!catholics !christians happy Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe!

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First Reading

As the visions during the night continued, I saw

one like a Son of man coming,

    on the clouds of heaven;

when he reached the Ancient One

    and was presented before him,

the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;

    all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion

    that shall not be taken away,

    his kingship shall not be destroyed.

-Daniel 7:13-14

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Responsorial Psalm

R. (1a) The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

The LORD is king, in splendor robed;

robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

And he has made the world firm,

not to be moved.

Your throne stands firm from of old;

from everlasting you are, O LORD.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed;

holiness befits your house,

O LORD, for length of days.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

-Psalms 93:1, 1-2, 5

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Second Reading

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness,

the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,

to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

Behold, he is coming amid the clouds,

and every eye will see him,

even those who pierced him.

All the peoples of the earth will lament him.

Yes. Amen.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God,

"the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."

Revelations 1:5-8

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Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

-Mark 11:9, 10

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Gospel

Pilate said to Jesus,

"Are you the King of the Jews?"

Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own

or have others told you about me?"

Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I?

Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.

What have you done?"

Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world.

If my kingdom did belong to this world,

my attendants would be fighting

to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.

But as it is, my kingdom is not here."

So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"

Jesus answered, "You say I am a king.

For this I was born and for this I came into the world,

to testify to the truth.

Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

-John 18:33b-37

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1 week until Advent! Random thought, why is Saint Mark the Evangelist depicted as a winged lion? Maybe he really was a winged lion? That would explain why the Gospel took off, if a winged lion told me to read his book I would.

I'll open with my first impressions having given it a reading with my morning tea: It's great! This is by far the most doctrinally clear, Biblically and Traditionally grounded encyclical out of the Pope Francis episcopacy. Not coincidentally, it sticks within a defined theological scope rather than attempting to address hot button social issues (though honestly I wish American Catholics were more keen to submit and obey rather than openly resist). My favorite section is 86-89:

86. Many Jansenists found this difficult to comprehend, for they looked askance on all that was human, affective and corporeal, and so viewed this devotion as distancing us from pure worship of the Most High God. Pius XII described as "false mysticism"[79] the elitist attitude of those groups that saw God as so sublime, separate and distant that they regarded affective expressions of popular piety as dangerous and in need of ecclesiastical oversight.

87. It could be argued that today, in place of Jansenism, we find ourselves before a powerful wave of secularization that seeks to build a world free of God. In our societies, we are also seeing a proliferation of varied forms of religiosity that have nothing to do with a personal relationship with the God of love, but are new manifestations of a disembodied spirituality. I must warn that within the Church too, a baneful Jansenist dualism has re-emerged in new forms. This has gained renewed strength in recent decades, but it is a recrudescence of that Gnosticism which proved so great a spiritual threat in the early centuries of Christianity because it refused to acknowledge the reality of "the salvation of the flesh". For this reason, I turn my gaze to the heart of Christ and I invite all of us to renew our devotion to it. I hope this will also appeal to today's sensitivities and thus help us to confront the dualisms, old and new, to which this devotion offers an effective response.

88. I would add that the heart of Christ also frees us from another kind of dualism found in communities and pastors excessively caught up in external activities, structural reforms that have little to do with the Gospel, obsessive reorganization plans, worldly projects, secular ways of thinking and mandatory programmes. The result is often a Christianity stripped of the tender consolations of faith, the joy of serving others, the fervour of personal commitment to mission, the beauty of knowing Christ and the profound gratitude born of the friendship he offers and the ultimate meaning he gives to our lives. This too is the expression of an illusory and disembodied otherworldliness.

89. Once we succumb to these attitudes, so widespread in our day, we tend to lose all desire to be cured of them. This leads me to propose to the whole Church renewed reflection on the love of Christ represented in his Sacred Heart. For there we find the whole Gospel, a synthesis of the truths of our faith, all that we adore and seek in faith, all that responds to our deepest needs.

For our ESL Catholics like @szrotmistrz you can scroll up and find the translation in your local language, including Portuguese, Polish, Spanish etc. Please join me in reading this. For the less interested here is the Vatican News summary.

The text concludes with a prayer, and I ask all !Catholics and !prayerwarriors to join me:

"I ask our Lord Jesus Christ to grant that His Sacred Heart may continue to pour forth the streams of living water that can heal the hurt we have caused, strengthen our ability to love and serve others, and inspire us to journey together towards a just, solidary and fraternal world. Until that day when we will rejoice in celebrating together the banquet of the heavenly kingdom in the presence of the risen Lord, who harmonizes all our differences in the light that radiates perpetually from his open heart. May he be blessed forever" (220).

@JoyceScaryOates @Paragon @carpathianHORRORist you neighbors can't escape me by being outside the ping group. Please read this.

Since it's Black Friday, we should recognize some black Catholics that are on the way to sainthood.

Also, I saw sneedman post of black queens and I remember this article.

also the pope has strong opinions on aliens

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/05/pope-francis-says-he-would-definitely-baptize-aliens-if-they-wanted-it/362106/

https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/vatican-scientist-says-belief-in-god-and-aliens-is-ok-idUSL1463646/

If a fricking literal whore of babylon was fricking pregnant with the fricking antichrist, would you be okay with aborting it, b-word?

I know there is a lot of bad stories but here is a nice one talking the faith in India

At least 12,000 people gathered in the western state of Goa, India, on Thursday for the opening of a decennial exposition of the saint's partially incorrupt remains.

The celebration takes place amid growing violence toward Indian Christians, which has "skyrocketed" according to a 2024 report by U.S. Christian leaders who urged the U.S. State Department to add India to the watchlist for religious freedom violations.

!catholics !christians happy 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time!

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First Reading

In those days, I Daniel,

heard this word of the Lord:

"At that time there shall arise

Michael, the great prince,

guardian of your people;

it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress

since nations began until that time.

At that time your people shall escape,

everyone who is found written in the book.

"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;

some shall live forever,

others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.

"But the wise shall shine brightly

like the splendor of the firmament,

and those who lead the many to justice

shall be like the stars forever."

-Daniel 12:1-3

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Responsorial Psalm

R. (1) You are my inheritance, O Lord!

O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,

you it is who hold fast my lot.

I set the LORD ever before me;

with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,

my body, too, abides in confidence;

because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,

nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!

You will show me the path to life,

fullness of joys in your presence,

the delights at your right hand forever.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!

-Psalms 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11

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Second Reading

Brothers and sisters:

Every priest stands daily at his ministry,

offering frequently those same sacrifices

that can never take away sins.

But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,

and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;

now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.

For by one offering

he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.

Where there is forgiveness of these,

there is no longer offering for sin.

-Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

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Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Be vigilant at all times

and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

-Luke 21:36

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Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:

"In those days after that tribulation

the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light,

and the stars will be falling from the sky,

and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds'

with great power and glory,

and then he will send out the angels

and gather his elect from the four winds,

from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree.

When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,

you know that summer is near.

In the same way, when you see these things happening,

know that he is near, at the gates.

Amen, I say to you,

this generation will not pass away

until all these things have taken place.

Heaven and earth will pass away,

but my words will not pass away.

"But of that day or hour, no one knows,

neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

-Mark 13:24-32

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!catholics !christians happy 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time!

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First Reading

In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath.

As he arrived at the entrance of the city,

a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,

"Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink."

She left to get it, and he called out after her,

"Please bring along a bit of bread."

She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives,

I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar

and a little oil in my jug.

Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,

to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;

when we have eaten it, we shall die."

Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid.

Go and do as you propose.

But first make me a little cake and bring it to me.

Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.

For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,

'The jar of flour shall not go empty,

nor the jug of oil run dry,

until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'"

She left and did as Elijah had said.

She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well;

the jar of flour did not go empty,

nor the jug of oil run dry,

as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

-1 Kings 17:10:-16

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Responsorial Psalm

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!

or:

R. Alleluia.

The LORD keeps faith forever,

secures justice for the oppressed,

gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets captives free.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

or:

R. Alleluia.

The LORD gives sight to the blind.

The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;

the LORD loves the just.

The LORD protects strangers.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

or:

R. Alleluia.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains,

but the way of the wicked he thwarts.

The LORD shall reign forever;

your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

or:

R. Alleluia.

-Psalms 146:7, 8-9, 9-10

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Second Reading

Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands,

a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,

that he might now appear before God on our behalf.

Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,

as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary

with blood that is not his own;

if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly

from the foundation of the world.

But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages

to take away sin by his sacrifice.

Just as it is appointed that human beings die once,

and after this the judgment, so also Christ,

offered once to take away the sins of many,

will appear a second time, not to take away sin

but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

-Hebrews 9:24-28

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Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

-Matthew 5:3

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Gospel

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,

"Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes

and accept greetings in the marketplaces,

seats of honor in synagogues,

and places of honor at banquets.

They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext

recite lengthy prayers.

They will receive a very severe condemnation."

He sat down opposite the treasury

and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.

Many rich people put in large sums.

A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.

Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,

"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more

than all the other contributors to the treasury.

For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,

but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,

her whole livelihood."

-Mark 12:38-44

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The widow in the Old Testament, after the events of the passage, has her son die, who is brought back to life when Elijah prays for him. We never learn what becomes of the widow in the Gospel today, but for her to be an example for even the Apostles, surely her ultimate reward in Heaven is great. The message today is to trust in God. God created the whole universe; to feed you is trivial. The homily at my church today was by our deacon, who is currently a seminarian, and he talked about how from at least his time in undergrad he felt some degree of calling to the priesthood, but didn't answer it until later in life because he feared it would be a worse life for him than the lay life. But when he ultimately placed his trust in God and became a seminarian, he became happier than he ever was as a layperson. God's call is not always easy to answer, but doing so will always be the best for you.

Hahaha, I'm so cooked. Trads and boomers are always yammering about how if you want a wife who isn't a hussy you need to go to church. I don't have the right to speak to a woman right now,being unemployed,but last Sunday I noticed a girl my age(20s or 30s) in church sitting 1 row in front of me. Yesterday I see her again sitting more towards the front only one of the choir(praise team) guys is sitting right beside her. Welp, they're married or going steady. People talking about find someone don't know how grim this is. I can count the people at this church-my childhood one-under 40 on 1 hand. You could tell me the average age was 58 and it wouldn't surprise me.Me and my mom also went to a different church a few weeks ago,and they were even worse if possible, 20-25 people total and there were maybe 3 people under 40. The Church is becoming geriatric. Is there any hope at all besides looking for girls wearing a crucifix in dating profiles and hoping they aren't wasting your time such that if you get them on a date you find out they've had 20+ sexual partners?

I'm a NDC or NDP(non demnominational Prostestant), and have been one my whole life. I think this hole is for Catholics,but I don't see one for protestants but honestly you guys seem more active even if this was originally for Catholics, I'm sure you won't mind other Christians posting here hopefully. Are things better demographics wise in your Catholic church?

!chuds !nooticers !thotpatrol !christians

!catholics !christians happy 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time!

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First Reading

Moses spoke to the people, saying:

"Fear the LORD, your God,

and keep, throughout the days of your lives,

all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you,

and thus have long life.

Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them,

that you may grow and prosper the more,

in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers,

to give you a land flowing with milk and honey.

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!

Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,

with all your heart,

and with all your soul,

and with all your strength.

Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today."

-Deuteronomy 6:2-6

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Responsorial Psalm

R. (2) I love you, Lord, my strength.

I love you, O LORD, my strength,

O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.

R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

My God, my rock of refuge,

my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!

Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,

and I am safe from my enemies.

R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

The LORD lives! And blessed be my rock!

Extolled be God my savior.

You who gave great victories to your king

and showed kindness to your anointed.

R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

-Psalms 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

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Second Reading

Brothers and sisters:

The levitical priests were many

because they were prevented by death from remaining in office,

but Jesus, because he remains forever,

has a priesthood that does not pass away.

Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him,

since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:

holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,

higher than the heavens.

He has no need, as did the high priests,

to offer sacrifice day after day,

first for his own sins and then for those of the people;

he did that once for all when he offered himself.

For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,

but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,

appoints a son,

who has been made perfect forever.

-Hebrews 7:23-28

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Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord;

and my father will love him and we will come to him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

-John 14:23

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Gospel

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,

"Which is the first of all the commandments?"

Jesus replied, "The first is this:

Hear, O Israel!

The Lord our God is Lord alone!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul,

with all your mind,

and with all your strength.

The second is this:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

There is no other commandment greater than these."

The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.

You are right in saying,

'He is One and there is no other than he.'

And 'to love him with all your heart,

with all your understanding,

with all your strength,

and to love your neighbor as yourself'

is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,

he said to him,

"You are not far from the kingdom of God."

And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

-Mark 12:28b-34

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The homily at my church today was by one of the deacons and he talked about how fear gets in the way of faith. When you fear something, you give it power over you, and when you act in fear, you act on behalf of what you fear. Christians should have no Earthly fears because we have fear of the Lord. Fear of the Lord is not the fear of losing something we have of earthly things, but rather a recognition of the infinite power of God. It is awe and respect, surrendering yourself to God.

In order to get into heaven you have to "repent" and "accept Jesus as your lord and savior" and since a 4 hour baby isn't old enough to do any of that, doesn't that mean the baby goes to heck?