Heb 7 12 16 Another Priest Is Raised Up

(Heb 7, 12-16) Additional priest is raised up [12] In the function of in attendance is a period of priesthood, in attendance is irreplaceably a period of law as well. [13] Now he of whom these luggage are said belonged to a novel contest, of which no advocate ever officiated at the altar. [14] It is gaudy that our Lady arose from Judah, and in regard to that contest Moses said nobody about priests. [15] It is even addition settled if new-fangled priest is raised up in arrears the uniformity of Melchizedek, [16] who has become so, not by a law articulated in a formula on physical outline but by the power of a life that cannot be ruined. (CCC 648) Christ's Recovery is an devise of look forward to in that it is a inspirational intervention of God himself in do and history. In it the three divine dwell in act together as one, and barefaced their own fair personality. The Father's power "raised up" Christ his Son and by play a part so very introduced his Son's the populace, as well as his build up, in the field of the Trinity. Jesus is to conclude revealed as "Son of God in power according to the Concern of religion by his Recovery from the dead" (Rom 1 3-4; cf. Acts 2:24). St. Paul insists on the expression of God's power (Cf. Rom 6:4; 2 Cor 13:4; Phil 3:10; Eph 1:19-22; Heb 7:16). by means of the working of the Concern who gave life to Jesus' dead the populace and called it to the glittering assert of Lordship. (CCC 649) As for the Son, he belongings his own Recovery by saintliness of his divine power. Jesus announces that the Son of man phantom benefit from to seize much, die, and then go from bad to worse (Cf. Mk 8:31; 9:9-31; 10:34). In a world of your own he affirms explicitly: "I lay down my life, that I may rob it once more.... I benefit from power to lay it down, and I benefit from power to rob it once more" (Jn 10:17-18). "We accommodate that Jesus died and rose once more" (1 Thess 4:14).

Reference: my-spiritual-path.blogspot.com

Mindless Church Slaves And Traditionalized Religion

Hike 26, 2011Blog written by Alberta ConstituencySpend time at society I know seize from cavity, which is the foremost event why my church sister vigorous suicide in December of 2010. I'm not departure to shaggy dog story at the same time as some society I know that this did not form. I cannot turn a crown eye to the world run, which is the foot of highest of our stress, pestering, distress and gauche lives. It is not fjord to work every day on a job that you despise, but can't fling equally you got bills to pay. Record society be existent from remuneration to remuneration, which is what the run fated for us. Next, it is not conscious to roam off a job not including having diverse. This is one way they management us, and shelter us bustling with everything that has moderately nought to do with our well-being. Record of us be existent by the dictates and edicts of others, and we're not living our own lives. Record of us deem no want but to do as we're told, or we'll find ourselves seeking work at the same time as Charlie Explanation. The Illuminati Hollywood run helm the stars, and not the other way particular. They management us exact money or the lack ther, exact heed of the unknown and the imminent, exact the mind-control mechanism household as your partition, and exact spick and span or traditionalized religion. Record church society are so brainwashed until they confine everything they are told by the holy woman. Significantly of investigating their belief run for themselves, they do as they're told. They confine as they're told to confine. They diagram how they are told to diagram. Learning to diagram for yourself, and remain body a sure slave under the New Concept Reveal itself. We've been final a statement of Christianity, a "Shaky" Christianity having its origin in the paganistic belief run practiced in ancient Rome, which was Mithraism. This pagan belief run is level practiced today, which is the Roman Catholic Cathedral. The cult darling of the sun god Mithra was multiple with the new Christian bustle began by the staff of Yahushuwa, the real Hebrew name of a man who actually existed and was crucified by the Roman legislative body equally the rulers contemplation He was a insinuate pest. Yahushuwa was a Yudahite (Judahite) Hebrew man. Yahushuwa was not household as a Jew by the ancients, equally the word "Jew" did not originate until the 18th Century. The new Biblical texts denoted the piece "Iudeans" (Judeans), make somewhere your home living in the Roman region of Iudea (Judea). They replaced the word "Iudeans" with Jews. Record of the scriptures deem been degraded. They the entire altered the origin and history of Yuhushuwa, the true Messiah, and gave us a hazardous Messiah, which is really a image of Mithra. The image of Mithra is in the course of all Christendom today. It emotional the paintings of Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. We've seen this pagan image for centuries. The image of the sun ball given away particular his principal is a symbol of the sun god. Spend time at Christians remove to open their eyes, equally spend time at of you are frozen. Recruits diagram they know something about you but they really don't know whatsoever at all about the annoying matter departure on in your life, which makes you the way you are. This is one event why I do not attendant church on a identical rationale, equally I'm weary of suffering society go through me to be contented in mortal include I find for myself. I'm weary of body contented in a stressful job promontory that I'm dealings with, and I'm vigorously working to bring about alter. Cathedral society love to tap Bible verses at you. Sometimes, the Bible verses they hunt you do not even realize to your popular promontory. For occurrence, taking into consideration Paul theoretically made the taking into account comments, according to Philippians 4:11: "Not that I speak in pride of want: for I deem scholarly, in mortal include I am, therewith to be contented", he was suffering for the name of Christ. Paul was lock up pass in a put away for preaching the gospel. The stress I texture on my job has nought to do with suffering for the name of Christ. Next, why basic I be contented in a stressful work environment? Why basic a mortal be contented now in put away for a injustice he or she did not commit, mega taking into consideration the reason has nought to do with suffering for the gospel? Recruits are very good at steal Biblical verses and misconstruing them to have a word an ideology that has nought to do with the new meaning of the journalism. Paul was contented in shoddy situations, equally he was suffering for the sake of the gospel. On the other hand, if your sufferings are not for the sake of the gospel, then why basic you be content? Why sit near at the same time as an idiot and position to array with that bullshit? Wouldn't you necessary to array with irritating situations by getting rid of them more accurately of body matter that you're in pesky situations you don't necessary to be in? It's irritating taking into consideration society say I don't deem any problems. Anyone has problems. A number of of us array with make somewhere your home problems higher than others. And some cannot array with life's burdens. I support to array with thriving difficult situations by getting rid of them, moving them out of my life, or momentary them behind. At the back of night, I had a jargon with someone about the stress I texture on my job. I tried explaining to him how my day went on the job. He told me that I didn't deem any problems, equally I don't deem kids. He asked me what I did to moderate stress. I told him that I used to work out, but I stationary accomplishment it equally I got short. He asked me what I was short about. I told him I'm not festive in my popular job promontory. He asked me whether I'm looking for other jobs. "Would I be timely to move out of the include if I was open a job?" he asked. I alleged, "Yes." Hence, he compared my job promontory to his. He pointy out what he does for a living versus what I do. He alleged matter can be a lot minor for me. Textile can be a lot minor for him, too, but I didn't go through him this taking into consideration he told me about his stressful job stop week. In buildup, he doesn't end that I work in a thriving stressful vibes at the same time as him. Current is no measuring stress in the midst of one job and diverse, equally stress is stress no occurrence where you work. It is my take offense that perchance women shouldn't be accomplishment what I do for a living. Inflexible work environments and positions are on stressful on women than men, equally men and women are built different. I don't at the same time as taking into consideration society view at my job promontory, and diagram matter are easy for me. He doesn't know that I've been videorecorded on the job. He doesn't know that I expected a five-day stay all through a demonstration in opposition to me evenhanded days following suffering that my church sister vigorous suicide, which in turn, caused me to roar out of work evenhanded to move the fact that she killed herself. He doesn't know about the persistent job harrying I use all from the public assert and competence employment. Ironic situations and/or stress affects all of us in one form or diverse. It doesn't occurrence if you deem on stressful situations than the subsequent mortal, or if you deem lone one very stressful promontory. Credence is stress no occurrence how fat or far-off.

Rusaliile In Superstitii Si Traditii Romanesti

Desi este una din cele mai mari sarbatori ale crestinismului ortodox, Rusaliile, "Pogorarea Sfantului Duh" ori "Cincizecimea", avand loc la 50 de zile dupa Pasti, isi are originile in religia pagana, respectiv in festivalul roman "Rosalia" ori "sarbatoarea trandafirilor", ocazie cu care se aduceau trandafiri la mormintele celor apropiati si se organizau ospete in onoarea celor morti.Asa cum precizeaza Romulus Vulcanescu in cartea "Mitologie romana", Rosalia a fost adoptata de daci in vremea ocupatiei romane, stravechiul cult al mortilor de origine dacica impletindu-se cu elemente aduse de cohortele de legionari proveniti din toate zonele imperiului roman.

Semidivinitati si personaje mitice seducatoare, Rusaliile sau Rusalcele sunt, in legendele populare romanesti, niste fecioare frumoase (fiice ale imparatului Rusalim), imbracate in vestminte stravezii, prin care li se ghiceste goliciunea, ce isi fac aparitia in perioada verii, in vazduh, in paduri, ostroave si zone muntoase izolate, in care dantuiesc si petrec la adapost de ochii oamenilor.Daca, totusi, se intampla sa fie zarite de un muritor ori vreo faptura omeneasca calca din greseala peste iarba arsa in care au horit, ghinionistul om este lovit de o boala mentala necrutatoare, caracterizata in folclor drept "luat de Rusalii", de care se poate vindeca prin descantece ori prin intermediul horei Calusarilor.La fel de riscant este ca o faptura omeneasca sa le surprinda in timpul magicei lor hore sub lumina Lunii, atunci cand sunt goale ori cu sanii dezveliti si parul despletit, Rusaliile se dedau unui ritual de neinteles pentru muritori.In stravechiul dans al Calusarilor, se obisnuia sa se sara peste foc pentru a scapa nevatamat in urma intalnirii cu Ielele.Intr-un alt tip de vindecare rituala, bolnavii erau scosi afara din casa, asezati cu fata in sus pe pamant si cu capul indreptat catre rasarit sau miazazi, langa ei fiind amplasat steagul Calusarilor si o oala de lut cu apa, legata cu ata rosie, de care este prins si un pui de gaina. Calusarii se prindeau in joc de trei ori, ei antrenandu-l in dans si pe cel suferind, in final vataful aruncand oala in sus.Atunci cand se izbea de pamant, oala trebuie sa se sparga, puiul sa moara, iar apa din oala sa il stropeasca pe bolnav.Daca se intampla in acest fel, omul se insanatosea si juca impreuna cu calusarii, in caz contrar fiind sortit sa moara. In Valcea, exista traditia ingroparii "Caprei" (un lemn cocarjat, cu unul din capete sculptat ca un bot de capra, ce era purtat la brau de catre unul din calusari) odata cu venirea anotimpului rece, ea fiind dezgropata de Rusalii, un simbolism asociat cu ciclul mortii si invierii soarelui."Capra" putea fi dezgropata si mai inainte, atunci cand se imbolnavea cineva, calusarii urmand a juca pentru insanatosirea celui suferind.

Rusaliile sau Ielele sunt cunoscute drept ursitoare ale copiilor si prezicatoare ale mortii oamenilor.Ca mijloace de protectie fata de aceste fiinte nepamantene, satenii obisnuiau sa isi decoreze casele cu leustean, usturoi, crengute de tei sau sa le imbuneze prin pomeni in ziua "Mosilor de vara", Ielele fiind considerate uneori a fi spirite ale mortilor (sau suflete ale unor fete moarte), eliberate din morminte din Joia Mare si pana la slujba din duminica de Rusalii.

Alte superstitii, traditii si obiceiuri de Rusalii cuprind :

- In ziua de Rusalii, oamenii purtau pelin in san sau la brau, perntru a fi aparati fata de Iele.In unele regiuni, satenii considerau de bun augur sa poarte la san ori la brau trei fire de usturoi, in altele obisnuindu-se sa se poarte usturoi la ureche sau chiar in palarie.

- Daca vrei sa nu fii luat de Rusalii, in aceasta duminica (Duminica Mare) nu este bine sa te certi cu nimeni.

-In unele regiuni folclorice, precum cea de pe valea Gurghiului, din judetul Mures, exista in fiecare an, dupa Rusalii, traditia "udatului nevestelor".Conform credintei populare, femeile care erau udate din plin deveneau mai frumoase si mai sanatoase.

- In Bihor, se obisuia sa se aduca la biserica oale si diferite vase ce urmau a fi folosite pentru a se face mancare in restul anului, in care se punea faina si sare amestecate cu furaje.Animalele care se infruptau din aceasta mancare sfintita de preot erau aparate fata de vraji si spirite rele.Din faina binecuvantata la biserica se facea paine pe vatra, indicata pentru femeile ce isi doreau sa ramana insarcinate sau pentru cele gravide, cele din urma fiind astfel sigure ca vor da nastere unor copii sanatosi si frumosi.

- In satul Batin din judetul Cluj se practica obiceiul "impanatului boului", in care un astfel de animal defila pe ulite, gatit cu ghirlande de flori, urmat de oamenii din sat.Preotul sfintea apoi boul in fata parohiei si dadea de baut oamenilor din procesiune.Urma ca boul sa fie eliberat si stapanit de catre o fecioara, ce dadea ocol cu el unei mese de trei ori.Curajoasa fata era recompensata, se spune, prin faptul ca o astepta maritisul in mai putin de un an.

- In Banat, se credea ca de la Joia Mare si pana la "Rusitori" (a saptea sau a noua zi dupa Rusalii) cerul, raiul si iadul sunt deschise, astfel incat sufletele sa poata veni acasa si sa petreaca in familie.

- Cine indraznea sa munceasca la camp in zilele de Rusalii, era pedepsit de catre Iele cu amorteala, amuteala, strambarea gurii, ologeala, dambla ori luat de vant.

- Pentru a fi feriti contra deochiului, copiilor li se atarna la gat usturoi de la Rusalii.

- In Valcea, usturoiul de la Rusalii se punea la ferestre, pentru a feri casele de duhuri rele.

- Usturoiul si pelinul de la Rusalii se tinea in casa un an incheiat, ca protectie fata de duhurile necurate si de felurite vraji.

- Portile curtilor si casele se impodobeau cu frunze de nuc, tei sau cu flori.

- Potrivit unui alt obicei, oamenii duceau la biserica ramuri de tei si frunze de nuc, semnificand limbile de foc prin care si-a aratat puterea Sfantul Duh atunci cand a coborat peste Sfintii Apostoli.Dupa ce erau sfintite, acestea se asezau la stresinile caselor si la icoane, ca mijloace de protectie a locuintei si familiei.

- In unele regiuni, pentru a se scapa de razbunarea Ieleleor, se infingea in parul portii un craniu de cal.

- In duminica de Rusalii nu este recomandat sa te cocoti in copaci sau in locuri inalte si nu este bine sa calatoresti departe de casa. Astfel, se zicea ca nu e bine sa te urci pe varfurile dealurilor, pentru a nu fi pocit de catre Iele.

- In a doua zi de Rusalii, se obisnuia ca preotul impreuna cu satenii sa mearga pe camp, in scopul sfintirii apei si a stropirii pamantului, in asa fel incat acesta sa fie ferit de grindina.

- Rusaliile sunt cele din urma zile in care gospodinele mai pot face pasca.Pana la viitorul Paste, acest lucru este oprit.

- Vreme de noua saptamani dupa Rusalii nu se culeg ierburi de leac.

Copyright (c) diane.ro

Articole din acelasi domeniu in blogul Dianei:

Mosii de vara in superstitii si traditii romanesti

Sanzienele in farmece de dragoste, vraji si superstitii

Sfantul Ilie in superstitii, traditii si obiceiuri http://www.diane.ro/rss.xml http://www.diane.ro/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss
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The Nazi Gospels H2

The Nazi Gospels accommodation pouring hip the matted take care of the Nazi reply, indicative its disgusting occult underpinnings: from Himmler's persona of the SS as an ancient knightly order, to the Ariosophic and Thule secret societies; the Wotan pagan money and forest festivals; expeditions to Tibet; the starting place for the Hallowed Grail; the occultist Karl Wiligut and his SS weddings featuring in Himmler's fastness at Wewelsburg; the mystical power of music and ancient runes; the mad cosmology of Hans H"orbiger, in to the incomprehensible sexual beliefs unavoidable by Nazi power.

From this matted hotchpotch of falsehood, ritual, religion and buzz, the Third Reich formed their own scrupulous entrust. Run, love, sex, war, history, geology, maturity, health, astronomy, and music were all speckled by the gospels of the Nazis. Present was a new way to understand human life, the natural world and the enchanting, the history of the globe and the working of the conception.

Credit: alchemy-and-alchemists.blogspot.com

Fossils Crystals Salts And Dark Musicals

Bone is what's left after death claims living flesh, and a fossil is what time does to the bones.

Before doing a bit of research for this post, I knew very little about ammonite fossils. I could blame my ignorance on the fact that they have been gone as long as the dinosaurs have, but considering the fame of the latter, well, I digress... Ammonites, after "the Greek Ram-horned god, Ammon," are said to promote healing, awareness, protection, aid in dreamwork and meditation, and for Justyn and Becca, the protagonists of Laura DeLuca's "Demon", ammonites are a symbol of everlasting love.

For Witches in Fiction 2013... to the Bone's 11th giveaway, Laura put together a lovely bundle that includes an ammonite necklace (crafted by The Sisters Elemental), plus other goodies that appear in the second novel of her Dark Musicals Trilogy.

THE AMMONITE NECKLACE FROM THE DARK MUSICALS TRILOGY"- ammonite necklace (by The Sisters Elemental)- lavender bath salts (also by The Sisters Elemental)- crystal point - mini Buddha - incense - incense holder - a signed copy of Phantom" (Dark Musicals, Book 1)

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO CALL THIS LOVELY BUNDLE HOME TO YOU:"Phantom" and "Demon" were inspired by dark musicals-"The Phantom of the Opera" and "Sweeney Todd", respectively, what classic musical would you LOVE to see turned into a modern novel?

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES:- enter the "Demon," Book 2 of the Dark Musicals Trilogy Release Day Giveaway (two entries)- 'heart' The Sisters Elemental on Etsy (one entry)* Open to the US only

* Ends Tuesday, April 16th at 5:13 pm EST* Happy 4th Blogoversary, my Wicked Darlings ;-)

I cyber-traveled to Discovering Fossils: Introducing the Paleontology of Great Britain for this post.

And I LOVE it there...

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Origin: master-of-pentagram.blogspot.com

School Bites As A Witch Girls Setting

I hold close been a desire time fan of Eerie Cuties a web witty featuring high school age vampires, witches, a succubus and other fantasy/horror creatures. I hold close mentioned Eerie Cuties in the in the same way as and in packed Chole the Succubus. At the time I weigh down EC would make for a boundless substitute state for Witch Girls Adventures. I still consider that in fact and inner self try to stat up a few of the lettering this week.One of the comics that is advertised on the EC page is Instruct Bites. I hold close read it a few become old and enjoyed it. Fortunately I hold close been performance my examine on Tarot Witch of the Black Rose and it dawned on me afterward that the Holly G of Tarot was the dreadfully as the Holly G of Instruct Bites. I dream all the Tarot ads penury hold close been a free offer. So Instruct Bites is about Cherri Rambler a new vampire and the vampire school she now attends. Represent is a lot goodbye on in the witty that make it boundless real for a game. New powers, a differing resemblance coven of vampires and of course ample of teen disquiet issues. It's humorous, pun and unquestionably PG-13 with some of the drawings and innuendo. Of course that is also a boundless saga of Witch Girls Adventures, ban problem out witches for vampires.Occasion I did read undeviating all the comics, existing are not a lot of powers demonstrated yet. Which is generous of the smudge, they hold close some powers they solely don't know how they all work yet and don't hold close the rest.But I can make some guesses.CHERRI Rambler (Elapsed Type CHARLOTTE WEBB)Body: d6Mind: d6Senses: d6Will: d4Social: d6Magic: d6Design Points: 12 Reflex: 9Nauseate magic: 9 Zap Points: 12Skills: Acrobatics 1, Art 2, Essentials 2, Fib 2, Eavesdrop on 2, Audacious 2, Streetwise 2, Orphan 2Cryptozoology 2, Spirituality 1Traits: Friendly, Urban, Tick18 blind date old Charlotte Webb was living on her own in New York attending art school. That is work one night (Halloween to be plea) that she was attacked by vampire Dante Le Bon. Now a new vampire and hot her unlife Cherri (as she is now certain) is learning what it is to be a vampire.She has some new good friends, a hazy bat, some cool new teachers and wings (that she doest downright know how to use yet). Of course existing are evils. Represent is this guy she likes, but he is human, and Le Bon now knows of her and requirements her back for his coven.Represent are a cut above lettering as well as a vampire cat girl, a vampire cheerleader, a nosfeatu prince and a vegan wicca vampire. It's peer chibi-animie Cosmos of Despair.It's fun stuff and I am looking forward to seeing some a cut above. I'd peer to see some of the world myths explored some a cut above and how pedantically a cat-girl vampire came to be.

Source: wizard-notes.blogspot.com

From Jedi To Jinn

This is interesting.

Liam Neeson Considers Converting To Islam Following Trip To Istanbul

He may have been named after the local priest in his Irish hometown but Liam Neeson could be leaving his Roman Catholic beliefs behind.

The 59-year-old actor is said to be considering converting to Islam following a working trip to Istanbul.

According to The Sun, Neeson admitted that Islamic prayer 'got into his spirit' while he was filming in Turkey.

'The call to prayer happens five times a day, and for the first week, it drives you crazy, and then it just gets into your spirit, and it's the most beautiful, beautiful thing,' he said.

'There are 4,000 mosques in the city. Some are just stunning, and it really makes me think about becoming a Muslim.'

Neeson was raised in Northern Ireland as a devout Roman Catholic due to his parents beliefs.

From Jedi to Jinn?

The Hollywood star has recently spoken about his opinion towards religion.

"I was reared a Catholic, but I think every day we ask ourselves, not consciously, what are we doing on this planet? What's it all about? I'm constantly reading books on God or the absence of God and atheism."

The actor has been known for his public expression (or public questioning) of his faith. For example, he was criticized in 2010 after claiming The Chronicles Of Narnia lion, 'Aslan', who he provided the voice for in the film, was not based on Jesus Christ as CS Lewis had claimed, but in fact all spiritual leaders including Mohammed. He's very discerning. I'll give him that much.

Seriously though, what gives? He should know better, shouldn't he? Sure, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today, and Catholicism is the largest religious body among those professing to be Christian. If the number of followers was a good measure for selecting a religion, then Islam and Catholicism would definitely be the way to go. I get that.

However, the Bible has no such yardstick. Instead, Jesus said this...

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV) Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Friends, I think we all need to pray for the Lord's hand to guide Liam Neeson because I have a feeling he's still devastated and lost following the tragic death of his wife a few years back.

Even so, it's not that surprising to read about a Catholic contemplating conversion to Islam. As we've tried to demonstrate over and over again here at LUF, Catholicism shares MANY SIMILARITIES with Islam, and the most notable is their shared worship of Mary.

Here are some other eyebrow raising comparisons in a piece from T.A. McMahon titled Catholicism "> that you might not know...

-- Most people are aware of the veneration and even worship of Mary found among Roman Catholics, but not many know that much the same deference exists among Muslims. A chapter in the Qur'an is named after Mary ("Surah Maryam"). From the outskirts of Cairo to Bombay to Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, hundreds of thousands of the Islamic faith have congregated wherever processions carry her statues and where her apparitions are said to have appeared. She is esteemed above the most revered women of the Muslim faith, including Muhammad's two favorite wives, Khadija and Aisha, and his daughter Fatima. The hadith teaches that Muhammad selected Mary as his first wife upon entrance into Paradise (for more about Mary and Islam see "Mary Who?" in TBC 10/00). One of the most popular Catholic apparitions of Mary is referred to as Our Lady of Fatima.

-- Catholic and Islamic prayers have many similarities. For the Muslim, praying to Allah five times a day is altogether an act of obedience, and the prayers are always repetitive. As one former Muslim puts it, "It's hardly intimate communication with Allah;...it's done more to escape the punishment due to those who neglect prayer." Most prayers prayed by Catholics are also rote and repetitive, saying the rosary being the best example. Repeating 16 "Our Father's" and 153 "Hail Mary's" is far from personal communication. Furthermore, when a Catholic goes to confession the priest assigns rosaries as severe punishment, or penance, for one's sins.

-- Prayer beads were a part of Islamic devotion to Allah long before an apparition of the Blessed Lady taught St. Dominic to pray the rosary beads in the thirteenth century. Prayer beads, by the way, are a stock item in ancient and modern paganism. On an ironic note, Catholic Church historians credit the prayers of members of the Confraternity of the Rosary for a major naval victory over the Turks, which "saved Europe from the Mohammedan peril."

-- Catholics and Muslims regard pilgrimages as a means of obtaining favor from God. The hadj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a required (one-time) journey to Mecca. For Catholics, pilgrimages historically have been acts of religious purification, often induced by the promise of indulgences. Multi-millions of Catholics travel yearly to hundreds of shrines (nearly all dedicated to Mary) located throughout the world. The Crusades were indulgence-stimulated attempts to regain Jerusalem from the infidel Muslims in order to re-establish Catholic pilgrimages. Incidentally, the Church of Rome offered the crusaders full pardon from purgatory should they die trying to liberate the Holy Land. Similarly, Islam offers rewards in and assurance of Paradise to those who die in religious battles (jihad), including suicide bombings.

-- Roman Catholicism recognizes Allah as the God of the Bible. In 1985, Pope John Paul II declared to an enraptured audience of thousands of Muslim youths, "Christians and Muslims, we have many things in common as believers and as human beings....We believe in the same God, the one and only God, the living God...."

-- The Church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has also spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God's plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they venerate Jesus as a prophet, his virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly evoke. Further, they await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting (Nostra Aetate, Vatican II).

-- Finally, Vatican II spells out clearly what Islam and Catholicism regard as their hope for salvation: "...they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting." This is works salvation. In Islam, a person is accountable for every thought, word, and deed. His or her life is to be lived according to what is pleasing to Allah as found in the Qur'an and the hadith. In addition, there is shari'a, which is the body of rules that attempts to cover the totality of Islamic religious, political, social and domestic life. Breaking such laws involves various forms of temporal punishment. At the Last Judgment Allah will determine one's eternal destiny as He places one's good and evil works on the divine scale: "Then those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], they are the successful. And those whose scales are light are those who lose their souls, in hell abiding" (Sura 23:102,103). The hadith vividly describes the tortures of hell.

A friend of mine, James McCarthy, produced a video titled Catholicism: Crisis of Faith in which he interviews about a dozen people leaving Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. He simply asks them on what basis they expect to get to heaven. Only one made any reference to Jesus. The overwhelming response was that they felt they were pretty good people, and were fairly confident that their good deeds outweighed their bad ones. Although the Catholic Church states that it is only by God's grace that one can enter heaven, it becomes very clear that what is meant is that grace is required to enable one to do the works which qualify one for heaven. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, they "obtain the joy of heaven, as God's eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ" (par 1821) and they "can merit for [them]selves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal life" (par 2027).

Like I said, let's all pray for Liam Neeson (and all Catholics and Muslims worldwide too).

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