We are back! Well we are back again with Facing East Podcast Episode # 36. Join us as we head off to the movies for Angels and Demons. We chat about it before and after the movie.
Leave us some feedback if you will!
Year of the Bible?
When the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31, 2009, Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) hopes you’ll be ringing in “the Year of the Bible.”
It’s probably just wishful thinking.
Broun’s simple congressional resolution aimed at honoring the Good Book has produced a push-back of biblical proportion in the blogosphere, with critics dismissing it as either unconstitutional or a waste of time. Jews in Congress and atheist activists are dismissing the resolution, while none of the many Democrats in Congress who are Christian have bothered to sign on as co-sponsors.
According to GovTrak.us, the resolution is among the most-blogged-about pieces of legislation, with most posts less than complimentary in nature.
“Does that mean 2009 is not the year of the Bible?” mocked Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who is Jewish. “What is 2012 the year of? The Quran?”
“That’s an endorsement of religion by the federal government, and we shouldn’t be doing that,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), even though he has introduced his own legislation dealing with religion.
Benedict XVI Promotes Internet Friendships
VATICAN CITY, MAY 20, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is encouraging a “positive” use of communication technologies so that friendships created through them can help make the world a better place.
The Pope said this today at the end of the general audience when he spoke in English about this Sunday’s celebration of World Communications Day.
Referring to his message for this year, he noted his invitation to “all those who make use of the new technologies of communication, especially the young, to utilize them in a positive way and to realize the great potential of these means to build up bonds of friendship and solidarity that can contribute to a better world.”
The Holy Father recognized that “new technologies have brought about fundamental shifts in the ways in which news and information are disseminated and in how people communicate and relate to each other.”
Thus, he exhorted those who “access cyberspace” to take care to “maintain and promote a culture of respect, dialogue and authentic friendship where the values of truth, harmony and understanding can flourish.”
His final exhortation was for youth: “Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world! Employ these new technologies to make the Gospel known, so that the Good News of God’s infinite love for all people, will resound in new ways across our increasingly technological world!”
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Sermon AudioOne of the most ancient cities of the Promised Land was Shechem, also called Sikima, located at the foot of Mount Gerazim. There the Israelites had heard the blessings in the days of Moses and Jesus of Navi. Near to this town, Jacob, who had come from Mesopotamia in the nineteenth century before Christ, bought a piece of land where there was a well. This well, preserved even until the time of Christ, was known as Jacob’s Well. Later, before he died in Egypt, he left that piece of land as a special inheritance to his son Joseph (Gen. 49:22). This town, before it was taken into possession by Samaria, was also the leading city of the kingdom of the ten tribes. In the time of the Romans it was called Neapolis, and at present Nablus. It was the first city in Canaan visited by the Patriarch Abraham. Here also, Jesus of Navi (Joshua) addressed the tribes of Israel for the last time. Almost three hundred years later, all Israel assembled there to make Roboam (Rehoboam) king.
When our Lord Jesus Christ, then, came at midday to this city, which is also called Sychar (John 4:5), He was wearied from the journey and the heat, and He sat down at this well. After a little while the Samaritan woman mentioned in today’s Gospel passage came to draw water. As she conversed at some length with the Lord and heard from Him secret things concerning herself, she believed in Him; through her many other Samaritans also believed.
Concerning the Samaritans we know the following: In the year 721 before Christ, Salmanasar (Shalmaneser), King of the Assyrians, took the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel into captivity, and relocated all these people to Babylon and the land of the Medes. From there he gathered various nations and sent them to Samaria. These nations had been idolaters from before. Although they were later instructed in the Jewish faith and believed in the one God, they worshipped the idols also. Furthermore, they accepted only the Pentateuch of Moses, and rejected the other books of Holy Scripture. Nonetheless, they thought themselves to be descendants of Abraham and Jacob. Therefore, the pious Jews named these Judaizing and idolatrous peoples Samaritans, since they lived in Samaria, the former leading city of the Israelites, as well as in the other towns thereabout. The Jews rejected them as heathen and foreigners, and had no communion with them at all, as the Samaritan woman observed, “the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans” (John 4:9). Therefore, the name Samaritan is used derisively many times in the Gospel narrations. After the Ascension of the Lord, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the woman of Samaria was baptized by the holy Apostles and became a great preacher and Martyr of Christ; she was called Photine, and her feast is kept on February 26.
Respect
I was not able to watch the President’s speech from Notre Dame today but I have been reading about it online. I was also following several people who were tweeting during the speech as well. Regardless of what he had to say, and this post is not about that, what amazes me is the total lack of respect for the President of the United States. Weather you agree with his policies or not he is still the President of the United States and he should be referred too as either President Obama or Mr. Obama. To simply refer to him as Obama is disrespectful to him and to the office of the President.
Now before you go off on me and leave nasty comments be warned I said the same thing about President Bush. I did not always agree with is policies but he was President and he deserves that respect. This goes to the larger topic of respect in general.
What I was growing up adults were Mr. or Mrs. Some of my friends would say Sir or Mam and I thought this was nice. My dad goes over to a friends house every morning for coffee. When I am home I usually go with him and we watch the stock market and chat about stuff going on. Even though I am 42 years old now I would not dream of calling him or his wife by their first names I still refer to them as Mr. or Mrs.
Another example would be there first year I was teaching and I was subbing at different schools. I ended up at the High School I graduated from. Some of the same teachers that I had when I was in school were still teaching there. We were in the teachers room having lunch one day and I was saying Mr. this and Mrs. that and they were chuckling and said I could call them by their first names. I said I did, you are Mr. Smith and you are Mrs. Jones. Another Chuckle.
So there it is common respect is what I am talking about. Not just for the President but for all. It cheapens all of us if we loose respect.
Upcoming Event
Come see the famous Doo Wop band the Flamingos as seen on PBS.
Also, tributes for Roy Orbinson and Elvis.
12 Crane St. Southbridge Ma
Saturday May 23rd. 7:30 p.m.
Tickets still available. $25 a person.
All proceeds benefit the Southbridge Downtown Partnership
Contact Susan Pelletier508-248-6687or
yves-lynn@charter.net
Show us yer haggis
This is very cute. It comes to me via the Anamchara blog and to them via Clan Buchanan. Here are the words:
Hae the lyrics:“SCOTLAND’S got a dance for you, it’s funky and it’s new,So don yer kilts and fill yer boots, we’re bringing it to you.You can do it on yer own, in pairs or do it in a crowd,But wherever you do it, you gotta do it proud.Show us your haggis, raise your right arm to the sky,Stand on one leg, flip it round and shout ‘och aye.’Saltire for Scotland, and hoik it to the right,And grab yer neebors shoulder, and nessie through the night.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrNLm0w0mDs]
This wee song is way too fun! It was released on 23rd March 2009 by Alva Academy & its associated primary schools. On 1st April 2009, just over a week later, it reached number one in the Scottish charts. The song was written by D. Clifford & S. Clyde. Enjoy the song and the video.
Ecumenical Patriarch hospitalized
Athens, May 13 (Interfax) – Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople was taken to hospital upon the recommendation of doctors on Wednesday morning.
According to the Constantinople Patriarchy, “he feels quite well and is going to return to his office in a few days,” Romfea.gr reports.
For almost a week, Bartholomew I has been suffering a bad cold.The meeting of the Constantinople Patriarchate Synod is adjourned for the reason of Patriarch’s illness.
H/T Byzantine Texas
Camping Trip # 1
I am preparing to break camp and head home so I ask for prayers for my traveling. When I get back I must shift gears for a retreat that begins tonight with the Fire Chaplains. So my little rest continues.
I brought all of this work to do whilst I was here but did none of it but I did manage to get some much needed sleep so all is good. I will be offline for a few days whilst on retreat. I will be praying for all of you.
Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s day to all of the mothers who read this blog especially my own dear mother who had a part in me being who I am today. I pray that all mother’s weather they are with us or not have a blessed day.
Take time to thank mothers, and women in general. Mothers have still have a great role in our society not for just bringing forth life but also for nurturing that life and helping their children grow. In the Orthodox world the faith of the Church is passed on by our mothers and we use as a great example Mary the Mother of Jesus. Pray to Mary for guidance and she will show you the way.
A special prayer to those women who find themselves in the family way rather unexpectedly. Hang in there and bring to life that life you are carrying. If you do not want to raise the child you now carry someone will. There are many parents who long to have a child and cannot so bring your baby to this world and let someone care for it. Abortion is not the answer!
Blessings in a special way to single moms. You have the hardest of all jobs being mom and dad to your children. I pray for you that God’s blessings will come upon you for you chose life and not death.
Blessed Mother’s Day