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Latest topic: Je suis Christian . . .
Remember all those "Je suis Charlie" T shirts and signs held up by protesters following the killing of 11 employees at the Charlie Hebdo shooting in January
of this year? Thousands took to the streets to protest this massacre by two young Moslem extremists (terrorists, really), expressing solidarity with the victims and the right to free speech. Charlie Hebdo is a satirical publication, and they had published images of Mohammed, which the terrorists took objection to (along with millions of Moslems around the world).
Last
week at Umpqua Community College in Oregon, a very troubled young man killed 9 people and wounded several others. The gunman asked students if they were Christians, and if they said they were, he replied, "Good, because you're a Christian, you're going to see God in about one second." Then he killed them. Those who said they weren't Christian were shot in the leg or elsewhere, leaving them wounded.
I think the shooter was correct: those he killed are indeed with God, as they are martyrs for their faith. I can only imagine the courage it took for students #2, 3, 4, etc. to affirm their faith, after seeing the consequences. . . .
- read more -
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The Practice of Loving Kindness, by Vincent Ryan Ruggeriero. New City Press,
2003.
The subtitle to this book is “a guide to spiritual fulfillment and social harmony.” The author gives real-life situations showing that the principle of love of neighbor, which is taken directly from the Scripture, can be lived in the daily encounters in school, in the workplace, and in the community. This principle leads to fuller meaning and harmony in all social
relationships. If the reader wants to be part of a world-changing process, the author offers insights into intimacy, trust, forgiveness, and social concerns. “The joy in life comes from the love you give away rather than from the love you give.”
Each chapter gives a message in loving kindness, be that in thoughts, words, actions or in silence, as well as obstacles to loving kindness and habits to foster
it. The last chapter enumerates the rewards of loving kindness, namely a deepening of one’s humanity, an addition to one’s happiness and good health, bringing out the best in others, fighting prejudice, solving social problems, and fostering peace among nations.
A handy book to keep on one’s bedside table!
(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman, O.P. for this review.) Paperback
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St. Ignatius of Antioch: (d. 107?) October 17.
Born in Syria, Ignatius converted to Christianity and eventually became bishop of Antioch. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy. Ignatius would not deny Christ and thus was condemned to be put to death in Rome.
Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. Five of these letters are to churches in Asia Minor; they urge the Christians there to remain faithful to God and to obey their superiors. He warns them against heretical doctrines, providing them with the solid truths of the Christian faith.
The sixth letter was to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was later martyred for the faith. The final letter begs the Christians in Rome not to try to stop his martyrdom. "The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate
bread of Christ."
Ignatius bravely met the lions in the Circus Maximus.
americancatholic.org site
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