Thought of the week

Saints 1/11 (general)

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1. Inter dependency

To get loaf of bread home,there are many people involved. Ex:grow wheat,cut,grind etc For you to live happily in this world you need another person support. Hence you have to Love and depend on them. May be just to show,heavenly need to associate with saints.

2. Does Christianity says saints are necessary?

God got consent from Mary to bring Jesus into this world,still Judaism cannot believe it!.By divine choice Mary/saints are interceeding for us!.(ex: Cana wedding),

MOST THING IN CHRISTIANITY WORKING THRU' SECONDRY SOURCES. Others interceded Jesus on behalf of their friends,HE never rebuke them &request sick person himself to come direct to him.(Ex:canaanite women Mat15:22,Roman centurion LK;7:1-10)

3. Does saints need our honour?

Saints does not need honour from us neither our devotions add slightest thing for what theirs!.

4. Value of saints to our life

For happy life you need friends and leave them with death,but if you have a saint friend,he is forever!.

Prayer with saints affirms that we are one spiritual FAMILY!,with God.

5. Beautiful process of Canonisation

Canonisation is an official decree of the catholic church. It is definitive judgement of the Pope, that a person is now listed among saints in Heaven. Through Canonisation, the pope makes a formal declaration that the immortal soul of the person in question is now with God and with His eternal glory. Hence we look on saints with great respect and admiration. The saint is given as an example because of their Virtues. Beatification is a step in the canonisation process. If a person is beatified, he has been thoroughly investigated by the church, a miracle has been attributed to him, and he has been given the title Blessed. The catholic church canonaises or beatifies only those whose lives have been marked by the use of heroic virtue.(Good work that greatly out distance those of ordinary good people). In order to be heroic, it must be done with pure & honourable motives, quickly & thoroughly. A heroic virtue is a habit of good conduct that has become second nature to a person- not just a good deed here or there, like helping an old lady across a street . HEROIC VIRTUE HELPS AN ORDINERY PERSON TO ACCOMPLISH ORDINARY THINGS IN AN EXTRAORDINARY WAY!. Does any other christian denomination have SAINTS or this kind of process?

6. Steps followed to declare as saints

5steps to declare a Saint
(1)whether he lead his life with 7Heroic Virtues(cardinal-PRUDENCE,JUSTICE,FORTITUDE, TEMPERENCE+theological-FAITH,HOPE, CHARITY)
(2)With approval from CONGREGRATION FOR CAUSE OF SAINTS(CFCOS),he will be considered"SERVENT OF GOD"
(3)Relator & experts investigate his writting& work whether those are Theologically Sound!,with majority CFCOS,Pope will declare him as "VENERABLE"(Virtues are worthy of being venerated by lay people!)
(4)Blessed is declared,with a miracle-(Prostulator report,action is supernatural & directly attributed to him)
(5)After Blessed another miracle need him to be canonised as Saint!.

7. Pope saints

St Peter to pope francis,there were266popes. 80 popes have declared as saints. Earliest popes were martyred for their faith and became saints. Once persecution of church ended,popes becoming saints got thinner. Only 4popes became saints in last701yrs, after Celestine V(1313),PiusV(1712),Pius X(1954)& recent were John23& John Paul2,(2014 apr).

19th and 20th centuries 80&665 new saints declared.

8. Saints to our life
By divine choice Mary & saints are interceding for us!.(ex:Cana why Mary request Jesus),Intercessory prayer affirms that we are one spiritual FAMILY!,with God."PRAY FOR ME"means I am inviting you to be in my family!

9: New concepts of God with Jesus

Mary's role: A creature was asked by the CREATOR, if she would freely cooperate with God's plan to take humanity out of mire,Mary accepted. This is the new concept of christianity! Your free will is only thing that belongs to you. God will never interfere to your free will. In order to find God's will for you, you should have a Peaceful mind without worries. Then U will get to know His will thru' various means. Then you can either Accept or reject His will.
New concept is(1)God willed to send His son thru holy family(2)God willed that thru' Mary/saints to relieve our fear & sorrow, similar to our earthly friends. Unfortunately only catholics know this not our Protestant friends!.

For more details follow this links :
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com
Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/ ‬

Or for more details about Mary
http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com

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31st Sunday Hopeful Catholic (all souls day) (2/11/2014)

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Last sunday we were reminded our mission statement LOVE. Catholism will train you to lead a happy life full of Love.

Today this will be further analysed.

God has created you to lead a happy life during now and after death. These has been reminded again in 1 st and 2 nd readings:

Paul and prophet :Issaias remind out come of your life is to be happy, now and after death.

When we summaries the Gospel reading:

Mt11:25-30"(1)..REVEILING THEM TO CHILDREN(2)..NO ONE KNOWS SON EXCEPT FATHER..(3)COME TO ME..MY YOKE IS EASY.."reminding 3 major character FOLLOWING GOD'S WILL,TRINITY,HAPPY LIFE!.

Sin

When we follow major laws 10 commandments with no enemies and manage our disagreements with other people,we can have a peaceful mind. Then we are capable to love another!.

To understand God loves you, you will see there many in the society loves you, as well as you love them too. Love involves time, money & your heart. Just telling that I love you, will not help if it is not connected to your heart. For the eternal reason God has shown us, how our parents loved us or how our sisters/brothers loved us, when we were child. When we become adult this will change to identify the God's love for you.

Inability to follow God's will is sin, can lead to PURGATORY after your death. If you make traffic offence,it will lead you to pay fine and become free again. May be to show eternal reasons(1)you are prune to sin(2)you can free again.

Purgatory

Purgatory is a concept developed by council of trent. What is purgatory? How long a soul does purgatory last for a soul?only God knows. Old test 2 maccabees 12:43-45 gives some reference. On the first apparition of Fatima, when lucy asked from holy mary, where her friend Amilea? Holy mary answered" She will be in purgatory until the end of the world".

That was in 1917 may 13 at Fatima.

1st and 3 rd apparitions give you more understanding about purgatory and the value of sacrifices(go against earth comforts) which is connected to understand more on today's reflections!.

Our separated brethren, PROTESTANTS do not believe in Purgatory.

Value of purgatory to our weak life!

To live always you need another person support. You respect your parents/friends who supported to make your life happy. Once they depart U still love them by using your God given TIME,SPACE &ENERGY to relieve them from Purgatory.

If you use such time,space,energy(ex alms giving,free teaching etc) without love, you end up in 7 vices,only cheating your self.(7 vices are anger,sloth,pride, envy,avarice,lust,gluttony) And not achieving the purpose of relieving your parents/friends from Purgatory. Instead if you carry out with honest love for them, result in a mirror image of your love to God,your creator!. This will lead us to follow God's Will,to enjoy Happiness in our life even after death too.

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30 Sunday (26/10/2014)Simple catholic - in detail

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Back ground: last few sundays, gradually we got to know how to address practical matters with Catholicism. Main purpose is how to lead a happy life in this world and outside.
God has created you, for a purpose. He will never make a mistake in creating you. But when we live in a dynamic society, ever changing world environment, with respect to climates, science and political, our life too become dynamic. We cannot just sleep, we have to face to the situations! This sunday we are reminded, as how to achieve happiness(our Vision) in a simple way. Our mission of this life - to Lead a Lovable Heart!
If you are not Honest to yourself, you cannot be honest to anybody else. First honest to yourself, then you can be honest to God. Various conditioning of ourself will lead to contradict our honesty to ourselves. Today message is very help full for our healthy life!

How to Love?
Jesus does not pluck His mission statement from air- he quotes from the Shema Yisrael, the great prayer in Judaism found in Deuteronomy 6. The second part about the love of neighbor is taken from Leviticus 18. This mission statement stands as resounding appeal to us today. We are asked not just to believe that there is a God, but to Love God. We are asked not just to respect our neighbor, but to love our neighbor. Love is not only the truth about human beings but also truth about God, who is Love Himself.

B. Preamble to today's reading

B.1 VISION, MISSION AND RELATED ACTIONS!

Any company in this world, will have the above 3 statements, to show their purpose of the company. Similarly governments too will have the same. For example US, Vision is to lead their citizens for a happy life, their mission statement is freedom. To achieve Freedom, their laws and other actions are mainly focused on how to achieve vision and carry out overall mission statement!

Similarly for Catholics.

Vision: God created you to lead a happy life(major deviations with Buddhism and Atheism)
Mission: Love God(major deviations with non christians) and neighbor(all most all religions say so)
Actions:
(1)follow 10 commandments with no enemies(similar basic laws with deviations exist with other religions)
(2)Lead a peaceful mind without anger and laziness(all most all religions say so)
(3)Develop your talents(convert to energy,so that the society will enjoy you)
(4)Avoid, Ego,sloth,gluttony,avarice to be developed in your life
(5)Treat your fear and sorrow with Catholic principles(This is the major deviations with other religions)
(6)Train your life to have Peaceful and worry free mind to accept God's Will
(Major deviations with Non christians)

Always actions follows the Mission statement (similar to Freedom means subject to law, internal,external and personal) You cannot have your own rules as catholic for your own convenience
That is why last sunday we were reminded to follow sunday readings to develop our actions(faith-you should wear the proper garments for the God's Banquet))!

B.2 DIFFERENET BETWEEN CHILD TO ADULT:

Children are always depends on their parents. They will not feel fear and sorrow, and lead their childhood. They always trust parents/guardians and have a great hope on them. Once the childhood becoming adult, they will start to sense fear and sorrow, and try to find solution for this.
There is no ideal solutions for fear and sorrow.
Fear and sorrow can come to you in 3 ways
(1) From your own body
(2) From an outside person/s or immediate society
(3) Natural disaster
To treat or face all these is not an easy task. We are in great need of super power God to help us to resolve, like children going to the father. Imagine as a child," how much he love his Father and Mother", they really clear his fear and sorrow, give them a hope for a happy life!.

Similarly, Christianity has shown how to love God, as well as how to respect Holy Mary.
In catholism, Holy Mary's role is very clear, she will intercede with God to provide your Happiness, as God shown on His own wisdom at Cana!. You have to invite Her for your life, by wearing Miraculous Medal and reciting daily rosary. You will see that She becoming your Spiritual Mother. She is the ideal mother for any human,

DEVELOPING FRIENDS

To have Earthly friends, starting from your family is earth bound and easy!. It is temporary, when you leave this world you leave them. But developing spiritual friends need more energy. Identify their earthly character, how they have behaved, why they become a saint?. Then your life experience with them?. Why there are so many non catholics go to St Anthony's church? Because their life experience, they know that HE has intervened with God, to get relief for their problems!. Similarly there are many saints Catholic church has declared!.( After a well defined through study- check whether other christian denomination have this kind of process?)
Similarly these spiritual friends(saints/blessed/servent of God) will make you to lead your life without fear and sorrow, after handing over such to them.(They will intercede with God, to provide happiness)

Catholism still preserve, maintaining saints, for us to develop spiritual friends. This process is needed, as shown by God,it is a beautiful method of realizing Happiness thru' spiritual Love of God towards you through their intercession!.

B.3. BASIC ACTIONS NEEDED TO LOVE

There are 5 basic actions to be carried out by yourself, to realise the God's love for you!
Then you can start loving your neighbor!
These actions are given below:

(1)You should develop a peaceful mind. Anger is the cancer, that you should always avoid.
(2)Avoid as far as possible fear and sorrow in your life.(Hand over such to saints/Holy mary/jesus) This is the value of Catholism, there is a well organized process(prayers, petitions, lighting candles, baths etc)
(3)Check whether you are honest to your selves(identify 10 commandments and see whether you have any enemies)
(4)Identify the actions, that you can do without any cost to you, whom you think others should do(identify washing, cleaning at home) or(visiting sick,coaching a needy)
These actions do'nt wait until other person does, you do it yourself and don't tell anybody that you did it! (Here laziness is the cancer, you should always avoid, just check whether you are sleeping around 5-7 hours per day)
(5) Don't waste a single minute idling. Always try to develop your talents.

AN EXAMPLE:

Nick Vujicic, a 32 year young man without limbs(arms or legs) (married with 1 child), in his latest book(2014) STAND STRONG gives the following(page 38)

# ONCE YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND FEEL SECURE ABOUT YOURSELF, NO BULLY CAN MAKE YOU FEEL INSECURE OR STEAL YOUR JOY(to feel secure, you should know how to hand over your fear and sorrow through your spiritual friends to God)
# YOU WERE CREATED FOR A PURPOSE,AND THAT MEANS YOU HAVE VALUE AND A FUTURE OF UNLIMITED POTENTIAL THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS.
# YOU GROW STRONGER AND MORE BULLY PROOF WHEN YOU ACCEPT AND LOVE YOURSELF, EVEN AS YOU WORK EVERYDAY ON BEING THE BEST PERSON YOU CAN POSSIBLY BE

B.4 IMPEDIMENTS TO LOVE

You tend to think, that you are a lovable person. Does the other person is having same observation about you? Quality means you expect something and you experience the same thing. When you experience that you a high quality person, you become lovable.

Lovable person has to develop following 5 characteristics
(1) He should be knowledgeable at least on one area like agriculture,photography.....so many(HE HAS TO DEVELOP HIS TALENTS)
(2) He should be able to appreciate what is correct and reject what is wrong(HE HAS TO IDENTIFY HIS CONDITIONING, PROPERLY)
(3)He will develop a good public opinion(don't surrender your self for 1 or 2 Bullies)
(4) He should love his living society (Patriotism)
(5)He should develop many friends, to help each other (each person was having around 250 pictures of his associates in his memory, now with modern technology, this has increased to 1000-due to facebook)

C.
Todays readings:

Book of exodus reminding directive from God, have a Good Behavior towards needy. Paul says to follow Jesus message for our happiness.Mt22:34-40 says"..You must love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your mind..........you must your neighbor as yourself.."

All readings sums up the mission statement of Jesus message LOVE. Always remember to achieve the mission statement there are associated actions to follow. Without following the laid down actions your Love become mere word, not achieving the purpose of living- Vision statement given by Catholicism!

D. Conclusions:

Today, we have been clearly reminded about our Mission statement- LOVE. How do you realise whether God loves you and you love God. You should be able visualize both in your life. When you realize this, you cannot keep silent, you have to tell your neighbor, God is good!
Then you can start loving your neighbor!

GBU

For more pl visit:
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/
Or
http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com

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30 Sunday(26/10) Simple Catholic

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Vision,Mission and Actions are clearly laid down in any orgernisation.

Similarly for catholics,
Vision is God created you to lead a happy life.
Mission is Love God& Neighbour.
Actions to follow 10 commandments with no enemy/
Handover your fears,sorrows thru'Mary&saints/
HAVE PEACEFUL MIND/
Charity/
carry other's will(if any body asked U to carry1mile,carry2miles in your' personal Freedom)/
FOLLOW GOD'S WILL.

You cannot carry out your own actions(ignoring the actions shown by Jesus) to reach MISSION and to realise VISION-your HAPPINESS.,

Book of exodus reminding directive from God," have Good Behaviour towards needy".

Paul says to follow Jesus message for your happiness.Mt22:34-40 reminds your Mission-Love God& Neighbour,as your self"

Without actions proposed by Jesus,your Mission(Love)become mere word,you carry out your own actions,for your own convenience leading to fear/sorrow

Catholism train you to SURRENDER your Will to God's Will for your own HAPPINESS

Main thing is to know that you don't have to rely on anybody to find who you are or what your value is. GOD created you HERE FOR A PURPOSE.HE gave you unique package of FEATURES that includes your PHYSICAL appearance, your TALENTS,your BRAIN power& other components that make you BEAUTIFUL & SPECIAL.

Then you are capable of loving GOD,which can be extended to. Your neighbour!.

Otherwise your Love is(not even for yourself')earth bound,temporary &only word.

For more details follow this links :
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com
Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/ ‬

Or for more details about Mary
http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com

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St John Paul II- (22/10) General Version

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A. Karol and His family

Karol Wojtyla- a Polish, was born on 18 may 1920. His father was attached Polish military and had a dominant influence for his early formation as his mother died when he was nine years. When he was 13 his older brother passed away. At the age19 He lost his father. So when he become20, he was without any family members. These blows, caused him great grief to a grander maturity and wisdom of life and a firmer faith in God.
Added to the crucible of family loss was the circumstance of his country falling in to the hands of Nazi despot. This intellectually gifted young man was obliged to pursue studies in what amounted to an underground university while working first in the stone quarry and then in a chemical factory. These years saw his early infatuation with theatre grow in to what appeared to be career path. Yet simultaneously there was a inner sense of a call to the priest hood that began aftermath of his fathers death.

B. His personality

There was a rich combination of personal gifts afforded him such as profound and analytical intellect, his ability to communicate through word and gesture and even his fine singing voice, his exceptional sociability and ability to engage with people, his excellent memory and strong and attractive figure.

C. His prominent life experience

He experienced at close range the two greatest modern abomination stemming from the rejection of God- dialects materialism or communism and Nazi fascism. From 1939 to 1945, poland was occupied by troops of Nazi leadership. This tragic period was followed by an era, perhaps less brutal but more insidious in some ways in its attack on the integrity of persons on basic freedom and church.

Finally Poland was with another era for 44 years, a satellite of Soviet Russia.

D. His Priesthood carrier

He was ordained on 1 November 1946 by Adam Stefan Sapieha,and Consecration on 28 September 1958 by Eugeniusz Baziak,appointed as Cardinal : 26 June 1967, His Papacy period is from16 October 1978 to 2 April 2005(26 years,168 days). He was beautified on 1st May 2011 at Saint Peter's Square, Vatican city by Pope Benedict XVI. He was raised to alter by Pope Francis 1 on 27/4/2014.

C. How John paul II name came?

In august 1978, following Pope paul VI's death, cardinal wojtyla voted in his 1 st papal conclave since being made as cardinal. There were many possible contenders to the throne of St peter. Yet the conclave elected an italian from Venice, Albino luciani, who was 65 years old. He broke with tradition and was the 1st pope to take 2 names, John Paul I to honour his 2 immediate predecessors, John XXIII and paul VI. Luciani reigned as pope and as sovereign of vatican city state from august 26, 1978 to september 28 of the same year. His 1 month papacy is one of the shortest in history.
Interestingly, Pope John XXIII started vatican II, Paul VI conducted and John Paul II, implemented the major actions reining the 3rd longest papal office.

D. Vatican II

Previous council of Vatican1 held100years before to decide on papal infallability!.
Pope PiusXII laid ground work in1950 for Vatican2 which opened in1962by pope JohnXXIII and he declared St Joseph as Heavenly Protector of Vatican2.
Around3000 priests+lay people attended.Closed by Paul XI in 1965. Church well being and modernisation were top priority of the agenda!.Major outcomes of this council were
(1)Latin was replaced by common language of local people,priest was allowed to face people and in 3years nearly all of scriptures would be read at Holy Sunday Mass
(2)lay people to read scriptures, assist with distribution of Holy communion
(3)marriage &single life were respected,as equal vocation of GOD along with Holy orders
(4)promoting Christian unity among religions
(5)using modern technology to explain faith.

E. John paul II and Holy Mary

Pope John paul II, like most other popes, took a moto as well as a new name when He was elected bishop of Rome by cardinals, in 1978 after the untimely death of pope john paul I,one month after his election. His Motto was" totus tuus", which is latin for"TOTALLY YOURS". It is based on spirituality of St Louis de Montfort, a 17 century french priest, who promoted a strong devotion to the VIRGIN MARY. Part of that spirituality focussed on being "TOTALLY YOURS"- that is being totally committed to following the holy example of MARY, the mother of JESUS, especially in Her humility and her obedient disciple ship to that same son of hers.
He wrote a papal en cyclical in 1987(Redemptoris Mater) on VIRGIN MARY as mother of the redeemer(JESUS CHRIST) and Her Role in Salvation.

F. Brushes with death

At least in 3 occasions he was close to death. One in childhood and one as Pope.
Childhood: one friend, who's father ran a pub in Wadowice(town of karol youth),was playing with a gun of a local police man, who used to entrust it, supposedly unloaded, to the publican while he enjoyed a few drinks. In jest karol friend pointed the gun at him and pull the trigger. There was a shock on the faces of all when the gun fired and lightly gazed a side of his head, lodging in the wall behind him. Later, as a young man during German occupation, a nazi convoy passed him by considerable speed. One of the trucks hit him, knocking him unconsciously alongside the road. He lay there until a woman saw him and shouted down one of the other trucks, whose driver was sympathetic enough to take him to the hospital.
The most dramatic of all these close calls with death was undoubtly which took place in St peter's square on 13 May 1981,less than 3 years in the papcy. The images of the assassination attempt of Ali Agca are embedded in many a witness memories and in some remarkable photo's taken by bystanders. Though more than one bullet struck the pope, it is said the one that did most damage came within a millimetre of being, without doubt fatal.

G. John Paul II- lover of sports

John Paul II soccer lover!,He played as goal keeper. Young Karol was chastised by parish priest for repeatedly kicking a soccer ball against wall of church. When he was installed as pope on sunday 22nd 1978,he scheduled mass in morning,so that every one can see afternoon soccer matches in TV His papacy was remarked like a goal keeper!,who protected and understood value of being team player. He chastised a bishop"if you are going to be in choir,you have got to learn to sing in harmony"!.
Shortly after his election, He wanted to install modern swimming pool at Castel Gandolfo. Aide asked whether he is concerned about cost. Mindful of unexpected death of his predecessor, John Paul1(lived1month as pope)he responded,"It will be cheaper than cost of another conclave!"John Paul II swam until 2002(81yrs).

H. Wide traveller

He was fluent in 14 languages!.
He was1st pope to visit most of nations, while travelling1,2M Km(equivalent of 31 trips around globe).He received17.6 M visitors, at St Peters square. He died on2/4/2005. His body was respected by 3M people. No other person in recent history has had such a tremendous display of respect& mourning over his life &death.

I. Canonisation:

Canonisation is an official decree of the catholic church. It is definitive judgement of the Pope, that a person is now listed among saints in Heaven. Through Canonisation, the pope makes a formal declaration that the immortal soul of the person in question is now with God and His eternal glory. Hence we look on saints with great respect and admiration. The saint is given as an example because of their Virtues. Beatification is a step in the canonisation process. If a person is beatified, he has been thoroughly investigated by the church, a miracle has been attributed to him, and he has been given the title Blessed. The catholic church canonaises or beatifies only those whose lives have been marked by the use of heroic virtue.(Good work that greatly out distance those of ordinary good people). In order to be heroic, it must be done with pure & honourable motives, quickly & thoroughly. A heroic virtue is a habit of good conduct that has become second nature to a person- not just a good deed here or there, like helping an old lady across a street . HEROIC VIRTUE HELPS AN ORDINERY PERSON TO ACCOMPLISH ORDINARY THINGS IN AN EXTRAORDINARY WAY!.

Does any other christian denomination have SAINTS or this kind of process?

J. Canonisation process.

5 steps to declare a Saint
(1)whether he lead his life with 7Heroic Virtues(cardinal-PRUDENCE, JUSTICE, FORTITUDE,TEMPERENCE+theological-FAITH,HOPE, CHARITY)
(2)With approval from CONGREGRATION FOR CAUSE OF SAINTS(CFCOS),he will be considered"SERVENT OF GOD"
(3)Relator & experts investigate his writing and work whether those are Theologically Sound!,with majority CFCOS,Pope will declare him as "VENERABLE"(Virtues are worthy of being venerated by lay people!)
(4)Blessed is declared,with a miracle-(Prostulator report,action is supernatural & directly attributed to him)
(5)After Blessed another miracle need him to be canonized as Saint!.
19&20th centuries 80 and 665 new saints declared.

J. Practical aspect of Canonisation!

By divine choice Mary & saints are interceding for us!.(ex:Cana why Mary request Jesus),Intercessory prayer affirms that we are one spiritual FAMILY!,with God."PRAY FOR ME"means I am inviting you to be in my family!

In addition, canonisation indicates, that candidate should have evidenced of consistent Joy during his life!. JOY HAS BEEN CALLED" THE KEYNOTE OF THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE" as shown by John (15:11) All these I have told you so that my joy will be yours. In the lives of saints we see how characteristically the JOY OF THE LORD manifested itself. Similarly in the life of St John Paul II we see the same.

K. Canonised more saints!St John Paul II greatly increased the number of canonisation and saints!
He held 51 canonisations recognising 483 saints!

History of canonisations are given below.
16 century- 1 canonisation ceremony with 1 saint
17 century- 10 canonisation ceremonies with 24 saints
18 century- 9 canonisation ceremonies with 29 saints
19 century- 8 canonisation ceremonies with 80 saints
20 century- 8 canonisation ceremonies with 80 saints

L. Canonisation of popes!

St peter to pope Francis,there were 266 popes.80 popes have declared as saints. Earliest popes were martyred for their faith & became as saints. once the persecution of church ended, the clusters of popes names of saints got thinner. The last 2 popes became saints were JohnXXIII and JohnPaul II,on 27/4/2014.

Both these saints were living examples of "travelling, meeting people,learning new cultures etc".They both commonly recognised SEED OF TRUTH & EVEN GOD'S PRESENCE COULD BE SEEN AT WORK IN OTHER RELIGIONS TOO.

Over the last 701 yrs from this date only 4 popes became saints.

M. John Paul II beatification and canonisation.

Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, a French nun and a member of the Congregation of Little Sisters of Catholic Maternity Wards, confined to her bed by Parkinson's Disease, was reported to have experienced a "complete and lasting cure after members of her community prayed for the intercession of Pope John Paul II"

2 nd miracle for canonisation!

Floribeth Mora Diaz, the Costa Rican woman whose inexplicable cure from brain Aneurysm has been completely cured after praying to bl Jp2. SHE SAID I ALWAYS KEPT MY FAITH, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FIRM BELIEVER. I HAVE A DEEP LOVE OF GOD.
That was in may 2011. Doctors could not explain the rapid improvement, and Mora became the second official miracle attribute to blessed John Paul II, who died in 2005.

On 5 july 2013, pope francis signed the decree allowing canonization of Bl JP2 and Bl john 23

He died 2/4/2005,beatified on1/5/2011 and declared as saint on 27/4/2014.He was a MAN FOR ALL SEASONS-with strong FAITH.

His Feast day is 22 October

St John Paul II- PRAY FOR US!

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29 Sunday Political Catholic(19/10/2014) - in detail

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Back ground:
Up to now, sunday readings were highlighting how to develop your faith. The root less faith you develop from school, has to be properly developed to actual faith, through the careful, contemplation of sunday readings!.Trouble follows when church & state are blended together,ie when clergy holds public office:

To day we are invited to understand the difference between politics to religion!

'no servant can serve 2 masters, either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise other' (luke16:13).

B. Preamble for reading:
B.1 The difference between Religious law and Government law
Always freedom is subject to law. Since Freedom is WHAT YOU OUGHT TO DO not what you want to do.
Human freedom can be distinctly separate into three parts.
External Freedom, internal freedom and personal freedom.
External freedom is governed by Government laws. There, another human with,evidence, will try to judge you, whether you have gone against the rule. This system is not ideal, as human is prune for many errors!.
Even if you make a mistake(illegal act), similar to sin in a religion, you are innocent, so long you are been proved as guilty.

Internal freedom: is your religious laws. 10 commandments for christians. God has given you freedom subject to these laws. Even if you think to break these laws is called Sin.
You and only God knows, whether you have committed a sin. In this case, understanding the law, clearly help us to have a dialogue with God. No third party involves to find whether you are wrong or correct. This is the real application of finding where you have gone wrong and with dialoge to God, you can correct it.

Your personal freedom, lies between these two: internal to external.

Your external freedom is earth bound (going with gravitation),as how to live in harmony on earth or in a given country with regard to Money,power and earthly desires. Always the systems introduced are error prune.
Your internal freedom is Spiritual bound, going against gravitation, where you have a dialogue direct with God and is ideal analysis.

Combination of external freedom to internal freedom, lead to short circuit, your internal freedom, where your ability to judge by yourself, whether you go against to your law, you allow another human to decide!.In this case you tend to forget, the actual implementation of religious law. IN OTHER WORDS YOU TRY TO COMBINE EARTH BOUND WITH SPIRITUAL BOUND WHICH IS OF TWO OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS:

B.2 Examples from the catholic church
Thomas Becket at the age of 37,became the most powerful figure in UK.In1161 he became the Archbishop of Canterbury, nominated by his friend king Henry II . But friction started between king and the church. In 29/12/ 1170, king's nights killed Thomas. In short period he was raised to alters.

In the recent past, St John paul II, took stern action, against priests who were involved in politics & holding office in the Governments:ex Jesuit father Earnesto Cardenal/1983.

B.3. Difference between external Freedom and internal Freedom: treatment for breaking the law!
Making laws from one country to another country is different!. For example in US, you drive your vehicle on the right hand of the road while in UK,it is opposite!.purpose of making Laws of a given country, is to allow it's citizens to live in harmony.( It depends upon climate,culture etc). But the religious laws (Ex 10 commandments in Christianity) is independent to such conditions. It has to be universally implemented without any ambiguity. Catholic means Universal(in latin). That is why, you have no reference to food in 10 commandments!.

B.4. What is the present church view on Governments
Pope francis in His "Joy of the gospel" 3rd encyclic written 24/11/2013, chapter 240 and 241 "requote"
240: It is the responsibility of state to safeguard and promote the common good of society. Based on the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity, and fully committed to political dialogue and consensus building. It plays a fundamental role, one which cannot be delegated, in working for the integral development of all. This role,at present, calls for profound social humility.
241: In her dialogue with state and society, the church does not have solutions for every particular issue. Together with the various sectors of society,she supports those programmed which best respond to the dignity of each person and the common good. In doing this, She propose in a clear way the fundamental values of human life and convictions which can then find expression in political activity.

B.5 Difference of Vatican city with a earthly Government?

But how about Vatican?

This city state is 108.5 acre tract of land(compared to 485 acre of Monaco or 843 acres of New york central park!),plus other churces & buildings outside it's walls!. Their currency is Euro & they mint their own coins & stamps. It has it's own news paper,postal system,radio & television stations & rail road.Although there is no vatican army,the swiss guards were protecting pope since 1506. It has it's own flag & national anthem & issues it's own passports & citizenships. It has the oldest diplomatic corps in the world,with embassies more than 180!. Pope has to manage the universal church along with Vatican City!

Vatican city there are no instruments to control power, such as Police,Army,Navy, it has no Judiciary system etc. This catholic headquarters is a good heavenly example of how to lead catholics spiritually!

B.5 Baltimore decisions:
It appears church played vital role in the activities of the governments until 1884, where all bishop agreed at Baltimore, that church should not involve in politics. This clearly shows clergy to refrain from political activities. This does not refrain catholics to do politics!. The catholic politicians should clearly know the difference of religion to politics, and try to make government laws, which has to be error less!.

C. Today's reading:
MT(22:15-21)
' Very well, give back to caesar what belongs to Caesar's-and to God what belongs to God"
Christianity clearly indicates that Governing the people(Government) and combining to religious laws is not practical. Governing the people is mainly go towards earth bound, money and power friendliness, while religion is going towards spiritual bound, to have a peaceful mind(follow religious law. avoid anger, judging others etc)

Paul says;",,constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love..."
Reminds following 10 commandments whole hearted ly will certainly help you to develop faith. Strive to have a Peaceful mind, otherwise God's direction for you will be hampered.

Prophet Isaiah says;
"...Though you do not know me, I arm you that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun, that, apart from me,all is nothing"

Reminds God is all powerful and HE is the ultimate Judge to decide whether you are wrong!

Conclusions:

Today's message clearly remind us that God,the beginning and end of all things,can be known with certainty from created reality by the light of human reason(cf Rom 1:20); but teaches that it is through His revelation that those religious truths which are by their nature accessible to human reason can be known by all men with ease, with solid certitude and with no trace of error, even in this present state of the human race.

Until 1884, Baltimore, the church might have sailed with certain errors by combining religion and politics. Good example is when emperor maximinan II, tried to have ecclesiastical celibacy abolished during pope pius IV in 1557.

This kind of actions might have cause for the separation of our other religious denominations!. Though the wrong actions has been properly addressed in a reasonable time by the church, the reconciliation process of unity appears still slow. Nevertheless, we should not forget, the strong process with respect to implementation of Jesus message, that catholic church has followed up to now. Specially to provide rulings to upheld social values(ex abortion, euthanasia, marriages etc). Similarly the study of Role of Holy Mary is appreciable. Today church is equipped to safeguard all Catholics, in advising on various trivial issues that stemmed from modern scientific developments!

GBU

For more pl visit:
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/
Or
http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com

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