Archive for November, 2007

ENCYCLICAL LETTER SPE SALVI OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF BENEDICT XVI

November 30, 2007

TO THE BISHOPS
PRIESTS AND DEACONS
MEN AND WOMEN RELIGIOUS
AND ALL THE LAY FAITHFUL
ON CHRISTIAN HOPE

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html

 

 

Your brother in Christ Jesus, Richard

Email: raa@richardangulo.com

IM: raagroup (AIM, Google, MSN & Skype)

Website: www.richardangulo.com

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He who does not meditate acts as one who never looks into the mirror and so does not bother to put himself in order…

November 30, 2007

When: Friday, November 30, 2007 12:00 AM to Saturday, December 01, 2007 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
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He who does not meditate acts as one who never looks into the mirror and so does not bother to put himself in order, since he can be dirty without knowing it. The person who meditates and turns his thoughts to God who is the mirror of the soul, seeks to know his defects and tries to correct them, moderates himself in his impulses and puts his conscience in order. – Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
 
Abba, Father, how true the words of St Pio are today for only in looking at You through the Eyes of Christ can anyone see their true self for what it is and what it is not and most of all what it can be when we live in the Spirit. There is so much I do not understand, but sin, regret, weakness and lack of virtue are unfortunately a few things I do know about and that is why as the song goes, I cry out to You for help, to help me separate any thought or memory of what I was from what I hope to be in Christ, as far as the east is from the west. O Lord that You would bless me indeed, that Your hand would be with and guide me, keeping me from evil and from causing pain, and that in the Spirit You would make my heart like Jesus’ and give me a mind that thinks for Christ first as You help me discern and decide what to do next, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
 
9 because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. 13 For, "every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." 14 But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? 15 And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!" 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. 18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."
8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb’edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb’edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
 
 

This is the First Sunday of Advent; take time to contemplate the reason for the season

November 29, 2007

Visit this link

 

http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Advent/index.htm

 

 

Your brother in Christ Jesus, Richard

Email: raa@richardangulo.com

IM: raagroup (AIM, Google, MSN & Skype)

Website: www.richardangulo.com

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For David ‘was a man after the Lord’s own heart’ and ‘he served the Lord’s purpose in his generation’

November 29, 2007

When: Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:00 AM to Friday, November 30, 2007 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
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Can the life of a good Christian be anything other than that of a man nailed to the Cross with Jesus Christ?
— St. John Vianney
 
Abba, Father, today’s readings bring to heart and mind several thoughts, but the words that Samuel and Paul spoke of David, ring loudest; ‘a man after Your own heart’ and ‘he served Your purpose in his generation’. You are our Source of Source, The One God, who through Jesus Christ has given us away to be reconciled to You, so that in the Spirit we maybe one with You and walk under the sun in Your ways, even when we stumble. For as we know even David was far from perfect, but he always came back to You; and in this way I know I am Your child because even in my wickedness I knew I needed to one day reconcile and account for my ways. What I did not know is how hard it would be to separate myself from the memory of what I was, so I can be all You meant me to be, but like David and as Paul spoke, though I die a thousand times, I do so gladly, knowing I will rise with Christ Jesus. Thank you Jesus, Amen.
 
1 Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations. 10 But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten; 11 their prosperity will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance to their children’s children. 12 Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake. 13 Their posterity will continue for ever, and their glory will not be blotted out. 14 Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives to all generations. 15 Peoples will declare their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise.
1 The earth is the LORD’s and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein; 2 for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers. 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of his salvation. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Selah]
17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: `Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’" 20 And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." 21 And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
 

Unless you strive after virtues and practice them, you will never grow…

November 28, 2007

When: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 8:00 AM-8:30 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
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Unless you strive after virtues and practice them, you will never grow to be more than dwarfs. – St. Theresa of Avila
 
Abba, Father, today’s readings are filled with blessings through obedience and faith. Faith that is more power than fact, faith to act on what cannot be seen when opposite of what is seen. Can the eyes be so deceitful? Can the mind, taught by the ways under the sun deceive us so? Obedience that is that action that is only possible through and in faith. Faith filled with hope and love. Hope that I will become the image of Christ as Jesus was while He walked under the sun, and love for the You, my Abba, Father, through Christ Jesus in the Spirit. For it is through Him that we must see as He saw, think as He thought, speak as He spoke and feel as He felt. I know that without Christ Jesus I am nothing because He is one in You. What I do not know is how to walk as He walked, O Lord God in Jesus name help me walk as He did. Through the Spirit which is the living Christ who is one with You bless me, strengthen me give me the heart of Christ to purify my mind in and with Jesus so I can see, think, speak and act as He walked, Amen,
 
1 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his lords, with whom he drank. 2 Under the influence of the wine, he ordered the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar, his father, had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, to be brought in so that the king, his lords, his wives and his entertainers might drink from them. 3 When the gold and silver vessels taken from the house of God in Jerusalem had been brought in, and while the king, his lords, his wives and his entertainers were drinking 4 wine from them, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone. 5 Suddenly, opposite the lampstand, the fingers of a human hand appeared, writing on the plaster of the wall in the king’s palace. When the king saw the wrist and hand that wrote, 6 his face blanched; his thoughts terrified him, his hip joints shook, and his knees knocked. 13 Then Daniel was brought into the presence of the king. The king asked him, "Are you the Daniel, the Jewish exile, whom my father, the king, brought from Judah? 14 I have heard that the spirit of God is in you, that you possess brilliant knowledge and extraordinary wisdom. 16 But I have heard that you can interpret dreams and solve difficulties; if you are able to read the writing and tell me what it means, you shall be clothed in purple, wear a gold collar about your neck, and be third in the government of the kingdom." 17 Daniel answered the king: "You may keep your gifts, or give your presents to someone else; but the writing I will read for you, O king, and tell you what it means. 23 you have rebelled against the Lord of heaven. You had the vessels of his temple brought before you, so that you and your nobles, your wives and your entertainers, might drink wine from them; and you praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, that neither see nor hear nor have intelligence. But the God in whose hand is your life breath and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify. 24 By him were the wrist and hand sent, and the writing set down. 25 "This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, TEKEL, and PERES. These words mean: 26 MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it; 27 TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; 28 PERES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians."
62 Sun and moon, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. 63 Stars of heaven, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. 64 Every shower and dew, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. 65 All you winds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. 66 Fire and heat, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. 67 Cold and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 This will be a time for you to bear testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; 17 you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
 
 

Ron Paul worth listening too

November 28, 2007

Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, `I am he!’ and, `The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them.

November 27, 2007

After you have made a decision that is pleasing to God, the Devil may try to make you have second thoughts. Intensify your prayer time, meditation, and good deeds. For if Satan’s temptations merely cause you to increase your efforts to grow in holiness, he’ll have an incentive to leave you alone. – St. Ignatius of Loyola
Abba, Father, I search for Your truths, for Your teachings; seeking Your will and to fulfill Your purpose. Yet under the sun while one cannot exist by bread alone, one must eat and make sure others are fed. I seek Your truths in faith that You are my Source or Source, knowing that You are my creator and heavenly Father, my God who through Jesus Christ made sure that I am reconciled to You, forgiven for all I have done wrong and failed to do right. I seek Your teachings so that I may know how to serve You best, for I am weak and prone to temptations under the sun where the influences of this worlds lust for material riches surrounds me like rising flood waters. Abba, Father, I come back to You each day knowing that without You I am nothing; for only in Christ I have the peace and treasures that to me are more valuable than anything I have seen under the sun. Help me use this time well, through Jesus in the Spirit show me those truths You feel appropriate and teach me what I need to chose wisely. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.
Daniel 2:31-45
31 “In your vision, O king, you saw a statue, very large and exceedingly bright, terrifying in appearance as it stood before you. 32 The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs bronze, 33 the legs iron, its feet partly iron and partly tile. 34 While you looked at the statue, a stone which was hewn from a mountain without a hand being put to it, struck its iron and tile feet, breaking them in pieces. 35 The iron, tile, bronze, silver, and gold all crumbled at once, fine as the chaff on the threshing floor in summer, and the wind blew them away without leaving a trace. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 36 “This was the dream; the interpretation we shall also give in the king’s presence. 37 You, O king, are the king of kings; to you the God of heaven has given dominion and strength, power and glory; 38 men, wild beasts, and birds of the air, wherever they may dwell, he has handed over to you, making you ruler over them all; you are the head of gold. 39 Another kingdom shall take your place, inferior to yours, then a third kingdom, of bronze, which shall rule over the whole earth. 40 There shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron; it shall break in pieces and subdue all these others, just as iron breaks in pieces and crushes everything else. 41 The feet and toes you saw, partly of potter’s tile and partly of iron, mean that it shall be a divided kingdom, but yet have some of the hardness of iron. As you saw the iron mixed with clay tile, 42 and the toes partly iron and partly tile, the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 The iron mixed with clay tile means that they shall seal their alliances by intermarriage, but they shall not stay united, any more than iron mixes with clay. 44 In the lifetime of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever. 45 That is the meaning of the stone you saw hewn from the mountain without a hand being put to it, which broke in pieces the tile, iron, bronze, silver, and gold. The great God has revealed to the king what shall be in the future; this is exactly what you dreamed, and its meaning is sure.”

Daniel 3:57-61
57 Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever. 58 Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever. 59 You heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever. 60 All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever. 61 All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Luke 21:5-11
5 And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, `I am he!’ and, `The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.