For understandable reasons most people equate modern Israel with historic 'Palestine', this is definitely NOT the case. Most of Palestine (Transjordan) was invaded by the Hashemite dynasty from Saudi Arabia and their Bedouin troops in the last century and is now called Jordan. Attempts were made to dislodge these usurpers by Palestinians in the 70's without success. Let me recommend reading this article by a non-Jewish historian who has visited and studied the area for many years. Where is Palestine? | Lotus Eaters
Yes, especially in large Metropolitan areas like New York, Paris, London and so on. These are good days for staying home and sitting on the porch and keeping ones thoughts private and to oneself. Proverbs 16:22-33 t 22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. 23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. 24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Prayers for all those poor people in the Holy Land, but especially for our poor Catholic brothers and sisters out there and in The Ukraine.. What a Blessing the Holy Mass and Rosary are in these terrible times. Cold waters of Peace on the Fires of War.
Our Lady warned of this in Rwanda. Hate begets hate violence begets violence. An endless circle. Only Jesus has the answer. Forgive. As Mother Teresa said "even if they don't accept your forgiveness and don't change forgive them anyway." Easy for me to say from where I am standing but the toxic hate between Jews and Arabs will never stop without Jesus.
Thirty some years ago I heard a sermon by a priest who had just returned from Medjugorge. He said while he was there he visited a sheep farm and a pig farm. He witnessed slaughter time at both, and they were as different as night versus day. The pigs squealed and screamed and bit and kicked when their time came. The lambs and the sheep quietly laid down in their shepherd’s arms. He said, ‘When your time comes - and it WILL come - are you going to go out like a pig, or like The Lamb?’ I’ve often thought about that sermon when I consider American gun culture and my own involvement in it. I’ve hunted birds extensively and taken a number of gun training and basic and advanced personal gun self defense courses and I’ve shot pistols competitively in IDPA. I’m a good shot and I know how to effectively use pistols, rifles and shotguns. I’m licensed to conceal carry in most states here. But I stopped doing so years ago. I don’t want to go out like a pig.
So much of their "success" lies in stealing our peace. Even if they never fire another shot they've got us looking over our shoulders. Disrupting our lives. Churches should be vigilant.
My wife and I were in this very place ..the Holy Land.. just this past April. Our guide was a beautiful Catholic man born and raised in Jerusalem with a wife and 2 beautiful young boys. He actually studied 6 years in seminary before discerning his vocation was as a married man. He knew the scriptures so well and each site he brought us to in our pilgrimage he had great perfect Bible reading for us to reflect upon. He added so much to the spiritual intensity of our time in the Holy Land. His name is Manuel. And he was also prophetic as on our departure he asked us to pray with him for the very small Catholic community and all of the Holy Land that the peace of Jesus Christ would fill all. I know that will happen some day. I ask that you take a moment and pray for Manuel , his family, the tiny Catholic community in the Holy Land. And most of all for peace in the place that our Savior physically walked upon while He was in the Flesh. Peace.
just saw that Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem just asked for prayer and fasting on October 17th. Not sure if that date has significance ? But, in any event, I think it’s what we must do at this time https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/...or_peace_in_the_holy_land&utm_term=2023-10-12
Nor I Brian, but it depends on whose hand is attempting to bring my time. If it is an enemy here to do my family harm, I will not lay down like a lamb or act like a pig. You won't hear squealing but the roar of a lion. Spoken like a true conservative American, I know lol.
“Mary Of The Morning, Pray for me thru-out the day, Guide my steps and guard my way.” Yesterday I attended mass in St Michaels, Rotorua, an area that is the most seismically active in New Zealand. It sits on land that boils and burns covered only by a thin crust in places. A strong smell of sulphur permeates the air. (The tourists love it.) It was a beautiful and simple novus ordo mass led by our new and orthodox bishop and concelebrated by him with 4 other bishops and 170 priests who have been meeting over the last week. Such diocesan gatherings happen every 4 years. Such a joy to hear those strong male voices in praise and unity. It is a splendid day - not a cloud to be seen, perfect day for the beach, and those priests who ski took advantage of the nearby remaining snow on the volcanic landscape. To the well informed mind, the seeing eye and the listening ear of of course, the state of The Church is far from perfect. And this was much discussed at the conference. Sometimes covertly, sometimes in the open. Today is October 13, anniversary of the Miracle of The Sun. Our Lady of Fatima and St Michael, pray for us.
This was my exact position - when my wife and children were around to protect and defend. I learned how to use these tools effectively and would not have hesitated to do so. Now that I’ve been on my own for over seven years, I doubt I’d raise an arm to protect myself. I’m ready to go.
Getting close to midnight there; this was a couple hours ago: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/at-least-2-hurt-in-jerusalem-shooting-near-old-city/
