Surprising contributions by Francis to the Magisterium...
Ever since Fr. Federico Lombardi started accompanying Francis on his international journeys, he had never been as nervous as he was during the press conference on the return flight from Lesbos to Rome, on April 16, 2016.Continue Reading
From Rome, for the Denzinger-Bergoglio
Saturday afternoon. Preparations are in place for the whirlwind of weekend pastoral activities… leaving certain responsibilities on hold…when suddenly I start receiving so many cell messages that I will never have time to answer… “Father, did you see the latest?” “Father, now concubines can receive Communion!”, “Father, is there no such thing as mortal sin any more in the Church?”, “Father – is it a sin to live as brother and sister now?”, and so on.Continue Reading
From Rome, for the Denzinger-Bergoglio
Psalm 50 (49) offers us the impressive reprimand of God the Father adverting the chosen, though unfaithful, people: “What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips? For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. If you see a thief, you are a friend of his; and you keep company with adulterers. You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit” (Ps 50:18-19). These words of the Psalmist, inspired by the Holy Spirit, come to mind in considering some of the latest news arriving from Rome.Continue Reading
International news agencies have related a shocking, heartbreaking occurrence: Two young Christian Syrian refugees in Lesbos, Greece, the brother and sister Roula and Malek Abo, were originally on the list of the 12 refugees who Francis would have taken to Rome — in a gesture devoid of any intention for publicity of course (!) — but they were abruptly taken off the list, and instead, Muslims were put in their place. In fact, the twelve refugees that boarded the plane with Francis were all followers of Mohammed.Continue Reading
If you told me that Newton was a genius, I would accept that. But you must admit that Jorge Mario Bergoglio surpasses him by far. Newton discovered the law of gravity, the law that so greatly affects our lives from the moment we come into the world…Well, Francis has abolished it! Isn’t that clever?Continue Reading
When Pilate, with reverential fear, asked Christ about his sovereignty, he answered: ‘You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice’ (Jn 18:37) Was Our Lord perhaps being a fundamentalist in making this affirmation with so much conviction and resolve? Since he is God, made man, the Truth in substance, he could not have acted differently.Continue Reading
“The Cross is the word through which God has responded to evil in the world.” With these words, Francis closed his first Way of the Cross in the Coliseum as Bishop of Rome, during a brief speech that foreshadowed his future preaching centered on pardon and mercy. The Pontiff explained, in an original manner, the meaning of the immolation of the Lamb of God, who had offered his life on the Cross to transmit a word of love, stronger than that of justice.Continue Reading
Every priest who loves the Word of God meditates on the Gospel to be proclaimed, and which he will subsequently explain to the faithful. Besides the knowledge gleaned through his personal study, the Holy Spirit normally inspires him with a deeper understanding regarding the happenings in the life of the Redeemer, illuminating him in relation to the message of salvation, read ‘between the lines’.Continue Reading
A well known fact in the life of Saint Joan of Arc occurred when she was interrogated by the inquisition. When questioned as to whether or not she was in the state of grace, her answer reflected wisdom, truth and faith: ‘If I am not, may God put me there; if I am, may God keep me so.’Continue Reading
People highly attuned to nature easily notice physical and climatic changes by the slightest signs. Apparently minor changes often warn of a dramatic event that may be fast approaching, so it is necessary to identify such signs in order to forestall damages. These perceptions are mainly enjoyed by a handful of weather experts, or persons who live intensely connected with the earth, mountains or sea, who end up acquiring, through experience, a good intuition of what is happening, or about to happen.Continue Reading
