ON THE GIFT OF LIFE
From the Cardinal’s Blog
http://cardinaldolan.org/index.php/the-gift-of-life/
The Concho Padre
About 50 people demonstrated outside the grounds of Boston College on May 20 as the Jesuit institution conferred an honorary degree on Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny.
Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley did not attend the day’s commencement exercises. The cardinal had announced that he would not make his customary appearance because of Boston College’s decision to honor Kenny, who is pressing for legislation that would allow legal abortion in Ireland.
The chief organizer of the demonstration, C.J. Doyle of the Catholic Action League, commented: “What rational person can reasonably be expected to take seriously Catholic opposition to abortion when our own Catholic institutions honor someone who’s trying to legalize abortion in his country?”
As the death toll remains uncertain in Oklahoma following Monday’s massive tornado, the local archbishop is assuring the Church’s spiritual presence and practical assistance.
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City noted that his initial primary concern is for the victims, and he expressed his gratitude and promise of prayer for the first responders.
“As soon as possible, I will be on site in Moore to help support and offer comfort and consolation to anyone who might need or desire it,” he said Tuesday morning. “We draw hope in such times from Jesus’ invitation to the weary or troubled to come to Him and find rest.”
“Catholic Charities [Oklahoma City] and we as an archdiocese will work with many others to ensure a smooth and comprehensive response not only to the immediate needs of those affected by the violent storms, but also to their longterm needs as they rebuild their lives,” the prelate added. “We’re there for the long term and we’re usually the last ones to leave.”
Archbishop Coakley also noted the “flood of inquiries and assurances of prayers from people across the country and around the world, including the Holy Father Pope Francis, the apostolic nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganó and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. We are deeply grateful.”
(Vatican Radio) In the aftermath of the devastating tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday, Pope Francis sent out a tweet expressing sympathy for the victims of the disaster.
“I am close to the families of all who died in the Oklahoma tornado, especially those who lost young children. Join me in praying for them.”
At least 51 people are now known to have died, including 20 children, when the massive tornado swept through the suburbs of Oklahoma City, USA. Officials, though, have said the death toll is expected to rise, as search and rescue operations continue throughout the night and into the morning.
One elementary school was destroyed and another was damaged when the half-mile wide tornado touch down. The storm was on the ground for about 45 minutes, sparking fires and flattening homes. Worst hit was Moore, south of Oklahoma City, where whole neighbourhoods were levelled by winds of up to 200mph.
It is the second day in a row the Midwestern state of Oklahoma has been slammed by twisters. About 120 people are being treated in hospitals. President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in Oklahoma.
Once again we as a nation are faced with tragedy. Let us pray for the people who have been affected by the deadly weather which has hit parts of our country, especially in the area around Oklahoma City.
The loss of life, the injuries and the property damage are hard to imagine, even with the scenes we see unfolding on television.
As we pray for all those whose lives have been marked by these events, we also pray for the brave men and women who are on the front lines as responders and rescuers.
We pray that more people will be found alive, and hopefully unharmed; but we can surmise from what we have seen that the death toll will go higher and many more people will be discovered who have sustained injuries.
Lord God, be with your people in their need this night and in the days to come. Give healing to the injured, send your angels to bring comfort and consolation, and give your people the grace to unite with each other in this time of hurt.
Inspire us to give aid to all of our brothers and sisters in this moment, not just by our money, but also by our unceasing prayers for their material and spiritual good.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
The Concho Padre
God our Father,
yours is the beauty of creation
and the good things you have given us.
Help us to begin this day joyfully in your name
and to spend it in loving service
of you and our fellow man.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.
Gospel Mk 9:30-37
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
For they had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”
THE CONCHO PADRE POST 