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Etymology after the Prodigal Son of the Biblical parable (Luke 15:11–32), who squandered his father's moneyEtymologyafter the Prodigal Son of the Biblical parable (Luke 15:11–32), who squandered his father's money

ISRAEL—There was a certain man who had two sons, and the younger son demanded his inheritance and then wasted it all in a distant country. When the son came crawling back, begging for forgiveness, the father made a huge celebration to mark the return of his prodigal son. But that celebration was cut short when old tweets the younger son had written surfaced, some of which were characterized as racist. Though the son apologized for those tweets as well, he was immediately kicked out of the house. “He was dead and is alive again,” the father said, “but is now...

Dear Christians, it’s not the church’s job to make us feel comfortable I received this message from a self-described pastor a few days ago: Hi Matt, I’m a pastor and I have to say I’ve read your work for a while and I find it very troubling. There is no tolerance, inclusiveness, or love in your writings. It’s hateful towards the LGBTQ community and others who don’t share your views about gay rights, reproductive rights or many other issues. Matt churches should be focusing on how to welcome people in, whether they happen to be gay, trans, feminist or any...

He has been called the godfather of shock-rock, mixing elements of horror movies into acts that have included an unpalatable array of guillotines, fake blood, baby dolls and boa constrictors. Yet many would be surprised to learn of his Christian roots and his homecoming to the faith after sowing his oats as the ultimate prodigal.“My father was a pastor and my grandfather was an evangelist, actually both were evangelists,” Cooper told the Harvest Show. “I grew up in the church and all my friends were church kids. I had so much fun. I was in church Sunday, Wednesday night, Friday...

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”Chartres is the cathedral of cathedrals, and here is the parable of parables. Nothing is wanting in the other parables. All are from the lips of the Lord. As one’s taste in a certain mood might prefer Cologne or Siena to Chartres, so one might prefer to make a point with the parable of the lost sheep or...

God’s Law is Personal and Loving By: Msgr. Charles PopeWhen we speak of God’s law, there is a danger that we might think of it as we think of any secular law. We usually think of secular law merely as a sort of impersonal code written by nameless legislators or bureaucrats. We have not met them; we do not know them or necessarily love or trust them. In effect, they are an abstraction in our mind called “the government,” or “the man,” or just “they,” as in, “They don’t want you to park here” or “They’ll arrest you for that.”But God’s...

Run, Don’t Walk, to the Nearing Jesus! By: Msgr. Charles PopeThe Lord’s coming is near. And though we have all been well taught that the word “Advent” means “coming,” there is the danger that we think we are only passively waiting for him to come.  It is not just that the Lord is coming to us, but that we are also journeying to Him. In fact, as the Advent prayers in the Roman Missal instruct, we ought to run, not walk, and hasten to greet Him as He draws near.The image of the Prodigal Son comes to mind. His...

Like the Prodigal Son, America squanders the wealth that our predecessors bequeathed to us. Our country has turned from the path of the righteous and has sought pleasure from riotous living at a dear cost to ourselves and to future generations. We elect leaders that reflect our own narcissism who promise change but lead us further astray. True change, repentance, requires keeping the old covenants and living within our means. Unlike the Prodigal Son, if we do eventually repent, our creditors will not welcome us with robes and slippers. Creditors demand cold hard currency with interest that they extract by...

LukeChapter 15 11 Then he said, "A man had two sons, 12 and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. 13 After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. 14 When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. 15 So he hired himself out to one of...

CALIFORNIA - A moment before beginning his dinner, Masab, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef, glances at the friend who has accompanied him to the restaurant where we met. They whisper a few words and then say grace, thanking God and Jesus for putting food on their plates. It takes a few seconds to digest this sight: The son of a Hamas MP who is also the most popular figure in that extremist Islamic organization in the West Bank, a young man who assisted his father for years in his political activities, has become a rank-and-file Christian....

PHOENIX, Arizona, JULY 8, 2008 (Zenit.org).- For many who have left the Catholic Church, there is often a great desire to come home. However, fear and guilt often lead many to put off the gnawing decision to return to the Church. Not knowing where to turn, many who were once faithful feel lost and ashamed. Tom Peterson, founder of Catholicscomehome.org, has found television and the Internet to be just the place to reach out to those wishing to come back to the Church. Earlier this year Peterson tested his methods and ideas using an advertising campaign geared toward the 3.5...

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2007 Tom Brady, the 3-time Super Bowl champion quarterback of the New England Patriots was featured the week in a 60 Minutes interview with Steve Kroft on CBS. Brady is already a sports legend in one of the citadels of professional sports in America, Boston. His current team is 15-0 and is poised to finish the season undefeated, something that hasn't been done in the NFL in 35 years. He has won the Super Bowl MVP twice and been named to the Pro Bowl 4 times. He also was recently named the Associated Press' "Male Athlete of...

I think Charlize Theron is my ultimate Goddess of a Woman.

Pontifical Household Preacher Comments on Sunday's Readings ROME, MARCH 16, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of a commentary by the Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raneiro Cantalamessa, on the readings for this Sunday's liturgy. * * * Jesus and Sinners Fourth Sunday of Lent Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Lent is one of the most celebrated pages of Luke's Gospel and of all four Gospels: the parable of the prodigal son. Everything in this parable is surprising; men had never portrayed God in this way. This parable has...

Ok folks here's the new thread for the new season. Jack, please don't teacup the guns.

March 21, 2004 Fourth Sunday of Lent Psalm: Sunday 15 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Reading II Gospel Reading I Jos 5:9a, 10-12 The LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you." While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they celebrated the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth of the month. On the day after the Passover, they ate of the produce of the land in the form of unleavened cakes and parched grain. On that same day after the Passover, on which they ate of the produce of...

March 13, 2004Saturday of the Second Week of Lent Psalm: Saturday 13 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel Reading IMi 7:14-15, 18-20 Shepherd your people with your staff,the flock of your inheritance,That dwells apart in a woodland,in the midst of Carmel.Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,as in the days of old;As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,show us wonderful signs. Who is there like you, the God who removes guiltand pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;Who does not persist in anger forever,but delights rather in clemency,And will again have compassion on us,treading underfoot...

March 22, 2003Saturday of Second Week of Lent Psalm: Saturday Week 14 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel Reading I Mi 7:14-15, 18-20 Shepherd your people with your staff,the flock of your inheritance,That dwells apart in a woodland,in the midst of Carmel.Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,as in the days of old;As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,show us wonderful signs. Who is there like you, the God who removes guiltand pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;Who does not persist in anger forever,but delights rather in clemency,And will again have compassion on us,treading...

We shall not cease exploring And the end of our exploration Shall be to return to the place where we started And know it for the first time. -- T.S. Eliot The story of the Prodigal Son is the story of each of us. It is your story and mine. The prodigal son is heir to a great estate, along with his brother. He asks for his share, gets it, and goes wandering off from his father’s rich estate. Eventually, the prodigal son runs out of money and returns home. His father throws a banquet for him, much to the...

We shall not cease exploring And the end of our exploration Shall be to return to the place where we started And know it for the first time. -- T.S. Eliot The story of the Prodigal Son is the story of each of us. It is your story and mine. The prodigal son is heir to a great estate, along with his brother. He asks for his share, gets it, and goes wandering off from his father’s rich estate. Eventually, the prodigal son runs out of money and returns home. His father throws a banquet for him, much to the...