Lectio Divina for 7 July 2024
1. Lectio
Read the passage slowly and attentively, paying close attention to each word and detail.
Passage: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Saint Matthew 7:15-21)
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Patriarch Seraphim Affirms Traditional Doctrine and Emphasises God’s Infinite Mercy
TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN 6 July 2024 – In a recent statement, in conjunction with the Patriarchal Conclave, Patriarch Seraphim reasserted the traditional Catholic teaching of “extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” (outside the Church there is no salvation). This doctrine teaches the necessity of the Catholic Church for salvation, positing the Church as the primary means established by Christ for the salvation of souls.
The Patriarch also acknowledged the boundless nature of God’s mercy and grace. He emphasised that while the Catholic Church is the ordinary means of salvation, God’s grace can operate in mysterious ways beyond the visible confines of the Church. This understanding does not diminish the necessity of the Church but rather highlights the very deep nature of God’s mercy. His Holiness pointed out that those who live in a state of grace, love Christ, worship the Father, uphold the Apostles’ and Nicene Creed, and are baptised and confirmed, are mystically connected to the Catholic Church, even if they are not visibly united with it. Such individuals, he said, will have an opportunity for salvation in the afterlife through purgation.
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Embracing Sacrifice for the Sake of Christ
On the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 10:37-42
Our Gospel for today, though challenging, is essential in understanding the demands of discipleship and the depth of commitment (more…)
Prayers Concerning Tropical Storm Beryl
SPAIN, 6 June 2024 – Rev. Fr. Santiago of La Iglesia Católica Antigua de Jerusalén in Spain, called for prayer regarding Hurricane Beryl, saying “Please pray for Mexico and the United States as hurricane Beryl moves closer to Texas.”
A tropical storm warning has been issued for several regions in Texas, including Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Victoria, and the surrounding areas, as meteorologists anticipate that Tropical Storm Beryl will make landfall between this weekend and Monday. The storm is expected to bring winds reaching up to 80 miles per hour or possibly higher.
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Lectio Divina for 6 July 2024
1. Lectio
Read the passage slowly and attentively, paying close attention to each word and detail.
Passage: “And it came to pass, as Jesus spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee and the paps that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” (Saint Luke 11:27-28) (more…)
Is Salvation Available for Non-Catholics?
The teaching “extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” (outside the Church there is no salvation) is a traditional Catholic doctrine affirming that the Church is necessary for salvation. This doctrine emphasises the importance of the Catholic Church as the means established by Christ for the salvation of souls. While the traditional stance remains firm, the Church acknowledges the mysterious ways in which God’s grace can operate outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church.
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Lectio Divina for 5 July 2024
1. Lectio
Read the passage slowly and attentively, paying close attention to each word and detail.
Passage: “Amen I say to you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall not enter into it. And embracing them and laying his hands upon them, he blessed them. And when he was gone forth into the way, a certain man, running up and kneeling before him, asked him: Good Master, what shall I do that I may receive life everlasting? And Jesus said to him: Why callest thou me good? None is good but one, that is God. Thou knowest the Commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, bear not false witness, do no fraud, honour thy father and mother. But he answering, said to him: Master, all these things I have observed from my youth. And Jesus, looking on him, loved him and said to him: One thing is wanting unto thee. Go, sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor: and thou shalt have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.” (more…)
Homily on Saint Mark 8:1-9
Our Gospel reading today presents us with the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, a deeply meaningful sign of Christ’s divine compassion and providence. This event, which fed four thousand people with only seven loaves and a few small fishes, reveals to us several important truths about our Lord and the nature of His mission.
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Lectio Divina for 4 July 2024
1. Lectio
Read the passage slowly and attentively, paying close attention to each word and detail.
Passage: “In those days again, when there was great multitude and they had nothing to eat; calling his disciples together, he saith to them: I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I shall send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way: for some of them came from afar off. And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness? And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke and gave to his disciples for to set before them. And they set them before the people. And they had a few little fishes: and he blessed them and commanded them to be set before them. And they did eat and were filled: and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand. And he sent them away.” (Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark 8:1-9)
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Lectio Divina for 3 July 2024
1. Lectio
Read the passage slowly and attentively, paying close attention to each word and detail.
Passage: “And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.” (St. Matthew 10:28-32) (more…)
