theology guy dot net
  • Home
  • Blogs
    • Blog (Wordpress)
    • Daily Reflections with the Saints
  • Theology
    • Table Talk >
      • Table Talk - Background
      • Table Talk - Year 1
      • Table Talk - Year 2
      • Table Talk - Year 3
      • Table Talk - Year 4
      • Table Talk - Senior Resources
      • Table Talk - Step Ups
    • 15 Minute Series >
      • 15 Minute Philosophy
      • 15 Minute Religion
      • 15 Minute Theology
      • 15 Minute Theological Philosophy
      • 15 Minute Creedal Theology
    • Adult Ed Series
    • Spirituality
  • Resources
    • Office For The Dead >
      • Office of Readings
      • Morning Prayer
      • Evening Prayer
    • Calendars
  • FAQS and Links
  • Contact Us

Aug 25th - Unity and Prophecy

25/8/2017

0 Comments

 
There are several saints of note today all of which spent their lives trying to raise up those around them. But why? What is the point?
How does the tireless political, social, and familial work of Louis IX match with the work of the likes of Joseph Calasanz and Maria Troncatti?
Each saints brings something to the table and each serves in places they did not expect. Who knows what and where we will be called?
In the end it is about bringing peace, about bringing us together as one, as Jesus prayed, in every time and place:
Ut Unum Sint.

Let us notice something else: at that dramatic moment, no one complained about Herod’s evil and his persecution. No one abused Herod – and we are so accustomed to abuse those who are in charge. It is pointless, even tedious, for Christians to waste their time complaining about the world, about society, about everything that is not right. Complaints change nothing. Let us remember that complaining is the second door that closes us off from the Holy Spirit, as I said on Pentecost Sunday. The first is narcissism, the second discouragement, the third pessimism. Narcissism makes you look at yourself constantly in a mirror; discouragement leads to complaining and pessimism to thinking everything is dark and bleak. These three attitudes close the door to the Holy Spirit. Those Christians did not cast blame; rather, they prayed. In that community, no one said: “If Peter had been more careful, we would not be in this situation”. No one. Humanly speaking, there were reasons to criticize Peter, but no one criticized him. They did not complain about Peter; they prayed for him. They did not talk about Peter behind his back; they talked to God. We today can ask: “Are we protecting our unity, our unity in the Church, with prayer? Are we praying for one another?” What would happen if we prayed more and complained less, if we had a more tranquil tongue? The same thing that happened to Peter in prison: now as then, so many closed doors would be opened, so many chains that bind would be broken. We would be amazed, like the maid who saw Peter at the gate and did not open it, but ran inside, astonished by the joy of seeing Peter (cf. Acts 12:10-17). Let us ask for the grace to be able to pray for one another. Saint Paul urged Christians to pray for everyone, especially those who govern (cf. 1 Timothy 2:1-3). “But this governor is…”, and there are many adjectives. I will not mention them, because this is neither the time nor the place to mention adjectives that we hear directed against those who govern. Let God judge them; let us pray for those who govern! Let us pray: for they need prayer. This is a task that the Lord has entrusted to us. Are we carrying it out? Or do we simply talk, abuse and do nothing? God expects that when we pray we will also be mindful of those who do not think as we do, those who have slammed the door in our face, those whom we find it hard to forgive. Only prayer unlocks chains, as it did for Peter; only prayer paves the way to unity.

-- From the Homily of the Mass and Blessing Of The Sacred Pallium For The New Metropolitan Archbishops On The Solemnity Of Saints Peter And Paul, Apostles (29 June 2020)
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Truth to Ponder

    I decided to spend a year thinking about  the Faith celebrated in the sanctoral calendar. There are also just some events, Scriptural, and other quotes that strike me on random days; or randomly on days, as the case may be.
    Of course it has become a continuous activity but the lesson is clear: learn the saints and you will learn salvation and peace.

    Saint's Days by Month

    All
    01 January
    02 February
    03 March
    04 April
    05 May
    06 June
    07 July
    08 August
    09 September
    10 October
    11 November
    12 December
    All

    Days by Entry

    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Blogs
    • Blog (Wordpress)
    • Daily Reflections with the Saints
  • Theology
    • Table Talk >
      • Table Talk - Background
      • Table Talk - Year 1
      • Table Talk - Year 2
      • Table Talk - Year 3
      • Table Talk - Year 4
      • Table Talk - Senior Resources
      • Table Talk - Step Ups
    • 15 Minute Series >
      • 15 Minute Philosophy
      • 15 Minute Religion
      • 15 Minute Theology
      • 15 Minute Theological Philosophy
      • 15 Minute Creedal Theology
    • Adult Ed Series
    • Spirituality
  • Resources
    • Office For The Dead >
      • Office of Readings
      • Morning Prayer
      • Evening Prayer
    • Calendars
  • FAQS and Links
  • Contact Us