Catholic Teens 8-28-07
Hey All—
I hope you’re enjoying your last few days of summer!
At Mass this past weekend, Jesus offered some stern words about the difficulty of attaining Heaven. (Luke 13:22-30.) Indeed, He emphasizes that it is not enough to merely know of Him, or even by extension just go to Church. A person needs to live that Faith in their actions. May we do this, lest we also hear the response that Jesus gave to these people “I do not know where you are from…depart from me.”
Pope Benedict took up this reading and put a modern spin on it—using the image of a passport. He pointed out that the good acts we do, in a certain sense, “stamp” our passport on the way to Heaven.
Get Your "Passport" Ready for Heaven, Says Pope
Stamp It With Works That Show Friendship With ChristVATICAN CITY, AUG. 26, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Heaven is an equal-opportunity destination, but to gain entry one needs a "passport" stamped with virtues such as humility, mercy and truth, says Benedict XVI.The Pope said this today in a reflection he gave on the "narrow gate," before reciting the midday Angelus with several thousand people gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.The Pontiff asked: "What is meant by this 'narrow gate'? Why is it that many people do not succeed in entering through it? Is it perhaps a passage that is reserved only for a few elect?"The Holy Father said that the message of Christ is that everybody has an equal chance of entering through the narrow gate, "but it is 'narrow' because it is demanding, it requires commitment, self-denial and mortification of one's own egoism." Christ invites all to heaven, he said, "but with one and the same condition: that of making the effort to follow him and imitate him, taking up one's cross, as he did, and dedicating one's life to the service of our brothers."Benedict XVI makes the point that "we will not be judged on the basis of presumed privileges, but by our works.""True friendship with Christ," he added, "is expressed by one's way of life: it is expressed by goodness of heart, with humility, meekness and mercy, love of justice and truth, sincere and honest commitment to peace and reconciliation."The Pope adds, "This, we might say, is the 'I.D. card' that qualifies us as authentic 'friends'; this is the 'passport' that permits us to enter into eternal life."
Topics of Faith are showing up more and more on YouTube. Here is a link to a music video on the Eucharist. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsS6Yv7l5_I
==================================================Intentions:
-For students as they prepare to return to school.
-For an increase in works of charity among all followers of Christ.
-For young people to be open to God’s Call in their lives.
-For all the victims of the flooding and other natural disasters.
-For peace in the world and an end to terrorism.
-For all the other intentions you hold in your hearts, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Announcements:
World Youth Day 2008- destination: Sydney! The WYD cross has reached Australia and is ONE year away from being joined by thousands of youth 16-36 years old. There is still time to sign up for this amazing opportunity. If interested, contact Megan Moss, youth minister for St. Bartholomew, St. Joseph & St. Stephen parishes now! 341-1617x113 or meganmoss@togetherinfaith.org.
*************************************************************************************
God bless you!
Phil Lawson
For more information on St. Peters check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com
Catholic Teens is a weekly email from Phil Lawson to Catholic Teenagers. To receive these weekly reflections, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com. On the other hand, if you’d like to be removed from this list, please send an email indicating that.
I hope you’re enjoying your last few days of summer!
At Mass this past weekend, Jesus offered some stern words about the difficulty of attaining Heaven. (Luke 13:22-30.) Indeed, He emphasizes that it is not enough to merely know of Him, or even by extension just go to Church. A person needs to live that Faith in their actions. May we do this, lest we also hear the response that Jesus gave to these people “I do not know where you are from…depart from me.”
Pope Benedict took up this reading and put a modern spin on it—using the image of a passport. He pointed out that the good acts we do, in a certain sense, “stamp” our passport on the way to Heaven.
Get Your "Passport" Ready for Heaven, Says Pope
Stamp It With Works That Show Friendship With ChristVATICAN CITY, AUG. 26, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Heaven is an equal-opportunity destination, but to gain entry one needs a "passport" stamped with virtues such as humility, mercy and truth, says Benedict XVI.The Pope said this today in a reflection he gave on the "narrow gate," before reciting the midday Angelus with several thousand people gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.The Pontiff asked: "What is meant by this 'narrow gate'? Why is it that many people do not succeed in entering through it? Is it perhaps a passage that is reserved only for a few elect?"The Holy Father said that the message of Christ is that everybody has an equal chance of entering through the narrow gate, "but it is 'narrow' because it is demanding, it requires commitment, self-denial and mortification of one's own egoism." Christ invites all to heaven, he said, "but with one and the same condition: that of making the effort to follow him and imitate him, taking up one's cross, as he did, and dedicating one's life to the service of our brothers."Benedict XVI makes the point that "we will not be judged on the basis of presumed privileges, but by our works.""True friendship with Christ," he added, "is expressed by one's way of life: it is expressed by goodness of heart, with humility, meekness and mercy, love of justice and truth, sincere and honest commitment to peace and reconciliation."The Pope adds, "This, we might say, is the 'I.D. card' that qualifies us as authentic 'friends'; this is the 'passport' that permits us to enter into eternal life."
Topics of Faith are showing up more and more on YouTube. Here is a link to a music video on the Eucharist. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsS6Yv7l5_I
==================================================Intentions:
-For students as they prepare to return to school.
-For an increase in works of charity among all followers of Christ.
-For young people to be open to God’s Call in their lives.
-For all the victims of the flooding and other natural disasters.
-For peace in the world and an end to terrorism.
-For all the other intentions you hold in your hearts, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Announcements:
World Youth Day 2008- destination: Sydney! The WYD cross has reached Australia and is ONE year away from being joined by thousands of youth 16-36 years old. There is still time to sign up for this amazing opportunity. If interested, contact Megan Moss, youth minister for St. Bartholomew, St. Joseph & St. Stephen parishes now! 341-1617x113 or meganmoss@togetherinfaith.org.
*************************************************************************************
God bless you!
Phil Lawson
For more information on St. Peters check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com
Catholic Teens is a weekly email from Phil Lawson to Catholic Teenagers. To receive these weekly reflections, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com. On the other hand, if you’d like to be removed from this list, please send an email indicating that.
posted by Phil Lawson at 9:57 AM
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