.006+00:002011-11-20T15:21:30.200+00:00To be numbered on the List of "Christ the King" in whom we can Trust!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl2T6Do7pau5BymKUFMIzNN7mfYeOLRza8qnlEP6KzDSRPNne6Rv0oLOp-gRXP3l4gQ1I8wB7dJqh5K-OtF4KzFpzFTw04AM0Nk-W9jHQ5QgDzwWTaNKMiU-fNmrV_Su4IcE091E7T55U/s1600/schindlers_listv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl2T6Do7pau5BymKUFMIzNN7mfYeOLRza8qnlEP6KzDSRPNne6Rv0oLOp-gRXP3l4gQ1I8wB7dJqh5K-OtF4KzFpzFTw04AM0Nk-W9jHQ5QgDzwWTaNKMiU-fNmrV_Su4IcE091E7T55U/s320/schindlers_listv1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Today is the feast day of “Christ the King” and last day in the Church’s year. The Scripture readings are on how Jesus as the Good Shepherd” of his sheep judges us at the end of this journey we call our “life” and is consequently an important one to fully appreciate. Here He outlines the fundamental laws upon which our eternity will be determined, in quite stark terms (<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Matthew 25:31-46</span></strong>).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I believe this message is particularly enhanced when taken with another verse of Scripture that says “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters” (<strong>Luke 11:23</strong>). The crux of the message can be interpreted to mean that our destiny is decided by the contrasting states of our hearts, being either full of compassion for people’s well-being and for social justice or full of contempt for your neighbour’s existence, for more self-centred reasons, e.g. greed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is dramatically and objectively symbolised in modern today terms through Thomas Keneally’s book “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Schindler’s List</b>” adapted by Steven Spielberg into film, based on historical facts in a period of particular anti-Semitic brutality during World War II. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The cold-blooded hatred by a nation’s community towards its ethnic minorities is disturbingly alarming. This is contrasted with hope beautifully, through the compassion shown by Oscar Schlinder, who eventually repents from his sinful ways and works against his Nazi party’s sinister agenda. When he decides to save as many of God’s chosen people he can by using his power and wealth obtained through political favour to make a difference for the sake of God’s righteousness and not against it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This point is especially emphasised with the scene where as the Jews in Kraków are forced into the ghetto, a little girl on the street cries out, “Good-bye, Jews,” over and over again. She represents the open hostility often shown the Jews by their countrymen. After all, the little girl did not contain this hatred naturally—she learned it. Through her, Spielberg sends the message that the evil of the “final solution” infected entire communities. This is reinforced by another scene where bystanders knowingly wave at the cattle trains filled with despairing souls as they are mercilessly transported to the death camps to meet their presupposed fate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Applying the Gospel verses to this gruesome scenario of injustice presents an irony unknowing to the misguided, is that they might as well be venting their rage and anger upon a mirror! By remaining unrepentant, they take the risk of God turning the table upon themselves and returning the gesture on judgement day for their lack of faith in all that is Goodness and Truth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Consequently the underlying message given to us on this special day to commemorate Christ's Majesty is that we should constantly cultivate and tend to our hearts with acts of compassion, similar to that of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Good Samaritan</b> (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Luke 10:25-37</b>) and only then we will merit the full blessings and promises of God and thus avoid the total loss of His love and mercy we take each day for granted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-56595454431403275652011-08-17T19:05:00.004+01:002011-08-29T08:48:20.675+01:00JMJT: Is the “Little Way” a New Genesis or a Revelation!?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-x2YPZYQZgargQ1e3WAQB7JXv6ROv9mSR5YOUQFUe3E5bXkXjcxr6ZS6QtJmcjGBTy_g9oCNvIt2geaxiEXqWBAttJuATIvUnpuHN1dpUWSiwicjmJqXMVL4i4ldcYWPH5CCjw_4aegV/s1600/st_thereseflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-x2YPZYQZgargQ1e3WAQB7JXv6ROv9mSR5YOUQFUe3E5bXkXjcxr6ZS6QtJmcjGBTy_g9oCNvIt2geaxiEXqWBAttJuATIvUnpuHN1dpUWSiwicjmJqXMVL4i4ldcYWPH5CCjw_4aegV/s400/st_thereseflowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First posted by Simon Pickering 21<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> May, 2010 on 4Marks Social network; </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being a disciple and follower of <strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">St Therese of Lisieux</span></strong> this blog portrays “The Little Way” from a new perspective that could help us gauge the enormity and universality of her message! </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This question has led me to ponder on the connection between St Therese’s “Little Way” and the Biblical book of “Genesis”, Sacred Scripture’s account on the creation of the whole world. We can be certain that St Therese’s message is substantially embedded in the Gospels but can its roots be traced back to the beginnings of time itself? Because if there is a strong connection between the two accounts of holiness, her reference to “little” should not be deemed in relation our views on littleness, but God’s view!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwHwMn8wlfszDSrnlEB_1WXYA3H67IZpR3XTpu4kds64E0_Zv-UGOl-Pn3-Ev_BEKksXc_Mdq-29dz2YAa97Rb2RSMCJudzqWXjKDZWY2rs0z6SLWotU0r0zYm99RtuN0F-qLU-I2jRy8/s1600/therese-poster-image-only1-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwHwMn8wlfszDSrnlEB_1WXYA3H67IZpR3XTpu4kds64E0_Zv-UGOl-Pn3-Ev_BEKksXc_Mdq-29dz2YAa97Rb2RSMCJudzqWXjKDZWY2rs0z6SLWotU0r0zYm99RtuN0F-qLU-I2jRy8/s200/therese-poster-image-only1-300x300.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">St Therese gives us some clues when she mentions “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">keeping the ’Kings Secrets’ in the bottom of her heart</b>” and “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">it is honorable to publish the works of the Most High</b>”; also “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">how powerless I am to express in human language the secrets of heaven</b>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally she says “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">There are so many different horizons, so many nuances of infinite variety that only the palette of the Celestial Painter will be able to furnish me after the night of this life with the colors capable of depicting the marvels He reveals to my soul</b>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can therefore surmise that St Therese holds a secret, a very big secret of the magnitude of God’s grace and how we can attain it. </span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Bible Study notes of the </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Book of Genesis</span><span lang="EN-US"> compared to <u>St Therese’s Little Way</u>;<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Chapter 1: The World at its Creation:<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Holy Scriptures;<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Light sustains life in the world (1:3-4)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Adam & Eve’s meekness and simplicity in their state of “Original Holiness or Justice” to serving God’s will is deafeningly silent. It is sufficient only for God to describe them and the scenario as “very good” (1:31). </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God states that what He saw was “good” seven times in Chapter 1 (1:3,10,12,18,21,25,31); Harmony and perfection presides over all God’s creatures, with Man as their shepherd.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Man was made in God’s own image, to shepherd over His creation (1:26). </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God’s orders His creatures to be fruitful as God intended them to be and fill the world with their presence to quell earthliness (1:28).</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Little Way (LW): <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus through the Virgin Mary provides the light to our spiritual darkness; Therese promises to shed a shower of roses from Heaven; Charity is a cornerstone of holiness:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Life for all of God’s creatures was straightforward and their task was only to fill the world with their goodness; Glory was only attained through God and not from ourselves: </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Everything was “good”; the power of goodness cannot be overlooked or underestimated; everything was made and done out of Love of God from His Love; God expects us to do and be good to honor Him in everything we do, no matter how small; Jesus says “Little Children, love one another, as I have loved you” (John 13:34):</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">We are children of God born in His own image, which means we can only feel complete and contented being one with God, by doing His will (e.g. Virgin Mary’s “fiat” and “Thy will be done”); Therese says you need to be little and weak to have habitual fusion with Jesus (refer to Mt 18:4).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">St Therese’s autobiography “Story of a Soul” fulfills this divine order by bearing fruit from all over the world by using Christ as its vine (John 15:1). </span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Chapter 2: Adam & Eve (Original Holiness):<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Holy Scriptures;<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God breathed life into the soil or dust to create Man (2:7):</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God created a special place for Man called the Garden of Eden, where He created a variety of trees; Central to the Garden were two trees, one of life the other of knowledge between good and evil (2:9). </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God instructs Man to tender the garden (2:15) but must not touch or eat from the tree of knowledge or else death becomes him (2:16); Note that there is only one condition (commandment) for living in paradise, Man’s original utopia! </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God sees that Adam’s loneliness and seeks a suitable companion for him (2:18,20).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God empowers Adam to name His creatures and authorizes his decision (2:19). </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God creates a partner for Adam from one of his ribs, so that there can become one together (2:22;24)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Adam and Eve were completely shameless and thus were looked upon as perfection in the eyes of God as He intended them to be so (2:25).</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Little Way (LW): <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God demonstrates the simplicity and power of His grace to create the wonder of life; The LW by design can harness the same breath of divine air that fills our lives with God’s grace as His “Spiritual Children”.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God reserves a special place for His people, today we call this salvation in Heaven; LW is a straight path to Jesus Christ who represents the Tree of Life (John 1:23); Life’s simplicity naturally creates harmony and perfection, which draws God’s presence and mercy; Therese loved nature and animals, particularly roses, so she would of loved immensely being in the Garden of Eden and fitting perfectly within this idyllic habitat, without distraction!:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God’s commandment became Jesus “He says listen to Him!”(Luke 9:35); LW encourages us to be virtuous to all God’s creation because we are blessed and we should avoid to sin:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God provides, as a father for his children, to those who please Him and who rely on Him, even without request or petition, for He knows their needs and He through love will satisfy them;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God gives man authority over his kingdom, this is why praying and caring for each other is expected by Him;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Zelie and Louis Martin were model parents, as St Therese describes them as “Being more worthy of heaven than of earth”; This I am sure inspired her to understand the natural relationship of people with God:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Holy purity and innocence comes from “simplicity” and “spiritual poverty” and not through deeds or accomplishments:</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Chapter 3: Original Sin:<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Holy Scriptures;<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The serpent hoodwinks Adam and Eve and their eyes are opened to understand the difference between good and evil, the effects of disobeying God and eating from the tree of knowledge (3:1-6).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">They became ashamed and noticed their nakedness covering themselves with plants or fig leaves (3:7).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God called for Adam who was in hiding ‘Where are you?’ (3:8). Adam confesses to his state of being to God (3:10). God then accuses him of wrong doing and enquirers as to how they knew that they were naked? (3:11).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God says “What have you done?" indicating the hurt, the grief He felt by the betrayal (3:13)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">A trial ensues and God discovers the instigator the serpent’s guilt of the three parties He questions (3:12-13);</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God punishes all parties involved for retribution. The devastating stain of “Original Sin” enters the world. (3:14-19).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God said to the condemned Serpent, that his descendants including people in-spirit will always be opposed and yet powerless against God’s people, whom are faithful to Him: (3:15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God gave man the garments of his fallen nature, so his image on the outside portrayed the skin of an animal or beast (contrary to this verse, Gen 2:20) rather than the image God intended him to have. Indicating that animals were to be sacrificed to cover or pay for man’s sins and to display his demoted status (3:21).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Adam & Eve were banished from paradise and eternal life, to survive in the harshness of the wilderness, the price they paid for having the capacity to be Godly, acquired through Original Sin (3:22-24). </span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Little Way (LW): <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">LW is obedience simplifies and directs us towards the “Tree of Life”, Jesus Christ, through the Gospels; Jesus tells us “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me”(John 14:6): </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">It is sufficient for us to put our trust and confidence in Our Lord Jesus Christ who doesn’t cover but takes away our sins in the sight of God, the Father:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fear and disunity enters the original parents consciousness so they look for excuses; Their lives in effect becomes complicated and harsh, not simple and peaceful:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">What have we done? To show thanksgiving to God’s grace, this in the world means everything!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God “Loves the sinner, hates the sin”; God’s is only comforted through our prays and by doing penance for those who offend Him:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Therese embraced joyously suffering “I have learned to find joy and sweetness in all that is bitter”(refer to Col. 1:24); By carrying her cross she knew that she was following Jesus and would find Him in all His glory; She also says “Let us offer our sufferings to Jesus for the salvation of souls.” </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Pray for those who are on the wrong side of this divide between good and bad; Pranzini was Therese’s first child, saved by her intercession; She enters Carmel to fulfill this vocation of saving souls and making Priests saints: </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">We clothe ourselves in Jesus’ wounds who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and restores us to our original image, so that God the Father can elevate us back to Him:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Humbleness is virtuous and our armor (our combat jacket) which will help us survive the dangers of our spiritual wilderness; Avoiding and being detached from the snares, pride tempts us towards through having knowledge and intellectual status, as being Godly opposes our route to holiness; St Therese teaches us, all that really matters is letting Jesus be your elevator to Heaven; Jesus says “Unless you be converted and become as little children you cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 18:3): </span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Chapter 4: Cain & Abel:<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Holy Scriptures;<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Cain a descendant of Adam & Eve, questions God’s favor and fails to understand the consequences of doing what is wrong compared to doing what is right (4:6-7). God’s advises him “you must master it (sin)” (4:7):</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Cain ignores the advice and kills Abel out of jealousy (4:8):</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God exclaims “What have you done?” for the second time to man (4:10). Again, God shows His hurt,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His grief and annoyance of what man was doing:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Cain struggles with his exposure to the danger and despair of being an outcast from God’s presence (4:14).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Cain’s appeal drew sympathy from God and He issued a protection order promising His wrath to anyone who should harmed Cain (4:15). And so God withdraws his presence from Adam’s descendant (4:16), due to the hurt caused to God’s heart.</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Little Way (LW): <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Cain seems lost, but if we abandon ourselves to God we will find peace; LW focuses very much on doing right and avoiding sin, everything else to left to God’s providence and mercy; </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">LW makes us look internally and not externally, to compare ourselves against Jesus’ model and not against each other; Therefore avoiding any negative emotion of being less well off as loving God makes it impossible to be so; Therese says “Since Jesus has gone to Heaven now, I can only follow the traces He has left behind.”:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">What have we done? To show our belief and our love for God; God </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">looks for acts of virtues constantly:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Pray to God and offer Him our problems like a child running to their parents for comfort, protection and sympathy; Therese says of the Eucharist “I desire Him to come for His own pleasure, not for mine”:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God cannot help Himself but to show his love for us, who are weak and timid; His mercy is so vast that He is sure to respond to our call if we turn to Him like a beggar with outstretched hands: </span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Chapter 6: Noah and his Ark</span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Holy Scriptures;<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">With the increase in people, God says “My Spirit will not contend with [a] man forever, for he is mortal” (6:3). </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God saw the level man's wickedness had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time (6:5):</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God grieves and is distraught at what we have become. His heart is filled with pain to such a extent that He decides to destroy the very things He created (6:7,11,12):</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Except Noah who was righteous and blameless (6:9):</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God tells Noah to build an ark so to avoid destruction (6:13-21).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Noah obeyed all that was expected from him (6:22):</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Little Way (LW); <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Therese says that “We only have this life to prove our love for Him”: </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Pray for sinners and do penance as the very smallest act of virtue could open their hearts to God’s love, to change their ways:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">LW helps us to be what we truly are “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God’s children</b>” with a destiny of life and promise; Not a destiny of sin that leads ultimately to death and dust from where we came:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Noah’s example is rewarded by God; this is part of God’s promise, His Truth if you like; That He will always save His people, who have faith in Him and who obey His laws:</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">LW helps us build or construct our lives in the way God intended us to; So that we too may be saved from His wrath; Therese said to her spiritual Brother Fr Belliere “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">When I will be in port, I will teach you, dear little Brother of my soul, how you should sail the stormy sea of the world with the abandonment and the love of a child who knows his Father cherishes it and would be unable to leave him in the hour of danger. Ah! How I would like to make you understand the tenderness of the Heart of Jesus, what He expects of you.</b>”: </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">LW helps us obey all that is expected from us by God, through His Son, Jesus Christ: </span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Chapter 7: God’s Covenant:<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Holy Scriptures;<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God requests Noah to use the ark to save clean and righteous creatures only (7:1-4):</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God establishes a covenant with Noah and his descendants to populate the earth as He will never again use floods to cause mayhem. Rainbows would be God’s sign of this bond with mankind (7:14-17).</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Little Way (LW);<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The awesomeness of God’s mercy is shown through giving us His only begotten son, Jesus Christ and the Immaculate Mary, Our Mother who is today’s Ark; she provides a refuge to all God’s people by leading us down the path of Truth and Salvation through her Son. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The Cross is our “rainbow” and covenant, the sign that promises everlasting salvation; the genius of St Therese’s Little Way is that the path she outlines is open to every one of us to follow; as we have only this life to prove our worthiness. She says "We have only the short moment of this life to give to God, and He is already preparing to say: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">'Now, my turn</b>'."</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Summary – What can we learn from this comparison? <o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">+ God is Love and mercy; He is goodness. He only expects the same from us;</span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN-US">+ A sister at her Carmel made the comment what has Sister Therese done we can write about in her Obituary? I am sure that this was a completely innocent remark from a visibly enthused Carmelite nun. However, she raises an excellent point upon reflecting upon the answer. Especially when one compares her life with the lives of Our Blessed Virgin Mary and St Joseph whose roles are mentioned fleetingly in Holy Scriptures, the Bible’s New Testament. But through their love of God and fortitude of duty to serve through the eyes of God, they played an essential part in the salvation of humanity. Let’s assume it’s theologically correct to say that “<strong>The Story of a Soul</strong>” is a biographical homage akin to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s “Magnificat” that begins “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">My soul glorifies the Lord…</b> (Luke 1:46-55);<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">+ This is why “The Little Way” is so powerful because it appeals to God’s heart from where He found the inspiration to create heaven and earth. Hence “Little” in the “Little Way” should be looked upon in the same context as when Venerate Fulton J Sheen’s talked about love, happiness and a person’s heart. He said “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">When God made your human heart, He found it so good and so lovable that He kept a small piece of it in heaven. He sent the rest of it into this world to enjoy His gifts, and to use them as stepping stones back to Him, but to be ever mindful that you can never love anything in this world with our whole heart because you have not a whole heart with which to love. In order to love anyone with your whole heart, in order to be really peaceful, in order to be really wholehearted, you must go back again to God to recover the piece He has been keeping from all eternity!</b>”;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">St Therese loved with her whole heart and I am truly thankful that she wrote about how she loved God and everything that belonged to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I pray: Jesus, Mary, Therese, I love you, please save souls.</span></span></i></b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-66416919085893806412011-07-07T17:36:00.000+01:002011-07-07T17:36:17.176+01:00Patrons of Europe: Rediscovering Christian Heritage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0LsmQXZwPe5OSDNLN7zf-0QgiRJ-Ai7WeNpCllcr7BOtvT-S8BF7R_0tCxzAVPcMnzfDOK8F4ZdZteY3vwfnjN4u6UI4TyS5qZO-9Lr-vySm7h3s_p1XMxiRyqD-bT1finUOCi1w-Gf_/s1600/Copyofeuropafinal20cm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0LsmQXZwPe5OSDNLN7zf-0QgiRJ-Ai7WeNpCllcr7BOtvT-S8BF7R_0tCxzAVPcMnzfDOK8F4ZdZteY3vwfnjN4u6UI4TyS5qZO-9Lr-vySm7h3s_p1XMxiRyqD-bT1finUOCi1w-Gf_/s320/Copyofeuropafinal20cm.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Over the next few weeks we shall celebrate the feasts of three patrons of Europe: St Benedict (11th July), St Bridget of Sweden (23rd July) and St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (9th August). Each of these saints, who take us from the fifth to the 20th century, had a deep love for the Scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>The ‘Rule’ of St Benedict</strong> is punctuated by references to the Scriptures. In the Prologue we read: ‘The Lord in the gospel teaches us when he says: </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I shall liken anyone who hears my words and carries them out in deed to one who is wise enough to build on a rock; then the floods came and the winds blew and struck that house but it did not fall because it was built on the rock</b>.” </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is in the light of that teaching that the Lord waits for us every day to see if we will respond by our deeds, as we should to his holy guidance.’ </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the final chapter of his ‘Rule’ Benedict asks: What page, what saying from the Sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is not given us by the authority of God as reliable guidance for our lives on earth?’ <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>St Bridget of Sweden</strong> founded the Bridgettine order in about 1350. The order was dedicated to the Passion of Christ. Each convent was to have attached to it a community of canons to act as chaplains, all under the government of the abbess. The members of the order are allowed one luxury, that they like for study. While the sisters were enclosed and dedicated to scholarship and the study of the word of God, the fathers were preachers and missionaries of that word.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross</strong> (Edith Stein) gives a powerful witness to the importance of the word of God because of her Jewish roots. Edith was born in Germany in 1891 into an observant Jewish family. After a period of unbelief in 1922 she embraced the Carmelite order. She moved to the Netherlands to be safe from Nazi persecution, but because she was Jewish she was arrested and taken with her sister Rosa and many other Catholic Jews from the Netherlands to the concentration camp in Auschwitz, were she died in the gas chambers in 1942.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was <strong>Blessed John Paul II</strong> who canonized Saint Teresa Benedicta in 1998. In his homily he said: ‘Through the experience of the Cross, Edith Stein was able to open the way to a new encounter with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faith and the Cross proved inseparable to her. Having matured in the school of the Cross, she found the roots to which the tree of her own life was attached. She understood that it was very important for her ‘to be a daughter of the chosen people and to belong to Christ not only spiritually, but also through blood’.’<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Blessed John Paul II has already named Saints Cyril and Methodius as new patrons of Europe, alongside Saint Benedict, in 1980 in order to represent the countries of the East. In 1999, at the opening Mass of a special Synod of Sweden and Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, along with Catherine of Siena, to this list of patrons. The document produced in the wake of the Synod is entitled ‘Ecclesia in Europa’. It takes as its theme ‘Jesus Christ, alive in his Church, the source of hope for Europe’.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The teaching of ‘<em><strong>Ecclesia in Europa’</strong></em> is just as relevant some 10 years later. Europe needs to rediscover its spiritual heritage in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It needs to rediscover the power of the word of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Towards the end of the document (paragraphs 120- 121) Pope John Paul addresses a series of imperatives to Europe in the following words: <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Europe, as you stand at the beginning of the third millennium, open the doors to Christ!</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Be yourself! Rediscover your origins! Relive your roots! Down the centuries you have received the treasure of Christian faith. It has grounded your life as a society on principles drawn from the Gospel, and traces of this are evident in the art, literature, thought and culture of your nations. But this heritage does not belong just to the past; it is a project in the making, to be passed on to future generations, for it has indelibly marked the life of the individuals and peoples who together have forged the continent of Europe. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Do not be afraid!</b> The Gospel is not against you, but for you. This is confirmed by the fact that Christian inspiration is capable of transforming political, cultural and economic groupings into a form of coexistence in which all Europeans will feel at home and will form a family of nations from which other areas of the world can draw fruitful inspiration. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be confident!</b> In the Gospel, which is Jesus, you will find the sure and lasting hope to which you aspire. This hope is grounded in the victory of Christ over sin and death. He wishes this victory to be your own, for your salvation and your joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be certain! </b>The Gospel of hope does not disappoint! Throughout the vicissitudes of your history, yesterday and today, it is the light which illumines and directs your way; it is the strength which sustains you in trials; it is the prophecy of a new world; it is the sign of a new beginning; it is the invitation to everyone, believers and non-believers alike, to blaze new trails leading to a ‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Europe of the spirit</b>’, in order to make the continent a true ‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">common home filled with the joy of life</b>.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1pt 4pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fr Adrian Graffy recalls the creation of new patrons of Europe by Blessed John Paul II and his deep desire that Europe should receive new life and hope and recover its Christian roots.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The beautiful painting by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John Armstrong</b> of Our Lady protecting Europe illustrates the Christian roots of Europe, and shows Our Lady surrounded by six patron saints of Europe: SS Cyril and Methodius , St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), St Benedict, St Bridget of Sweden, and St Catherine of Siena. Robert Schumann, one of the founding fathers of the European Union, looks on. St Benedict offers the monastery of Canterbury to the Blessed Virgin and St Cyril writes of the conversion of the Slavs.<o:p></o:p></span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-42850999420195900812011-07-06T19:26:00.008+01:002011-07-07T08:59:12.063+01:00St Maria Goretti - A perfect witness of Purity and Forgiveness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9JJhRTyQ1n3PsIG7_rWQMXs2iUbJvQsohl0NwpzuEFAyZNNkfnAGYVKm8liruL43GM3P47K6_nL1CUkGSEutVl96-IGPq4CuelTfZf_KN6zCjzhJKG1x48ZaWaNsix2GiyryW-CzSqna/s1600/Santa_Maria_Goretti_CTV757a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9JJhRTyQ1n3PsIG7_rWQMXs2iUbJvQsohl0NwpzuEFAyZNNkfnAGYVKm8liruL43GM3P47K6_nL1CUkGSEutVl96-IGPq4CuelTfZf_KN6zCjzhJKG1x48ZaWaNsix2GiyryW-CzSqna/s400/Santa_Maria_Goretti_CTV757a.png" width="348" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today is the feast day of St Maria Goretti a young teenage girl who was martyred for saying “No” to sin and “Yes” to Christ. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As I contemplate on her short life, I consider the most striking characteristic about this humbly pious saint was her heights of Christian charity towards her brutal assailant. She not only forgave him, but before she died from her fatal injuries, she wished only the very best for him to be in heaven. She is an astounding example of forgiveness and mercy towards thy neighbour even when they try</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> to violate your precious purity and by force take her virginity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This truly astonishing fortitude of faith for a 12 year old is to be marvelled with joy, for it reminds me of the trust in our Lord’s love for us as </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">displayed by the Roman Centurion in Matthew 8:5-13. Jesus was so impressed His response was to say “<strong>Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.</strong>”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Her life is a very stark model of key virtues close to God's heart, especially when compared against our current modern world’s tendencies to submit guiltlessly to impurities of the flesh, to cast detrimental judgements upon others and to have a general lack of hope towards all that is good. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lets us pray to this outstanding child of God for a better, more enlightened world that instead of putting others down to make one look good, rather to encourage others to do their best and what is right for the sake of God’s goodness! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I pray also for the strength to say “yes” constantly to Christ and his Commandments.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">St Maria Goretti</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Pray for us! </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.marypages.com/gorettieng.htm">http://www.marypages.com/gorettieng.htm</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.regnumnovum.com/2011/07/06/grace-and-fortitude-the-feast-of-st-maria-goretti/">http://www.regnumnovum.com/2011/07/06/grace-and-fortitude-the-feast-of-st-maria-goretti/</a><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.clairval.com/lettres/lettre_1.php?id=2120100">http://www.clairval.com/lettres/lettre_1.php?id=2120100</a></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-50644423665814542932011-07-04T15:00:00.010+01:002011-07-07T08:56:53.776+01:00Happy 4th of July!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHMTMcW0RBS7UtFjK2je9UxBO1lnLHplxX0aTOVQxItHDRYmaLgg3Wq9Bs9cTHUOxBa4_JWGNZEBcJ4E22MX6SaX0adJvsR6gG6G3joiwOGuNdmvsUPGHgy5QMNjBoKkxjyKysB3fNNX3/s1600/4thJul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHMTMcW0RBS7UtFjK2je9UxBO1lnLHplxX0aTOVQxItHDRYmaLgg3Wq9Bs9cTHUOxBa4_JWGNZEBcJ4E22MX6SaX0adJvsR6gG6G3joiwOGuNdmvsUPGHgy5QMNjBoKkxjyKysB3fNNX3/s320/4thJul.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is a great day of celebration for everyone who advocates and cherishes a free-society, not just Americans (like my Dad), who believe in democracy and the freedom to use your free-will, without fear of oppression. America the great beacon of a society where all races, cultures, colours, etc. come together to become better human beings in a Christian system of laws, principles and values first established by God. The Founding Fathers, followed by the first Statesmen of Declaration, like Moses, made the courageous decision to stage an exodus from spiritual slavery and follow God’s ways, independently. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You could say America is a more recent form of ethos to the Catholic Church formed by Christ. The one true Church that has produced so many wonderful saints who help lead us towards knowing God and becoming part of His family in Heaven. Similarly, the land of the free has helped many talented people, gifted by God, fulfil their potential and inspire the world to be a better place.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So no matter how difficult it is to follow Jesus Christ in the end He will more than make our struggle worthwhile, because after all “In God we Trust”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy feast day of the free!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173100044295970831.post-32459734279387110742011-03-30T10:00:00.004+01:002011-07-07T08:58:22.437+01:00Our Lord’s Way really is Final Salvation - Luke 3:4-6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4HhHQueHeBYeQjDdL6vy1avMXYLHyNAqTySohj1rzczN89jFt002NYBoJ54YYTmfYPGCsSzdmyj0scFaXoDcUqgHfP5E46mBswXtONVdrYHt09tbXDPWzJLYfUwPqrk954zPbw3Ze_P-/s1600/JesusSalvation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4HhHQueHeBYeQjDdL6vy1avMXYLHyNAqTySohj1rzczN89jFt002NYBoJ54YYTmfYPGCsSzdmyj0scFaXoDcUqgHfP5E46mBswXtONVdrYHt09tbXDPWzJLYfUwPqrk954zPbw3Ze_P-/s640/JesusSalvation.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><h2 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Cambria; font-size: medium;">Note Form Points for Meditation;</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Introduction: Main Aims</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To illustrate the bigger picture showing the Original Sin contrasted to the Mission of Our Lord, to avoid the stark warning of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matthew 12:31-32;</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To reveal God’s torment over his beloved creation implicit with His crucified Son, the Suffering servant (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 22:37, Is 52:13-53:12</b>);</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The role of the Virgin Mother in fulfilling her Son’s Mission;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God’s means (way) of cultivating the vine of the righteous from a severed state, first by law then by faith (Rom 3:28);</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visual logical evidence which proves Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">The Fall to Godless Aridity –The Lie and Destruction </span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucifer’s envy of the fruits of the love between God and man;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The pain to God’s heart of man’s continual betrayal, first in the Garden then with Cain;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The dominance of sin and wicked thoughts over man’s goodness without God’s loving protection;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Deceitfulness and brutality of Satan towards the righteous or goodness that comes from God;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Abel’s blood forms the seed of righteousness, the earth from where he cries from becomes a desert, as an shrine to God’s favour and departure (Gen4:11-14);</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cain’s repentance was shown mercy from God, then subsequently abused by his descendants (Gen 4:15); Is this why His wrath of total destruction was so unforgiving? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today, the seed of Cain’s descendents flourishes in political ideologies such as fascism or communism, where assaults on God’s favour persists, in the form of targeting God’s people, the Jews or God’s House, the Church. In this context if through our baptism Heaven comes into our midst (Luk 17:21) then the violence mentioned by John (Mt 11:12-14) makes perfect sense;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The mission of the serpent or dragon is the pursuit of destruction, with weapons of stones, words, etc. Whereas the mission of Our Lord and Saviour is the pursuit of happiness with acts of charity to our neighbour; Possessing the empathy of the Samaritan compared to the adulteress’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mob condemnation;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Servants Raised by Fruitful Grace – The Way to Righteousness</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Noah and his family’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">fiat</b> to God’s will in building a Ark to house His Covenant;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ark</b>, symbolically a vessel containing God Almighty through his Word, to save souls from the burden of sin;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Covenants</b> with upright leaders, form agreements between God and man) used to institutionalise obedience among His people.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John the Baptist</b> the prophet of the Most High, the Lord’s forerunner to prepare his way (Luk 1:76-77). Baptism cleanses souls of sins in preparation for the Holy Spirit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mary Immaculate</b> the Ark of the New Covenant, the Mother of God, the Holy Mother Church, and refuge for Christ’s disciples (Rev 12:17), a vessel of protection and power of almighty God that brings the children God safely to pure land established by Christ and signalled by the Holy Spirit. In the way <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Noah</b> finds dry land by a dove with an Olive branch (Gen 8:11). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Virgin Mary’s</b> as the women, whose offspring are symbolically Noah’s family tasked to populate the world with their fruit (Gen 9:19); </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">passion</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">crucifixion</b> of the Lord’s body and soul withstands all the physical, emotional and spiritual assaults of the devil. Jesus’ love consumes the dragons hate in order to offer His sufferings to God on the sceptre of the cross “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eli, Eli, lema sabacthani</b>”; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God unites His Son’s pains with His own as He accepts Jesus’ soul with open arms, expressed with the words “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Into your hands I commend my Spirit.</b>”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus petitions to God on behalf of man’s weakness to sin “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Father forgive them for they know not what they do</b>.”; Jesus establishes a way to transform this weakness into a strength against the wiles of the devil;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus’ Blood and Water</b> from his Heart brings to fruition Abel’s Blood’s call for mercy and John the Baptist purification, to form the Church</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">resurrection</b> appears to his disciples for 40 days before the Ascension of Jesus into heaven;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 35.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">John the Evangelist says: “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: 'Do <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever!</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And I hold the keys of death and Hades</b> (Rev 1:17-18);</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h3 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">The Battle for Souls and Trials of the Heart – Our Lord the Mediator</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the 40 days of rain God sees the helplessness of man who “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">...did not know what they had done!</b>” Then commences <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Covenants </b>to guide mankind back to Himself. The last being the New Covenant with Jesus Christ;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Abel the first <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">martyr of righteousness</b> cries out to God in presumed despair, from the desert signalling the sprinkling of his blood (Gen 4:10-12); Abel’s cry represents the state of all the righteous in this spiritual; battle;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>stops pruning (banishing) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the vine </b>from the Garden of<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eden, i.e. mankind and starts to cultivate its roots through Judaism to the gentiles, finally beginning to set the eternal fruit from Elizabeth’s womb and the start to God setting the seed that bears the fruit of eternal righteousness, His only begotten Son;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Abel’s sprinkling of blood</b> as the seed of righteousness in the desert, cannot fully grow the Israelites to the fullness of God’s favour;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Star</b> over the (Num 24:17) appears over the desert to the Three Wise men. Signalling a sparkle in God’s eye that silent night full of promise when God would manifest Isaiah’s prophecies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This glint in God’s eye appears like an expectant Father awaiting the delivery of the new heir to His Kingdom to be born in a major. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cries of bondage</b> with the devil are replaced with the cries from the pangs of childbirth, in anguish for delivery to perfect holiness of God’s children (Rev 11:19-12:2); </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mary who represents <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the church</b> resides in the wilderness to bring humanity back to God. Expressed as the Woman flees to the wilderness in Rev 12:6;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mary Immaculate forms the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ark of the Covenant</b> as the angry dragon looks on for straying souls from the sandy shores. (Rev 12:17)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h2 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="color: blue;">Main Purpose of this Overview is to demonstrates the Ways the New Testament brings to fruition Old Testament Covenants</span> </span></span></span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus’ Blood and Water</b> supersedes John’s baptism and Abel’s blood;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Virgin Mary</b> as the New Ark of the Covenant supersedes <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Noah’s Ark</b> in saving souls from the death of their sins (Lk 17:22-37);</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John the Baptist</b> is Elijah to come;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus reunites as Mediator</b> righteousness’ oneness with God, severed by Adam and Eve’s Original Sin;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 37.7pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -17.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our relationship with God becomes <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">omnipresent</b> through Jesus’ ascension, the Church is the Ark from where we find Our Saviour and become one with Him in Holy Communion. Completely addressing God’s disconcerting questions of “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Where are you?”</b> (Gen 3:9) and “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What have you done?”</b> (Gen 3:13);</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10078134948503612149noreply@blogger.com0