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Good Bye. I am going to my Father. I will pray for you.
“Love, which is the heart of the Beatitudes, even if it seems weak in the world’s eyes, in fact always triumphs.” Pope Francis – Homily in Bagdad Cathedral 2021
I woke this morning and heard of the passing of Pope Francis. He was a humble apostle of peace and love for all humanity, especially the poor and marginalized. Pope Francis followed Jesus as a Servant of God. May we do the same.
After Pope Francis visited the United States in 2015, I wrote him a letter never expecting a response. He did respond in January 2016 through his papal nuncio Monsignor Peter B. Wells.
Your Holiness is grateful for this gesture of closeness, which he reciprocates with a fervent remembrance in prayer for you and for the people and concerns in your heart. Pope Francis also begs him to pray for him and for the fruits of his service to the holy People of God, while cordially imparting the Apostolic Blessing, as a pledge of abundant divine favors.
Oración de apertura: Para el inmigrante y refugiado, el cambio puede requerir dejar atrás a la familia, los amigos y el hogar. Cuando hacemos espacio en nuestras vidas para dar la bienvenida a los recién llegados, también cambiamos.
Respuesta: Oramos por la gracia del amor que echa fuera todo temor
We should love one another just as he commanded us.
The present form of the world passes away,
and there remains only the joy of having used this world to establish God’s rule here.
All pomp, all triumphs, all selfish capitalism,
all the false successes of life will pass
with the world’s form.
All of that passes away.
What does not pass away is love.
When one has turned money, property, work in one’s calling into service of others,
then the joy of sharing
and the feeling that all are one’s family
does not pass away.
In the evening of life you will be judged on love.
St. Oscar Romero, The Violence of Love
Oscar Romero (1917–1980) became archbishop of San Salvador in 1977. A prophetic voice of the poor, he was martyred at the altar while saying Mass. Romero was canonized in 2018.
Jimmy Carter passed away on December 30th, 2024. He was compassionate and dedicated to peace.
I read an article about Jimmy Carter in early 1976 in my dad’s U.S. news and World Report magazine.
Who is this, Jimmy Carter?
I went and bought his book ‘Why not the Best.’ He wrote, ‘Our people are our most precious possession. We cannot afford to waste the talents and abilities given by God.’ Jimmy Carter was a man of faith and a politician. His faith informed his actions, but did not dictate them.
It was my senior year in the following year 1976 he would become president. I headed to New York to enroll in NYU. Unfortunately, nothing had been done on my file since I was accepted; I had no money. I took a gap year and worked for Macy’s.
Eventually I enrolled in Seattle University in the fall of 1977. Yes, clear across United States. In American government class, I asked if peace talks between Israel and Egypt would ever come about and be successful. My professor emphatically said no; there were too many outside pressures and agendas.
Well on September 17th, 1978, the Camp David accords were signed by Menachem Begin, Anwar Sadat. The first accord A Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel led directly to the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty. Sadly, the second A framework for peace in the Middle East never progressed.
Jimmy Carter was a peacemaker there and in other parts of the world. He and his wife healed the sick around the world and sheltered the homeless.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa in Cairo, where The Carter Center brought together an unprecedented group of leaders committed to resolving the crisis in the Great Lakes region of Africa. Jimmy Carter and Desmond Tutu
President and Mrs. Carter help measure people’s heights to determine how many Mectizan® treatments should be received to prevent the parasitic disease river blindness
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Matthew: 5:16
‘For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in, I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison, and you came to visit me. ‘
Jimmy and Rosalyn were truly children of God. I believe they are counted among the righteous now and for eternity.
Three Candles for Peace – Copyright John Kingery 2012
Today is Tuesday, March 1, 2022 the day before Ash Wednesday – Mardi Gras. Traditionally it is time for partying and revelry. Instead let us pray for and support peace in the Ukraine.
As the prophet Isaiah wrote,
“He shall judge between the nations and impose terms on many peoples. They shell beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning one nation shall raise the sword against another, nor shall they raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” Isaiah 2:4-5.
Hundreds have been killed over the last few days, thousands have died over the last eight years, and potentially more senseless death may occur. A 40 mile long convoy according to various news sources – NBC, BBC, CNN, Fox and others is heading to Kyiv.
God halt the convoys of violence and death.
God turn the fuel propelling that convoy into water.
God make all the rockets, missiles, bullets and all weapons for war become brittle and crumble.
God touch the hearts of the Russian soldiers to choose the path of peace and return to Russia.
God touch the hearts of the Ukrainian soldiers and people to allow the Russian soldiers to leave.
God touch Vladimir Putin’s soul, mind and body freeing him from the darkness within.
God teach us your way of Peace.
Amen
In my Christian catholic faith, we have a powerful prayer called the rosary. On Tuesday is when we prayer reflect on the five Sorrowful Mysteries the events leading to Christ’s death.
During this time of great trial, it is fitting to pray and reflect on upon those sorrows and spiritual fruit.
Agony in the Garden with its spiritual fruit of God’s will be done.
Scourging at the Pillar with its spiritual fruit of Mortification of the senses.
The Crowning with Thorns with its spiritual fruit of Reign of Christ in our heart.
The Carrying of the Cross with is spiritual fruit of Patient bearing of trails.
The Crucifixion with its spiritual fruit of Pardoning of injuries.
I invite you join in this prayer. If you are not Christian or Catholic, please pray or mediate as you are moved by the divine spirit. A link to the Sorrowful mysteries is below.
We are called to be peace makers as Jesus taught –
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God” Matthew 5:9.
