Keep
your eyes open!...
September 30, 2015
(Mat 24:11-13) And
many false prophets shall rise and shall seduce many. And because
iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold. But he
that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved.
MYSTICS OF THE CHURCH: Locutions to the World (LTTW)- A False Visionary
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Rev. Joseph Leo Iannuzzi: On Locutions to the World
For years now folks have contacted me asking if they should believe in
"Locutions to the World" guided by a monsignor. After I read theses
alleged revelations years ago and their alarmist tone, I found them to
be utterly false. I had a close friend contact the good Monsignor
advising that I (having obtained a STD, PhD in dogmatic and mystical
theology from Rome) am encouraging him, a shepherd of souls, to desist
in their propagation, as they spiritually harm the readers with false
teachings and erroneous messages. He emailed my friend back affirming
that he has no intentions of doing so. To those of you who out of
ignorance followed these erroneous messages, it would do you well to
visit the site at the end of this article that illsutrate the
unfulfilled prophecies of the false messages. I write in haste in
between flights:
Remember Jesus' words: "If anyone says to you then, 'Look, here is the
Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. False messiahs and
false prophets will arise, and they will perform signs and wonders so
great as to deceive, if that were possible, even the elect. Behold, I
have told it to you beforehand. So if they say to you, 'He is in the
desert,' do not go out there; if they say, 'He is in the inner rooms,'
do not believe it" (Mt. 24:23-); "There will be those who will say to
you, 'Look, there he is,' (or) 'Look, here he is.' Do not go off, do
not run in pursuit" (Lk.17:23).
Today Satan is sending us many false prophets to distract us from
following the true few good ones out there. Today’s false prophets
confuse the faithful by claiming to receive knowledge of certain truths
(an eventual papal assassination, presence of the freemasons, etc.)
while also propagating complete falsehoods that mislead the faithful
(Russia not being consecrated, financial collapse during Pope Francis'
visit to the USA, etc.).
As a pastor of souls, it is my duty before God to inform you of the
truth Christ and the Apostles preached, and also to admonish you when
out of ignorance you woefully follow false prophets. In point of fact,
I recently composed a 27 pp. apologetic work revealing the doctrinal
errors contained in the false revelations of a layperson within an
established religious community in northern USA, whose founder
imprudently chose to share them with all members of his community.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ I have kindly put you on your
guard time and again over the last several decades against the
emergence of end-time false prophets and, if I may add, they are coming
out of the wood work today! They have a similar message and it is as
follows (remember, they mix falsehoods with truths): Sell everything
you have, and move to safe havens, as all paper monies and gold will
collapse, the Pope will be killed, the Freemasons will overrun the
Church, a flock will have to fend for itself and no hierarchy will be
left to guide us.
God is sending us true prophets today – however few in number – but
many of you do not know how to discern them. Why? Because instead of
seeking the guidance of experts in the fields of mystical and dogmatic
theology (whose past pernicious heresies they are familiar with and
know how to avoid), you defer to yourselves and consider yourselves the
highest judge of what is Catholic and what is not. The lives of the
saints reveal that such an approach appeals to pride and, as history
has proven time and again, subtly leads into pernicious error; matters
that in fact are very small become magnified into large matters and
divisions ensue within the Church.
That we are living in “the end times” and awaiting a “new Pentecost”
ought not come as a surprise to us, as several modern pontiffs and
theologians have used these expressions with increasing intensity in
the last few decades. In point of fact, Jesus revealed to the 20th
century Polish mystic St. Faustina Kowlaska (1905-1938) that in
preparing the world for his coming, “Before the Day of Justice, I am
sending the Day of Mercy.” Nevertheless, Church history has
demonstrated that the end-time private revelations of most claimants
are inauthentic and, for this reason, she wisely exercises prudence
when reviewing them. For this reason the decision to publish or
distribute private revelations, even privately among others, that are
not yet examine by qualified theologians or authenticated by the Church
may indeed be an imprudent one. I here recall the words of St. Hannibal
di Francia’s sobering caution concerning the printing of St. Veronica's
unapproved diary. He writes to a priest in his letter of 1925: “Being
taught by the teachings of several mystics, I have always deemed that
the teachings and locutions of even holy persons, especially women may
contain deceptions.”
In another letter to Fr. Peter Bergamaschi who had published all the
writings of a renowned Benedictine mystic, St. M. Cecilia of
Montefiascone (1694-1766) before having a qualified theologian examine
them, Hannibal criticizes his decision to publish them:
“Conforming to prudence and sacred accuracy, people cannot deal with
private revelations as if they were canonical books or decrees of the
Holy See. Even the most enlightened persons, especially women, may be
greatly mistaken in the visions, revelations, locutions, and
inspiration. More than once the divine operation is restrained by human
nature… My dear father, to consider any expression of the private
revelations as dogma or propositions near of faith is always imprudent!
The mistakes could amount to thousands… This is proved by experience,
by the mystical theologians, such as St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa,
Castrotevere, Poulain, etc. By prudence and reason we cannot accept all
the words of revelations as they were propositions near to the faith;
still less when they are contrary to the authoritative opinion of
renowned writers and to the simple, beneficial devotion of the saints”.
Hannibal’s extremely practical sense is further evident in his response
to a community that sought to find the answer to a problem by turning
to mystics and to their writings. On this occasion, to reorganize
itself, this community was expecting the private revelation of a pious
person in whom it confided. But Father Hannibal intervened and wrote:
“Do not provoke the Lord. We have faith, trust, counsel, reason, and
prayer at our disposal; these are means our Lord gave us to know his
Adorable Will, or to follow it without gratifying our selfishness.
Therefore, let us pray. Our Lord taught us how effective is the humble,
trustful, perseverant prayer when we surrender ourselves to the Divine
Will with pure intention.” St. Hannibal’s prudence is accentuated by
the mystical doctor of the Church St. Teresa of Avila who is famed for
having advised that, if one must choose, it is better to have a learned
director than a holy one – since one who is learned will be able to
advise the safest course to take in the spiritual life and follow the
path of true doctrine, but one who is holy but not learned will not
know of any spirituality or doctrine beyond his own.
Only if the Magisterium receives a private revelation and officially
acknowledges it as authentic does it become official in its character.
In this way, private revelations can help to bring forth important new
aspects of the Church’s one public revelation. The theologian M.J.
Scheeben maintains this to have been the case with new spiritual
traditions such as devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Feast of Corpus
Christi. These spiritual traditions have attained newer expressions
through the Feast of the Divine Mercy, initiated through the
revelations of Saint Faustina Kowalska, who was canonized in April
2000. Inasmuch as Church-approved private revelations explicate
Christ’s one public revelation, they too may be considered part and
parcel of her patrimony of spiritual tradition. However, until such
Church-approval is forthcoming, one must, as the mystical doctors of
the Church teach, exercise much prudence by not distributing them
without first seeking out the advice of experts in the fields of
theology.
I here recall the words of the Catholic Catechism, 67: “Christian
faith cannot accept ‘revelations’ that claim to surpass or correct the
Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in
certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which
base themselves on such ‘revelations’”.
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
63. A brother asked a hermit, 'What is humility?' He answered,
'To do good to them that do evil to you.' The brother said,
'Suppose a man cannot attain that standard, what is he to do?'
The hermit answered, 'He should run away, and choose silence.'
September 29, 2015
(Rev 12:7-10) And
there was a great battle in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with
the dragon, and the dragon fought, and his angels. And they prevailed
not: neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great
dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and
Satan, who seduceth the whole world. And he was cast unto the earth:
and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in
heaven, saying: Now is come salvation and strength and the kingdom of
our God and the power of his Christ: because the accuser of our
brethren is cast forth, who accused them before our God day and night.
POPE FRANCIS (2014):
Satan, therefore, seeks to destroy humanity, all of us: "So many
projects, except for one's own sins, but many, many projects for
mankind’s dehumanization are his work, simply because he hates mankind.
He is astute: the first page of Genesis tells us so, he is astute. He
presents things as if they were a good thing. But his intention is
destruction. And the angels defend us. They defend mankind and they
defend the God-Man, the superior Man, Jesus Christ who is the
perfection of humanity, the most perfect. This is why the Church honors
the Angels, because they are the ones who will be in the glory of God –
they are in the glory of God - because they defend the great hidden
mystery of God, namely, that the Word was made flesh".
ARCHIVES VIA POPE BENEDICT XVI:
Throughout his entire discourse the pontiff referred to this
similitude, starting with the names of the three Archangels, which
contains the suffix “El”,in Hebrew the name of God. “God – said
the pope – is written in their names, in their very nature…. they are
His messengers. They bring God to mankind, they reveal the
heavens and thus, they reveal earth….. the Angels speak to man about
what constitutes his true being, what is often covered or buried in his
life. They call man to himself, touching him on God’s behalf”.
And he added: “In this way even we humans must become angels for
one another – angels who lead one from the wrong path and guide
one once again towards God…..A bishop must be a man of prayer, who
intercedes on behalf of mankind with God”.
Benedict XVI then went on to highlight the characteristics of the three
Archangels of the feast (the only ones named in the Bible),
illustrating other aspects of the Bishop’s role.
Michael (“Who is as God?”) “defends the cause of the one God against
the dragon’s presumption, the “ancient serpent” as he is called by
John. It is the serpent’s continuous attempts to make men believe
that God must disappear, in order for mankind to obtain greatness; that
God stands in the way of our freedom and so we must be rid of Him”.
In reality, explains the pontiff, “he who puts God aside, does not make
mankind great, rather he denies mankind his dignity. And thus,
man becomes an unsuccessful product of evolution”.
This is why, adds the pope; “it is the Bishop’s duty, as a man of God,
to make space in the world for God against those who would negate Him
and in doing so defend the greatness of man”. And again: “Faith
in God defends man from all of his weaknesses and inadequacies: God’s
radiance shines on every individual”.
Gabriel (“Man of God”) is the archangel who announces the Good
News to Mary. He said the pope “is the messenger of the
incarnation of God. He knocks on Mary’s door …… repeatedly God
knocks on the human heart ….. on the world’s door and on the door to
the heart of every individual. He knocks waiting to enter”. And
turning to the candidates the pope added: “Dear friends, it is your
duty to knock on the man’s hearts in Christ’s name. By entering in
union with Christ, you will be able to take on Gabriel’s role: bringing
Christ’s call to men”.
Raphael (“God heals”) is the archangel healer, protagonist of the Book
of Tobias. The pope recalls that Raphael heals the relationship
between Tobias and Sarah, marked by the curse of death: “he heals the
wounded union between man and woman. He heals their love. He
crushes the demons which tine and time again attempt to destroy their
love. He purifies the atmosphere between the two and gifts them
the ability to welcome and accept one another always”. “In the New
Testament – recalls the pontiff – the order of marriage, established in
creation and threatened in a multifaceted way by sin, is healed by the
fact that Christ gathers it into his redeeming love. He
makes marriage a sacrament: His love, which takes on the cross for us,
is the saving strength, which in the midst of confusion, gifts us the
ability to be reconciled, purifies the atmosphere and heals all
wounds”. The bishop (and indeed every priest) “is entrusted with
the duty of guiding men towards the reconciling power of Christ’s love.
He must be the “healing angel” who helps them to anchor their
love to the sacrament and live their love with renewed commitment drawn
from the sacrament”.
“The book of Tobias – added the pope – speaks of the healing of
blind eyes. We all know that today we are threatened with
blindness to God…… healing this blinded through the message of the
faith and witness of love, is Raphael’s service which is entrusted each
and every day to priests and in a particular way to bishops. Thus
we are spontaneously led to think of the sacrament of reconciliation
and penitence, which in the deepest meaning of the word, is a healing
sacrament. The true wound of the soul, in fact is sin. And
only is a forgiveness in virtue of the power of God, in virtue of the
power of Christ’s love exists, can we be healed, can we be redeemed”.
CNA: STS. MICHAEL, GABRIEL, RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS
CATHOLIC ONLINE: The Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael: Archangels and Powerful Spiritual Allies Sent by Love and for Love
REFLECTION:
Sept. 29 is the Feast of Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. In
remembering them, we honor and thank God who, out of His love for us,
sent us His angels to guide, protect and enlighten us. Angels are real.
Let us make them more real by constantly becoming aware of and
acknowledging their presence in our lives. Also, by praying to them
often, especially when we travel, when we are in need or in trouble, or
when our hearts are filled with gratitude and joy. “Angel of God, my
guardian dear…”
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
61. A hermit said, 'In every trial do not blame other people but
blame yourself, saying, "This has happened to me because of my sins."'
September 25, 2015
(1Co 9:22-24) To
the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I became all things
to all men, that I might save all. And I do all things for the gospel's
sake, that I may be made partaker thereof. Know you not that they that
run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize. So run
that you may obtain.
FOLLOW THE POPE IN USA LIVE: http://www.usacatholic.church/
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MORE: Pope Francis' homily at the Canonization Mass of St. Junipero Serra
Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again, rejoice! These
are striking words, words which impact our lives. Paul tells us
to rejoice; he practically orders us to rejoice. This command
resonates with the desire we all have for a fulfilling life, a
meaningful life, a joyful life. It is as if Paul could hear what
each one of us is thinking in his or her heart and to voice what we
are feeling, what we are experiencing. Something deep within us
invites us to rejoice and tells us not to settle for placebos which
simply keep us comfortable.
At
the same time, though, we all know the struggles of everyday
life. So much seems to stand in the way of this invitation to
rejoice. Our daily routine can often lead us to a kind of glum
apathy which gradually becomes a habit, with a fatal consequence: our
hearts grow numb.
We
don’t want apathy to guide our lives… or do we? We don’t want the
force of habit to rule our life… or do we? So we ought to ask
ourselves: What can we do to keep our heart from growing numb,
becoming anesthetized? How do we make the joy of the Gospel
increase and take deeper root in our lives?
Jesus gives the answer. He said to his disciples then and he says
it to us now: Go forth! Proclaim! The joy of the Gospel
is something to be experienced, something to be known and lived only
through giving it away, through giving ourselves away.
The
spirit of the world tells us to be like everyone else, to settle for
what comes easy. Faced with this human way of thinking, “we
must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a
shared responsibility for others and for the world” (Laudato Si’,
229). It is the responsibility to proclaim the message of
Jesus. For the source of our joy is “an endless desire to show
mercy, the fruit of our own experience of the power of the Father’s
infinite mercy” (Evangelii Gaudium, 24). Go out to all,
proclaim by anointing and anoint by proclaiming. This is what the
Lord tells us today. He tells us:
A
Christian finds joy in mission: Go out to people of every nation!
A
Christian experiences joy in following a command: Go forth and proclaim
the good news!
A
Christian finds ever new joy in answering a call: Go forth and anoint!
Jesus sends his disciples out to all nations. To every
people. We too were part of all those people of two thousand
years ago. Jesus did not provide a short list of who is, or is
not, worthy of receiving his message, his presence. Instead, he
always embraced life as he saw it. In faces of pain, hunger,
sickness and sin. In faces of wounds, of thirst, of weariness,
doubt and pity. Far from expecting a pretty life,
smartly-dressed and neatly groomed, he embraced life as he found
it. It made no difference whether it was dirty, unkempt,
broken. Jesus said: Go out and tell the good news to
everyone. Go out and in my name embrace life as it is, and not as
you think it should be. Go out to the highways and byways, go
out to tell the good news fearlessly, without prejudice, without
superiority, without condescension, to all those who have lost the joy
of living. Go out to proclaim the merciful embrace of the
Father. Go out to those who are burdened by pain and failure,
who feel that their lives are empty, and proclaim the folly of a
loving Father who wants to anoint them with the oil of hope, the oil
of salvation. Go out to proclaim the good news that error,
deceitful illusions and falsehoods do not have the last word in a
person’s life. Go out with the ointment which soothes wounds
and heals hearts.
Mission is never the fruit of a perfectly planned program or a
well-organized manual. Mission is always the fruit of a life
which knows what it is to be found and healed, encountered and
forgiven. Mission is born of a constant experience of God’s
merciful anointing.
The
Church, the holy People of God, treads the dust-laden paths of history,
so often traversed by conflict, injustice and violence, in order to
encounter her children, our brothers and sisters. The holy and
faithful People of God are not afraid of losing their way; they are
afraid of becoming self-enclosed, frozen into élites, clinging to
their own security. They know that self-enclosure, in all the
many forms it takes, is the cause of so much apathy.
So
let us go out, let us go forth to offer everyone the life of Jesus
Christ (Evangelii Gaudium, 49). The People of God can embrace
everyone because we are the disciples of the One who knelt before his
own to wash their feet (ibid., 24).
The
reason we are here today is that many other people wanted to respond to
that call. They believed that “life grows by being given away,
and it weakens in isolation and comfort” (Aparecida Document,
360). We are heirs to the bold missionary spirit of so many men
and women who preferred not to be “shut up within structures which
give us a false sense of security… within habits which make us feel
safe, while at our door people are starving” (Evangelii Gaudium,
49). We are indebted to a tradition, a chain of witnesses who
have made it possible for the good news of the Gospel to be, in every
generation, both “good” and “news”.
Today we remember one of those witnesses who testified to the joy of
the Gospel in these lands, Father Junípero Serra. He was the
embodiment of “a Church which goes forth”, a Church which sets out to
bring everywhere the reconciling tenderness of God. Junípero
Serra left his native land and its way of life. He was excited
about blazing trails, going forth to meet many people, learning and
valuing their particular customs and ways of life. He learned
how to bring to birth and nurture God’s life in the faces of everyone
he met; he made them his brothers and sisters. Junípero sought
to defend the dignity of the native community, to protect it from
those who had mistreated and abused it. Mistreatment and wrongs
which today still trouble us, especially because of the hurt which
they cause in the lives of many people.
Father Serra had a motto which inspired his life and work, a saying he
lived his life by: siempre adelante! Keep moving forward!
For him, this was the way to continue experiencing the joy of the
Gospel, to keep his heart from growing numb, from being
anesthetized. He kept moving forward, because the Lord was
waiting. He kept going, because his brothers and sisters were
waiting. He kept going forward to the end of his life.
Today, like him, may we be able to say: Forward! Let’s keep
moving forward!
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
60. A hermit was asked, 'What is humility?' He said, 'It is if you forgive a brother who has wronged you before he is sorry.'
September 23, 2015
(Luk 8:20-21) And
it was told him: Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to
see thee. Who answering, said to them: My mother and my brethren are
they who hear the word of God and do it.
VIDEO: Pope Francis' homily during El Cobre Mass
RESOURCES: FOLLOW THE POPE IN USA LIVE
TRACT: Counsels and Exhortations By Saint Padre Pio
COMMENTARY: St Padre Pio and the Rosary
St Padre Pio is one of the greatest saints of all times. He is well
known in the world for the spiritual gifts he had: Stigmata, healing,
prophecy, reading of hearts, levitation, bilocation, apparition, and
“odour of sanctity”. He is a great miracle-worker and a powerful
intercessor. Often he has been referred to as “the greatest mystic of
the 20th Century.”
St Padre Pio called the rosary a weapon because that’s exactly what it
is. It’s not just some fuzzy-feeling meditation – the very gates of
hell tremble when the rosary is prayed fervently. As Catholics, we know
that the prayers of the rosary are more than just vain repetitious
words. Saint Padre Pio said: “The rosary is the ‘weapon’ for these
times.” If we truly focus on the meditations of the mysteries, we
examine deep into the heart of the Gospel of truth. Some might still be
thinking “Why the rosary?” The simple answer is because it’s powerful.
Because it fosters a love for the Immaculate and asks for her powerful
intercession. Padre Pio always wore the rosary around his arm at night.
Concerning the rosary, Our Lady herself said to Padre Pio: “With this
weapon you will win.” Convinced of the power of the rosary, Padre Pio
always held the rosary in his hands. When his death was approaching, he
recommended the rosary to his spiritual children saying: “Love Our Lady
and make her loved. Always recite the rosary.” Padre Pio had an
astonishingly unconditional, total, perennial, unwavering love for the
Virgin Mary. He used to tell a story: “One day Our Lord making rounds
of Paradise saw some strange faces. He asked Peter: ‘Who let these
people in?’ Peter replied: ‘There is nothing I can do.’ The Lord said,
‘But you have the key.’ Peter said: ‘There is nothing I can do, and you
can’t do either.’ The Lord said: ‘What do you mean?’ ‘It’s your
mother. She has another key. She lets them in.’”
The secular culture is also powerful and is built on lies and the
twisting of good and evil. If we are ever going to shake the very
foundation of falsehood that secularism is built on, we must arm
ourselves with the truth. Praying the rosary is such a powerful way in
which we will begin to take down the secret walls of hidden shame in
our homes; praying the rosary for those nailed down by addictions of
this world is the silent prescription for this disease.
The rosary is the Gospel on a chain. The prayers of the rosary help us
gain insight into the One who is the Divine Truth and Truth Giver. Not
only do we arm ourselves with the truth, but we also implore the one
who is the Mother of Truth to act with us. In the rosary we ask the
model of purity herself, Mary, to pray for our purity. We have a
Goliath to take down and just as David had five stones in his arsenal,
we have five decades in ours. The rosary has been the chain or the seat
belt that we need in these times of turbulence.
ALETEIA: 20 Tips from Padre Pio for Those Who Are Suffering
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
58. A hermit was asked why we are troubled by demons and he answered,
'Because we throw away our armour, that is, humility, poverty, patience
and men's scorn.'
September 22, 2015
(Mat 28:18-20) And
Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven
and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold
I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
ALETEIA: Sunday Afternoon in Havana: The Best Moments With Pope Francis
CNA: Pope Francis' gift to Castro: a challenging message from Cuban leader's old teacher
NEWS REPORT: Francis celebrates Mass in Holguín, a Cuban city that has never seen a Pope
This city, everyone will tell you, has never seen anything like it.
Pope Francis has begun celebration of Mass at Plaza de la Revolución in
Holguín on Monday morning, the last full day of the pontiff’s visit to
Cuba.
Dressed in red vestments, representing Monday’s designation as the
Feast of Saint Matthew, Pope Francis opened Mass from an outdoor altar
with the traditional prayers, followed by a Cuban chorus singing a
series of hymns.
Prior to Mass, residents of Holguín were anticipating a special moment.
“A pope has never been here before,” said Marta Betancourt, 61. “May he
bless us, and continue to proclaim peace through the world. I am very
Chrisitian. My faith in God brought me here.’’
VIDEO: Holy Mass at Plaza de la Revolución in Holguín
VATICAN NEWS: Pope to pray before the Patron Saint of Cuba
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Shield of Faith Blog: The Four Mini-Gospels
VIA Holy Souls:
Just thought to write you today so that you could get in on the 900
Mass Novena being said by Capuchin missonary priests beginning on Sept
23rd in honor of St Padre Pio's feast day. The Mass stipend is already
paid for "all the souls enrolled in the Purgatory Project at
holysouls.com & for Padre Pio's intentions".
This is the Novena: http://www.seraphicmass.org/novenas_card_cart.asp?subid={EF2B9A3E-8704-4877-8A04-3C5FCF59117A}.
All souls, both living and deceased that you have entered in the past
are already enrolled - since all entries are permanent - so you do not
need to enter them again (but you can if you wish too).
But you may have new souls or prayer requests to enter. If so, pls do feel free at: http://www.holysouls.com/enter.htm
RON SMITH REPORT: Simony
Note from Ron: To receive my Catholic Q&A reports please contact me with your
correct email address.
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
57. A brother asked a hermit, 'Is it good to be always repenting?' He
answered, 'We have seen Joshua the son of Nun; it was when he was lying
prostrate on his face that God appeared to him' (cf. Josh. 5:14).'
September 18, 2015
(Mat 7:9-12) Or
what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will
he reach him a stone? Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him
a serpent? If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good
things to them that ask him? All things therefore whatsoever you would
that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and
the prophets.
ACN: Cuba: 'The hunger for God is there'
VATICAN.VA: Vatican: Highlights of papal visit to Cuba and the USA
The Director of the Holy See’s Press office, Father Federico Lombardi,
described the upcoming visit by Pope Francis to Cuba and the United
States as a long, complex but wonderful journey. His remarks came
at a briefing for journalists on the papal visit which runs from the
19th to the 28th of September.
Father Lombardi noted that Pope Francis will be the third Pope to visit
Cuba, following those made to the Caribbean island by his two
predecessors, Popes Benedict and Saint John Paul II. Pope
Francis’ engagements in Cuba include an open-air mass in Havana during
which he will give first communion to five children in a move
symbolizing hope and growth for the Catholic Church there. Father
Lombardi said although it was not included in the papal programme, he
could not rule out a possible meeting between the Pope and Cuba’s
former long-time leader Fidel Castro. Other highlights of the papal
visit to Cuba include a meeting with young people in the capital, a
visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of Cobre and an encounter
with families.
CHEISA COMMENTARY: United States and Cuba, the Devil and Holy Water
NEWS REPORT:
Since John Paul’s visit in 1998 and Benedict’s 2012 trip, the church
has been consolidating its strength on the island and building on those
papal visits to gain more space for its activities, which range from
educating Cuba’s budding private entrepreneurs in its Cuba Emprende
program to running soup kitchens for the elderly and after-school
programs for children.
“The Catholic Church has recovered tremendous strength since the
previous papal visits,” said Enrique Lopez Oliva, a retired University
of Havana religion professor. “It is the most important non-government
organization.”
The years after the 1959 Revolution were difficult ones for the church.
Cuba became an atheist state, priests were booted out and religious
schools were shut down. Cuba remained officially atheist for 30 years
until 1992 and since then, tolerance for religious expression has
gradually grown.
Analysts say the papal visits accelerated that process. The December
after John Paul visited, Fidel Castro made Christmas a permanent public
holiday. It had been an ordinary work day since 1969. Easter became an
official holiday after Benedict’s visit.
Two new churches are under construction in Havana and Pinar del Rio —
something that hasn’t happened since before the revolution. Some
churches and religious facilities taken over by the state are now being
returned to the Catholic Church. “The church, of course, needs funds
from abroad to reconstruct them,” said Lopez Oliva.
REVIEW: Pope Francis to Step Into the Cuban Cauldron
RELATED COMMENTARIES
Advancing human rights in Cuba
Is Francis Ready for a Confrontation at the Cuban Altar?
Coddling Castros Has Made Cuban Regime More Vicious Than Ever
CNA: Official prayer for Pope Francis' visit to Cuba
Oh God, the good Father, and rich in mercy:
through the intercession of the Virgin of Charity,
Mother of your Son and our Mother,
turn your loving gaze
and pour out your grace
upon your servant Pope Francis,
whom you have made pastor of the universal Church
Grant that his words and witness of love
be received into the hearts of the Cuban people
whom he is coming to visit
as a Missionary of Mercy.
We ask this of you who live and reign with Jesus Christ, your Son,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
56. A hermit said, 'He who is praised and honoured above what he
deserves suffers grievous loss. He who receives no honour at all among
men, shall be glorified hereafter.'
September 15, 2015
(John 19:25) So
the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his
mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary
Mag'dalene.
BEAUTIFUL YOU TUBE VIDEO: Stabat Mater (Marco Frisina)
ALETEIA: What I Learned About Mary at the Tabernacle of Christ
VIA MANILLA: Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
Today’s is the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. This liturgical
remembrance, traditionally established in honor of the Seven Sorrows of
the Blessed Virgin was set for the Sunday after September 14, the Feast
of the Triumph of the Holy Cross. The feast was inserted into the
calendar of the Catholic Church in 1814, and Pope Pius X fixed the
permanent date of September 15 for the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of
the Blessed Virgin Mary (now officially called the Feast of Our Lady of
Sorrows).
The seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary are: At the prophecy of
Simeon: “You yourself shall be pierced with a sword – so that the
thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare.” (Luke 2:35). At the flight
into Egypt: “Get up, take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt.” (Mt
2:13). Having lost the Holy child at Jerusalem: “You see that
your father and I have been searching for You in sorrow.” (Luke 2:48).
Meeting Jesus carrying his cross on his way to Calvary. Standing at the
foot of the Cross: “Near the cross of Jesus there stood His mother”
(John 19:25). Jesus being taken from the Cross. And at the burial of
Christ.
Mary must have been a woman of great strength and courage. She stood by
her Son’s side in times of joy and difficulty. She accompanied her Son
in the Way of the Cross. She remained at the foot of the cross in spite
of the possible threats to her very own life. She gives us a perfect
example of what it takes to be a faithful disciple of Jesus. We are
Christians who follow Jesus not only in times of joy and abundance, but
we must always be ready to carry our own crosses.
Part of Christian life is suffering and pain. We cannot evade these
realities in our life. Yet, we can be sure that Jesus will be with us
in these difficult moments. He also underwent suffering and trials. He
knows our miseries and pain.
Our Blessed Mother, too, will also stand by our side. She went through
sorrowful moments in her life as well. But she will also accompany us
in our journey from sorrow to glory. For a Christian, sorrow and pain
are but steps to glory. May the Blessed Mother be our constant
companion in our journey of life. Amen.
CATHOLIC SENTINEL: Stabat Mater by Most Rev. John Vlazny Archbishop of Portland
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Our Lady of the Rosary Library:
Now, owing doubtless to the sad times we are going through, Christian
souls turn instinctively to Mary, the sorrowful Mother. Their pains are
so like an echo to Mary's pains.
In meditating on her sorrow, they find much relief and strength. The
contemplation of the Passion of Christ is a fruitful source of
spiritual help, nor can we ever know or understand His sufferings, as
when we meditate on them in the company of His most Holy Mother. For no
one in this world ever entered so deeply into those sorrowful
mysteries. Houses of the Servite Order being established in England and
America are so many means to help the development of that so Christian
devotion to the Mother of Christ in English speaking countries.
O sweet Virgin, made sad by our sins and former ingratitude to Jesus
and to thee, to thee we turn, humbled and contrite that thou mayest
show thy mercy towards us, as thou didst upon the seven glorious Saints
called by thee to establish the Order of thy Servants.
Yes make us thy true servants, make us serve Jesus faithfully, increase
the number of thy faithful ones and their fidelity, that even as thy
pains merited for thee the queenly diadem, so our affection for thee
may entitle us to be thy happy subjects forever. Amen.
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
53. 'A demoniac, frothing terribly at the mouth, struck an old hermit
on the jaw, and he turned the other cheek. This humility tortured
the demon like flames, and drove him out there and then.'
September 11, 2015
(2Th 2:13-15)
But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of
God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in
sanctification of the spirit and faith of the truth: Whereunto also he
hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the
traditions, which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle.
VIDEO: Crisis. Where will the synod lead us to?
CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT: The Story Behind the Synod’s Final Document
CATHOLIC SUN: Eleven cardinals urge maintaining church rules on marriage
NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER: The Pope's Annulment Reforms Will Have an Impact on the Synod
and Pope Attacked Over Motu Proprio
CATHOLIC ACTION FOR FAITH AND FAMILY: Message from Cardinal Burke
The recent release of videos documenting the atrocities perpetrated by
Planned Parenthood has brought to the forefront of our minds the depth
of the darkness and evil that permeates today’s culture of death.
It is of utmost importance, however, that we do not forget the real
issue at hand. As unspeakably evil is the harvesting and selling of
body parts of unborn children, the fundamental issue remains abortion
itself.
Abortion, the deliberate and direct killing, by whatever means, of an
innocent and totally defenseless human being in the initial stages of
his or her existence – extending from conception to birth – has opened
the way to the horrible atrocities which have recently been made known
to us.
The culture of death manifests more and more its true nature: the complete and total disregard for the sanctity of human life.
It behooves all Catholics to stand up for our innocent and defenseless
unborn brothers and sisters. The Catholic Church has never wavered in
her teaching on abortion. It has been and continues to be our
obligation to do everything in our power, always through peaceful
means, to stop the contemporary and daily massacre of the unborn.
Today, as never before, a general mobilization of all Catholic faithful
is needed to activate a great campaign in support of life and truth as
Pope Saint John Paul II so comprehensively and powerfully stated in his
Encyclical Letter Evangelium Vitae, the Gospel of Life. He clearly
defined what the Catholic Church has always and everywhere taught and
practiced regarding the goodness and inviolability of human life, and
he called us to action for the sake of the littlest of our brethren.
Catholic Action for Faith and Family responds tirelessly to the call of
Pope Saint John Paul II to live the Gospel of Life amidst the
encircling culture of death. Its efforts to spread the light of truth
in a world immersed in the lies of evil and sin are so needed and so
commendable, and they merit the enthusiastic support of all Catholics.
I encourage you to join with Catholic Action for Faith and Family in
its efforts to stop the great evil of abortion as the irreplaceable way
to overcome all crimes against human life in our society.
I encourage you to sign the petition to defund Planned Parenthood; a
crucial step toward ending the modern day massacre of the innocents.
I urge all Catholics to rally, to make their voices heard. Let us, as
Catholics, heed and respond with all our heart to Pope Saint John Paul
II’s call “to work to ensure that a new culture of human life will lead
to the building of an authentic civilization of Truth and Love.”
As Catholics, our spirit must always be guided by the light of Truth!
The Truth that guides us is God Himself Who, through His Church, always
forgives the humble and contrite sinner, regardless of the gravity of
his or her sin, and receives the sinner with open arms as the father in
the Gospel Parable of the Prodigal Son, and leads the sinner, through
penance and reparation, to live the truth in love.
May God help each and every one of us to continue to fight the good
fight. It is my fervent prayer that the mercy and grace of God come
down upon all the faithful and their loved ones, and bring them lasting
joy and peace, and unfailing trust in the victory which is already ours
in Jesus Christ, God the Son incarnate!
May Mary, the great Mother of God and our mother, guide us along the
path to Her Divine Son, the Lord of Life, and may she intercede always
for our intentions in the great struggle to restore the respect of the
inviolable dignity of human life in our society!
Raymond Leo Cardinal BURKE
29 August 2015 – Memorial of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
50. He also said, 'Imitate the publican, to prevent yourself being
condemned with the Pharisee. Follow the gentleness of Moses, and
hollow out the rocky places of your heart, so that you turn them into
springs of water.'
September 9, 2015
(1Ti 2:1-4) I
desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers,
intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men: For kings and for
all that are in high station: that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable
life in all piety and chastity. For this is good and acceptable in the
sight of God our Saviour, Who will have all men to be saved and to come
to the knowledge of the truth.
REPORT: Pope Francis streamlines Roman Catholic marriage annulment process
Pope Francis radically reformed the Catholic Church’s process for
annulling marriages Tuesday, allowing for fast-track decisions and
removing automatic appeals in a bid to speed up and simplify the
procedure. Francis issued a new law regulating how bishops around
the world determine when a fundamental flaw has made a marriage
invalid. Catholics must get this church annulment if they want to
remarry in the church. But the process has long been criticized
for being complicated, costly and out of reach for many Catholics,
especially in poor countries where dioceses don’t have marriage
tribunals.
In the document, Francis insisted that marriage remains an indissoluble
union and that the new regulations aren’t meant to help to end them.
Rather, he said, the reform is aimed at speeding up and simplifying the
process so that the faithful can find justice.
The overall aim of the reform, he said, “is the salvation of souls.”
The biggest reform involves a new fast-track procedure, handled by a
bishop, that can be used when both spouses request an annulment or
don’t oppose it. It can also be used when other proof makes a more
drawn out investigation unnecessary. It calls for the process to
be completed within 45 days.
Another reform is the removal of the automatic appeal after the first
decision is made. Appeals are still possible, but they are no longer
automatic — a simplification that has been used in the United States
for many years.
The reform also allows the local bishop, in places where a three-judge
tribunal isn’t available, to be the judge himself or to delegate the
handling of the cases to a single priest-judge with two assistants.
Austen Ivereigh, a papal biographer and commentator on the Vatican,
called it “revolutionary” that Pope Francis has granted bishops the
power to nullify a marriage — a power that has rested with church
courts. Bishops, he said, could also delegate that power to priests.
This will make annulments more accessible, especially in much of the
developing world, where Ivereigh said many areas have no church courts.
“This is the most far-reaching reform to the Church’s nullity process in 300 years,” he added.
NEWS.VA: Motu
proprio “Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus” and “Mitis et misericors Iesus”:
the Pope reforms the procedures for declaration of marriage nullity
ROME REPORTS QUICK SUMMARY: http://www.romereports.com/2015/09/08/pope-marriage-annulment-process-is-free
CARDINAL BURKE VIDEO: The Nullity of Marriage Process is the Search for Truth
CRISIS MAGAZINE: Saint John Paul II and Cardinal Kasper on Mercy and Holiness
WASHINGTON POST: Conservative dissent is brewing inside the Vatican
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
49. Hyperichius said, 'The tree of life is high, and humility climbs it.'
September 5, 2015
(Rev 12:5-6) And
she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with an iron
rod. And her son was taken up to God and to his throne. And the woman
fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, that
there they should feed her, a thousand two hundred sixty days.
ALETEIA: Statue of Our Lady of Fatima to Travel to Syria to Protect Christians
EXCERPT TODAY'S CATHOLIC NEWS: Mary's Hand in the Journey of Faith
“One of the titles of our Blessed Mother is ‘spes nostra,’ ‘our hope,’”
he said. “The beautiful mystery of Mary’s Assumption into heaven, the
title of this church and patroness of this parish, is a great mystery
of hope. The Blessed Virgin Mary, our mother, at the end of her earthly
life, was assumed body and soul into heaven. The hope of humanity
became a reality, entered the world and its history, many years earlier
when Mary said ‘yes’ at the Annunciation. ‘She opened the door of our
world to God Himself’ (Spe salvi 49). In her, God took flesh and became
one of us. Through her, the Lord of life came into the world.”
“… The Virgin Mary is, therefore, for us a consoling sign of our hope,”
Bishop Rhoades continued. “We can experience so much peace and
consolation and hope when we are close to the Blessed Virgin Mary, when
we take hold of her motherly hand as we journey through life. She will
never let go. How many of the faithful, your ancestors in the faith
here at Saint Mary’s Parish, grasped Mary’s hand in their journey of
faith. They passed on to you the most beautiful gift, the gift of our
Catholic faith. They taught you to follow Christ and to love Him and
His holy mother. We all need Mary’s help and comfort to face the trials
and challenges of daily life. We live in hope, that one day we will
share in her same destiny. May Our Lady, who was assumed body and soul
into heaven, assist us so that we may follow her into our Father’s
house, the Kingdom of her Son!”
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Holy Souls: September, the month dedicated to Our Mother of Sorrows
Let us always remember with humble and grateful hearts the great and
selfless love which the Mother of Our Rdeemer - and our Mother - Our
Dear Mary - has for each one of us !
LINKS: http://www.themostholyrosary.com/appendix1.htm, http://www.catholictradition.org/Passion/queen-martyrs2.htm, http://www.olrl.org/pray/msorrows.shtml
VIA A MOMENT WITH MARY: "The Blessed Virgin has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary"
Many think that the Rosary is essentially a weapon for the spiritual
realm. This is a serious mistake. The Rosary is also an effective
weapon to solve temporal problems of any kind, especially problems of
political or military nature.
Sister Lucia (visionary of Our Lady of Fatima) confided to Father
Fuentes on December 26, 1957: "The Most Holy Virgin in these last times
in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the
Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how
difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the
personal life of each one of us, of our families... that cannot be
solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how
difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy
Rosary."
History gives us many examples of military or political victories won
by the Rosary. They were won against various opponents: the Cathars,
Islam, the Protestants and the Communists.
VIA A MOMENT WITH MARY: Mary’s tears are true signs
A bas-relief of painted plaster representing the Virgin Mary and her
Immaculate Heart crowned with thorns and inflamed (as in Fatima), was
displayed in a humble home, at the head of the bed of the Lannuso
spouses. From August 29, 1953, to September 1, 1953, this framed image
shed real tears, which were tested in scientific labs.
The Sicilian bishops recognized the supernatural origin of the
phenomenon and began building a church. At its dedication, Saint John
Paul II said:
"Mary wept in La Salette, in the second half of the last century... at
a time when Christianity in France was facing increasing hostility. She
is weeping again here, in Syracuse, at the conclusion of the Second
World War. We can interpret this in the context of these tragic
events—the immense carnage caused by the conflict; the extermination of
the sons and daughters of Israel; and the threat to Eastern Europe from
openly atheistic Communism.
Mary’s tears are true signs—they indicate the presence of the Mother in
the Church and in the world. A mother cries when she sees her sons
threatened by an evil, whether spiritual or physical."
VIA A MOMENT WITH MARY: The Rosary saved Brazil
In the 1960s in Brazil, the farmers were suffering and some people were
pushing for a redistribution of the land. It was the Cold War, and
Communist committees, taking advantage of the people’s poverty, were
forming everywhere, concealing arms depots to perpetrate an imminent
coup and seize power.
Around the same time, a priest named Father Patrick Peyton gathered a
crowd of nearly two million faithful in Rio de Janeiro for a Rosary
crusade. When a Communist congress, which was to decide on a coup to
seize power, opened in Belo Horizonte (one of the largest cities in the
country), tens of thousands of women poured into the city streets,
Rosary in hand that they recited aloud, and went to occupy the congress
hall just before the session, preventing the Communists from entering.
The news of the fiasco spread as similar scenes were repeated
elsewhere, prompting the Communists to flee abroad. It was the Rosary
that saved Brazil from the takeover. This momentous episode was
compared to a 'new Lepanto.'
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
48. Syncletica of blessed memory said, 'A ship cannot be built without nails and no one can be saved without humility.'
September 2, 2015
(Joh 20:21-23) He
said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent
me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he
said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive,
they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are
retained.
HEADLINE: Abortion amnesty for Holy Year
Pope Francis will give all priests discretion during the Roman Catholic
Church's upcoming Holy Year to formally forgive women who have had
abortions, in the Argentine pontiff's latest move towards a more open
and inclusive church.
In Church teaching, abortion is such a grave sin that those who procure
or perform it incur an automatic excommunication, which can only be
lifted by designated church officials.
However, from Dec. 8 to Nov. 26, during an extraordinary Holy Year or
“Jubilee” on the theme of mercy, all priests will be able to do so if
the women repent “with a contrite heart”, the pope said in a letter
published by the Vatican on Tuesday.
Francis described the “existential and moral ordeal” faced by women who
have terminated pregnancies and said he had “met so many women who bear
in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision”.
The pope's letter did not mention those who perform abortions.
Francis is the first non-European pope in 1,300 years and has marked
himself out for tolerance on taboo topics. Although he has shown no
intention of retracting the Church's opposition to abortion, he has
alarmed conservatives by taking a less forceful tone than his
predecessors.
“This is by no means an attempt to minimize the gravity of this sin,
but to widen the possibility of showing mercy,” Vatican chief spokesman
Father Federico Lombardi told reporters.
Deputy Vatican spokesman Father Ciro Benedettini said that “for now” the change would apply only during the Holy Year.
Usually only a bishop, missionary or the chief confessor of a diocese
can offer absolution for an abortion, Benedettini said, although
bishops in countries such as the United States and Britain, have
delegated this authority to parish priests.
Boston College theology professor James Bretzke said the Pope was
“emphasizing mercy and not retribution ... embracing reconciliation and
not excommunication”.
TEXT OF POPE'S LETTER: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2015/09/01/0637/01386.html#ing
CANON LAWYER'S BLOG: Pope Francis on reconciliation for abortion
BALTIMORE CATECHISM: Lesson 17: On the Sacrament of Penance
CATHOLIC CULTURE (2009): ‘Vatican reveals sins only Pope can forgive’
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
45. The same brother asked him, 'Do you think Satan persecuted the men
of old as he persecutes us?' Sisois said, 'More, for now his doom has
drawn nearer, and he is weakened.'
September 1, 2015
(Luk 6:22-23) Blessed shall you be
when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you and shall
reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Be glad in that day and rejoice: for behold, your reward is great in
heaven, For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
POPE FRANCIS:
“Let it also be a stimulus to legislators and government leaders to
guarantee religious freedom everywhere, and to the international
community to put an end to the violence and oppression.”
ALETEIA: As the West Sleeps, ISIS Spreads Throughout the Middle East
NEWS REPORT: Muslim “Breaking of the Crosses” in Syracuse, NY as Catholic Church converted to mosque
CRISIS MAGAZINE: Faith-Based Negotiations with Faith-Based Fanatics
REVIEW: The ISIS Caliphate and the Churches
CHRISTIAN TODAY: Iraqi archbishop: 'I quarrel with God daily' over Islamic State crisis
An Iraqi archbishop has said his faith has been challenged by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
Archbishop Bashar Warda of Irbil, Iraq, has admitted that while he
would outwardly encourage the scores of Christians arriving in Irbil,
in his heart he wrestles with why God has allowed such terrible things
to happen.
"I don't understand what he is doing when I look at what has happened in the region," Archbishop Warda said.
"I quarrel with him every day."
According to the Catholic Herald,
he said the arguments take place within his intimate relationship with
God and, with the help of grace, his relationship withstands even the
unimaginable challenges that he has faced over the past year.
"Before going to sleep, I usually hand all my crises, wishes, thoughts
and sadness to him, so I can at least have some rest," Archbishop Warda
told The Criterion, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
"The next day, I usually wake up with his providence that I would never dream about."
More than 100,000 Christians and other persecuted minorities have
sought refuge in Irbil in northern Iraq as they flee ISIS. With the
threat of the extremist group now only 25 miles away, however, many
Christians who fled to Irbil are moving on to refugee camps in Jordon,
Lebanon and Turkey.
RELATED: ISIS
has just ripped a community’s heart out- The monastery of Mar Elian,
destroyed by ISIS, was a beacon of inter-faith co-operation
MORE: Persecuted Christians Walk 10 Hours in Dark of Night to Escape ISIS, Praise God for Still Being Alive
EXCERPT DEBKA.COM: ISIS declares war on the US dollar with the “gold dinar”
The Islamic State on Sunday, Aug. 30, launched a new campaign to
destabilize the US Dollar with a 54-minute video tape, produced to the
professional standards of New York Madison Avenue. for
general distribution.
The ISIS tape calls on world markets to stop using the dollar and
revert to the financial system of the medieval Muslim caliphates. It
offers the following currency substitutes:
1. A dinar coin weighing 4.25 grams of 21-carat gold, worth $139 at current gold prices;
2. A silver “dirham” coin, currently in use in some Muslim countries
such as Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and parts of Libya, where
ISIS is snapping up oil fields and installations.
3. Two copper coins known as “fulus,” which are handy currency for small transactions and daily use.
4. The jihadis also accept gold trinkets in lieu of coins.
The tape shows details of the coins’ production process at a plant in
Mosul, ISIS’s Iraq headquarters. While the Islamists’ plan for war on
the dollar may recall a bygone age in history, it is worth noting that
just two years ago, Iran was paid for its oil sales to India in gold
and gold ornaments, to beat the Western oil embargo.
Most financial circles have greeted the ISIS reach for world domination
by the gold dinar as a stunt. They maintain that ISIS itself uses
American dollars to buy arms on the black market and pay its fighters.
All the same, DEBKAfile’s counterterrorism experts disclose that the
jihadis are deadly serious about their plan to wage a war of terror on
the Western economy and financial system with four goals in view:
a) ISIS is not a run-of-the-mill terrorist organization, it is a
movement seriously determined to forge an Islamic state and world order
governed by its fundamentalist values.
b) Their territorial expansion and conquest of land has been
accompanied by the pirating of natural resources, in their reach for
affluence and control of the world’s economic levers.
ISIS’s consistent drive for terrain rich in oil, uranium, gold, silver
and other natural resources, shows up in their grab for dominance in
places like Libya, Iraq, Syria and the Sinai Peninsula. In Afghanistan,
the Islamists have of late seized and ousted the Taliban from areas
rich in precious metals.
c) The Islamic State is gaining a strong hand in the arms and oil
black markets in the Middle East, Africa and parts of Europe. It is
also gaining leverage for forcing traders to accept payment in
gold dinars.
And there is no reason why they should refuse. Some of them already
trade in bitcoins, a virtual currency with no national, economic or
banking backing.
d) Like Al Qaeda in its heyday of the 90s, ISIS has many secret
sympathizers among the rich and powerful of the Gulf emirates. If a
hundred of them could be persuaded that the jihadist cause required
them to start trading in gold dinars in their international business
transactions, including the halawa (word of mouth system), Islamist
gold would soon start infiltrating the world’s financial system.
The first response came Monday, Aug. 31, from the radical Hizb
ut-Tahrir of Britain. It advised examining the benefits of
returning to the old Gold Standard for resolving the sovereign debt
crisis threatening the Eurozone, instead of “printing counterfeit money
on keyboards.”
The ISIS video was not released merely as a provocative propaganda
thrust against the likes of Wall Street and Western financiers.
The jihadis seriously believe that financial terrorism can be a
destructive weapon for destabilizing the US-dominated global economy at
least as devastating as a raging horde of suicide bombers.
The
Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility
44. 'A brother once came to Sisois on the mountain of Antony, and as
they were talking he said to Sisois, 'Have you reached the stature of
Antony yet, abba?' He answered, 'If I had a single thought like Antony,
I should leap toward heaven like a flame. But I know myself to be
someone who can only with an effort keep his thoughts in check.'
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