Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Finally, a Politician Like the Rest of Us
Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, the son of former congressman and onetime presidential candidate Duncan Hunter, reported something unusual on his financial disclosure forms: no assets over $1,000 other than his House salary and his Alpine home, patch.com reports. Even his bank account doesn't have more than $1,000 in it.
Hunter's financial situation makes him unique among all the House representatives in the state, patch.com says.
Hunter's financial situation makes him unique among all the House representatives in the state, patch.com says.
PLEASE PRAY: IRANIAN PASTOR CONDEMNED TO DIE FOR APOSTACY
By Jordan Sekulow Filed in: Iran
4:28 PM Sep. 26, 2011
The 11th branch of Iran’s Gilan Provincial Court has determined that Pastor Nadarkhani has Islamic ancestry and therefore must recant his faith in Jesus Christ. Iran’s supreme court had previously ruled that the trial court must determine if Pastor Youcef had been a Muslim before converting to Christianity.
However, the judges, acting as terrorists, who have a hostage, demanded that he recant his faith in Christ before even taking evidence. The judges stated that even though the judgment they have made is against the current Iranian and international laws they have to uphold the previous decision of the 27th Branch of the Supreme Court in Qom.
When asked to “repent” by the Judges, Youcef stated, “Repent means to return. What should I return to? To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?” The judges replied, “To the religion of your ancestors, Islam.” To which he replied, “I cannot.”
It is reported that Pastor Youcef was able to see his children for the first time since March and was in good spirits speaking of how he longed to serve the church upon his release.
Pastor Youcef will be brought to the court for two additional “hearings” on September 27th and 28th for the sole purpose of being called upon to recant his Christian faith. The ACLJ’s sources report although Pastor Youcef’s attorneys will attempt to appeal the case, there is no guarantee that the provincial court will not act on its own interpretation of Shariah law and execute pastor Youcef as early as Wednesday.
Technically, there is no right of appeal, and under Iran’s interpretation of Hadith and Shariah law, Pastor Youcef is to be given three chances to recant. He has already been asked to recant yesterday and today, and is scheduled to be asked again tomorrow after which point he could be executed at any time.
We are continuing to press for the international community to take note of Pastor Youcef’s situation and call for his unconditional release. We are also continuing to work with Members of Congress and are urging the State Department to get involved to save the life of this Christian Pastor.
9.27.2011 Update: Listen to a report from a close personal friend of Pastor Youcef, a Member of the Council of Elders for the Church of Iran, on the Jordan Sekulow Show here.
9.28.2011 Update: Pastor Youcef returned to court today, and for the third time refused to recant his Christian faith. Learn the latest updates on Pastor Youcef's tragic situation here.
Please share Pastor Youcef’s situation with anyone you know,
and pray for his release.
and pray for his release.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Is Christianity Good for the World?
ONLY $19.95 • ORDER TODAY!
Two contrarians go head to headCOLLISION carves a new path in documentary film-making as it pits leading atheist, political journalist and bestselling author Christopher Hitchens against fellow author, satirist and evangelical theologian Douglas Wilson, as they go on the road to exchange blows over the question: "Is Christianity Good for the World?"
The two contrarians laugh, confide and argue, in public and in private, as they journey through three cities. And the film captures it all. The result is a magnetic conflict, a character-driven narrative that sparkles cinematically with a perfect match of arresting personalities and intellectual rivalry. COLLISION is directed by prolific independent filmmaker Darren Doane (Van Morrison: Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl, The Battle For L.A., Godmoney).
In May 2007, leading atheist Christopher Hitchens and Christian apologist Douglas Wilson began to argue the topic “Is Christianity Good for the World?” in a series of written exchanges published in Christianity Today. The rowdy literary bout piqued the interest of filmmaker Darren Doane, who sought out Hitchens and Wilson to pitch the idea of making a film around the debate.
In Fall 2008, Doane and crew accompanied Hitchens and Wilson on an east coast tour to promote the book compiled from their written debate titled creatively enough, Is Christianity Good for the World?
“I loved the idea of putting one of the beltway’s most respected public intellectuals together with an ultra-conservative pastor from Idaho that looks like a lumberjack”, says Doane. “You couldn’t write two characters more contrary. What’s more real than a fight between two guys who are on complete opposite sides of the fence on the most divisive issue in the world? We were ready to make a movie about two intellectual warriors at the top of their game going one-on-one. I knew it would make an amazing film.”
It was a collision of lives.
What Doane didn’t expect was how much Hitchens and Wilson would have in common and the respectful bond the new friend/foes would build through the course of the book tour. “These guys ended up at the bar laughing, joking, drinking. There were so many things that they had in common”, according to Doane. “Opinions on history and politics. Literature and poetry. They agreed on so many things. Except on the existence of God.”
DVD video; 90 minutes
ONLY $19.95 • GET YOUR COPY TODAY!
Things That Differ
Lack of spiritual perception and discernment is accountable for more confusion, paralysis, ineffectiveness, and failure in Christian life and service than we realise.
This lack is itself an indication of many things, but primarily of failure to mature or develop in spirit. In other words it implies spiritual infancy. There are very many of the Lord's children, truly born again, who, while they have become mature men and women, rich in experience so far as Christian work and works are concerned; and more or less mellowed by years, made steady by disillusionments and the vanishing of fancies, dreams, idealisms, romances, before the chilly winds of frigid facts; whose sympathies are enlarged because of an expanded knowledge of human weakness and suffering, and who, in many other ways have become good and kindly and full of that knowledge which restrains from extremes and checks preponderances, are, nevertheless, still very immature in those spiritual faculties which discriminate in things that differ.
This lack is itself an indication of many things, but primarily of failure to mature or develop in spirit. In other words it implies spiritual infancy. There are very many of the Lord's children, truly born again, who, while they have become mature men and women, rich in experience so far as Christian work and works are concerned; and more or less mellowed by years, made steady by disillusionments and the vanishing of fancies, dreams, idealisms, romances, before the chilly winds of frigid facts; whose sympathies are enlarged because of an expanded knowledge of human weakness and suffering, and who, in many other ways have become good and kindly and full of that knowledge which restrains from extremes and checks preponderances, are, nevertheless, still very immature in those spiritual faculties which discriminate in things that differ.
From “Things That Differ” by T. Austin-Sparks 1927
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Will Denominations Fade in the Future?
September 17, 2011 at 2:48 pmZionica
Results of a new survey by LifeWay Research suggest that, although denominational pastors currently consider affiliation with their denomination of vital importance, a majority feel denominational identification will become less and less important over the next 10 years. The survey polled more than 900 pastors of denominational churches and found that three-quarters of them agreed with the statement “Personally, I consider it vital for me to be part of a denomination,” including 57 percent who strongly agreed. Three-quarters also said their congregation would agree that being part of a denomination was vitally important, as well, with 50 percent strongly agreeing.
Even so, nearly two-thirds of those polled (62 percent) agreed or strongly agreed that the importance of identifying with a denomination will decline over the next 10 years. “Many talk about the decline of denominations today, prompting us to ask pastors of churches that belong to Protestant denominations if they consider their affiliation vital,” said Ed Stetzer, vice president of research and ministry development at LifeWay Christian Resources. “Many will be surprised at how strong their response was in favor of denominational connection, but also intrigued that their outlook on the future is much less optimistic.
E-Vangel Newsletter from Christ United Methodist Ministry Center
September 19, 2011
Christ United Methodist Ministry Center
“Christ in the Heart of San Diego”
3295 Meade Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 284-9205
Pastorgraphs: “The Big Day of Serving (Oct. 15)”
T. C. Porter of Adams Avenue Crossing first told be about “The Big Day” three months ago. I had never heard of this Ohio-based interdenominational organization, through which nearly a quarter of a million participants have provided more than six million hours of volunteer service to people in need. I was thrilled when he told me he wanted to organize a “Big Day” mission based at Christ Church as an outreach into our Normal Heights neighborhood.
“The Big Day of Serving” brings together youth groups for ONE DAY of service designed to revolutionize an entire neighborhood, putting their faith into action by serving people in Christ's name. The volunteers work on projects like painting, home repairs, landscaping, cleaning and beautifying city parks, cleaning vacant lots, and cleaning schools and nursing homes.
On October 15, about 100 volunteers will come to Christ Church and Normal Heights to serve. They will “fix up and clean up”, much as Adams Avenue Crossing does, as a testimony of their care for the people in our community. They will sleep over and eat their meals (thanks to Christ’s Kitchen) at the church, and spend a day working in our neighborhood.
Normal Heights is an awesome old San Diego neighborhood. However, certain pockets, particularly south of Adams Avenue, are in need of some tender, loving acre (both physically and spiritually).
The Normal Heights projects include:
· Cleanup and Landscaping at Ward Park and at the Adams Rec Center
· Trash and Graffiti Removal in the surrounding neighborhoods
· Restoration of the canyon in the area to include pulling exotic plants and/or planting native plants.
· An after work celebration at Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park.
To volunteer, suggest a work project (particularly to help the elderly) or support The Big Day, call the church office at 619-284-9205. I encourage you to visit http://thebigdayofserving.com/ and watch the online video.
Devotedly, Parson Bill
From the Quote Garden
"It was good to see the youth work so hard to show God's love to other people they have never met. People in the neighborhood stopped and asked us why we were doing it. Our response was because God would want us to give to you because He loves you!”
~ Dennis, Adult Participant, The Big Day of Serving
Saturday, September 17, 2011
SOULARIZE NORTH PARK
Missiongathering in North Park hosts a three day “learning party” that will stretch your mind, fill your heart, and encourage you toward the future. Soularize brings together an unparalleled combination of keynote presenters and workshop leaders to give you a broad view of the current (and future) conversations in the Church today.
Sleepless San Diego 2011
TOP 10 REASONS
to be part of Sleepless San Diego 2011!
|
Friday, September 16, 2011
San Diego Explained
A Double Dose of SD Explained
Adrian Florido and NBC San Diego's Catherine Garcia explain how City Heights has become the refugee capital of the United States on the latest SD Explained.
And bonus! Scott Lewis tells you why Saturday's Politifest at Liberty Station will be like American Idol, only with beer and a bounce house.
And bonus! Scott Lewis tells you why Saturday's Politifest at Liberty Station will be like American Idol, only with beer and a bounce house.
Reconciliation Ministries Network (RMNI)
Looking for an opportunity in a location of great need, matched with great opportunity to serve? Check South Sudan. The next trip is scheduled for March 10-24, 2012. More details are at: http://www.rmni.org/home.html We now can use builders, since an interlocking block machine should be ready upon arrival. We have a variety of building opportunities, including churches, a chapel for a prison, and a village school. Ministry is wide open. Funding is not a problem if God is in it.
THE SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE VOICE
September 16, 2011 at 10:30 amZionica
Silicon Valley gives conservative Christians a boost
A group of venture capitalists is backing United in Purpose, an ambitious project that seeks to affect the 2012 election by registering 5 million new conservative Christians to vote.
Silicon Valley, the politically liberal technology hub, is an unlikely incubator of conservative Christian activism.
But a group of its venture capitalists is backing an ambitious project that seeks to affect the 2012 election by registering 5 million new conservative Christians to vote.
The nonprofit organization United in Purpose is using sophisticated data-mining techniques to compile a database of every unregistered born-again and evangelical Christian and conservative Catholic in the country.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Does God Want You to Be Happy?
By ELY BROWN and EDWARD LOVETT
Sept. 14, 2011
On a recent night around 37,000 people packed into U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox baseball team. Only it wasn't for a game, or a rock concert. It was to hear a message from Pastor Joel Osteen. Osteen heads Lakewood Church, in Houston, the largest church in America.
"For many years, people have heard that God's mad at them -- they can't live up to the standards. But our message is about the goodness of God, and it seems just that people come alive when they realize 'God is for me. He's got a plan for my life, and I can do something great. I can be who he wants me to be,'" Osteen said in an interview with "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts. Click here to read all…
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
BOOK: 52 LIES HEARD IN CHURCH
LIE #7
The Answer for Weak Christian Commitment Is to Rededicate Your Life To Christ
The Answer for Weak Christian Commitment Is to Rededicate Your Life To Christ
During my years of legalistic teaching in the church, perhaps more often than anything else, I challenged people to rededicate themselves to Christ. I believed we all needed to try harder and be more sincere and zealous in our efforts to live for Him. I rededicated myself until I felt worn out from it at times.
Re-dedication isn't the grace way. The real answer to a sense of need in our walk with God isn't to promise Him that we'll try harder. That's true even though we may rededicate ourselves. Although many people are sincere in their re-dedication to Christ, it is a wrong approach to the desire to be more consistent in our commitment to Him.
The problem with rededicating ourselves to Christ is self, which is really just another word for die self-sufficiency of the flesh. The essence of religious flesh, as strange as it might seem, is our trying to live the Christian life. That is what actually prevents us from living the Christian life. In fact, the harder we try, the greater the likelihood that we won't succeed because victory in the Christian life doesn't come by trying. It comes by trusting.
The Truth Is So Much Better!
Self-determination, self-discipline, self-sufficiency—those are what stand in the way. Jesus is the way to victory in your grace walk. Notice what Jesus says about following Him:
If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me (Matthew 16:24).
What did He say we are to do? Dedicate ourselves to Him? No, He said that we are to deny self.
Rededicating ourselves to try harder isn't the answer. It doesn't matter how sincere we might be. It simply won't work. The answer is to trust Him. That's the only cure for an unstable, up-and-down spiritual existence.
Jesus illustrated our relationship with Him by comparing us to a branch:
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:5).
Think about the relationship between a vine and branch. Can a branch produce fruit? No. If you need proof, just cut a branch off a vine or fruit tree, and watch awhile to see how much fruit is produced. However, if a branch is attached to the source with a flow of life, it can bear fruit. The branch is a great "fruit hanger," but it is incapable of producing fruit on its own.
That is a perfect representation of our ability to live the Christian life. We cannot produce it; no matter how hard we try, no matter how "dedicated" we are. But we can bear the characteristics of Christ's life by remaining dependent on Him and allowing Him access to our humanity through faith.
As we have seen before, becoming a Christian has to do with much more than forgiveness. It is a whole new life, the life of Christ. That's why, after describing our death and resurrection in Christ, Paul calls on us to think and act accordingly on the basis of that life:
Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:11-14).
Our Father wants us to learn that the Christian life is not hard for us to live; it is impossible. You won't ever live a victorious Christian life by rededicating yourself to God, and telling Him you're going to try harder to do a better job. Instead, we must come to the end of ourselves, our self-life. We need to say, "Lord, it's not just hard for me to live a life that honors You, it is impossible for me to do it. I will stop trying and just trust You. You are my life. Now, Lord Jesus, live Your life through me."
Is there a place for our active participation in Christian living? Absolutely! But it is vitally important to have that will and effort exercised in an attitude totally dependent on God's power within us. The relationship between them is clearly shown in this passage: "So then, my beloved.. .work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).
That sure sounds like dedicated effort, doesn't it? Yes, but the next verse, completing the sentence, tells the inner secret, the hidden source of power for the outward effort: "For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).
In other words, the life my creator has designed for me can be understood as Him expressing His life through me from the inside until it governs my life on the outside. I depend on Him as my life, my wisdom, and my power as I walk through life.
Clarify Your Thinking
We didn't become Christians by revving up our religious RPMs and trying to make progress toward entering God's kingdom by what we did. Instead, we came to the place where we realized there was nothing we could or even had to do to get into a right standing with God. We realized that He had already done it all. Nothing has changed in that regard now that you are following Jesus.
We are to simply acknowledge that—no matter how hard we might try—we can do nothing to make ourselves stronger. Just like when we trusted Him when we experienced salvation, we have to come to Him in faith and total dependence that He will be the One who does what needs to be done. And He will.
The apostle Paul said, "As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him" (Colossians 2:6). We continue the walk in the same way we started it—by grace, through faith. If we sense that we are weak in our commitment to Him, the answer is to trust in His grace and know mat He is committed to us. The One who began a good work in you will finish what He has started. Just trust Him, knowing it's not up to you and how hard you try. Faith is the key. That's all it takes.
This excerpt from the new book “52 Lies Heard In Church Every Sunday” is used to illustrate the kind teaching brought out in this book by Steve McVey of Grace Walk, a ministry that believes;
“It really was for freedom that Christ set us free!”
“It really was for freedom that Christ set us free!”
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tackling child poverty in Scotland
The continuing and historic struggle against child poverty in Scotland was highlighted in a feature as part of the STV Six O'Clock News on 13 September 2011 - connected with STV's high-profile appeal, which will fund related projects.
Shelter and Scotland's Poverty Truth Commission (http://www.povertytruthcommission.org/) were among those interviewed, with the Poverty Truth Commission's Elaine Downie pointing towards the damaging impact of deprivation on children at school, in the family and amongst peers. Full blog
Spiritual Depth of Today
 |
| Self-Described Christians Dominate America but Wrestle with Four Aspects of Spiritual Depth |
| The Maximum Faith Project revealed several significant barriers to meaningful spiritual growth. This week's Barna Update identifies some of those critical obstacles, as well as some ideas regarding new metrics for determining personal growth and ministry impact. Read the full Barna Update > |
Monday, September 12, 2011
E-Vangel Newsletter from Christ United Methodist Ministry Center
September 12, 2011
Christ United Methodist Ministry Center
“Christ in the Heart of San Diego”
3295 Meade Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 284-9205
Pastorgraphs: “Remembering”
I heard a neurologist say last week that every memory we have gets filtered and somewhat altered, based upon what we know since the event happened. In other words, when we dig up a memory from childhood, it may not be exactly the way it really was because we refine our memories based upon our experiences since the event. It’s like reading the last chapter of a book before reading the first chapter; we know how it all turned out, and that impacts our memory and perspective.
That proved true this weekend as I watched the actual footage of 9/11. Like everyone else, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news the first plane had crashed into the World Trade Center tower. Maybe it is a good thing our memories get filtered, because over the past decade, I have sanitized the awful events in my mind. Seeing the first-hand video footage and the sheer horror experienced by the victims and survivors brought everything back full strength to my memory, uncensored and unaltered by time. (As an amateur historian, I wish we had such actual footage of the great events in history to get the real story.)
Many of the survivor stories touched me, especially the story of one New York Fire Department Captain. He said he would never forget the look on the face of a NYFD Lieutenant and his men as they rushed into the ground floor of the WTC tower. He asked his Captain what they should do. The Captain said, “Go upstairs and try to save as many people as possible”. Dutifully, and without complaint, the men did their job. The Captain said he will never forget the look in the Lieutenant’s eyes. “I never saw that Lieutenant again” he said. And with tears welling in his own eyes, he added, “That Lieutenant was my brother.”
And let’s not forget the story of bravery by the other “9” that day (Flight 93). Literally thousands of stories like these need to be retold, unfiltered by time, to keep fresh and accurate the memory of 9/11.
When Anita and I first moved to San Diego in late 1998, we rented an apartment near Qualcomm Stadium. Every Friday night, a group of young Arab men, as many as a dozen, would meet in the apartment across from us. They were loud and rude. Some nights I would get up and look across at the apartment and see the men, all dressed in Middle Easter attire, being served what seemed to be a lavish banquet. When their meal and meeting was finished, usually around 2:00 a.m., they would leave the apartment making as much noise as possible, waking many of us for the third or fourth time each night. I recall telling Anita that not only did I get an impression of rudeness, but a feeling of pure evil from those young men.
The Friday night meetings continued until Anita and I moved to our new home in Spring Valley in December 2000. But I had the same feeling of pure evil on 9/11. Then, in a conversation with an FBI Agent, I learned that most of the operations for 9/11 were made in San Diego by an al Qaida operative, who recruited volunteers for the death mission in San Diego. The recruits, he said, were treated to lavish banquets and promises of money and rewards in paradise for their sacrifice. Of course, even those memories are colored by what I know now.
Each generation of Americans has a rallying call to remember. “Remember the Alamo. Remember the Maine. Remember Pearl Harbor.” And now we add, “Remember 9/11”.
Though our memories fade and we instinctively sanitize the most horrible parts, may we never forget 9/11.
Devotedly, Parson Bill
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The Big Day of Serving - October 15th
To register: visit www.TheBigDayofServing.com. Remember, the cost is only $29 per person and includes everything you and your group need to serve…tools, lunch, and even a mid-day devotional to help your teens reflect on their experience
Registration fees are fully refundable up until 12 days before the event.
And here’s a cool freebie for you: When you register 10 or more folks, we’ll send these two downloadable youth ministry resources your way...
- One for you - The 9 - Best Practices for Youth Ministry - A practical guide to help you build, lead and support the cause of helping teens own and maintain their faith after they graduate from high school.
- One for your youth - Inked - A 6 week, small group study about how students can permanently "Ink" Christian virtues into their everyday lives.
Call Jake at 866-974-6759 or info@TheBigDayofServing.com. He’ll be happy to answer all your questions about the day-of-service event near you. Thanks again for your time and remember you can register online at www.TheBigDayofServing.com
About The Big Day of Serving
The Big Day of Serving is part of Group Mission Trips (previously known as
Group Workcamps Foundation), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides dynamic short-term mission trips and service events that help children, youth, and adults connect to Jesus while serving people in Christ's name. Group Mission Trips are interdenominational, focusing on the core Christian beliefs that bring the Christian church together.
Group Workcamps Foundation), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides dynamic short-term mission trips and service events that help children, youth, and adults connect to Jesus while serving people in Christ's name. Group Mission Trips are interdenominational, focusing on the core Christian beliefs that bring the Christian church together.
Since 1977, nearly a quarter of a million participants have grown in their relationship with Christ while providing more than 6 million hours of volunteer service directly to people in need.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
North Park-N-Art
North Park and Two Jerrys
Ever the artiste... Mayor Sanders wants “to develop a public art master plan” for North Park.
Saturday Jazz Worship Service
Saturday Nights This Fall!
First Pres Jazz Concert from Joe Sloan on Vimeo.This fall, First Presbyterian Church will launch a new worship service shaped by the Gospel, centered on the Word, and fully in the genre of jazz, blues and historic gospel music. Come and join us.
Begins September 17, 2011 – 5:00 pm – 4th Ave. Chapel
Monday, September 5, 2011
Co-responsibility in the Journey of the Christian Life
On Fraternal Correction
"There Is a Co-responsibility in the Journey of the Christian Life"
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 4, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today before praying the midday Angelus with crowds that gathered at Castel Gandolfo.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The biblical readings for the Mass this Sunday center on the theme of fraternal charity in the community of believers, which has its source in the communion of the Trinity. The apostle Paul affirms that the whole Law of God has its fullness in love in such a way that in our relationships with others, the 10 Commandments and every precept are summed up thus: "You will love your neighbor as yourself" (cf. Romans 13:8-10). The Gospel text, taken from Matthew 18, which treats of the life of the Christian community, tells us that brotherly love also includes reciprocal responsibility, on account of which, if my brother sins against me, I must be charitable to him and, first of all, speak with him personally, showing him that that what he said or did is not good. This way of behaving is called fraternal correction: it is not a reaction to the offense I have suffered but a being moved by love for my brother. St. Augustine comments: "He who has offended you, in offending you, he has caused himself a grave injury, and will you not care for the wound of your brother? […] You must forget that you have been offended but not your brother’s wound" (Sermon 82, 7).
And what if my brother does not listen to me? In today's Gospel, Jesus indicates a gradual approach: first go back and talk to him with two or three other persons so as to help him better grasp what he has done; if despite this he rejects the observation, the community must be told; and if he does not listen to the community either, it is necessary to make him see the rupture that he himself has provoked, separating himself from the Church. All of this shows that there is a co-responsibility in the journey of the Christian life: everyone, conscious of his own limits and defects, is called to welcome fraternal correction and to help others with this particular service.
Another fruit of charity in the community is unified prayer. Jesus says: "If two of you on earth agree to ask for something, my Father who is in heaven will grant it. Because wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst" (Matthew 18:19-20). Personal prayer is certainly important, indeed indispensable, but the Lord assures his presence in the community that -- even if it is very small -- is united and of one accord, because it reflects the reality itself of God One-and-Three, perfect communion of love. Origen says that "we must play in this symphony" (Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew 14:11), that is, within this concord of the Christian community. We must participate both in fraternal correction, which requires much humility and simplicity of heart, and in prayer, that it might rise up to God from a community truly united in Christ.
Let us plead for all of this through the intercession of Mary Most Holy, Mother of the Church, and of St. Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor, whom we commemorated in yesterday’s liturgy.
[Following the Angelus the Holy Father spoke to the pilgrims in several languages. In Italian he said:]
Today the 25th National Eucharistic Congress opens in Ancona, Italy, with Holy Mass presided over by my legate Cardinale Giovanni Battista Re. Next Sunday, God willing, I will have the joy of traveling to Ancona for the final day of the congress. In the meantime I offer my cordial greeting and benediction on those who are participating in this event of grace, who adore and praise Christ in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist, the font of life and hope for every man and for the whole world.
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic][In English he said:]
I am pleased to welcome the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present for this Angelus prayer. I greet the doctors gathered for the Matercare International Conference on the Dignity of Mothers and Obstetricians, as well as students present from the University of Mary, Rome Campus. Today’s Gospel passage reminds us that God is present when the Church gathers to worship in his name. May we always draw grace and strength from our prayerful encounters with God in communion with our brothers and sisters in the faith. May God bless all of you!
© Copyright 2011 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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