Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

CHAPTER ONE

DARK CLOUDS OVER A CLOSED WORLD

SHATTERED DREAMS

11. Our own days, however, seem to be showing signs of a certain regression. Ancient conflicts thought long buried are breaking out anew, while instances of a myopic, extremist, resentful and aggressive nationalism are on the rise. In some countries, a concept of popular and national unity influenced by various ideologies is creating new forms of selfishness and a loss of the social sense under the guise of defending national interests. Once more we are being reminded that “each new generation must take up the struggles and attainments of past generations, while setting its sights even higher. This is the path. Goodness, together with love, justice and solidarity, are not achieved once and for all; they have to be realized each day. It is not possible to settle for what was achieved in the past and complacently enjoy it, as if we could somehow disregard the fact that many of our brothers and sisters still endure situations that cry out for our attention”.[8]

There is no civility, no truth; people feel free to make any and every absurd accusation to put down anyone with whom they disagree.

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, A Reflection on Christian Life

Vatican gathers ambassadors to hear what is happening in Syria

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, opening the meeting, expressed his hope that the world will not grow accustomed to the “litany of horrors that every day comes to us from that tormented nation,” the Vatican said.

maga-catholics live in fear of the creation of a “new world order” that will persecute us, “the chosen”.

socialist-catholics live in fear that we, “the chosen”, are failing to bring about a “new world order”.

Catholics live in LOVE believing that GOD has already created a “New World Order” and we are “chosen” to participate with it!

Today’s Scriptures

In Christ we were also chosen,

destined in accord with the purpose of the One

who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,

EPH 1:11

R.  (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

From heaven the LORD looks down;

he sees all mankind.

PS 33:13

“I shall show you whom to fear.”

LK 12:5