“Black lives matter!” a statement of proclamation

Since some time now we hear more voices calling for attention against racism in general.

“Black lives matter!” is a statement of proclamation — a declaration and a decree — emerging from centuries of anguish born of America’s history of injustices stemming from the African slave trade.

“Black Lives Matter” is also an organization — a body of people with a particular mission — emerging from the proclamation, following episodes of police brutality and vigilante killings of Black men. The proclamation existed before the organization. The message of the proclamation and the message of the organization are not the same.

We all must be aware that the justification for slavery in America was rooted in the idea that black lives do not matter. For many Europeans and for those who conquered America, coloured people were considered like animals and only of value to be working elements which could be used as long as they could serve.

Racial injustice expanded through the creation of “Jim Crow” laws. Government-sanctioned violent acts were committed on non-violent protesters in marches, boycotts, lunch counter sit-ins, and even during African American worship services on Sunday. The brutal murders of Emmett Till, Medgar Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and so many more were all rooted in one ideology: Black lives do not matter.

It is incredible for us to see how so many churchgoers, or people who called themselves "Christian" could buy, sell and use those coloured people like cattle. For a real Christian, it is also not acceptable that in this 21st century there is so much division between races. All men are created in the image of God and should be respected as a worthy creature of the Most High.

> Please come to know more about a declaration and a decree — emerging from centuries of anguish born of America’s history of injustices stemming from the African slave trade. > 
Black Lives Matter? Embracing the proclamation or the organization

The Realm of profession in Christianity

A realm can be a space or area or sphere, but also a community or territory over which a sovereign rules; a kingdom.

Christ Jesus asked his followers to have him as a cornerstone and to gather in union, being part of his spiritual body. We may look at the realm of Christ, his royal domain, the kingdom he may govern from his heavenly Father. Those belonging to Christ should all be partakers of the Body of Christ and as such also be members of the realm of Christ. Together as members of the Body of Christ the followers of the Nazarene Jeshua should have as their profession the proclamation of the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God.

In Scriptures we do find people mentioned to be part of the realm of Christ.

Prophetic Patterns and Descriptions of People Now Living Who Will Inherit the Earthly Realm of God’s Kingdom
 

Foreshadowed by the following groups or individuals:

(1) Noah’s sons and daughters-in-law (Genesis 6-9).

(2) Lot and his daughters (Genesis 19).

(3) Joseph’s ten repentant half brothers (Genesis 37, 42-45).

(4) Famine-stricken Egyptians who sold themselves to Joseph (Genesis 41; 47:13-26).

(5) Mixed company that left Egypt with Israel (Exodus 12:38).

(6) Twelve non-Levite tribes of Israel on Atonement Day (Leviticus 16; Matthew 19:28).

(7) Alien residents in Israel (Leviticus 19:34).

(8) Hobab the brother-in-law of Moses (Numbers 10:29-32).

(9) Rahab of Jericho (Joshua 2, 6).

(10) Gibeonites who sought peace with Israel (Joshua 9, 10).

(11) Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite (Judges 4, 5).

(12) Jonathan son of King Saul (1 Samuel 18; 23:16, 17).

(13) Foreigners who fought along with David (2 Samuel 15:18-22).

(14) Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10).

(15) Naaman cleansed of leprosy (2 Kings 5).

(16) Jehonadab the son of Rechab (2 Kings 10:15-28).

(17) Foreigners who prayed toward Jehovah’s temple (2 Chronicles 6:32, 33).

(18) Nethinim and sons of non-Israelite servants of Solomon (Ezra 2, 8).

(19) Rechabites (Jeremiah 35).

(20) Ebed-melech the Ethiopian (Jeremiah 38; 39:16-18).

(21) Repentant Ninevites (Jonah 3).

Additionally, described prophetically as follows:

(1) Families of the ground that bless themselves by means of Abraham through his seed (Genesis 12:3; 22:18).

(2) Nations that are glad with Jehovah’s people (Deuteronomy 32:43).

(3) Righteous ones, those hoping in Jehovah (Psalm 37:9, 29).

(4) Virgin companions of the bride (Psalm 45:14).

(5) Upright and blameless ones (Proverbs 2:21).

(6) Nations being taught at Jehovah’s house and walking in his paths (Isaiah 2:2-4).

(7) Nations that turn inquiringly to the Signal (Isaiah 11:10).

(8) Nations that come out of darkness (Isaiah 49:6, 9, 10).

(9) Nation not previously known (Isaiah 55:5).

(10) Foreigners ministering to Jehovah and loving his name (Isaiah 56:6).

(11) “Wealthiness of the sea,” “resources of the nations,” those that come ‘flying like a cloud of doves’ (Isaiah 60:5, 6, 8).

(12) Strangers that shepherd Israel’s flocks, foreigners that are its farmers and vinedressers (Isaiah 61:5).

(13) Those marked in forehead by man with secretary’s inkhorn (Ezekiel 9).

(14) Persons who call on the name of Jehovah and get away safe on his fear-inspiring day (Joel 2:32).

(15) Desirable things of all nations (Haggai 2:7).

(16) Nations that become “joined to Jehovah” (Zechariah 2:11).

(17) ‘Ten men who take hold of skirt of a Jew’ (Zechariah 8:23).

(18) Nations to whom King speaks peace (Zechariah 9:10).

(19) “Sheep” who do good to King’s brothers (Matthew 25:31-46).

(20) Repentant prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).

(21) “Other sheep” who listen to the Fine Shepherd’s voice (John 10:16).

(22) Persons who exercise faith in Christ and “never die at all” (John 11:26).

(23) Creation that will be freed from enslavement to corruption and have glorious freedom of children of God (Romans 8:20, 21).

(24) Those of the world who gain everlasting life because they exercise faith in God’s Son (1 John 2:2; John 3:16, 36).

(25) “Great crowd” that serve day and night in Jehovah’s temple (Revelation 7:9-17).

(26) Anyone drinking life’s water and himself saying to others, “Come!” (Revelation 22:17).

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In the Bible we find  people mentioned who as individuals showed their love for God and got them as persons separated from the nations that are gathered before Jesus his throne. They look forward to being blessed by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and his spiritual “brothers.” So what they inherit is the earthly realm of the Kingdom, where Paradise is to be restored all around the globe. 

When Jehovah God made our earth he purposed for it to become a paradise everywhere, and he put man and woman on earth to make it that way, starting with the garden of Eden, or Paradise of Pleasure. The fall of Adam and Eve into sin and death did not deal out a defeat to God’s purpose. (Isaiah 55:11) He at once made preparation for bringing about the earth-wide Paradise by means of a heavenly Kingdom, in which his loyal Son would be the Ruler, or King. It had to be a celestial government if it is yet to crush out of existence the originator of sin and deception, Satan the Devil, a mighty spirit creature.​—Genesis 3:15.

Today we may still find people who want to be part of those close followers of Christ Jesus. They feel called by Jehovah God to unite as brothers and sisters in Christ and as such want to take up the profession of preaching the Gospel and being part of the realm of profession, the Church of Christ.

As “sons of the Realm” they want to be the children of God within that realm of profession, the Church of real followers of Christ, who want to be like a mustard seed becoming a big fruitful tree. though the real followers may be with not many, coming closer to the end times they shall find each other spread all over the world, willing to join hands and to unite under Christ.

Today Christendom, although having taken Christ’s title, is not expressing loyal love to God and his Kingdom Heir nor to Jesus Christ whom they have made into their god. Instead of remaining neutral, it has taken sides in the East-West struggle for world domination, sharing in this world’s materialism and militarism it also has taken opposition against other religions, not allowing other cultures and religions to around them, with the believe that it is God Who allows things to be. It will therefore perish with this old world at Armageddon. In that great war it are those who love God and His son who should share the brotherly love with others and show how there is a need to unite under Christ.

Unto the real of profession belong those who have Christian fruitage: sharing (Romans 15:27, 28; Philippians 1:22); holiness (Romans 6:21); goodness, righteousness, truth (Ephesians 5:9); good work ad knowledge (Colossians 1:10); praise and charity (Hebrews 13:15).

All those  things that build up character and make some one special should be mastered or professionalised by the one who wants to call himself Christian.

The test is on. To go counter to the whole world is not easy. To do so with success we must lean heavily on Jehovah’s loyal love. For our assurance He has caused to be recorded twenty-six times in Psalm 136 alone that “his loyal love is to time indefinite.” (Margin) But we must do our part, for as we read elsewhere: “All the paths of Jehovah are loyal love and truthfulness for those observing his covenant and his reminders.”—Ps. 25:10,

When having taken a new direction in life, having become a Christian

English: Folio 18 recto, beginning of the Epistle to Thessalonians, decorated headpiece (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When the apostle Paul wrote to the churches at Colossa and Thessalonica he felt united with God the Father and the Lord Jeshua Christ.
He knew that in the presence of our God and Father, we never had to forget that our faith should be active, our love working hard, and our confidence in our the master teacher Jeshua enduring. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

He wants us to continually recall before God our Father the things we have done because of our faith and our work of/from faith. When under Christ, being in the faith, we should not only live in faith for ourselves, but share that faith and share the love of Christ with others. Therefore we should do the work because of our love and our continuing strength because of your hope ^orendurance of/from hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

In the same way the Thessalonians their faith and way of living became an example to [model for] all the believers in Macedonia [the Roman province in which Thessalonica was located, present-day northern Greece] and Achaia [present-day southern Greece] (1 Thessalonians 1:7) we should become an example too.

Today, people around you have to be able to see how you stopped being of this world and stopped worshipping idols [turned to God from idols] to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom God raised from the dead, and the sent one from God who who rescues us from the coming wrath. (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

To be on the safe site, we have chosen to belong to the body of Christ and work at ourselves, making us holy, i.e. being set apart from the world, having the right godly attitude.

Always we should be keeping alert, and always thanking and praying to God. (Colossians 4:2)

4 Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that also you have a Master in heaven.

² Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.

³ And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison; (Colossians 4:1-3 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

Therefore we should act wisely, behaving towards people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. When you talk, you should always be kind [gracious] and pleasant [winsome; engaging; or wholesome; seasoned with salt] so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.

⁵ Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.

⁶ Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]. (Colossians 4:5-6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

Since you were in a way raised from the dead, by choosing for Christ and his resurrection, you should also aim at [aspire to; seek after; focus on] what is in heaven [the things above], where the one who did not do his own will but preferred to do the Will of God, is sitting at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

Having come under the grace of God, we should think only about [set our minds on; fix our thoughts on] the things in heaven [above], not the things on earth. Our aim should be to become like Christ, by his nailing at the stake, having nailed our old sinful self to the past and to death. As if we died, and our new life is kept [hidden] with Christ in God.

³ For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.

⁴ When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
(Colossians 3:3-4 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

We should know that now having come into a new world, the one of Christ, we have to do our best to put all evil [earthly; worldly] things out of your life [to death]: sexual sinning, doing evil [impurity; defilement], letting evil thoughts control you [lust; passion], wanting things that are evil [selfish desires], and greed, which is ·serving a false god [idolatry]. Because of these things, God’s ·judgment [anger; wrath] is coming.

⁵ So kill (deaden, ^[a]deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).

⁶ It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will),(Colossians 3:5-6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

It may not always be easy to put the many bad things of the world aside, and to get these things out of your life: anger, bad temper [rage], hatred [malice; evil], saying things to hurt others [slander; blasphemy], and using evil words [abusive/filthy/obscene language] when you talk [from your mouth].

⁷ Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].

⁸ But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!
(Colossians 3:7-8 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

 Let us be glad that we receive the ability to do away of our old self, our old sinful life [self; person; man] and the things we did before [its deeds/practices], now having begun to live the new life [put on the new person/man], in which we are being made new [renewed] in the true knowledge of God and are becoming like [according to the image of] the One who created us [Gen. 1:26–27]. 

Today we see lots of people who do not like strangers living around them, they forgetting that when they allow them to get themselves to be known, they should not be strangers any more. In our new life there should be no difference between Jews and other believers or unbelievers in God, those who are circumcised and those who are not circumcised, or between people who are foreigners [barbarians], or Scythians [from the northern coast of the Black Sea, considered uncivilized and violent]. There is no difference between slaves and free people. But Christ is all that is important and should be in all believers [all and in all], having those who believe in him sharing the love of Christ with all others.

¹⁰ And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect ^[a]knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.

¹¹ [In this new creation all distinctions vanish.] There ^[b]is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [^[c]who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all [^[d]everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person].
(Colossians 3:10-11Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

In the knowledge that God loves us and has prepared a body for us, giving us salvation and liberation form slavery and death, we should not enslave others nor bring fear and death over  others. Now we received the ability to become God’s chosen, holy and beloved ones (Ex. 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:9] we should present ourselves to others as "newly clothed" ones full of acceptance and openness, with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with or making allowances for; being patient with each other, and forgiving each other, always letting the peace of Christ control [rule; arbitrate] our thinking [hearts], because we were all called together in one body [the church as the body of Christ] to have peace.

¹² Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].

¹³ Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].

¹⁴ And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].

¹⁵ And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].
(Colossians 3:12-15 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

Always be thankful and remember that everything you do or say should be done to obey [or as a representative of; in the name of] the Lord Jesus. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. (Colossians 3:15-17)

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Please do find to read:

1. Facing our existence every day
2. Cognizance at the doorstep or at the internet socket 
3. Looking for wisdom not departing from God’s Word
4. Outflow of foundational relationship based on acceptance of Jesus
5. Showing by the scriptures that …
6. Christian values, traditions, real or false stories, pure and upright belief
7. When having found faith through the study of the Bible we do need to do works of faith
8. Thought for those who think it is not necessary to do any works any more 
9. Leading with Fear: Gathering or Scattering?
10. Today’s thought “Ability to assemble” (May 14)
11. Today’s thought “Death by being taken captive” (May 15)
12. Today’s thought “Clothing yourselves with the right attitude” (May 16)
13. Today’s thought “Let’s be examples of disciples who spread the word about their Master” (May 17)
14. Today’s thought by the French elections and right-wing populism in the world 
15. Human Nature: What does the Bible teach? 
16. The business of this life 
17. How to set your mind 
18. Running away from the past
19. Establish your hearts blameless in holines 
20. A race not to swift, nor a battle to the strong
21. The first on the list of the concerns of the saint   
22. Unconditional love
23. Be holy
24. Doctrine and Conduct Cause and Effect 
25. The works we have to do according to James 

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To be faithful over a little

May we soon have our faith turned to sight – and hear the words,

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).

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Let us make sure we are not stiff-necked

Today, God’s word is available to be read in every language, but how many “hear” by properly reading it?

In God’s perception of humans today, nearly all are stiff-necked! Let us make sure we are not.

Let us become like Abraham of whom we read today in Romans 4,

“No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised”.

Those who call themselves Christian should be following up the teachings and the tasks given by the master teacher Jeshua, Jesus Christ. Too many forget how important the preaching of the Word of God is. Too many do not care to bring the Good News of the coming Kingdom to others. they better consider what Jeshua had asked his followers. they should know like the apostles knew that great emphasis must be placed on the preaching of the Gospel. This should be the sacred duty of every Christian, to place himself or herself under that preaching.

Preaching is at the heart of our liturgy. Our spiritual health and our Christian lives, like the lives of those around us, utterly depend upon hearing and heeding the voice of Christ and up hearing the Voice of his heavenly Father, the God of him, Abraham and us.

We may not neglect that which is most needful for our Christian lives and for the salvation of us and our beloved ones.

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Find more about preaching at our ecclesia site: Articles on Preaching or on Stepping toes and preaching

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Which Christian sect is the only true Christian church?

Lunatic outpost poses good question: Which Christian sect is the only true Christian church?

How many times do we not hear one or the other church saying they are the only one right church? How often do we not hear people saying they belong to the one one true church?

TrolLOP had a former Baptist, now Jehovah Witness, come to his/her door the other day. After talking to her for awhile, he/she asked her if she now believes that the Jehovah Witnesses are the only true Christians. She said yes. But TrolLOP was taught that if you weren't Catholic you weren't really Christian. And that is what we often hear Catholics saying that they are the only true universal church of God, based on the task given to saint Peter the first pope of their church.







LoP Guest remarked that the Roman Church banned the Bible, and changed the word;

 claims the pope is the 'vicar of christ'

When we look at the Roman Catholic Church we also can see that they do not mind bowing down in front of graven images of the one they claim to be God and of human beings they consider to be 'saints' who can do holy or sacred things for them. Though the God of the Bible is clear we may not have other gods in front of the God of gods and may not bow down in front of graven images which can do nothing for us.

Those Catholics we could also see in the journals on television yesterday also like to burn candles as an 'offering' for god and talisman to succeed in certain things (this time of year the final exams).

LoP Guest considers all Protestants God's people and gives the impression she thinks all of them belong to the true church of God.

Whether they are Jehovah's Witness and do not believe in this or not. We are all God's people, although some may interpret the Bible differently, some more wrong than others.

TrolLOP wants

to ask the Christians here, is there only one true Christian sect/church and which one is it?

> http://lunaticoutpost.com/thread-548525.html

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Church has to grow through witness, not by proselytism

In January pope Francis I spoke about Benedict XVI who said that the Church grows through witness, not by proselytism.

Pope Benedict XVI in Portugal (Photo credit: Catholic Church (England and Wales))

Jesus gave the order to his disciples and to all who wanted to follow him, to go out in the world to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.  Evry person calling himself a Christian, should know that this should mean to be a follower of Christ, should also follow those teachings and orders of that person.

The witness that can really attract is that associated with attitudes which are uncommon:

the pope said and named them:

generosity, detachment, sacrifice, self-forgetfulness in order to care for others. This is the witness, the “martyrdom” of religious life. It “sounds an alarm” for people.

When people are religious those people should make a life for themselves filled with with thinkings which are not always of this world. Looking at this world, we can not escape living in it but should be careful not to become 'of it'.

 “religious life ought to promote growth in the Church by way of attraction."

continued the pope.

“The Church,” therefore, “ must be attractive. Wake up the world! Be witnesses of a different way of doing things, of acting, of living! It is possible to live differently in this world. We are speaking of an eschatological outlook, of the values of the Kingdom incarnated here, on this earth. It is a question of leaving everything to follow the Lord. 

The pope did not want to say “radical.”

Evangelical radicalness is not only for religious: it is demanded of all. But religious follow the Lord in a special way, in a prophetic way. It is this witness that I expect of you. Religious should be men and women who are able to wake the world up.”

 Pope Francis has returned in a circular fashion to concepts that he has already touched on, exploring them more deeply. In fact he continued:

“You should be real witnesses of a way of doing and acting differently. But in life it is difficult for everything to be clear, precise, outlined neatly. Life is complicated; it consists of grace and sin. He who does not sin is not human. We all make mistakes and we need to recognize our weakness. A religious who recognizes himself as weak and a sinner does not negate the witness that he is called to give, rather he reinforces it, and this is good for everyone. What I expect of you therefore is to give witness.

The pope wants this special witness from religious people and warns them to look out not to restrict themselves to dogmatic teachings endangering them to go into fundamentalism.

From the "Wake up the world" press conference January 2014

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Related articles

• Pope Francis condemns fundamentalism, urges setting an example over proselytizing (rawstory.com)
  Francis meet with 120 superiors general of men’s religious orders at the Vatican in November. His comments were published Friday by La Civiltà Cattolica, a Rome-based Jesuit weekly.
  “I am convinced of one thing: the great changes in history were realized when reality was seen not from the center but rather from the periphery,” the pope said.
  To look at something from the periphery, the pope explained, meant analyzing reality through a variety of viewpoints, rather than filtering all experience through a centralized ideology.
  
• A Non-Political Pope? (Part 2) (clrforum.org)
  Some things he said in the interview are a frankly a little shocking. He told the interviewer, Eugenio Scalfari, “Proselytism is solemn nonsense.” That’s a rather dismissive way to treat millennia of Christian apologetics. The pope’s views on conscience were also odd, from a Christian perspective. “Everyone has his own idea of good and evil and must choose to follow the good and fight evil as he conceives them,” the pope said. “That would be enough to make the world a better place.” With respect, “do what you think is right” is not the Christian view of conscience. That sounds more like Anthony Kennedy than St. Paul. And would the world really be a better place if everyone did what he thought was right? How about jihadis?
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  the Church would “never go beyond its task of expressing and disseminating its values, at least as long as I’m here.” What the Pope seems to mean is that the Church as an institution should avoid getting involved in the workings of government and political parties, but that its prophetic role remains.
• Church division a scandal - Pope (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
  The leader of 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide said a goal of full unity between the two churches "may seem distant" but it remained an aim that should direct "every step".
  He said progress towards full unity would not be the result of human actions alone, but would be a "free gift of God".
  "Beneath his merciful gaze, we cannot claim that our division is anything less than a scandal and an obstacle to our proclaiming the Gospel of salvation to the world," the Pope told Archbishop Justin Welby.
  
• Pope invites Romans, pilgrims, to Eucharistic procession (catholicnewsagency.com)
  “Every Sunday we go to Mass, we celebrate the Eucharist together and the Eucharist is like the ‘burning bush’ in which the Trinity humbly dwells and communicates itself: this is why the Church has placed the feast of the Body of the Lord after that of the Trinity.”
  
  The Holy Father also reflected on the Divine love of the Trinity, “origin and goal of the universe and of every creature.”
  
  He explained that the Trinity acts as a model of the Church where Christians are called to love with the perfect, sacrificial love of Jesus.
• Top Ten Myths About Pope Francis' First Year (dominicanablog.com)
  If Quoheleth had lived during the last year, he might well have said, “Of the making of many myths about Pope Francis there is no end.” As we give thanks to God for the Holy Father on this first anniversary of his papacy, it’s worth taking a moment to look back on some of the myths about Pope Francis that have made the rounds on the Internet this year. While this list could be many more pages long, what follows is my own Top Ten List of Myths about Pope Francis.
• Pope Francis Tells Religious Orders To "Wake Up The World" - 4 January 2014 (lucas2012infos.wordpress.com)
  
  Editor Antonio Spadaro, SJ, has written an article recounting the private meeting last November between Pope Francis and the Union of Superiors General of religious men at the end of their 82nd General Assembly.
  The 15-page article (available in English at the La Civiltà Cattolica website) documents the views of Pope Francis on religious life.
• Moving Through Time: Timeline of Religion (pcr.wpengine.com)
  Since the beginning of time, mankind has formed beliefs of the unexplainable and unknowable. Over thousands of years, these beliefs became traditional, customary, and institutionalized within regional societies. People continue to express an interest in spiritual matters from all corners around the world. Everybody has pondered the meaning of life, what happens after we die, what existed before us, and whether any other life exists in the universe. Mankind may never know concrete answers regarding the spiritual. In fact, humans may destroy the planet before we can discover the remaining life in unexplored regions. Nevertheless, we continue to seek spiritual enlightenment and a connection with our Creator.
• Why Are Christians the World's Most Persecuted Group? (tomohalloran.com)
  Why are Christians, as a new Pew report documents, the most persecuted religious group in the world?  And why is their persecution occurring primarily throughout the Islamic world?  (In the category on “Countries with Very High Government Restrictions on Religion,” Pew lists 24 countries—20 of which are Islamic and precisely where the overwhelming majority of “the world’s” Christians are actually being persecuted.)
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  Christianity is a proselytizing faith that seeks to win over converts.  No other major religion—including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism—except Islam itself has this missionary aspect (these faiths tend to be coterminous with their respective ethnicities: Buddhists, Asians; Judaism, Jews; Hinduism, Hindus).    Thus because Christianity is the only religion that is actively confronting Muslims with the truths of its own message, not only is it the primary religion to be accused of proselytizing but, by publicly uttering teachings that contradict Muhammad’s, Christians are accused of blaspheming as well.  Similarly, this proselytizing element is behind the fact that most Muslims who apostatize to other religions overwhelmingly convert to Christianity.  Finally, if indigenous Christians are many in the Middle East, because that is the cradle of Christianity, in other regions with large Muslim populations, such as sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia, Christian missionaries have won over millions of converts to the faith—many of whom are now targeted and persecuted according to Islam’s anti-apostasy law, which often calls for the death penalty.
• Pope: Saints are humble sinners, sanctified by Jesus (en.radiovaticana.va)
  “In this holy Church the Lord chooses certain people so that holiness can be better seen, to show that it is He who sanctifies, that no one sanctifies himself, that there’s no course to become a saint, that it’s not being a religious fraud or something of that sort… No! It’s not that! Holiness is a gift of Jesus to His Church and to show this He chooses people in whom His work of sanctifying is clearly seen.”
• Why are Christians the world's most persecuted group? (humanevents.com)
  Christianity is the quintessential religion of martyrdom.  From its inception—beginning with Jesus followed by his disciples and the early Church—many Christians have accepted martyrdom rather than recant their faith, in ancient times at the hands of Romans, in Medieval and modern times at the hands of pious Muslims and others.  Few other religions encourage their adherents to embrace death rather than recant, as captured by Christ’s own words: “But whoever denies me before men, I will deny him before my Father in heaven” (Matt 10:33; see also Luke 14:33).”   Conversely, Islam teaches Muslims to openly renounce their faith (taqiyya)—not just when their lives are threatened, but even as a stratagem of war—as long as they remain Muslim in their hearts.  Other religions and sects also approve of dissimulation to preserve their adherents’ lives.  Back in the 1800s, for instance, Samuel M. Zwemer, a Christian missionary, observed that in Iran “Bahaism enjoys taqiyya (concealment of faith) as a duty, but Christianity demands public profession; and hence in Persia it is far easier to become a Bahai than to become a Christian.”