A Great Day & Potpourri

What a day! After celebrating the 4th, I’m hit with the news that Blessed John Paul II, the Great, will become officially a Saint, and so will John XXIII.

Then I hear of the release of Pope Francis’ first encyclical, Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith). Well, rather it was written by two popes, Francis and Benedict. I’ve already started to read it. You can read it at the Vatican website, there is also a pdf version, and I am converting it to Kindle. Here is the link: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei_en.html

It’s intent is to strengthen the faith of all Catholics worldwide. It stresses the beauty of faith. A headline reads “New Encyclical Truly a Spiritual ‘Light’. I would agree from what I’ve read so far. I’ll do a summary when I can. I hope pastors will bring it to everyone in the pews. Usually when it comes to encyclicals we are on our own.

A blogger, Dr. Taylor Marshall, wrote “15 Easy Points”. Here are the first five:

1. He begins with referring to Nietzsche as the pioneer of non-faith for our era. Consequently, "humanity renounced the search for a great light, Truth itself." 

2. He then refers to Dante, who in the Divine Comedy, after professing his faith to Saint Peter, describes that light as a "spark, which then becomes a burning flame and like a heavenly star within me glimmers." The encyclical builds on Saint Peter's initial faith when he said, "You are Christ, the Son of the Living God!"

3. Next, he traces the history of faith from Abraham and up on through the Hebrews of the Old Testament. The Incarnation reveals the ultimate object of faith - Jesus Christ.

4. "In many areas in our lives we trust others who know more than we do. We trust the architect who builds our home, the pharmacist who gives us medicine for healing, the lawyer who defends us in court." But why don't we trust God? Trust or faith is a natural part of life

5. Faith transforms those who love. This is why we are saved by faith in Christ. 

You may want to visit Taylor's site, he always has something good. Click here.

Also, I hear a Conscience Act was introduced in the Senate. Keep your fingers crossed, er, rather, pray.

And the U.S. House passed the Pain Capable Unborn Protection Act to prohibit abortions nationwide after 20 weeks. It passed 228 to 196. One small step forward. I wonder what the Senate will do, if anything.

And, St. Joseph is back. The Congregation for Divine Worship issued a decree adding St. Joseph to the Eucharistic Prayers II, III, and IV. Pope Benedict approved the addition and Pope Francis confirmed it. Hurray!

Let’s pray for Fr. Francois Mourad, a Syrian monk who was slain by Islamic rebels when they raided the monastery in Syria. He was trying to protect the nuns and others.