Free Republic

“In each succeeding war there is a tendency to proclaim as something new the principles under which it is conducted. Not only those who have never studied or experienced the realities of war, but also professional soldiers frequently fall into the error. But the principles of warfare as I learned them at West Point remain unchanged.”― John J. Pershing, My Experiences in the World War There is an old maxim in the military that says, “Generals are always prepared to fight the last war.” The US entered into combat operations after 9/11 expecting to fight the same way it did...

12 April 2024 Friday of the 2nd week of Eastertide The Santuary of Santa Teresa de Los Andes, Rinconada, ChileReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II).First readingActs 5:34-42 ©They were glad to have had the honour of suffering humiliation for the sake of the nameOne member of the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee called Gamaliel, who was a doctor of the Law and respected by the whole people, stood up and asked to have the apostles taken outside for a time. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin, ‘Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these people. There was Theudas who became...

11 April 2024 Saint Stanislaus, Bishop, Martyr on Thursday of the 2nd week of Eastertide St. Stanislaus Basilica Chicopee MAReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: Red. Year: B(II).Readings for the feriaReadings for the memorialThese are the readings for the feriaFirst readingActs 5:27-33 ©We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy SpiritWhen the officials had brought the apostles in to face the Sanhedrin, the high priest demanded an explanation. ‘We gave you a formal warning’ he said ‘not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the...

Some people have a hard time accepting reality. Some things simply sound “too good to be true.” That could be said of Jesus’ promises to those who accept Him: absolute forgiveness and eternal life in the presence of God. On the other hand, some people cannot accept the clear teaching of Scripture regarding the wrath of God that abides on all who do not obey the Son by accepting Him as Savior and Lord (John 3:36). They like the sound of a god who would not harm a fly but cannot accept the living God who will pour out His...

10 April 2024 Wednesday of the 2nd week of EastertideSacred Heart Province Launching of the 250th Birth Anniversary of St. Magdalene di Canossa, Cagayan de Oro, PhilippinesReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II).First readingActs 5:17-26 ©The men you imprisoned are in the Temple, preaching to the peopleThe high priest intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Prompted by jealousy, they arrested the apostles and had them put in the common gaol. But at night the angel of the Lord opened the prison gates and said as he led them out, ‘Go and stand in the...

9 April 2024 Tuesday of the 2nd week of Eastertide Retable of the Cathedral of Toledo Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II).First readingActs 4:32-37 ©The whole group of believers was united, heart and soulThe whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect. None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land...

A woke professor at Baylor University has come under fire for blasting acclaimed Harry Potter author J.K. Rowing for her opposition to normalizing the transgender movement, calling her out for her apparent ‘hatred of trans-people.’ While this is deeply troubling, it is hardly the worst thing about him. Founded in 1845 and claiming 16,000 students, Baylor University is the world’s largest Baptist University and one of the oldest. Like many once-faithful institutions that have gone before her, however, Baylor is deeply compromised and is inexorably on the downgrade. Not only have they hosted Beth Moore and Jemar Tisby for a...

For over three decades, John Burke has studied thousands of near-death experiences (NDEs) and discovered a striking commonality among them all: Every individual, regardless of their religious background, experiences the God of the Bible. “I interviewed 70 people on every continent, and found that they all encountered the same God; it didn't matter their culture, ethnicity or religious background. God is the God of all nations,” Burke told The Christian Post.Burke, who with his wife, Kathy, founded Gateway Church, a multisite church based in Austin, Texas, recounts some of these stories in his book,Imagine the God of Heaven: Near-Death Experiences,...

Monday 8 April 2024 The Annunciation of the Lord Solemnity Tomb of Saint Martin of Tours in the crypt of the basilica built by Saint Perpetuus Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II).First readingIsaiah 7:10-14,8:10 ©The maiden is with childThe Lord spoke to Ahaz and said, ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign for yourself coming either from the depths of Sheol or from the heights above.’ ‘No,’ Ahaz answered ‘I will not put the Lord to the test.’ Then Isaiah said:‘Listen now, House of David:are you not satisfied with trying the patience of menwithout trying the patience...

7 April 2024 Divine Mercy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Easter) St. John Baptist de la Salle, Granada Hills, CAReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II).First readingActs 4:32-35 ©The whole group of believers was united, heart and soulThe whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect. None of their members was ever in want, as all those who...

"And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come." "And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. "And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath...

Bible Prophecy clearly states that at the end of the age, the world will experience a significant increase in geopolitical turmoil, including at least three named wars, rumors of war, international distress, and three major military conflicts as outlined in Psalm 83, Ezekiel 38-39, and Revelation 19. Combined with the other "birth pangs" which are all seemingly converging within a single generation. According to Jesus, these signs of the times would signal the end of the current age. The major issue we have today with recognizing these signs is that the prophecies outlined in Scripture primarily only focus on the...

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." "And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Luke 18 1...

6 April 2024 Easter SaturdayRev. Wasyl Hrynkiw of St. Vladimir Ukrainian church, Hempstead, NY speaks out on Russian invasion Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II).First readingActs 4:13-21 ©We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heardThe rulers, elders and scribes were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer. So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private...

In the latest obvious attack on God, believers, and the biblical worldview, the Biden Democrats used a high-profile opportunity to offend Christians. Days before Easter, they banned religious (read “Christian”) images at the White House and also declared March 31 (Resurrection Sunday) the “Transgender Day of Visibility.” Make no mistake: this is the new religion of the Left. Vice President Kamala Harris passionately proclaimed, …“we celebrate transgender and nonbinary Americans,” and said, “We won’t stop fighting for you.” Well, they did put a bunny rabbit (which has nothing to do with Jesus) in the White House logo. As criticism erupted...

"Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. "Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our...

5 April 2024 Easter Friday Altar in Church of St. Vincent Ferrer (NYC) Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II).First readingActs 4:1-12 ©The name of Jesus Christ is the only one by which we can be savedWhile Peter and John were talking to the people the priests came up to them, accompanied by the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees. They were extremely annoyed at their teaching the people the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. They arrested them, but as it was already late, they held them till the next...

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? "And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?" Luke 16 1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted...

4 April 2024 Easter Thursday Sanctuary and High Altar of the Basílica de San Isidoro, León, SpainReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II).First readingActs 3:11-26 ©You killed the prince of life: God, however, raised him from the deadEveryone came running towards Peter and John in great excitement, to the Portico of Solomon, as it is called, where the man was still clinging to Peter and John. When Peter saw the people he addressed them, ‘Why are you so surprised at this? Why are you staring at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power...

"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." "And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no...