Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 93

Who Was the 1st Person to Recognize Jesus?

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Leaving Israel: Comments & Farewells

Enjoy the emotion, joy and sorrow as pilgrims share their recollections and farewells.

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Pope’s rebuke to Americans; prospects for the conclave

Interesting and disturbing article…

By Phil Lawler May 30, 2022

“What message did Pope Francis send to the American Church by naming Bishop Robert McElroy to the College of Cardinals? How will his latest choices shape the prospects for the next papal conclave? Which other choices deserve a second look, and which prelates were conspicuously absent from the Pope’s list? Let me answer those questions, one by one.

The message to American Catholics.

Some analysts have suggested that the choice of Bishop McElroy is a slap at the US bishops’ conference. It is more than that; it is a whole series of slaps:

A slap at the full US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which rejected Bishop McElroy’s bid to scuttle their mild statement on voters’ responsibilities— and at the former president of the USCCB, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, who was forced to rebuke the cantankerous Bishop McElroy when he pressed the argument too aggressively.A slap at Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, the head of the largest archdiocese in the US, who is still waiting for his red hat, in what can no longer be dismissed as an oversight. Archbishop Gomez is not only the current president of the USCCB; he is also the metropolitan of the region in which Bishop McElroy serves.A slap at the Hispanic Catholics who make up a majority of the Los Angeles archdiocese, and are still waiting anxiously to celebrate the elevation of a Hispanic cardinal.And of course a slap at Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, who made headlines last week by taking the stand that Bishop McElroy has sharply criticized, barring Speaker Nancy Pelosi from Communion— and for the many American bishops (not to mention lay Catholics) who have supported Archbishop Cordileone’s disciplinary action.

The tensions between Pope Francis and the US bishops’ conference have become increasingly evident. By giving red hats to prelates far to the left of the USCCB consensus— Cupich, Tobin, and now McElroy— the Pontiff is sending an unmistakable signal about both his personal preferences.

The shape of the next papal conclave

Unlike his immediate predecessors, who elevated cardinals representing a broad range of theological and ideological perspectives, Pope Francis unabashedly promoted his own favorites. He has now chosen a majority of the cardinals who will elect the next Roman Pontiff.”

For the full article, click HERE.HERE.

Also read Crux article HEREHERE

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Our Fun Day! Camels, Dead Sea Float, Jordan River, Jericho….

Fun final day! After Mass at the Notre Dame and the blessing of all our purchases, we descend to the lowest place on the face of the earth which is 1250 feet below sea. Our first stop is Qumran,

Next to the place where John the Baptist was baptizing in the Jordan River at the northern tip of the Dead Sea. He was only 2–3 miles from Qumran so and they certainly heard about Jesus.

We renew our baptism of vows and pray the 1st Luminous Mystery. Then to Jericho for the Hebron glass shop then to lunch at a Christian restaurant and a tour of the city seeing a Sycamore tree and the Mount of Temptation where the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth.

Everyone goes for a float in the Dead Sea and we ride camels before heading back up to Jerusalem for dinner. Comments and farewells are in the next video.

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Muslim Palestinian Explains Why He Serves in Israeli Army

I know many other Arabs in Israel that feel the same way. It needs to be known to a wider audience.

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Exciting Day! Mass at Gethsemane, Western Wall, Upper Room, and the streets shut down with “Jerusalem Day“ Processions

This was a full and rich day but with free time in the afternoon.

We started out with Mass at Gethsemane which is always very emotional for most of the folks, then to the wWestern Wall which was packed with Jews celebrating “Jerusalem Day”.

From there to the Upper Room associated with for of the seven sacraments. Back to the hotel for lunch and a tour of the holy shroud exhibit.

We all stayed at the hotel this afternoon because of the Jerusalem dDay celebration where the Jews march around the Old City waving flags and chanting. We watched it from the roof of our hotel with the best seats available

Then we had our marvelous rooftop dinner looking out over the city of Jerusalem and the domes of the Holy sSepulchre while we had our salmon or filet mignon and all the other wonderful offerings they gave us.

It was a great day and everyone’s having a great time.

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“My Parents are Good Folks? Will They Go To Heaven?”

A young man wrote today telling me of his coming into full communion with the Church having been raised Catholic but fallen away during university. Now he is back with full joy and appreciation for the truth.

He asked about his parents who were previously lukewarm Catholics but now just a theist and the other an atheist. They are good citizens and loving people. He asked his priest if they had salvation. The priest said it sounded like they were just fine, as long as their hearts are in the right place they should be alright.

He asked me if the priest was correct. Here is my answer: 

“I think your priest if partly right and mostly wrong.“The Catechism says in paragraph 847 ‘Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience—those too may achieve eternal salvation’.” If this applies to your parents they may achieve eternal life. However, I would not want my eternal destiny based precariously upon such a hope that maybe if I am ignorant enough and am really seeking God I might make it.Your priest may have said these things for one of three reasons. He may 1) have been positive so won’t worry, or 2) considers your parents in the state described by paragraph 847, or 3) he tends toward “Universalism” – a belief that in the end all people are ultimately saved. In any case, he may be correct in #2 but he would be incorrect with #1 and #3. It all depends on the state of your parents’ knowledge and how they respond to it. It seems to me that they have no excuse because the truth is there and in their face. They have been raised as Catholics. The truth is easy to find if they know the truth or they “seek God with a sincere heart…”  However, neither of those seem likely based on the smidgeon of information given to me in the e-mail. There are some people going to hell for rejecting God and his salvation in Christ.  If not, then Christ is a liar. However, we can never say that any certain person has gone to hell since we can never know that.We can never judge one’s eternal destiny since that is the prerogative of God alone. Many certainly have an invincible ignorance and do seek God. Many have converted at the last minute of their lives and we can always pray that they do make that decision between now and when it is too late. God reads the heart and knows that state of one’s soul and salvation, we cannot do that. Actions and words give evidence one way of the other, but only God knows. Sorry I don’t have better news, but Universalism is a heresy and Scripture is clear that one has to turn to Christ and he is the only means of our salvation. We pray and witness and hope…

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Israel Day 6: Mass at Calvary, Mount of Olives, Gallicantu and more

Busy day in Jerusalem. Enjoy!

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Telling our Emotional Story of Answered Prayer from St. JP II after a personal meeting with him

Janet and I had an incredible meeting with Pope John Paul II in 2000. My wife had a special prayer request for him.

We told the story for the first time while on the air with Spirit Catholic Radio this morning.

Here is a picture of Janet asking the Pope, now St. Pope John Paul II to pray for her. Little did she know….Click below to listen to the 15 minute story.

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Bethlehem All Day!

We crossed through the checkpoint and passed thru the 30 foot wall into Bethlehem, the birthplace of our Lord Jesus. A great day for shopping for quality olivewood and other religious items, touching the birthplace of Christ in the Church of Nativity, and shawarma sandwiches for lunch.

Then on to Shepherds Field for Mass in a cave. We always enjoy visiting the Carmelite Monastery in Bethlehem that marks the place where the Prophet Samuel anointed David as king. Then to our grotto dinner with a whole lamb and fun dancing.

PART ONE: PILGRIMAGE

PART TWO: DANCING

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