Ex Muslim Discusses Muslim Supremicism

A very interesting post from a former Muslim in Pakistan.  Read it here.

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

"As Christians, we look to Jesus to teach us how to pray. . . . As a Jew, he certainly prayed the Psalms, as did all his people. . . . A Rabbi told me that traditionally, devout Jews constantly recite the Psalms in order to make the Word become part of them, instantly available for application to life's circumstances."

                                                                                      M. Basil  Pennington

                                                                                      Poetry As Prayer: The Psalms 

Dom Basil Pennington, O.C.S.O.

          

First Sunday of Lent

The Gospel reading for the First Sunday of Lent is Mark 1: 12 - 15:

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan.  He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:  "This is the time of fulfillment.  The kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the gospel."

In his homily, our Deacon said that we are tempted by the temptations of the world every day.   Jesus' forty day vigil faced with temptation mirrors our own struggle with sin.  If we stay close to God, the angels will minister to us just as they supported Jesus.

COLLECT FOR THE 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT:

Grant, almighty God, through the yearly observance of Holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 Christ of the Desert

  

 

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

O God, who teach us that You abide in hearts that are just and true, grant that we may be so fashioned by Your grace as to become a dwelling pleasing to You.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint Paul Miki and his Companions, Martyrs

From The Liturgy of the Hours:


"Today is the memorial of St. Paul Miki and his Companions.

St. Paul Miki was born in 1580 in Japan.  He was a Jesuit brother known for his ability to inspire people to authentic conversion.  At the time, many disparate cultures were present in nearby Southeast Asia; vying for spices, resources, influence and territory.  Many of these cultures were traveling northwards into Japan.  In 1587, when approximately 200,000 Christians were identified, Japan issued an edict of persecution to all those faithful to the Bible.

St. Paul and his Companions were a group of Franciscans, Jesuits, and Japanese Christians identified through the edict.  The 26 individuals were arrested, mutilated, and martyred, in 1597, at the hill of Nagasaki.  They are remembered for their courage, dedication, and joy despite the religious persecution they endured."

PRAYER:  "O God, strength of all the Saints, who through the Cross were pleased to call the Martyrs Saint Paul Miki and companions to life, grant, we pray, that by their intercession we may hold with courage even until death to the faith that we profess.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."