> The late PopePaul VI said it well:"If you want peace, work for justice". There is also the great New York Times advert: ...(Bush) You say Jesus changed your heart, now let him change your mind." (*On Iraq). The relics of St Therese the LittleFlower are in Iraq right nowand many are venerating them. Ijoin you in prayers to StJoseph et.al. for peace with justice first for the household of Faith in the Levant and then for all the world. GDVW+ >>From: "kennethhorne" <kennethhorne@...> > >>Subject: WAR AND CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ >>Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2002 10:38:39 EDT >> >>I pray for peace daily and ask Our Lady and St. Joseph to pray that the >> president and other rulers incline themselves to peace. In JMJ, >> Kenneth+ -------------------------------------------------------------- > > Fr. Kenneth+ > > Amen. > > In the mystery of holiness the Patriarchs, Prophets, and Poets of Israel > learned that God used the nations to punish one another for evil. They > learned that even the madness of men would ultimately serve God's > purposes in history. > > In the mystery of the Incarnation evil religious and venal political > leaders were unwitting players in bringing in the Reign of God. The > Son of God admonished Peter to put away the sword; the Kingdom would > not come by that means. The victory was won at the Cross. > > In the mystery of the continuing Body of Christ, the power of the > Incarnation extends the Kingdom into the evil world, redeeming it. That > True Light does not force its way into homes, lives, or kingdoms of men > by armies of liberation or compulsion. This is the mystery of > Godliness; God was in Christ (and still is) reconciling the world to > Himself. > > Indeed our prayers should be for peace. We should emulate those early > Christians from St. Paul to Clement of Rome who advised, "Do not be > overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Those saints > understood Eucharist. They understood that united with Jesus Christ > they were privileged and thankful to pour out their lives in service. > Christians in our time seem not to have apprehended that mystery. > > "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, > as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and > sacrifice to God." > > That may be my Christmas message. > > Charles+ > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail > > > -- > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to > <faithandlife-unsubscribe@...> ----------------------------------------- This Advent Season our sponsors are selling goods and services you don't want to miss! Support our sponsors with your purchase by clicking here. http://www.catholic.org/clife/advent/specials.php This email was sent using FREE Catholic Online Webmail. Please tell your family, friends and children about COL Webmail! http://webmail.catholic.org/