Pope Contrasts Easter Joy With Suffering Humanity

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 24, 2010 (Zenit.org).- In his Easter message, Benedict XVI contrasted the joy of the Resurrection with the sufferings and "painful situations" that continue to afflict mankind, such as natural disasters, poverty, illness and war.

"Here, in this world of ours," he said, "the Easter alleluia still contrasts with the cries and laments that arise from so many painful situations: deprivation, hunger, disease, war, violence." Read more ...

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Gospel Today - "Proclaim the Gospel to every creature"

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

+ 1st Reading -- Acts 4:13-21
+ Responsorial Psalm -- Psalms 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21
   I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

+ Gospel Today -- Mark 16:9-15

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The Resurrection gives all Christians a “missionary mandate”, Pope says

During the Regina Caeli, in Castel Gandolfo, Benedict XVI said the Church was given a mission to evangelise. “May the peace born from the triumph of the Lord over sin spread across the earth,” he said in his Spanish greetings.

Castel Gandolfo – With the Resurrection, Jesus “defeated death, caused by our sin, and led us back to immortal life”. He also gave the Church a missionary mandate, which involves all Christians, everywhere and at all times, Benedict XVI said on Easter Monday, before the Regina Caeli, to a crowd of 2,000 gathered in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope has been staying for a brief period of rest since yesterday.

“The Resurrection of the Lord,” he said before the Marian prayer, “marks the renewal of our human condition. Christ defeated death, caused by our sin, and led us back to immortal life. The entire life of the Church and the existence of Christians spring from that event. We read this, on Easter Monday, in the first missionary address by the nascent Church, ‘God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth, as you (both) see and hear’ (Acts, 2:32-33)”. Read more...

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In China, Tensions with Rome are on smoother track

Francesco Sisci writes at Asia Times Online: Although there is not yet a thaw in relations between Beijing and the Vatican, the climate is much warmer than it was during the tensions of last year.

Archbishop Savio Hon [pictured], the new secretary of Propaganda Fide and a Hong Kong native, played a central role in the thaw. His recent interview with the CEI (Conference of Italian Bishops) newspaper of Avvenire has been translated and circulated freely on the Internet with photos of China, an obvious wink to the bishop of Beijing. In the past, such an interview would have been censored or blocked.  Read more...

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Gospel Today - "Cast the net over the right side"

“Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.”

Friday in the Octave of Easter

+ 1st Reading -- Acts 4:1-12
+ Responsorial Psalm -- Psalms 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a
   The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

+ Gospel Today -- John 21:1-14

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In Vietnam, HCM City leader welcomes visit by Vatican envoy

The Chairman of HCM City People's Committee, Le Hoang Quan [picture], welcomed visiting Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli yesterday, saying the latter's appointment as the Vatican's non-resident representative to Viet Nam marked a further development in bilateral relations.

He said followers of many religions, including Catholics, had contributed to the city's development. The Catholics in HCM City carried out several works of charity including healthcare projects, he said. Read more...

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Gospel Today - "Peace be with you"

He stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Thursday in the Octave of Easter

+ 1st Reading -- Acts 3:11-26
+ Responsorial Psalm -- Psalms 8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9
   O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

+ Gospel Today -- Luke 24:35-48

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Pope Benedict XVI Addressed Evolution in Easter Address

Photo Credit: Catholic Online

Pontiff says that man is not 'merely a random product of evolution'

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "If man were merely a random product of evolution in some place on the margins of the universe, then his life would make no sense or might even be a chance of nature," he said. "But no, reason is there at the beginning: creative, divine reason."

Roman Catholicism has said that evolutionary theory are not necessarily at odds. A Christian can, for example, accept the theory of evolution to help explain developments, but is taught to believe that God, not random chance, is the origin of the world. The Vatican has previously warned against creationism, or the overly literal interpretation of the Biblical account of creation. Read more...

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Gospel Today - "Were not our hearts burning?"

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us…?”

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

+ 1st Reading -- Acts 3:1-10
+ Responsorial Psalm -- Psalms 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
   Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.

+ Gospel Today -- Luke 24:13-35

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In US, Catholic scouting forms young Church leaders

Ambria Hammel of The Catholic Sun writes: When 24 local Boy and Girl Scouts faced a board of review earlier this month, they weren’t answering questions about knot tying, starting a campfire or other typical outdoor skills often associated with the scouting program.

Boy scouts from various troops socialize after their April 6 religious emblem board of review at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.
Photo Credit: Ambria Hammel/CATHOLIC SUN

Instead, the largely middle school-aged boys — plus three girls — openly spoke to their two-member board about their favorite sacrament: marriage, for many of them. These boys, who may have never even thought about dating, much less experienced it, already know that marriage takes a lot of work. Read more...

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Gospel Today - "I have seen the Lord"

Mary went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord."

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

+ 1st Reading -- Acts 2:36-41
+ Responsorial Psalm -- Psalms 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22
   The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

+ Gospel Today -- John 20:11-18

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What Makes a Convert?

Easter to us is a time of coming home. We either move closer in faith to God, or, for some of us, we embrace the faith from a state of non-belief or unbelief.

USCCB Media Blog writes: Easter is exciting in the Catholic Church as parishes across the United States welcome tens of thousands into their ranks through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

What makes this both exciting and intriguing is that each one has a story of conversion, a mysterious enough touching of a heart, mind and soul to prompt a radical change in a life. Read more...

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In Scotland, Cardinal says Religion, not secularism, is key to our culture

(April 23, 2011) John Ross of Scotsman.com News writes: The leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland will use his Easter message tomorrow to call on Christians to unite in the face of "aggressive secularism".

Cardinal Keith O'Brien [pictured] will urge members of the faith to act together "to maintain our Christian heritage and culture in our great country" in his Easter homily at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh. Read more...

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Gospel Today - "Do not be afraid"

"Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee."

Monday in the Octave of Easter

+ 1st Reading -- Acts of the Apostles 2:14.22-33.
+ Responsorial Psalm -- Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
   Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

+ Gospel Today -- Matthew 28:8-15

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YouTube Videos About the Shroud of Turin

The Shroud of Turin is an enigma, whether it's indeed Christ who was once inside it or not. According to the scientists who have investigated it, the images have so far been consistent with how a scourge and crucified man would look like. Scientists have acknowledged the strong possibility that the shroud indeed came from Palestine.

Positive and negative images of a man in the Shroud of Turin. No one can explain how the image got in there. All markings are consistent with the Biblical description of a crucified man, adorned with a crown of thorns and pierced on his side. Is this Jesus? (Image: Wikimedia)

But was it a shroud of someone who died through crucifixion 2,000 years ago? If so, was it Jesus Christ in the image? If so, how did the image got into the shroud?

(NOTE: Read more to see the YouTube videos about scientific findings)

Easter Sunday Reflection - Christ Has Risen

"Christ Has Risen!" Isn't this a great greeting on Easter Sunday? Some Christians actually has this custom of greeting each other this way on Easter.

Peter and John enter the empty tomb.
(Image by William Hole, BiblePictureGallery.com)

Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. John 20:8

Why do we rejoice in Christ's resurrection? After going just a little past 40 years of existence, a point comes when you ask this question sincerely.

We already "know" that Christ rose from the dead, right? It's in our Creed. It's the fifth glorious mystery of the Holy Rosary. It's in the gospel readings.

A Boy, An Injury, A Recovery, A Miracle?

Blessed Kateri
(Wikipedia)

Barbara Bradly Hagerty of NPR (US) writes: As Jake hovered between life and death in the hospital, a representative of the Society of Blessed Kateri visited him. She gave his mother a relic, a pendant with Kateri's image on it. Elsa Finkbonner placed it on her son's pillow.

"That was the last day that his disease progressed," Elsa says. "And the next morning when they had taken him in for surgery, that was when they told us the news that it had finally stopped." Read more...

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Gospel Today - Easter Sunday: Solemnity of The Resurrection of the Lord

Then the other disciple also went in … he saw and believed.

Easter Sunday: Solemnity of the Resurrection of The Lord

+ 1st Reading -- Acts 10:34a, 37-43
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
   This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
+ 2nd Reading - Colosians 3:1-4

+ Gospel Today -- John 20:1-9

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Christian Music - Song of Moses (The Lord is my strength and my song)

Today, Black Saturday, may be the day for mourning the death of Christ. But the first reading of the gospel today also tells us a very exciting story about the Exodus. I wish to share the joy with you by posting this song I found from YouTube.

Among the various 'Song of Moses' songs in YouTube today, I think this is the best. It expresses best the spirit of the gospel today.

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Gospel Today - Black Saturday

"He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said."

April 23, 2011 - Black Saturday
Readings for the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter

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FOR QUICK REFERENCE
(Scroll down further to read the verses)

+ 1st Reading -- Genesis 1:1—2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35
   Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

+ 2nd Reading -- Genesis 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Psalms 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
   You are my inheritance, O Lord.

In Vietnam, First Visit by a Representative of the Holy See

Bishop Leopoldo Girelli

Bishop Leopoldo Girelli, nuncio to Singapore and non-resident representative to Vietnam, will spend Holy Week in Hanoi. Benedict XVI appointed him on 13 January. His posting is the first concrete result of talks between the Holy See and Vietnam.

Emily Nguyen of AsiaNews.it writes: Hanoi (AsiaNews) – Bishop Leopoldo Girelli, representative of the Holy See to Vietnam, undertook his first visit to the country. The prelate arrived in Hanoi last Monday on the invitation of the Vietnamese Bishops’ Conference, welcomed by Archbishop Peter Nguyen Van Nhon and many other bishops as well as men and women religious. His trip includes a stop in Hanoi for Holy Week and Easter celebrations with Mass in the capital’s cathedral and a meeting with the city’s Catholic community. He will also participate in the biannual meeting of the Vietnamese Bishops’ Conference in Ho Chi Minh City on 25-28 April. Afterwards, he will travel to various dioceses in the southern part of the country before leaving for Singapore on 2 May. Read more...

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In Vatican, Pope does Q&A on suffering for Good Friday

Pope Benedict XVI

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI told a Japanese girl frightened by the devastating quake and tsunami in her homeland that suffering isn't in vain and assured a Muslim woman in violence-wracked Ivory Coast of the Vatican's peace efforts as he conducted an unprecedented televised question and answer session to mark Good Friday.

"I also have the same questions: Why is it this way? Why do you have to suffer so much while others live in ease?" Benedict said. "And we do not have the answers but we know that Jesus suffered as you do, an innocent." 

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In Australia, Safety pins and faith help save Kokoda veteran

Colin Richardson

Paul Dobbyn of The Catholic Leader writes: NINETY-year-old Kokoda Trail veteran Colin Richardson, of St Lucia in Brisbane, never got to thank the army chaplain who anointed him as he lay bleeding from a massive chest wound partly held together with safety pins.

But Mr Richardson believes he had an extraordinary communication, one which "made my neck hairs stand up", from the priest - Monsignor James Lynch - when he visited his grave in the priests' section of Nudgee Cemetery about 45 years later. Read more....

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Gospel Today - Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, 'It is finished.'

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

+ 1st Reading -- Isaiah 52:13—53:12
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Psalms 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25
   Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
+ 2nd Reading - Hebrew 4:14-16; 5:7-9

+ Gospel Today -- John 18:1-19:42

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Gospel Today - Holy Thursday (Evening Mass)

"You ought to wash one another’s feet."

Readings for the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper

+ 1st Reading -- Ex 12:1-8, 11-14
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18
   Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.
+ 2nd Reading - 1 Cor 11:23-26

+ Gospel Today -- John 13:1-15

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In Philippines, Malacañang moves Earth Day to April 25 in Deference to Good Friday

(GMA News Online) Following suggestions from Catholic Church officials, Malacañang on Wednesday moved this year's Earth Day to April 25 in consideration of Catholics marking Good Friday on April 22.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said President Benigno Aquino III decreed this change in Administrative Order No. 12, signed on April 19.

“Yearly, our country celebrates Earth Day on April 22 by virtue of Proclamation No. 1481 issued on April 10, 2008 in solidarity with countries around the world. But there have been suggestions from different sectors to defer the Earth Day celebration for this year because April 22 is Good Friday and majority of the population will be observing Good Friday," Ochoa said, according to a Malacañang statement. Read more...

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Vatican honors Chinese Catholic layman

VATICAN CITY (The Associated Press) — The Vatican has put a Chinese Catholic scholar who lived nearly five centuries ago on track for beatification, a move intended to raise the profile of the church in a country that keeps a tight grip on all religious expression.

Paul Xu Guangqi, who lived from 1562 to 1633, was a scientist, astronomer and mathematician and collaborator of Italian Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, himself a candidate for beatification. 

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Vatican newspaper goes online

John Hooper of Guardian writes: The Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, has launched an online edition, but like other press barons concerned about revenue flow in the internet age, Pope Benedict plans to put his paper behind a paywall. Read more ...

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Gospel Today - Holy Thursday (Charism Mass)

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Readings for the Charism Mass

+ 1st Reading -- Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Ps 89:21-22, 25 and 27
   For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
+ 2nd Reading - Rev 1:5-8
+ Gospel Today -- Luke 4:16-21

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Gospel Today - Wednesday Of Holy Week

"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me."

Wednesday of Holy Week

+ 1st Reading -- Is 50:4-9a
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34
   Lord, in your great love, answer me.

+ Gospel Today -- Mt 26:14-25

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Gospel Today - Tuesday Of Holy Week

"The cock will not crow before you deny me three times."

Tuesday of Holy Week

+ 1st Reading -- Is 49:1-6
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17
   I will sing of your salvation.

+ Gospel Today -- Jn 13:21-33, 36-38

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Gospel Today - Monday of Holy Week

"You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

Monday of Holy Week

+ 1st Reading -- Is 42:1-7
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14
   The Lord is my light and my salvation.

+ Gospel Today -- John 12:1-11

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Palm Sunday Reflection - He Emptied Himself, He humbled himself

It is Palm Sunday. We listen to a very long gospel today. I suggest you close your eyes and create the imagery in your mind about the events that happened 2,000 years ago.

Catholics in the Philippines celebrate Palm Sunday by bringing "palaspas" to the Church.

Then the high priest said to him, "I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God." Matthew 16:14 NAB
Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

Those who somehow missed a few words of the reading may as well pick up the bible and read Matthew 26:14 to 27:66.

Gospel today - "If it is possible, let this cup pass from me"

My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Mt 26:39

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
+ 1st Reading -- Is 50:4-7
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
   My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
+ 2nd Reading - Phil 2:6-11
+ Gospel Today -- Mt 26:14-27:66 or 27:11-54

Gospel today - "One man should die instead of the people"

"You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people" Jn 11:50

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
+ 1st Reading -- Ez 37:21-28
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Jer 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13
   The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.
+ Gospel Today -- Jn 11:45-56

Gospel today - If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me

If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me. Jn 10:37

Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
+ 1st Reading -- Jer 20:10-13
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7
   In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
+ Gospel Today -- Jn 10:31-42

Gospel today - Whoever keeps my word will never see death

Whoever keeps my word will never see death Jn 8:51

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
+ 1st Reading -- Gn 17:3-9
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Ps 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
   The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
+ Gospel Today -- Jn 8:51-59

Gospel today - The truth will set you free

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free Jn 8:32

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
+ 1st Reading -- Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
   Glory and praise for ever!
+ Gospel Today -- Jn 8:31-42

Gospel today - You will realize that I AM

When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM Jn 8:28

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
+ 1st Reading -- Nm 21:4-9
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Ps 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21
   O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
+ Gospel Today -- Jn 8:21-30

Gospel today - You want to cast the first stone?

Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. Jn 8:7

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
+ 1st Reading -- Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62
+ Responsorial Psalm --- Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
   Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
+ Gospel Today -- John 8:1-11

Gospel Today -- I am the Resurrection and the Life

Three thoughts about the resurrection in the gospel today --- the shortest verse, how Lazarus came out and what is faith, really?

Lazarus came out of the tomb
Image from Bible Picture Gallery

I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live. John 11:25 NAB

Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

1. And Jesus wept - the shortest verse in the Bible

And Jesus wept (John 11:35 NAB)

This is the shortest verse in the Bible. This is also one with the longest of explanations.

Gospel Today - "Are you trying to teach us?"

Yesterday, the Youth for Christ in my area successfully conducted the "Family Coolture 2011" activity. As couple coordinators of Couples for Christ, our job was to do nothing :) The Youth handled that activity all by themselves ... and I was impressed by their performance, to be honest.

Couple coordinators hovered around like invisible angels as the Youth for Christ leaders took care of the Family Coolture activity all by themselves. To do nothing while the Lord takes care of everything isn't as easy as it sounds.

They answered and said to him, "You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?" Then they threw him out. John 9:34 NAB

That was my first Youth for Christ activity as couple coordinator. I used to serve in Gawad Kalinga. When I moved back to my old place 60 kilometers south of the city, I was tasked to handle the youth.