faith formation: Are We Becoming a Nation of Gollums?

 By Joseph Pearce

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As we watch our culture succumb to the power of Pride, we are witnessing the “gollumizing” of our brothers and sisters, as they shrivel into pathetic wrecks of the people they are meant to be. The only escape from this hell is rooted in heavenly love.

This week, I met a good friend of mine at a local restaurant, the first time we’d got together since before the onset of the pestilence. He is a Presbyterian pastor and a great lover of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. It was, in fact, Tolkien who had introduced us to each other, in the sense that we first met at a local Tolkien conference a few years ago.

Founding of Christendom: First Great Heresy--Gnosticism - post 15

Orthodox Christian Fathers of the Church hold that Simon Magnus--the magician was the founder of Gnosticism. The same magician rejected by St. Peter (Acts 8:9)-- Church Fathers such as Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Hippolytus, and Epiphanius, described Simon Magnus, as the founder of Gnosticism. The early Church considered him as the first heretic, the "Father of Heresies".

Simone Magnus is hard to trace after the account in the Book of Acts. From what I could glean, there was an animosity developed between St. Peter and Magnus, Magnus probably felt insulted and embarrassed by St. Peter's rebuke.

Simon Manus seemed to follow Peter to Rome and by his magic tricks gained a following there.

This led to disputes between the followers of St. Peter, and Simon Magnus' followers, some becoming violent.

Founding of Christendom: Pope Clement- the 4th pope--92AD -- post 14

Martyrdom of Pope Clement

 

A man named Nerva was proclaimed by the senate soon after the death of Domitian as the new Emperor. His reign was short, about 2 years or so--from 96-98 AD. Emperor Nerva returned to the policy of toleration of Christains.

It was probably at this time pope Clement the first, who became pope about two years earlier in 92 AD, wrote his famous epistle to Corintians.
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1010.htm

Clement's letter is one  of the oldest ancient Christian documents we have, aside from the writings of Paul and the Gospels. It was so important to early Christians that it was debated whether to include it in the New Testament. It was often read at Divine Liturgy, i.e. the Mass.

Amazing World: Back to Eden Documentary

Seriously this is worth watching. It is very inspiring. This has to be the most inspiring garden documentary ever. The main character Paul Gautschi is fascinating. It is a revolutionary way to garden and a step forward in environmental responsibility.

We have an earth problem in farming, the land is depleted of trace minerals and over chemicalized. 

"Back to Eden" is a documentary about American gardener and arborist Paul Gautschi that ignited the global gardening movement "Back to Eden Gardening."

Paul pioneered a no-dig gardening technique that implements wood chips in a vegetable garden and orchard to conserve water and regenerate soil that is capable of producing nutrient-rich food.

Back to Eden Gardening is a regenerative agriculture method since it rebuilds soil and restores soil biodiversity resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.

Back to Eden Gardening implements organic gardening principles and is considered one of the best sustainable permaculture methods for growing food. Watch BACK TO EDEN film streaming for free to learn how to grow your own food with less work! 

Christian Courage: Song of Bernadette

 I am not a fan of many religious films. I just don't think the quality is usually very good. But this one, about St. Bernadette is pretty good, although dated in style. Jennifer Jones won the Academy Award for this role in 1944.

 

St. Bernadette was a simple girl who had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The spot of the vision, Lourdes, has become a pilgrimage site. It is the most famous place for medical miracles. There is a hospital on the grounds staffed by doctors to examine any miracle claims. There have been some amazing miracles.

One was a woman Madame Bire in 1908 came there, blind because her optic nerve was withered; she regained her sight when the Blessed Sacrament passed. But when the Doctors inspected her eyes, they found she was able to see, even though the nerve was still withered-- to add to miracle, the nerve did recover within a few weeks. (cf. A PROTESTANT LOOKS AT LOURDES, By Ruth Cranston)

 

St. Bernadette's body remains incorrupt. It has not undergone decay.

faith formation: What is Love? Love is Patient-- post 1

Love is the goal of life--to love God and our neighbor. 

St. Paul defined it as we Christians should understand it. 

“Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury. Love does not rejoice over wrong-doing, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

 

Let’s examine each point

faith formation: St. John Paul II’s Message to Women Who Have Had An Abortion - Fr. Mark Goring, CC