Catholic News 2
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump offered a scattershot response to the sweeping protests against his new administration that followed his inauguration, both sarcastically undermining the events and defending the rights of the demonstrators over the course of about 90 minutes on Sunday morning....
(Vatican Radio) At the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis focused on the early days of Jesus ministry, in Galilee. This region, the Holy Father noted, was a kind of crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Mesopotamian hinterlands. Because of the presence of large numbers of pagans, for the Jews Galilee was seen as a geographical periphery. Little was expected from Galilee in terms of the story of salvation – but it was precisely here that the light of the Gospel began to be diffused throughout the world, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles.Here, following St John the Baptist, Jesus preached the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. But unlike the Baptist, who waited for the people to come to him, Jesus chose the life of a wandering prophet, going out to meet the people.Pope Francis noted that Jesus didn’t simply proclaim the Gospel, He sought out companions to associate with Himself in His mission of salvation. He chose simple fisherman, Peter and Andrew, James...
(Vatican Radio) At the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis focused on the early days of Jesus ministry, in Galilee. This region, the Holy Father noted, was a kind of crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Mesopotamian hinterlands. Because of the presence of large numbers of pagans, for the Jews Galilee was seen as a geographical periphery. Little was expected from Galilee in terms of the story of salvation – but it was precisely here that the light of the Gospel began to be diffused throughout the world, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles.
Here, following St John the Baptist, Jesus preached the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. But unlike the Baptist, who waited for the people to come to him, Jesus chose the life of a wandering prophet, going out to meet the people.
Pope Francis noted that Jesus didn’t simply proclaim the Gospel, He sought out companions to associate with Himself in His mission of salvation. He chose simple fisherman, Peter and Andrew, James and John, calling them not in an extraordinary manner, but in the routine of their daily lives. The fishermen, called to be “fishers of men”, responded immediately to Jesus call.
“We, Christians of today,” the Pope said, “have the joy of proclaiming and bearing witness to our faith because of that first announcement, because there were those humble and courageous men who responded generously to the call of Jesus.”
Our awareness of the beginnings of the Christian mission, he continued, “raises up in us the desire to bring the word, the love, and the tenderness of Jesus into every context, even the most impervious and resistant. All the spaces of human life are ground in which to sow the seed of the Gospel, that it might bear the fruits of salvation.”
(Vatican Radio) Following the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis noted that we are currently in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which has for its theme this year “Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us.”He noted that the week will conclude in Rome next Wednesday with the ecumenical celebration of Vespers at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. “I invite you to persevere in prayer,” the Pope said, “so that the desire of Christ, ‘That they all might be one,” may be accomplished.”
(Vatican Radio) Following the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis noted that we are currently in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which has for its theme this year “Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us.”
He noted that the week will conclude in Rome next Wednesday with the ecumenical celebration of Vespers at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. “I invite you to persevere in prayer,” the Pope said, “so that the desire of Christ, ‘That they all might be one,” may be accomplished.”
(Vatican Radio) A series of earthquakes and devastating winter weather have caused “new and harsh trials for our brothers and sisters of Central Italy,” especially in the provinces of Abruzzo, Le Marche, and Lazio, Pope Francis said on Sunday during his weekly Angelus address.“I am close to them with prayer and with affection for families” whose loved ones are among the victims,” the Holy Father continued. He also encouraged all those taking part, “with great generosity,” in works of aid and assistance, as well as the local churches “who devote themselves to alleviating suffering and difficulties.”Pope Francis concluded his remarks by leading the people gathered in St Peter’s Square in prayer for all those affected by the disasters.
(Vatican Radio) A series of earthquakes and devastating winter weather have caused “new and harsh trials for our brothers and sisters of Central Italy,” especially in the provinces of Abruzzo, Le Marche, and Lazio, Pope Francis said on Sunday during his weekly Angelus address.
“I am close to them with prayer and with affection for families” whose loved ones are among the victims,” the Holy Father continued. He also encouraged all those taking part, “with great generosity,” in works of aid and assistance, as well as the local churches “who devote themselves to alleviating suffering and difficulties.”
Pope Francis concluded his remarks by leading the people gathered in St Peter’s Square in prayer for all those affected by the disasters.
Vatican City, Jan 22, 2017 / 04:56 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After his Angelus address Sunday Pope Francis prayed for those who have lost family and friends after the latest set of earthquakes in central Italy this past week, as well as for all those who provide assistance, including rescue workers.“In recent days, the earthquake and heavy snow have once again put a strain on many of our brothers and sisters in Central Italy, especially in Abruzzo, Marche and Lazio,” he said Jan. 22. “I am close with prayer and affection to families who have had victims among their loved ones.”“I encourage all those engaged generously in the relief efforts and assistance; as well as the local Churches, who are working to alleviate the suffering and difficulties.”“Thank you so much for this closeness, for your work and concrete help it carries. Thank you!” he said, inviting those present in St. Peter’s Square to join him in praying the ‘Hail Mary...
Vatican City, Jan 22, 2017 / 04:56 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After his Angelus address Sunday Pope Francis prayed for those who have lost family and friends after the latest set of earthquakes in central Italy this past week, as well as for all those who provide assistance, including rescue workers.
“In recent days, the earthquake and heavy snow have once again put a strain on many of our brothers and sisters in Central Italy, especially in Abruzzo, Marche and Lazio,” he said Jan. 22. “I am close with prayer and affection to families who have had victims among their loved ones.”
“I encourage all those engaged generously in the relief efforts and assistance; as well as the local Churches, who are working to alleviate the suffering and difficulties.”
“Thank you so much for this closeness, for your work and concrete help it carries. Thank you!” he said, inviting those present in St. Peter’s Square to join him in praying the ‘Hail Mary.’
Four earthquakes hit central Italy, already devastated by earthquakes in August and October of last year. They struck in the morning and afternoon Jan. 18, ranging from a 5.2 magnitude to 5.7, and followed by multiple aftershocks. The region was already affected by major snowfall.
It is believed the earthquakes also may have caused an avalanche which destroyed the Rigopiano hotel Jan. 19, burying 30-some people inside. Since Thursday, rescue crews have recovered 9 people alive; 5 are confirmed dead and at least 15 are still missing, the BBC reports.
The Pope’s message for the Angelus talked about the joy found in proclaiming our faith, and how we can find inspiration in the works of Jesus’ first disciples.
“We, Christians of today, we have the joy of proclaiming and witnessing to our faith because there was that first announcement, because there were those humble and courageous men who have responded generously to the call of Jesus,” he said.
Around the banks of a lake the first community of Disciples of Christ was formed, Francis continued. Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, James and John, while they are going about their usual work: fishing.
“The call reaches them in the fullness of their everyday activities,” the Pope pointed out. “The Lord reveals himself to us not in an extraordinary or sensational way, but in our daily lives.”
And in response to Jesus’ call, the men left their nets and followed him.
“Awareness of these beginnings will inspire in us a desire to bring the word, love and tenderness of Jesus in any context, even the most impervious and resistant.” Bring the word to all at the peripheries, he added.
“All spaces of human life are the soil in which to throw the seeds of the Gospel, to bear fruits of salvation.”
The message of Jesus to “Come and follow me” mirrors that of John the Baptist when he proclaimed the “Kingdom of Heaven,” Francis said.
This kingdom does not involve the establishment of a new political power, however, “but the fulfillment of the covenant between God and his people which will inaugurate a season of peace and justice.”
“To tighten this covenant with God, everyone is called to convert and to transform your way of thinking and living. This is not to change your clothes, but habits!” the Pope emphasized.
Invoking the Mother of God, he said “may the Virgin Mary help us with her motherly intercession to respond with joy to the call of Jesus and to put ourselves in the service of the Kingdom of God.”
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