The Tribulation Times Keep your eyes open!...






 

August 19, 2026                  

(Luk 21:23-24) But woe to them that are with child and give suck in those days: for there shall be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captives into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles till the times of the nations be fulfilled.

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VATICAN NEWS:Cardinal Pizzaballa visits Taybeh, appeals for preserving its Christian presence

“We will continue to do everything in our power to preserve the Church’s presence here, at every level, throughout the Holy Land.”

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed his solidarity with the people of Taybeh during a visit to the small Christian village in the West Bank on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“I may not have answers on a human or worldly level, but I believe in God. And I am certain that, in Him, we can continue to bring life, even here in Taybeh,” Cardinal Pizzaballa said during Mass at the Latin Church of Christ the Redeemer in Taybeh.

Welcomed “among his people”

Welcoming the Patriarch at the beginning of Mass, Taybeh parish priest Father Bashar Fawadleh said that the village had welcomed him “among his people and in his home.”

According to a statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the pastor described the Cardinal's presence as that of a father standing beside his children in difficult times.

Father Bashar also said that Cardinal Pizzaballa’s presence reminded the community that it is not alone and that the Church stands alongside its children, carrying with it “the cross and the hope of this land.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa described the Feast of the Assumption as “a fruit of the Resurrection” and said that Mary teaches Christians to look at reality “with divine eyes,” rather than according to human calculations.

He then connected this message directly to Taybeh, encouraging its people to remain rooted in faith and hope even when circumstances make the future difficult or seem impossible.

Guarding the heart against fear

The Patriarch also stressed that preserving the Christian presence requires guarding the heart against fear, despair and the effects of difficult circumstances.

“But we want to remain a community that gives birth to life, without giving up our rights, our right to life,” he said. “So be courageous. Do not be afraid.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa also said that he is following developments in Taybeh closely through regular messages and updates from Father Bashar.

The Patriarch’s visit took place against the backdrop of an Israeli order issued last July declaring “the area of Taybeh and Rimon” a closed military zone, prohibiting Israelis and foreign nationals from entering or remaining there.

The need for an ongoing Christian presence

The designated area includes part of Taybeh’s built-up area, agricultural land, and religious and historical sites.

The order has also raised questions about access to Taybeh for pilgrims, visitors, journalists, volunteers and other foreign nationals.

Cardinal Pizzaballa said that what is happening in Taybeh is increasingly becoming known beyond the town itself.

With this in mind, the Patriarch insisted, “Your example is important, so that we can continue to be a Christian voice amid this very complex situation.”

RELATED: Jewish settlers attack the only entirely Christian village in the Holy Land once again, according to the Catholic parish priest himself

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 8- "On Freedom from Anger and on Meekness"

19. It is bad to disturb the eye of the heart by anger, according to him who said: 'Through wrath is mine eye become troubled' (Ps. 6:8). But it is still worse to show in words the turmoil of the soul. And to come to blows is utterly inimical and alien to the monastic, angelic and divine life.


August 17, 2026                  

(Eph 6:14-17) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of justice: And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).

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EXCERPT CRISIS MAGAZINE:
Needed: Catholic Cavaliers

It would be hard to say that all is well in Church and State across the planet this August of 2026. Last month, I pointed out the contribution played by fatherhood in any healthy society—and imputed a great deal of our current mess to its lack. This is certainly true; but there are other aspects of masculinity we lack in our modern world—especially among Catholics. But what I will speak of here is not a hard and fast masculine identity—like those of father, king, and priest—but a spirit, of which any and all might take part to a greater or lesser degree, depending upon what God demands of them as they make their way in life. It is the spirit of the Cavalier.

Perhaps it is an ideal that is perennial. What would a modern Cavalier be like? On the one hand, he would have a deep Catholic Faith, grounded in the Creeds and anchored by the miraculous. At the same time, he would understand and accept the frailties of human nature, judging himself most severely before he worried about the peccadilloes of others. He would strive against being petty in his own life, understanding that others might not be so inclined.

He would be flexible in tactics but never in belief. He would strive to be true to his loyalties but savvy in the ways of the world. Evangelization would be on his mind, as it was with St. Paul, but he would “temper the wind to the shorn lamb.” He would know his etiquette but be as much of an outdoorsman as he could. Moreover, he would attempt to master the skills of his occupation not simply for a wage but that—be he farmer, soldier, writer, or musician—he could use those skills if ever the standard were raised and the bugle called to defend the Altar.

Certainly, one can find many examples of such a one who have fallen far short of the ideal; but from priest to peasant, what rank is there in society that has not many such. All of us laymen—and even, within their divinely appointed limits, priests and religious—should strive to make the Cavalier spirit our own. The world’s youth do not need would-be Puritans as mentors; they need men who can lead and follow in the most glorious cause—that of Christ the King.

ST THEOPHAN THE RECLUSEThe purpose of life

The Lord chose the apostles, that they should be with Him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.

Every Christian is chosen—chosen for similar deeds, namely: to be with the Lord, through unceasing remembrance of Him and awareness of His omnipresence, through the preaching and fulfillment of His commandments, and through a readiness to confess one’s faith in Him. In those circles where such a confession is made, it is a loud sermon for all to hear.

Every Christian has the power to heal infirmities—not of others, but his own, and not of the body, but of the soul—that is, sins and sinful habits—and to cast out devils, rejecting evil thoughts sown by them, and extinguishing the excitement of passions enflamed by them.

Do this and you will be an apostle, a fulfiller of what the Lord chose you for, an accomplisher of your calling as messenger. When at first you succeed in all this, then perhaps the Lord will appoint you as a special ambassador—to save others after you have saved yourself; and to help those who are tempted, after you yourself pass through all temptations, and through all experiences in good and evil.

But your job is to work upon yourself: for this you are chosen; the rest is in the hands of God. He who humbles himself shall be exalted.

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 8- "On Freedom from Anger and on Meekness"

14. If the Holy Spirit is peace of soul, as He is said to be an as He is in reality, and if anger is disturbance of heart, as it actually is and as it is said to be, then nothing so prevents His presence in us as anger.


August 14, 2026                  

(Luk 13:1-5) And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things? No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe and slew them: think you that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem? No, I say to you: but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.

EWTN NEWS:
Church in Colombia prays and mobilizes to help those affected by major earthquake

VATICAN NEWS: Colombian Archbishop: 'The earthquake was extremely devastating'

X VIDEO: Amid the devastating earthquake that killed hundreds in Colombia, the image of Our Lady of Mercy remained standing in Concordia

X VIDEOFaith that doesn’t shake, even when the earth does.

This jaw-dropping moment was captured at AM on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Parish in Colombia. Watch how the Priest holds onto his faith and trust in God as a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake begins to rock the entire church mid-Mass.

While historical structures and cathedrals across Chocó, Sonsón, and Manizales suffered severe structural damage, this video reminds us of a timeless truth: Buildings may crack, but God remains unshakeable.

Let’s unite our hearts across the globe. Let's send strength and prayers to the people of Colombia, the rescue teams, and the affected families as they rebuild.

ACN: Help the Church in Colombia

Aid to the Church in Need will remain in constant contact with the bishops and local Churches over the coming hours to determine the extent of the emergency and respond to any needs identified.

As is typical in so many disaster situations, the Church is one of the first places of refuge for affected communities. From the initial hours following the earthquake, parishes, priests, religious sisters, and the faithful have begun accompanying families, offering shelter, comfort, and spiritual support.

ACN invites all its friends and benefactors to join in prayer for Colombia and for everyone affected by this earthquake. The charity is also preparing to support the emergency response through the Church once the assessment of the most urgent needs across the affected dioceses is completed.

This natural disaster struck less than two months after two consecutive earthquakes devastated large parts of neighboring Venezuela. Generous ACN benefactors from multiple countries have enabled ACN to continuously support the local Church to deal with the fallout. ACN is currently visiting Caracas and the other affected dioceses in the country, to plan its support in the coming months, including the reconstruction of severely damaged church buildings.

Aid to the Church in Need is already mobilizing to assess the damage and the needs of the affected communities and to prepare an aid package that will go where it is most needed. We have a national office in Colombia and we are very happy to report that everyone is safe.

Chocó is one of Colombia’s poorest provinces, and one that ACN has consistently supported in recent years. Initial contact with the local dioceses confirms widespread damage to parishes in the region. We are in full solidarity with the Church in Colombia and have already approved an emergency fund to address the most immediate needs.

Today we ask you to join us in prayer for Colombia: for the affected families, for those working on the emergency response, for the rescue workers, and for those missing and their families. We also offer our prayers for the deceased, and for our priests, religious sisters, and church communities who are accompanying their people today.

And, if you can, please give to those hurting today. 100% of your gift will provide emergency aid to our brothers and sisters in Colombia.

May God bless you for your compassion and kindness, and may He bless the people of Colombia.

VATICAN NEWSPope sends financial aid to areas of Colombia hit by earthquake

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 8- "On Freedom from Anger and on Meekness"

13. It is a mark of extreme meekness, even in the presence of one's offender, to be peacefully and lovingly disposed towards him in one's heart, then it is certainly a mark of hot temper when a person continues to quarrel and rage against his offender, both by words and gestures, even when by himself.


August 12, 2026                  

(Isa 5:20-21) Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil: that put darkness for light, and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe to you that are wise in your own eyes, and prudent in your own conceits.

EXCERPT HOMILY CARD. JOSEPH RATZINGER (2005): Today, having a clear faith based on the Creed of the Church is often labeled as fundamentalism. Whereas relativism, that is, letting oneself be "tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine", seems the only attitude that can cope with modern times. We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one's own ego and desires. We, however, have a different goal: the Son of God, the true man. He is the measure of true humanism. An "adult" faith is not a faith that follows the trends of fashion and the latest novelty; a mature adult faith is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ. It is this friendship that opens us up to all that is good and gives us a criterion by which to distinguish the true from the false, and deceit from truth. We must develop this adult faith; we must guide the flock of Christ to this faith. And it is this faith - only faith - that creates unity and is fulfilled in love.

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SUBSTACK: Modernism and the Holy Catholic Church

Conclusion

Modernism has been recognized as a threat to the Traditional Roman Catholic Church for over a century. Its rejection of absolute truth, authority, reason, and traditional practices undermines the core tenets of Catholicism. Modernism's emphasis on individual experience and interpretation can lead to a fragmentation of belief and practice that weakens the Catholic Church's authority and identity.

Pope Pius X, in his 1907 encyclical "Pascendi Dominici Gregis," condemned modernism as a danger to the Catholic faith. He identified modernism as a "synthesis of all heresies" that seeks to adapt Catholicism to the culture of the time, rather than holding steadfast to the unchanging truths revealed by God. The pope recognized the danger of modernism's emphasis on individual interpretation and subjective experience, which undermines the authority of the Catholic Church and can lead to a rejection of traditional Catholic practices.

The Catholic Church continues to oppose modernism as a threat to its teachings and practices. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in its 1989 "Instruction on the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian," emphasized the importance of adhering to Catholic doctrine and tradition, rather than adapting to the prevailing cultural norms. The Catechism of the Catholic Church similarly upholds the importance of objective truth, reason, and traditional practices as central to Catholicism.

It is essential for Catholics to remain faithful to the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church and to recognize the danger of modernism. While modernism may offer a perceived sense of freedom and autonomy, it ultimately undermines the core beliefs and practices of the Catholic faith. By remaining faithful to Catholic teaching and tradition, Catholics can uphold the timeless truths revealed by God and maintain the integrity and identity of the Catholic Church.

CRISIS MAGAZINE ARCHIVES: Where is the St. Pope Pius X of Today?

VIA X:  Many forget that it was Pope St. Paul VI, often misunderstood in our times, who stood as a strong defender of Catholic orthodoxy during an age of confusion.

When the winds of modernism began to blow fiercely after Vatican II—challenging the timeless truths of the Faith—Paul VI responded not with silence, but with clarity and courage.

In 1968, he issued the monumental document Credo of the People of God, a profession of faith reaffirming every essential truth of Catholic doctrine — from the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, to the perpetual virginity of Our Lady, to the existence of hell and eternal judgment.

It was a direct stand against modernism, relativism, and the false prophets who tried to remake the Church according to the spirit of the world.

Pope Saint Paul VI reminded the faithful that truth cannot change, and that the Church’s mission is not to adapt to the world, but to convert the world to Christ.

“We believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist… not merely as in a sign or a figure, but truly, really, and substantially.” — Credo of the People of God (1968)

Reading this document is necessary today more than ever — to understand the faith, to defend it against error, and to recognize how this saintly Pope fought modernism head-on with the sword of truth.

Let us thank Pope St. Paul VI for his fidelity to Christ, and for giving the Church a clear compass in times of darkness.

FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Frank Rega: Venerable Pius XII Pope from 1939 to 1958 Radio address to Lourdes Pope Pius XII April 28, 1935 closing the year of Redemption

Victorious in the storm

Our hope—just like our faith, of which it is the substance and reality—resides in heaven, and there on high it remains fixed; yet here below, it sustains our life. If, in the name of Christ and His Cross, the choirs of angels in heaven (…) sing before the throne of God: "glory, honor, salvation, and blessing," here below, the Church of the faithful—still pilgrims on their journey—places all its hope in the Cross. "O Cross, our salvation, our only hope!" (Hymn of the Passion)

The ocean of humanity is in turmoil; nations, like the waves, rise up and crash against one another under the pressure of the winds of social and political passions; the shores and beaches of peace are battered and shaken by the unleashed surges. (…) Who shall command the winds and the storms? Who shall silence their whistling and their rage? (…)

Do not fear, my brothers. Upon the waves and the storms, walking in the shadow of the tabernacles, is the Lord of heaven and earth; no, He will not pass by our storm-tossed boat with indifference; He will come to us and say: "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." (Mt 14:27) Did He not promise that He would be with us until the end of time? (…) Do we not believe in Him? Do we, perhaps, not know Him? Ah, may He never have to say of us—after having spent so much time in our midst—this reproach: "I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me?" (Jn 14:9)

We are lost amidst the storm that roils the ocean of society and nations; yet in the Cross of Christ—which stands firm amidst the upheavals of the world—reside our confidence and our hopes. She is the anchor that, amidst the raging waves, provides security to the boat of the Church and of our soul—which strives toward the haven of supreme and invisible goods; she is the anchor firmly fixed to God and to His infallible promises.

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 8- "On Freedom from Anger and on Meekness"

12. Nothing is so inappropriate to those repenting as a spirit agitated by anger, because conversion requires great humility, and anger is a sign of every kind of presumption.


August 10, 2026                  

(Rom 8:18-22) I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now;  and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

NEWS REPORT: Major magnitude 7.4 earthquake along the Pacific Ring of Fire jolts western Colombia

X: The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales, Colombia, collapsing while people try and stay out in the open.

A CATHOLIC LIFESt. Emygdius, Patron Saint of Earthquakes

PRAYER: Prayer for Protection from Earthquakes

Lord, we come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging Your supreme power over all creation. The earth beneath us is Yours, and we know that You hold it steady. When the ground shakes and trembles, Lord, we pray for Your divine protection over our homes, our families, and our communities. Shield us from harm, keep us safe from falling debris, and grant us peace amidst the chaos. Remind us that You are our rock and our fortress, a refuge in times of trouble.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:2

In the midst of seismic activity, our minds can race with fear. We confess our anxieties to You, Heavenly Father, and ask You to replace our panic with Your perfect peace. Help us to remember that You are sovereign, even when the earth seems to betray its stability. Grant us the wisdom to know how to respond safely and the courage to help those around us who may be in greater need. Strengthen our faith so that we may stand firm, knowing that You are with us, guiding our every step and protecting us from all harm.

“You will not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of the destruction of the wicked when it comes.” – Proverbs 3:25

X: Israel offers Columbia Earthquake Aid

After a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar offered his Colombian counterpart Omar Bula “any assistance that Israel can provide.” Sa’ar wrote: “Israel is prepared to assist Colombia as much as required.” Last month, Israel sent an aid delegation to earthquake-stricken Venezuela for three weeks.

AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED: We support the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in need, through information, prayer and action

DONATE: https://www.acncolombia.org/donar-p2p/

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES: CRS' History in Colombia

CRS has been working closely with the Colombian Catholic Church and local institutions since 1953 to encourage a culture of peace and an organized response to the internal conflict. Since that time, CRS has supported the participation of the church in processes of dialogue, disarmament and reintegration, and analysis of the political context of the country. Our work with the National Reality Observatory of the Colombian Episcopate has bolstered the development of strong community leaders and peacemakers.

In the 80s, CRS responded to the aftermath of an earthquake that destroyed much of the Colombian coffee zone. Due to the destruction of the city of Armenia and several surrounding municipalities, CRS focused attention on the reconstruction of rural and urban housing for displaced communities.

Since 2012, CRS has played an active role in Southern Colombia through projects related to sustainable agriculture and livelihoods. A highlight was the Borderlands Coffee Project, a 5-year initiative that trained coffee-growing families in high quality coffee production, marketing, and direct trade business models. The results achieved from this project have allowed us to influence the formulation of a public agriculture policy and expand the reputation of Borderlands coffee globally.

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 8- "On Freedom from Anger and on Meekness"

11. An angy person is a willing epileptic, who due to an involuntary tendency keeps convulsing and falling down.


August 7, 2026                  

(Mat 16:25-26) For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?

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ANTONIO CARDINAL BACCI:Catholic Action

1. Catholic action is the participation of the laity, or more correctly their co-operation, in the hierarchical apostolate of the Church. It is not really an innovation. It is as old as the Church herself, although it is only on account of the peculiar circumstances of our times that it has come to be organised in a special manner. From the beginning of Christianity, the laity of both sexes worked energetically alongside the Apostles for the expansion of the Kingdom of God. When St. Paul was writing to the Philippians he urged them to assist those Christian women who had done so mch to spread the Gospel, as well as Clement and his other fellow-workers. "Help them, for they have toiled with me in the gospel, as have Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers whose names are in the book of life." It is evident that even at that time there were laymen and women working in the co-operation with the apostolic hierarchy. Every Christian, moreover, should feel the need to do this. Anyone who has the true faith and is on fire with the love of God and of his neighbour cannot but exert himself so that all men may reach the truth and live in accordance with it, that is, in accordance with the precepts of the Gospel. Anyone who is not motivated by this desire cannot claim to be a genuine and enthusiastic Christian.

2. The need for a lay apostolate has grown tremendously in our day. The scarcity of priests is not the only reason for this. It is true that their numbers are entirely inadequate in many places to meet the spiritual needs of the people. But there is the additional factor that certain spheres cannot easily be penetrated by the clergy. There are many people who never even enter a church. They never have any contact with the priest, who finds it difficult to approach them. He needs a "long arm" which will bear the light where he cannot carry it himself. The lay apostolate can be this "long arm". Catholic workmen can do an amount of good among their fellow workers by word and by example. So can teachers, clerks, doctors, journalists, and the rest. This kind of environmental apostolate is very valuable today. It must be built up into a system of blood-vessels which will carry the stream of Christian life from its heart, which is the priesthood, to the farther extremities of society. Let Christian laymen recognise that this is an honourable vocation which they have received, for it is a participation in the priestly office. Everyone should feel summoned to do everything possible in his own environment to lead souls to Christ.

3. Spiritual formation is necessary for this task. The layman must be sincere and earnest Christian. Otherwise, he will not be able to transmit to others what he has not got himself. He must live the life of the Church and help it to fulfil its saving mission. To say that he must co-operate with the priest is the same as saying that he must co-operate with Christ, for the priest must be another Christ. So it is a high honour which the layman assumes when he dedicates himself to the aposotlate and he will enjoy many consolations.

If anyone deliberately refuses to undertake this apostolate, his faith is neither alive nor active. If our faith is to be sincere and effective, we must first of all undergo a strenous spiritual training, nourished by prayer and by divine grace. As a consequence, we shall work generously to bring about the triumph of the life of Christ in others souls also.

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 8- "On Freedom from Anger and on Meekness"

10. As a hard stone with sharp corners has ll its sharpness and hard formation dulled by knocking and rubbing against other stones, and is made round, so in the same way, a sharp and curt soul, by living in community and mixing with hard, hot-tempered men, undergoes one of two things: either it cures its wound by its patience, or by retiring it will certainly discover its weakness, its cowardly flight making this clear to it as in a mirror.


August 5, 2026                  

(Dan 12:4) But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.

RNS: The Catholic principle guiding popes through tech upheavals, from the Industrial Revolution to AI

CATHOLIC ADVANCE: What can the 38th Church Doctor teach about artificial intelligence?

EXCERPT ESSAY NICK BOSTROM: Superintelligence

It is difficult to predict how long it will take to develop human‐level artificial general intelligence. The prospect does not seem imminent. But whether it will take a couple of decades, many decades, or centuries, is probably not something that we are currently in a position to know. We should acknowledge this uncertainty by assigning some non‐trivial degree of credence to each of these possibilities.

However long it takes to get from here to roughly human‐level machine intelligence, the step from there to superintelligence is likely to be much quicker. In one type of scenario, ʺthe singularity hypothesisʺ, some sufficiently advanced and easily modifiable machine intelligence (a ʺseed AIʺ) applies its wits to create a smarter version of itself. This smarter version uses its greater intelligence to improve itself even further. The process is iterative, and each cycle is faster than its predecessor. The result is an intelligence explosion. Within some very short period of time — weeks, hours — radical superintelligence is attained.

Whether abrupt and singular, or more gradual and multi‐polar, the transition from human‐level to superintelligence would of pivotal significance. Superintelligence would be the last invention biological man would ever need to make, since, by definition, it would be much better at inventing than we are. All sorts of theoretically possible technologies could be developed quickly by superintelligence — advanced molecular manufacturing, medical nanotechnology, human enhancement technologies, uploading, weapons of all kinds, lifelike virtual realities, self‐replicating space‐colonizing robotic probes, and more. It would also be super‐effective at creating plans and strategies, working out philosophical problems, persuading and manipulating, and much else beside.

It is an open question whether the consequences would be for the better or the worse.

The potential upside is clearly enormous; but the downside includes existential risk.

Humanityʹs future might one day depend on the initial conditions we create, in particular on whether we successfully design the system (e.g., the seed AIʹs goal architecture) in such a way as to make it ʺhuman‐friendlyʺ — in the best possible interpretation of that term.

VIA X: Why Physical AI Is the Next Wave

We are standing on the threshold of a shift that will surpass the impact of ChatGPT. After digital agents comes Physical AI — artificial intelligence that does not just think, but acts in the real world.

What Is Physical AI

Physical AI (also called Embodied AI) refers to systems that:

Unlike traditional industrial robots that follow rigidly programmed movements, Physical AI operates in unstructured environments. It can pick up a cup it has never seen before, open a door of an unfamiliar shape, or assist a person with a disability.

According to definitions from Deloitte and BCG in 2026, Physical AI is the fusion of foundation models with real-world physics, sensors, and safety controls.

The clearest sequence was outlined by DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng in the leaked investor meeting (July 2026):

Chain-of-Thought → Agents (we are here now) → Continuous learning → Self-iterating singularity → Embodied intelligence (Physical AI)

Agents can already plan, use tools, and complete complex digital tasks. But they remain trapped behind a screen. Once models learn to continuously improve from their own experience (continuous learning), the next logical step is entering the physical world.

This is why Physical AI is not a separate branch — it is the natural continuation of agentic AI. A robot whose “brain” is a fleet of agents with memory and the ability to self-improve.

MORE: The Robots Aren't Coming. A Few of Them Already Clocked In.

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 8- "On Freedom from Anger and on Meekness"

9. And we ought not to forget, my friends, that the wicked demons sometimes suddenly leave us, so that we may neglect our strong passions as of little importance, and then become incurably sick.


August 3, 2026                  

(Gen 11:5-9) And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of Adam were building. And he said: Behold, it is one people, and all have one tongue: and they have begun to do this, neither will they leave off from their designs, till they accomplish them in deed. Come ye, therefore, let us go down, and there confound their tongue, that they may not understand one another's speech. And so the Lord scattered them from that place into all lands, and they ceased to build the city. And therefore the name thereof was called Babel, because there the language of the whole earth was confounded: and from thence the Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of all countries.

PAULINE.ORG: A Catholic Primer on Artificial Intelligence

LIFESITENEWS.COM ANALYSIS: AI is weakening our capacity to think, understand, judge

SUBSTACK EXCERPT: AI, Its Promise and Its Peril

WWNN: What kind of an impact will AI have, long-term? Especially if you compare it to the massive consequences, all the social dislocation, caused unintentionally by the printing press in the 16th century.

Rev. Philip Larrey: It will be bigger. A lot bigger. Some very serious names in AI development have argued that we need to shut AI research down right now—not slow it down, but shut it down—claiming that the moment we achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) it will destroy every human being on the planet. If some Luddite from Iowa said something that radical, you wouldn’t pay any attention. But when a list of industry heavies say it, it’s extremely sobering. Potentially, AI is very dangerous. It’s going to take a lot of jobs from people. AGI will be autonomous and able to function almost identically to a human being. Right now, the “narrow” AI we have can do a wide variety of single things very well, like playing chess or the game Go, or Jeopardy. Artificial General Intelligence will interact with its environment in an autonomous way to achieve results. This is similar to what actual human beings do, but without a genuinely human character and consciousness.

WWNN: What will AI do to the Catholic Church as a religious community? It seems it could have a very disruptive effect on the whole idea of human identity and destiny, the idea of the supernatural, and the reality of invisible truths.

Rev. Philip Larrey: I don’t think we can know that yet. One excellent Catholic use of AI is “Magisterium AI,” founded by Matthew Sanders. He lives in Quebec, and he's also the CEO of Humanity 2.0, a very sound Catholic foundation. Magisterium AI helps users understand Catholic doctrine. He trained the AI on official Catholic teaching and documents, so it doesn’t present false information. And he’s feeding it 200 documents a week. Therefore, I’m optimistic. I think we’ll learn to use these AI tools to achieve good goals. And if our goal is to be a committed faith community, these tools will help us do that.

VIA GROK: Elon Musk’s near-term view of a world shaped by advanced AI centers on rapid intelligence surpassing, massive abundance via AI + robotics, optional work, diminishing relevance of money, and loss of human control—while acknowledging non-zero existential risks.

Key Predictions on Timelines and Capabilities Musk has repeatedly projected aggressive timelines in 2025–2026 interviews and statements:

Abundance, Work, and the Economy The dominant positive scenario is an “age of amazing abundance” in which anyone can have nearly anything they can think of, driven by ubiquitous AI paired with humanoid robots (e.g., Tesla’s Optimus).
(Decrypt; Business Insider)

Musk has described this as the most likely outcome, assuming no major derailments such as global thermonuclear war.

Risks and Philosophical Stance

Musk continues to flag risks (previously citing roughly 10–20% odds of catastrophic outcomes involving advanced AI/robots) but argues the technology’s momentum is unstoppable. He has said that even if a “stop button” existed, it probably should not be pressed because the upside of abundance is so large.
(Business Insider; Decrypt)

His preferred approach to safety emphasizes building AI that is maximally truth-seeking and curious, with good values that care about humanity prospering. He has also suggested leading AI labs should review one another’s frontier models before release.

Overall Framing

Musk presents a dual picture: transformative material abundance and optional labor that could redefine purpose and economics, alongside the realistic prospect that superintelligent systems will outstrip human control. He frames the near future (next 5–10 years) as a period of explosive progress that is both exciting and irreversible, with the best path being to steer AI toward curiosity, truth-seeking, and pro-human outcomes rather than attempting to halt development. These views appear consistently across recent interviews (notably with *The Economist* in July 2026) and his public statements.

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 8- "On Freedom from Anger and on Meekness"

7. Some who are prone to anger are neglectful of the healing and cure of this passion. But these unhappy people do not give a thought to him who said: 'The moment of his anger is his fall.' (Eccl 1:22).

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Jubilee 2000: Bringing the World to Jesus

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