This week is so special that many are drawn to talk about the Church of Rome. May the discussions center around our faith in Jesus, Divine Master, way, truth and life.
In the above-referenced VIS article which is quoted below, we are made aware of how today we could experience the oppressive power of finance vis-à-vis existence, and we are enjoined to find ways of supporting the latter-life. Furthermore, the media would be of better service if we used it carefully to point to the Truth and not just keep up appearances. Let us accept the invitation of St. Paul the Apostle, as communicated by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, "for the faithful not to conform to this world but to transform themselves and renew their minds in order to discern the will of God, 'the good and acceptable and perfect.'" May we not fall as slaves to possessions and appearances, through the intercession of St. Paul the Apostle. Amen.
QUOTE
POPE
WARNS AGAINST THE POWER OF FINANCE AND OF THE MEDIA
Vatican
City, 16 February 2012 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon the Holy Father visited the
Major Seminary of Rome for the occasion of the feast of its patroness, Our Lady
of Trust, which falls on Saturday. The Holy Father visited the chapel before
going on to meet with auxiliary bishops of Rome, superiors of diocesan
seminaries and 190 seminarians.
Following
the reading of the Gospel, Benedict XVI pronounced a "lectio divina"
on the passage from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans in which the Apostle
invites the faithful not to conform to this world but to transform themselves
and renew their minds in order to discern the will of God, "the good and
acceptable and perfect".
"We
can reflect upon the Church today", he said in his off-the-cuff remarks.
"There is much talk about the Church of Rome, many things are said. Let us
hope that people also talk about our faith. Let us pray to God that it may be
so.."
The
Pope then went on to refer to the force of evil which, in today's world, also
emerges "in two great powers which are good and useful in themselves but
easily open to abuse: the power of finance and the power of the media. Both are
necessary, both are useful, but so subject to misuse that they often go against
their true goals".
Today
"we see how the world of finance can dominate mankind. Possession and
appearance dominate and enslave the world. ... Finance is no longer a tool to
promote well being and to support the life of man, but a force that oppresses
him, one which almost has to be worshipped". The Pontiff called on his
audience not to conform to this power. "Be non conformists. What counts is
not possession but existence", he said. Christians must not bow to this
power, but use it as "as a means, with the freedom of the children of
God".
Turning
then to consider the question of public opinion, Benedict XVI highlighted how
"we have a great need of information, knowledge about the truth of the
world; but there is a power of appearance which in the end counts even more
than reality itself". Appearance "overlies the truth and becomes more
important. Man no longer pursues the truth but wants above all to appear".
Here too "there is a Christian non conformism. ... We want not appearance
but truth, and this will give us true freedom".
UNQUOTE
Jesus, Master, Way, Truth and Life, have mercy on us.
Respectfully,
Margie Skeels
Pauline Cooperator-NYC
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