Fr. Bob Warren's Week Reflection: The Lesson of the Spider

Most of us have a natural aversion to spiders. Rather than marvel at a delicately woven web in the corner of a room, we cannot wait to destroy it. The spider dangling from the ceiling does not evoke amazement in us at his feat, he disgusts us or even causes fear. But spiders have a lesson for us. The spider moves through life with complete confidence. He has within himself all that is necessary. If he wants to get from the ceiling to the floor, he only needs to reach inside himself. The more he gives of himself, the further he is able to progress. Destroy a web today, and you may find it rebuilt tomorrow. That is the lesson the apostles had to learn after Jesus had left them. They no longer had the luxury of Jesus’ physical presence; He was no longer there to solve their problems, or to tell them what to do. He wasn’t there to preach, to teach, to heal. They had to learn to reach inside themselves as individuals, and as a community. Things have not changed. Christ does not walk in our towns or our cities. He no longer heals or works miracles in person; He is no longer physically present. But we are. If we want to be His disciples, we must reach inside ourselves and do as He did: preach, teach, and work miracles. We must raise the dead, give sight to the blind, and open the ears of the deaf. When you take the time to explain something to anyone who does not understand something, helping someone who is struggling with a problem, helping them to find a solution, isn’t that just a little bit like opening the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf? To a great extent we have to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. If the words of Christ are to be spoken, it is through our mouths. If the wounds of the world are touched, it is through our hands. If the horrors of the earth are responded to, it is because we have seen them with our eyes and heard them with our ears. As the spider starts his web, he makes sure that it is attached to something solid, something that will last and that will support him. This is Jesus’ point in today’s Gospel: I am the vine, you are the branches. Apart from Me you can do nothing. The vine itself does everything for the branches. Apart from the vine, the branches are empty sticks, withering and lifeless, but on the vine the branches are vibrant and living, filled with fruitfulness and usefulness. And when those branches flourish, what a difference it can make to our world. They give of themselves, for the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, it needs the vine to nourish and strengthen it. We are all different branches attached to the same vine. We make up the Christian community and our Christian faith is always communal, never isolationist. If Christianity does not begin with the individual, it does not begin: but if it ends with the individual, it ends. That is why we come together every week. Only by gathering together do we become the church of Jesus. Only by gathering together do we give visibility to Jesus and His church. Each time we gather we show people where they can find the risen Jesus in today’s world. This is one of the reasons Jesus said to His followers in the sermon on the mount, You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid: in the same way, your light must shine before people so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. He must be in our thoughts and our speech, in our morality and ethics. Because of us, people should know or at least suspect that Christ is alive and loves them enough to die for them. There was this delightful Peanuts cartoon. It depicted Linus eating a peanut butter sandwich. He walked into a room and said, “What a wonderful hand I have. It could do so many wonderful things: brain surgery, conduct an orchestra, paint great pictures.” By this time he had finished his peanut butter sandwich, and was holding out both hands: “These hands are so great, they could save the world!” Lucy looked up at him and said, “Linus, your hands are full of peanut butter.” We all have peanut butter on our hands. Do not let that stop us from reaching inside of ourselves to be other Christs. He is the vine, you are the branches Yours in Christ, Fr. Bob Warren, SA P.S. Beginning on May 4th, the Friars of the Atonement will celebrate the Feast of St. Peregrine Novena of Masses honoring St. Peregrine, Patron Saint of cancer patients. Join with us by sending your most heartfelt petitions to me now, so your needs or the needs of your loved ones can be included in our special Novena of Masses to St. Peregrine. My hope is that you will find comfort, hope and strength through your friendship with this beloved saint. www.AtonementFriars.org GRAYMOOR P.O. Box 301, Garrison, NY 10524 For more information call us at 888-720-8247. © 2018

Robert Mueller: Gone Fishing – Consortiumnews

Robert Mueller: Gone Fishing – Consortiumnews: Special Counsel Robert Mueller's strategy may be to try to lure Donald Trump into perjury when Mueller can already get all the answers to his questions from the NSA, say Ray McGovern and Bill Binney.  



By Ray McGovern and Bill Binney Special to Consortium News

After a year of investigati

Alfie Evans' Family Refutes Newspaper Report Claiming Alfie Was Given 4 Unknown Drugs Just Before He Died | LifeNews.com

Alfie Evans' Family Refutes Newspaper Report Claiming Alfie Was Given 4 Unknown Drugs Just Before He Died | LifeNews.com: Alfie Evans' Family Refutes Newspaper Report Claiming Alfie Was Given 4 Unknown Drugs Just Before He Died

Alfie Evans and Britain's Post-Christian, Post-Human, Pagan Culture

Alfie Evans and Britain's Post-Christian, Post-Human, Pagan Culture: Early Saturday morning, little Alfie Evans's ordeal ended. I believe with all my heart he is now in the arms of Jesus for eternity. Sadly, our ordeal to survive as a civilized, humane society continues.

Alfie Evans’ chaplain recalled from Alder Hey | News | Lifesitenews

Alfie Evans’ chaplain recalled from Alder Hey | News | Lifesitenews: If there was a reason, it followed 'terrible logic,' Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Vatican Secretary of State: It was ‘incomprehensible’ to block Alfie Evans’ removal to Italy | News | LifeSite

Vatican Secretary of State: It was ‘incomprehensible’ to block Alfie Evans’ removal to Italy | News | LifeSite: If there was a reason, it followed 'terrible logic,' Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Alfie Evans: Doctors Disagree with Doctors, Not Just with the Parents | National Review

Alfie Evans: Doctors Disagree with Doctors, Not Just with the Parents | National Review: Faced with two different expert medical opinions, the patient or his proxy should have the right to choose between them.

Alfie Evans & Catholic Europe: Case Reflects Wider Split in Western Society | National Review

Alfie Evans & Catholic Europe: Case Reflects Wider Split in Western Society | National Review: The controversy reflects a split between a warm-hearted, religious view of things and a colder, more scientific outlook.

Legal watchdog may investigate Christian group over Alfie Evans case | Law | The Guardian

Legal watchdog may investigate Christian group over Alfie Evans case | Law | The Guardian: Solicitors Regulation Authority reviewing role of Christian Legal Centre in life-support dispute

Alfie Evans: When the state condemns a disabled child to death - The Washington Post

Alfie Evans: When the state condemns a disabled child to death - The Washington Post: The horrific case of Alfie Evans.

Bishop Barron's Reflection May 2, 2018

Your daily Gospel reflection...

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Memorial of Saint Athanasius

John 15:1-8

Friends, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus declares that he is the vine and we are the branches, adding that “anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither.” It’s odd that we accept this sort of language very easily when it comes to our bodily health, while we balk at it when it comes to spiritual or supernatural health. Doctors and health specialists can say with a clarity and matter-of-factness that certain practices and behaviors are absolutely essential if one wants to maintain physical well-being. Unless you eat a balanced, nutritious, low-fat diet, you will get sick, fat, and unfit. If you smoke, drink to excess, and never exercise, your body will become unhealthy, and if these practices (or negligences) become exaggerated, you will die. It just isn’t that complicated. Jesus is not engaging in charming poetic imagery. He is laying out the spiritual facts. The spirit is a living thing, and it derives its life from the vine. If therefore you are separated from the vine, you will die spiritually; you will stop living a supernatural life. And it’s just not that complicated. Gospel Jn 15:1-8 Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

Alfie Evans was given 4 drugs just before he died: report | News | Lifesitenews

Alfie Evans was given 4 drugs just before he died: report | News | Lifesitenews: Medical advisors to LifeSiteNews said they could not understand why Alfie would be given four separate drugs. They recommend an independent toxicology be performed.

Cardinal Dolan talks about the Alfie Evans Tragedy

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Who gets to decide if Charlie Gard’s life is worth living? It shouldn’t be his doctors. - The Washington Post

Who gets to decide if Charlie Gard’s life is worth living? It shouldn’t be his doctors. - The Washington Post: Studies show that physicians do a poor job of understanding their disabled patients' quality of life.

What to do for little Charlie Gard - The Washington Post

What to do for little Charlie Gard - The Washington Post: One cannot imagine a more wrenching moral dilemma.

The Alfie Evans case shows liberal individualism has gone too far - The Washington Post

The Alfie Evans case shows liberal individualism has gone too far - The Washington Post: The problem isn’t a national health-care system. It’s something deeper.

How Britain has fallen - Washington Times

How Britain has fallen - Washington Times: The world watched in shock and horror this past week at British police guarded a hospital in the UK. They were there to prevent a critically ill child from being removed and given the chance at life.

Alfie Evans' Best Interest: Courts Fail to Define Consistently | National Review

Alfie Evans' Best Interest: Courts Fail to Define Consistently | National Review: Ashya King, Charlie Gard, and now Alfie Evans: Courts of law again fail to define “best interest” consistently.

Totalitarianism and Alfie Evans: the sad truth behind his death | Blogs | LifeSite

Totalitarianism and Alfie Evans: the sad truth behind his death | Blogs | LifeSite: {meta_description}

Sam Sorbo Warns: You Think What Happened to Alfie Evans Can’t Happen Here?

Sam Sorbo Warns: You Think What Happened to Alfie Evans Can’t Happen Here?: On a Facebook Live podcast Sunday, actress, wife of actor Kevin Sorbo of “Hercules” and “Andromeda” fame, and co-writer of the film “Let There Be Light” Sam Sorbo called out the U.K. government and its socialized health system and warned Americans about what happened to Alfie Evans, saying, “You think that can’t happen here, but it can.”

'Young Catholics are interested in our Catholic heritage'—including the rosary

'Young Catholics are interested in our Catholic heritage'—including the rosary: A surprising report from a secular source, The Telegraph:  Young Catholics are returning to the traditional rosary as they react to “technological advances”, the organizers of a new event have said. John Mallon, 27, said 20,000 people are expected to take part in a Rosary on the Coast event on Sunday afternoon throughout the British Isles across …

Alfie Evans' dad appears in public for first time since tragic son's death to collect 'Blueblood' award at Everton FC ceremony - Mirror Online

Alfie Evans' dad appears in public for first time since tragic son's death to collect 'Blueblood' award at Everton FC ceremony - Mirror Online: Tom Evans, 21, was embraced on stage by club chairman Bill Kenwright, who presented the devastated father with the 'Chairman's Blueblood Award'

As a child, he tended sheep in the Congo. Now, he’ll tend souls in Boston - The Boston Globe

As a child, he tended sheep in the Congo. Now, he’ll tend souls in Boston - The Boston Globe: At a seminary training men to enter the priesthood later in life, Lambert Nieme is preparing to be ordained.

Imagine a World with No Religion

Imagine a World with No Religion: We need to fight the left and keep Christianity as the moral bedrock of our nation.

Israel’s Nuclear Weapons Program: Everything You Need to Know | The National Interest Blog

Israel’s Nuclear Weapons Program: Everything You Need to Know | The National Interest Blog: Israel may have some powerful technology.

Alfie Evans Death: Victim of Technocracy | National Review

Alfie Evans Death: Victim of Technocracy | National Review: Alfie's parents should have been able to make that call, and to move him to another hospital willing to keep trying.

New York Times Column Dementia Starvation Push | National Review

New York Times Column Dementia Starvation Push | National Review: This abusive proposal has now reached the august pages of the Gray Lady in a column by Jane Brody.

Now Even Dating is Considered Old-Fashioned - The Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study

Now Even Dating is Considered Old-Fashioned - The Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study: The Great Adventure Catholic Bible study, videos, prayers, downloads, articles, poetry, and blog from Jeff Cavins, Mark Hart, Thomas Smith, Edward Sri, Sarah Christmyer, Emily Cavins, and more.

U.S. involvement in Afghanistan isn’t bringing peace or prosperity there | Center for Public Integrity

U.S. involvement in Afghanistan isn’t bringing peace or prosperity there | Center for Public Integrity: A new summary of Afghanistan's troubles by a special auditor of the U.S. intervention doesn’t paint an optimistic picture of its future

White House Joins Netanyahu In Making Case for Iran Deal – LobeLog

White House Joins Netanyahu In Making Case for Iran Deal – LobeLog: by Ben Armbruster Something remarkable happened last night regarding the Iran nuclear agreement. Despite Donald Trump’s years-long uninformed noise about how terrible the deal supposedly is, the Wh…

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Imagine you knew just what someone needed  – and had a way to make sure they got it.   MISSIO Project Leaders are in touch with the greatest needs of the communities they serve, and offer you a chance to join them in making change happen: improving, even saving lives.     NEW on MISSIO in this month of May: A way to help young women have a better future in Kenya and in Peru, safe from domestic violence, child labor, and more A path to clean water for a village in Nigeria A place for schoolchildren to eat lunch and youth groups to meet safely in Senegal. Help make change happen. It's easy with MISSIO. There's your #TuesdayTip.

Fifteen Years of Forever Wars – Chas W. Freeman, Jr.

Fifteen Years of Forever Wars – Chas W. Freeman, Jr.

Michelle Wolf and the Throwaway Culture | Word On Fire

Michelle Wolf and the Throwaway Culture | Word On Fire

The Left Hates YouThe American Spectator

The Left Hates YouThe American Spectator: Man is a temporary being. Constrained by physical limitations — as well as temporal ones — human beings used to strive for ways to overcome those limitations. Or, rather, the tale of Mankind is one in which we must first acknowledge our own limits and then figure out ways to impart the best bits of ourselves on eternity. Children were traditionally viewed as a way to leave one’s legacy. Great civilizations throughout history sought to one-up each other with the construction of great edifices as a testament to their peoples’ timelessness. Today, humans live among the great ruins of previously

Britain's most senior Catholic at odds with the Pope over Alfie Evans treatment

Britain's most senior Catholic at odds with the Pope over Alfie Evans treatment: Britain's most senior Catholic cleric is at odds with the Pope over the treatment of terminally ill child Alfie Evans.

The Right Lesson to Take From the Alfie Evans Tragedy | RealClearPolitics

The Right Lesson to Take From the Alfie Evans Tragedy | RealClearPolitics: The baby Alfie Evans has died. Born in Liverpool with a degenerative brain condition, Alfie had been in a semi-vegetative state for over a year. Against his parents' wishes, the hospital took Alfie...

Bishop Barron's Reflection Tuesday May 1, 2018

Your daily Gospel reflection...

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Fifth Week of Easter

John 14:27-31A

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us an antidote for fear. Whom or what are you afraid of? That is a very important spiritual question. One way to understand our lives is to look at those things that we seek: wealth, power, privilege, honor, pleasure, friendship. But another way is to turn that question around and determine what or who it is that we fear. We might fear the loss of material things, the loss of a job, the loss of physical health, the loss of the esteem of others, the loss of personal intimacy, or ultimately, the loss of life itself. We are afraid of many things, but I’d be willing to bet that there is a primary or principal fear. What is it for you? Now, after identifying that, listen to Jesus: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." Any and all of the things that we customarily fear—loss of money, fame, pleasure, and power—have to do with this world. What Jesus is saying is that we should not let those fears come to dominate or define our lives, for he is with us—and with him is his peace. Gospel Jn 14:27-31a Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, 'I am going away and I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me."

ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Bishop You: “We entrust to our Korean martyrs peace in Korea

ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Bishop You: “We entrust to our Korean martyrs peace in Korea

http://www.fides.org/en/news/64100-ASIA_SOUTH_KOREA_Bishop_You_We_entrust_to_our_Korean_martyrs_peace_in_Korea?utm_campaign=Newsletter_EN_Easter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VnPmcLgcJX-MTvH5YgmYYsldO2DzbhYxQnAFmKDUE9-GGNEdQCcLyO2e1_3NqJHamjopuqX-TZ4i_TR8f_o1L4sFlKrYL8is0B2Iaey6XeUPEge0&_hsmi=62546754&utm_content=62546754&utm_source=hs_email&hsCtaTracking=367fe722-92a8-44b4-9f24-649f1ca06982%7Ce3c5c7d7-efd3-45c5-8937-19b4959d1131

Israel at 70 - This Week in Palestine

Israel at 70 - This Week in Palestine: Several years ago, the late Polish mathematician from Youngstown State University (my alma mater in Ohio), Dr. Zbigniew Piotrowski, walked up to me at the Youngstown Arab-American Community Center and shared a bold observation after I delivered a talk on the Palestinians’ desire for freedom and independence. He said the silver lining of the WWII …

Terri Schiavo’s Brother Slams Courts That Condemned Alfie Evans to Death

Terri Schiavo’s Brother Slams Courts That Condemned Alfie Evans to Death

http://www.lifenews.com/2018/04/30/terri-schiavos-brother-slams-courts-that-condemned-alfie-evans-to-death/