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Landscape with Christ and St Peter Goffried Wals [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Matthew 16:21-27 ( English Standard Version Anglicised) From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.   And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”   But he turned and said to Peter,  “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Then Jesus told his disciples,  “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.   For whoever would save his life will los

  Whenever there is good news to be shared, what do you do? Do you call your best friend, a family member, or post it online? We all love to share good news.   There’s just something inside us that needs to tell other people whenever something wonderful is happening in our life.   The same is true for every generation.   In Psalm 145, David speaks of praising God.   “One generation praises your deeds to the next and proclaims your mighty works.” In the New Testament in Acts Chapter 4 (Verse 20), the elders were scratching their heads trying to figure out what to do with Peter and John.   Those two rascals, filled with the Holy Spirit, could not be controlled. So the elders, the Sanhedrin, had a great idea.   They would just tell Peter and John to stop talking about Jesus and teaching in his name.   Problem solved! Well, not exactly. Peter and John told them, “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” From the Old Testament to the New, p

  Shadow in the Dark ,  Harwood Mysteries Book 1 , by Antony Kolenc, promises to be an exciting new series of books about 12 th  century life in England. This inaugural mystery begins at Hardonbury Manor, ruined by bandits; thus, forcing those still alive to traverse to the nearest manor to seek work and shelter. Amid the destruction of Hardonbury Manor, we meet a young man, fleeing from one of the bandits. Yet, he was not lucky enough to escape. As a result, the bludgeoned young man wakes up from a long slumber with a massive head injury. Upon awakening, he cannot remember his name, his parents, or where he was from, let alone where he is now. He looks around and sees men in long robes caring for him, only to find out that they are Benedictine Monks! He is at the neighboring Harwood Abbey. Brother Andrew, the young man’s caretaker, decides to give the young man a name, at least until his memory returns. He needs to be called something, so Brother Andrew chooses the name, Alexander, af

                 Por Blanca Ahumada Otero        

  In today’s Gospel (John 1:45-51), Jesus is in the process of recruiting his twelve Apostles. Jesus called Philip to follow, who in turn went to Nathanael to tell him about Jesus. Nathanael, the skeptic, doubted anything good could come from Nazareth. Yet, Philip persuaded Nathanael to come and meet Jesus. When the two met, Jesus commented about something that no one else would know.  “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree .” (John 1:48) Nathanael’s response to this comment is revelatory:  “Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel.”  (John 1:49) I have always wondered how Nathanael came to such a conclusion, such a leap of faith. It can only be explained as a revelation of Truth. Jesus retorts back to Nathanael.  “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?”  (John 1:50) Under the Fig Tree “Under the Fig Tree” is a sign of messianic peace. Therefore, Nathanael comes from a place of peace. He finds his Peace in the Messiah, Jes

  I learned a fundamental teaching point a few years ago; I have been trying to correct myself of my mistake ever since. When I was teaching, I used to use the phrase “The Church teaches” until someone pointed out that a more accurate way to describe what the Church teaches is to say, “What God has revealed.” This is a significant clarification. In The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth it says, “Catholic doctrine expresses the Church’s understanding of God’s Revelation through Jesus.” I could go into some detail about doctrine and dogma, but I will keep it simple. Continuing from the Handbook , it explains that doctrine can change over time as the Church grows in her understanding of revelation, but “doctrines most fundamental to Catholic belief are authoritatively defined by the * Magisterium and are called dogmas , and they do not change.” Frequently when people get into discussions about the church, the debate gets wittled down to this fundamental question:   “Why doesn’

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Saint Peter El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Matthew 16:13-20 ( English Standard Version Anglicised) Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,  “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”   And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”   He said to them,  “But who do you say that I am?”   Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”   And Jesus answered him,  “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.   And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.   I will give you the keys of the kingdom of

Saint Peter El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Matthew 15:21-28 ( English Standard Version Anglicised) Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,  “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”   And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”   He said to them,  “But who do you say that I am?”   Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”   And Jesus answered him,  “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.   And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.   I will give you the keys of the kingdom of