A New Religion

I found this morning, during my reflection, that this is a question I had never asked. Strangely, for whatever reason, the question was not asked because this was the lesson taught. Let me share this with you.

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The question of whether Jesus intended to found a Church is a false question because it is unhistorical. The only proper way to phrase the question would be to ask whether Jesus intended to abolish the People of God or to renew it. The answer...is plain: Jesus made the old People of God into a new people by adopting those who believe in him into the community of his own self (of his "body"). ~Pope Benedict XVI in his book, Behold the Pierced One~

A New Religion

The earliest disciples were Jewish and they practiced the Jewish religion. It was only after they had fully observed the Sabbath and the Sabbath was over, that these Christians would gather to celebrate their special belief that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God.

Late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, they came together to celebrate what Jesus did on the night before he died--the Eucharist.

That is ow it came to be that Christians have celebrated the Eucharist on Sunday

It wasn't until about 70 AD (some 40 years after the death of Jesus) that there fully emerged from Judaism a religion that was separate--Christianity (though its roots still flowed from the Jewish religion.

This separation happened because by then, those who believed that Jesus was the Messiah and Son of God, were no longer allowed in the synagogues.

Thus, they began to develop as a separate group that would try to live the message Jesus preached.

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So it is that we live this Life in Christ
An identity truly Catholic, universal.
Thanks be to God!

I'ts May...

Yes, the month of Mary, Mother's Day and at least four glorious birthdays. Not only are they glorious, they were apparently all well planned by the creator, for they are all 6 days apart. And on the 7th we all rested.

My mother is 84 on May ll, Kellie turns 15 on the 17th, Laura is [umhum] 40 on the 23rd and Neil will be 9 on the 29th. That is my month of May in a nutshell...Isn't it GRAND!?! Mother, daughter and grandchildren. I am so blessed!

~~^j^~~

And with that is say a Hearty.
Thanks be to God!

After the Rain

The many shades of green from the Master's palette.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Patron Saint's Day

Saint Catherine of Siena
Photo by Lawrence, OP

I have the privilege of being named after Saint Catherine of Siena. Today is her feast day and every year I am again pleased to remember this woman of God was chosen for me by my parents. She was gifted in many ways. I'm proud to be "Catherine."

"Your neighbors are the channel
through which your virtues are tested
and come to birth...just as those
who are evil give birth to all their vices
through their neighbors."

Catherine, born in 1347, was 23rd child (a twin) of Jacopo and Lapa Benicasa of siena. When she came of age, her parents wanted her to marry but she insisted that she was betrothed to Christ. In anger, her parents insisted that she act as a servant to the rest of the family. Finally, her father relented and she was allowed to follow her mystic calling. She did not become a nun but joined the Third Order of St Dominic.

Catherine is famous for her Dialogues (written accounts of her revelations from God) and her Letters which initially gave spiritual instruction and encouragement, but gradually began to deal with public matters. Many of her letters were directed to popes, kings and othe public leaders.

These were the days of the Avignon Papacy, when the pope and his staff had moved from Rome to sourthern France. Catherine not only wrote to Pope Gregory XI, respectfully chiding him for leaving Rome, but in 1376 (she was 29 years old) visited him in Avignon and did the same.

Catherine died on this date in 1380 at the age of 33. In 1970, Pope Paul VI declared her a doctor of the Church.

The Little White Book

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Praise God!

Iris
April 26, 2009

For the Praise and Glory of God!

~1 Praise him for all thing bright and beautiful

~2 Praise him in the laughter of the children.

~3 Praise him in the dignity of the elderly.

~4 Praise him in thanksgiving for the opportunity to serve.

~5 Praise him for the ministers at his alter.

~6 Praise him in all things for he made all things.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

If you have reason to praise God, join us at Jennifer's house, My Chocolate Heart to add to the joy, wonder and glory of God.