SUBJECT: RELIGION!!!
"Hope in Things Unseen"
On Friday, December 19th, 2008, the mortal remains of Avery, Cardinal Dulles were committed back to his Maker. As a bit of a tribute, I would like to share with my (up to seven!) readers a small portion of the Cardinal's remarks given shortly after the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. The words are as powerful now as they were then.
. . . As a theologian, I have to recognize that Christian hope never rests on material things. As individuals we try to follow the teaching of Jesus, who reminds us that rust corrodes, moths consume, and thieves break in and steal. Jesus instructs us to build treasure in heaven, the one bank that can never fail. The only thing that counts in the end is whether or not we hear the greeting of the Lord, “Well done, you good and faithful servant.”
Jesus Christ is not only the personal hope for each one of us. He is also the hope of the world. If the world turns away from Him, it goes terribly astray. The pursuit of riches produces massive poverty; the pursuit of freedom begets slavery; and the pursuit of peace ends in destructive violence. But with the strength and generosity that comes from the Lord we can take part in building here on earth what the liturgy calls “a kingdom of truth and life, of holiness and grace, of justice, love, and peace.”
Amen and Amen!
Papa Z
On Friday, December 19th, 2008, the mortal remains of Avery, Cardinal Dulles were committed back to his Maker. As a bit of a tribute, I would like to share with my (up to seven!) readers a small portion of the Cardinal's remarks given shortly after the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. The words are as powerful now as they were then.
. . . As a theologian, I have to recognize that Christian hope never rests on material things. As individuals we try to follow the teaching of Jesus, who reminds us that rust corrodes, moths consume, and thieves break in and steal. Jesus instructs us to build treasure in heaven, the one bank that can never fail. The only thing that counts in the end is whether or not we hear the greeting of the Lord, “Well done, you good and faithful servant.”
Jesus Christ is not only the personal hope for each one of us. He is also the hope of the world. If the world turns away from Him, it goes terribly astray. The pursuit of riches produces massive poverty; the pursuit of freedom begets slavery; and the pursuit of peace ends in destructive violence. But with the strength and generosity that comes from the Lord we can take part in building here on earth what the liturgy calls “a kingdom of truth and life, of holiness and grace, of justice, love, and peace.”
Amen and Amen!
Papa Z
Labels: Tragedy
posted by David Zampino | 9:21 AM
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