Free Republic

Diadochus of Photica, "On Spiritual Perfection" The light that true knowledge gives out is the ability to distinguish unerringly what is right from what is wrong. This being so, the path of uprightness – which leads the mind towards God, the radiant sun of righteousness – takes that same mind into an unbounded light of knowledge and then leads it on to seek trustingly for love. Those who are struggling in battle ought always to keep their souls free of the tumultuous waves of distraction. If they do this, the mind will be able to distinguish among the thoughts that...

Today's Readings : Hebrews 2:14-18 Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, Christ too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and...

When one is close to Jesus, doing the will of the Father, it is a closeness that can only be described in famililial terms. Saint Francis also spoke about the "family" of God. In his Letter To The Faithful, he says, "To all those who love the Lord with their whole heart, with their whole soul and mind, with their whole strength (cf. Mk 12:30) and love their neighbors as themselves (cf. Mt 22:39) and hate their bodies with their vices and sins, and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and produce worthy fruits of penance:...

The Apostle Paul set no store by the things that fill our visible world, any more than a man sets value on the withered grass of the field. As for tyrannical rulers or the people enraged against him, he paid them no more heed than gnats. Death itself and pain and whatever torments might come were but child’s play to him, provided that thereby he might bear some burden for the sake of Christ. Paul asked us once to imitate him (1Cor. 4:16 ).These words of St. Chrysostom are thoughts to ponder and even rules to follow if you will....

DC State Of Mind Reaction is mixed here in Norfolk about the accomplishments of our President. some catholics voted for him, some against. One thing is certain, he made an impression on all of us. The folks over at barelypolitical.com take a stab at Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' Empire State Of Mind, and sum up one year of Obama. Favorite lyric? They get nothing done they should solve it with Beeeer, (Everybody say yes we maybe ca-a-a-a-a-n!) Remember the beer summit?Click for video --------->

Scott Brown is not what one would call an ardent pro-lifer. His record puts him squarely mid-field. Yet his victory in the Massachusetts senate race could be the boon that pro-lifers and conservatives have been needing. While the Democrats have continued to ram legislation through, health care reform seems to be in great jeopardy. Liberals are open about the agenda, again going against the will of the people, by saying democrats now have to "move faster". In an AP report yesterday House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters."The Senate bill clearly is better than nothing," Hoyer said. While insisting...

Bede, in Marc., 1, 15: The Pharisees, thinking it a crime that at the word of the Lord the hand which was diseased was restored to a sound state, agreed to make a pretext of the words spoken by our Saviour. Wherefore it is said, "And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him." As if every one amongst them did not greater things on the sabbath day, carrying food, reaching forth a cup, and whatever else is necessary for meals. Neither could He, Who said and it was done,...

Of interest to Catholics on the mystery of the Shroud of Turin. From the transcript of the video: (romereports.com) This is the most venerate relic in the world. The Holy Shroud is the linen that some believe wrapped the body of Jesus after he was crucified. Now, an Italian expert from the Vatican Secret Archives says she can prove the shroud contains remains of Jesus death certificate. Barbara Frale Author, The shroud of Jesus of Nazareth: "The contents of these words refer to the death of a person who is called in Iesoys Nnazarennos the name that we find lying...

COR UNUM: TWELVE AID CENTRES IN HAITI VATICAN CITY, 19 JAN 2010 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" released the following English-language communique late yesterday: "In light of the request of the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum' that Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the international humanitarian agency of the Bishops of the United States, co-ordinate the Church's relief efforts in Haiti at this stage, CRS has been holding on-site meetings with the Haitian Episcopal Conference, the apostolic nuncio and several foreign Catholic charitable agencies, now operating in Port-au-Prince, to asses and respond to the disaster. "The group initiated immediately the provision...

A short distance from the city of Norfolk you will find Pat Robertson's CBN complex in Virginia Beach. Locals have been both blessed and embarrased by his religious musings. It seems, when it comes to disasters, Pat Robertson is quite outspoken. "I would warn Orlando that you're right in the way of some serious hurricanes, and I don't think I'd be waving those flags in God's face if I were you, This is not a message of hate -- this is a message of redemption. But a condition like this will bring about the destruction of your nation. It'll bring...

PAPAL APPEAL FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI VATICAN CITY, 13 JAN 2010 (VIS) - At the end of today's general audience, held in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope launched an appeal "for the dramatic situation currently being experienced in Haiti". "I invite everyone to join my prayers to the Lord for the victims of this catastrophe and for those who mourn their loss. I give assurances of my spiritual closeness to people who have lost their homes and to everyone who, in various ways, has been affected by this terrible calamity, imploring God to bring them consolation and relief in...

Today's Gospel : Mark 1:21-28 There is  a controversy brewing in todays society about the reality of demons. Are they real? Are they a psychosis? Demonology - the study and doctrine of demons or evil spirits - is not exclusive to Christianity or Psychology. And while doctrine about them vary they are commonly held in many cultures. It is our western "enlightened" culture that puts almost no emphasis on them. Yet study and experience show that not only do they exist but can co-exist with psychological pathologies. Many counselors have noted very specific criteria where a Multiple Personality sufferer also...

The field is the world; the good seed is the subjects of the kingdom; the tares, the subjects of the Evil One; the enemy who sowed it, the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; the reapers are the angels. Well then, just as the tares is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time... the upright will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Anyone who has ears should listen! Mat 13:24-30, 36-43 It is amazing what God lets people get away with. Especially those...

"bandwidththief; bloggymcblogger; blogpimp; blogselfpromo; blogspam; checkoutmyblog; comeseemyblog; didjareadmyblog; ihaveablog; iminteresting; listentome; lookatme; payattentiontome; pimpmyblog; readme; readmyblog; readmyramblings; trollingforhits" ? NO HARM NO FOUL NO FREEPERHATE. :)

VATICAN CITY, 8 DEC 2009 - "The mother of God teaches us to open ourselves to the action of God, to see others as he sees them -- starting from the heart. And to look upon them with mercy, with love (and) with infinite tenderness, especially those who are most alone, despised and exploited," the pope said... read more...

This wonderful prayer from the Early Church Father and Pope Clement is an expression of the depth of knowledge he had of his God and Redeemer and the care he had for his flock....read more...

Sometimes the thoughts of children about God are simple and yet profound. Who has not questioned God on the economy of his creation at some level. Yesterday our family took a walk to the park. It was a warm, still evening and was dark by the time we left to go home. apparently it was mosquito feeding time and we were swarmed as we came up to our home. We had repellent on but these were highly advanced, brave and hungry "skeeters". read more...

This part of the year is full of birthdays and anniversaries. One of them is the anniversary of my sister Mary's suicide...read more...

Today's Gospel : John 1:43-51 This is really a quite remarkable piece of scripture. It shows the supernatural ability of Jesus to have knowledge of secret things. But also his uncanny sense of humour...read more...

Somewhat like a copyright notice or trademark protection the Holy See is now protecting the name and papal symbols of the Pope... what about the man?[contains new video of Pope attack]...read more...