Free Republic

I thought this short video was interesting—it was certainly new to me. The crimson worm (coccus ilicis) is a small insect that was used in the ancient world to produce a deep red dye. This dye was highly valuable and used in sacred contexts, including the coloring of priestly garments and elements of the Tabernacle. The crimson worm also has unique biological characteristics that carry profound symbolic meaning. When the female is ready to lay eggs, she attaches herself permanently to a tree or wooden surface. In the process of giving life to her young, she dies, and her body...

On the Prayer of Psalm 22 "Death and Life Have Met in an Inseparable Mystery, and Life Has Triumphed" VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 14, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in Paul VI Hall. The Pope continued his series of catecheses on prayer, with a reflection of Psalm 22. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, In today's catechesis I would like to talk about a psalm with strong Christological implications, which continually emerges in the accounts of the Passion of Jesus with its twofold dimension of humiliation...