Understanding the Thunder
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=Understanding-the-Thunder&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
A few nights ago my three-year-old was stalling at bedtime. First, he came out saying he hurt his foot and it would feel better if...
Isaiah 7: 4
Take care you remain calm and do not fear; do not let your courage fail
A few nights ago my three-year-old was stalling at bedtime. First, he came out saying he hurt his foot and it would feel better if he could sit on the couch with me. Strange remedy. Once I got him back to bed, the thunder started - a built in toddler excuse to run out of the bedroom.
He said he was scared. I told him he had nothing to be afraid of. That didn't satisfy him. I asked him if he knew what thunder was. He confidently said, YES! and then explained that it's like the noise a dump truck makes. True, but clearly, he has no idea. I again assured him that he was going to be ok. He just looked at me and asked for a hug. Then everything was fine.
My Graham did not have a lightbulb moment and suddenly understand how thunder happens. He got some love from mom and trusted that because he felt that love he could trust that when she says he's going to be ok, it's true.
The people of Jerusalem were in the same boat, but their thunder was in the form of a dangerous alliance and attacking armies. They were afraid, but God used Isaiah to speak to His people and remind them to not fear. He gave more details, but I doubt the people really fully comprehended.
Think of a time when you've not necessarily understood what was going on, but you trusted the messenger enough to feel peace. Maybe it was a parent, your priest or pastor, the weather man... it really comes down to trusting and loving. We can always trust the word of God because he loves us. Next time you don't fully understand a situation or just life in general, lean on His word.
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=274747&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Adoration. / Thoom / Shutterstock.CNA Staff, Mar 28, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).Did you know that it is possible to sing a special song of adoration on Holy Thursday and have your soul purified?It's true, and the song is "Tantum Ergo."First, some background...A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove all temporal punishment due to sin.What does this mean?"An indulgence does not confer grace. An indulgence is not a remission of the guilt due to sin. The guilt due to sin is ordinarily taken away by the sacraments of baptism and penance (confession), in which we receive forgiveness for sins through Jesus Christ," the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) explains in this helpful Q&A."Although guilt is taken away, and with it the eternal penalty that is due to sin, namely, damnation, the eternal loss of the presence of God, there remain consequences for sins that those who have committed them ...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=274737&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Asian elephant. / Credit: Filiz Elaerts / Unsplash (CC0)CNA Newsroom, Mar 27, 2024 / 13:00 pm (CNA).Despite repeated protests from Catholic bishops, wildlife attacks continue to pose a severe threat to the lives and properties of both Catholics and other residents in the Southern Indian state of Kerala. On Wednesday, local media reported significant damage from two elephants in Kerala's Idukki district, alongside a tiger's attack on livestock. This year alone, elephant attacks have resulted in 27 fatalities in the region. Video footage of a Catholic man trampled to death on Feb. 10 made headlines and sparked protests, only to be followed by news of a potential mauling by a tiger of a Catholic woman on her way to Mass four days after the fatal attack. Further fatal elephant tramplings followed the incident.The Catholic Church in Kerala has been leading the charge in urging the government to take decisive action to protect human lives. "The series of shocking ...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=274736&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Catholic faithful offer prayers during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Mary's Basilica in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad in India on Feb. 14, 2024. / Credit: NOAH SEELAM/AFP via Getty ImagesBangalore, India, Mar 27, 2024 / 14:00 pm (CNA).A watchdog group that monitors violence committed against Christians in India has released a study documenting 161 such crimes in the first 75 days of 2024.These numbers may underestimate the number of crimes and acts of persecution committed against Christians in India, according to A.C. Michael, a Catholic and coordinator of the United Christian Forum (UCF), which released the report. "These figures are based only on the complaints registered on our toll-free helpline number (1-800-208-4545) to report incidents of anti-Christian violence. The actual numbers will be certainly much more," Michael told CNA on March 27."We feel frustrated that despite documenting and making public the shocking data regularly, there has been no re...