The Sign of the CROSS
Ash Wednesday
the beginning of PASCHA
The Preparation Season
commonly known as Lent
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| "The local church’s action is a witness of the 'New Evangelization' in which Pope Francis calls on Christians to proclaim peace in and for the world," says the pastor of St. Mark Catholic Church in Richmond, Kentucky. |
From: Vision Vocation Network.org
Chritians are being persecuted
in Iraq ( and elsewhere).
The Christian sign is represented by the Arabic alphabet character for the letter “N.”
The “N” stands for Nazarene and was first used by militants to identify property owned by Christians violently forced to leave Mosul, Iraq. Perhaps you have seen the symbol replacing friends Facebook profile pictures throughout the summer?
One of the more impressive signs of solidarity has come from St. Mark Catholic Church in Richmond, Kentucky, which has painted their West Main Street door with this Arabic symbol.
Father James Sichko, pastor of St. Mark, told the Richmond Register: “We are all Iraqi Christians. As Catholic Christians, the members of St. Mark stand together in defiance of genocide, of persecution, of hate and the slaughter of Christians anywhere.”
Let these images and symbols continue to be a reminder ...
+
+
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Now is My+ Soul troubled,
and what shall I+ say,
"FATHER, save ME+ from this hour?"
But for this cause came I+ unto this hour;
FATHER, glorify Thy Name...
Meditation:
As we come face to face with the activities of those haters of CHRIST JESUS Our LORD, let us identify with our persecuted brothers and sisters.
In order to do that, we must FIRST identify with
Our LORD and SAVIOR, Who+ was persecuted by the haters of GOD ... and Who+ still is.
The haters of GOD, YHWH, the HOLY ONE of Israel, cannot "touch" Our LORD JESUS now, in the flesh. So, they are directed by demons to attack those who carry His+ Name.
During this PASCHA season, let us bear the reproaches of them who reproached Our Lord, and suffer along with HIM+.
Let us suffer along with our persecuted brethren across this dead and dying world.
We will suffer ... if we stand for righteousness.
Prepare your hearts to do so.
Let us pray:
O HOLY ONE+ of Israel, we thank THEE+ for coming for "this" hour, the hour of Thy+ Death. Help us to show our love for THEE+ by picking up our Cross, our "N" , and dying to Self for Thy+ Name's sake.
Bless our efforts in this and keep us ever mindful of the dear ones who have already paid the price for following THEE+, and grant them sweet rest at Thy+ FATHER'S throne.
In the Name of Our Suffering SAVIOR, The LORD JESUS CHRIST, we pray.
Amen
John 12:26-28 ( Courtesy of Biblegateway.com)
26 If any man serve ME+ let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
* The "mark" that looks like a dotted U on the door of the church is the Arabic letter that = N in English. It stands for "Nazarene" , which is what they call Christians in Arab lands.
* The "mark" that looks like a dotted U on the door of the church is the Arabic letter that = N in English. It stands for "Nazarene" , which is what they call Christians in Arab lands.
