Monday, April 13, 2009
Resurrection: Historical Reality says B16
Here are some highlights from his Urbi et Orbi message for Easter 2009:
The resurrection, then, is not a theory, but a historical reality revealed by the man Jesus Christ by means of his “Passover”, his “passage”, that has opened a “new way” between heaven and earth (cf. Heb 10:20). It is neither a myth nor a dream, it is not a vision or a utopia, it is not a fairy tale, but it is a singular and unrepeatable event: Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary, who at dusk on Friday was taken down from the Cross and buried, has victoriously left the tomb. In fact, at dawn on the first day after the Sabbath, Peter and John found the tomb empty. Mary Magdalene and the other women encountered the risen Jesus. On the way to Emmaus the two disciples recognized him at the breaking of the bread. The Risen One appeared to the Apostles that evening in the Upper Room and then to many other disciples in Galilee.
The proclamation of the Lord’s Resurrection lightens up the dark regions of the world in which we live. I am referring particularly to materialism and nihilism, to a vision of the world that is unable to move beyond what is scientifically verifiable, and retreats cheerlessly into a sense of emptiness which is thought to be the definitive destiny of human life. It is a fact that if Christ had not risen, the “emptiness” would be set to prevail. If we take away Christ and his resurrection, there is no escape for man, and every one of his hopes remains an illusion. Yet today is the day when the proclamation of the Lord’s resurrection vigorously bursts forth, and it is the answer to the recurring question of the sceptics, that we also find in the book of Ecclesiastes: “Is there a thing of which it is said, ‘See, this is new’?” (Ec 1:10). We answer, yes: on Easter morning, everything was renewed. “Mors et vita, duello conflixere mirando: dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus – Death and life have come face to face in a tremendous duel: the Lord of life was dead, but now he lives triumphant.” This is what is new! A newness that changes the lives of those who accept it, as in the case of the saints. This, for example, is what happened to Saint Paul.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
YOU'VE GOTTA LOVE THIS JUDGE.
In Florida, an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days.
The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a judge.
After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring,"Case dismissed!"
The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."
The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."
The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day.
Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.'
Thus, it is the opinion of this court that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day.
Court is adjourned."
You gotta love a Judge who knows his Scripture!
The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a judge.
After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring,"Case dismissed!"
The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."
The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."
The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day.
Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.'
Thus, it is the opinion of this court that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day.
Court is adjourned."
You gotta love a Judge who knows his Scripture!
IRONY, IRONY, THY NAME IS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
What a moving and profound vignette - a demonstration of what can happen by the Grace of God and man's determination.
What a pity that the same person who rose above hardship has chosen to become so grotesquely anti-life. President Obama has stated that he will appoint only pro-abortion judges, will reverse the ban on partial birth abortions (those who have the stomach for it, take a look at a depiction of a partial birth abortion) and has already reversed the courageous stand taken by President Bush - a decision to ban federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
We thank President Bush for his moral fibre and should pray that one day President Obama will come to respect the miracle of life at all stages and use his position to promote change for the better.
What a pity that the same person who rose above hardship has chosen to become so grotesquely anti-life. President Obama has stated that he will appoint only pro-abortion judges, will reverse the ban on partial birth abortions (those who have the stomach for it, take a look at a depiction of a partial birth abortion) and has already reversed the courageous stand taken by President Bush - a decision to ban federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
We thank President Bush for his moral fibre and should pray that one day President Obama will come to respect the miracle of life at all stages and use his position to promote change for the better.
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