So who's beaming with excitement from this historic meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all of Russia? Just me? Why all the excitement? Because it's been a thousand years...and they have some powerful stuff to say to us:
20. The family is based on marriage, an act of freely given and faithful love between a man and a woman. It is love that seals their union and teaches them to accept one another as a gift. Marriage is a school of love and faithfulness. We regret that other forms of cohabitation have been placed on the same level as this union, while the concept, consecrated in the biblical tradition, of paternity and maternity as the distinct vocation of man and woman in marriage is being banished from the public conscience.
21. We call on all to respect the inalienable right to life. Millions are denied the very right to be born into the world. The blood of the unborn cries out to God (cf. Gen 4:10).
22. Today, in a particular way, we address young Christians. You, young people, have the task of not hiding your talent in the ground (cf. Mt 25:25), but of using all the abilities God has given you to confirm Christ’s truth in the world, incarnating in your own lives the evangelical commandments of the love of God and of one’s neighbour. Do not be afraid of going against the current, defending God’s truth, to which contemporary secular norms are often far from conforming.
23. God loves each of you and expects you to be His disciples and apostles. Be the light of the world so that those around you may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5:14, 16). Raise your children in the Christian faith, transmitting to them the pearl of great price that is the faith (cf. Mt 13:46) you have received from your parents and forbears. Remember that “you have been purchased at a great price” (1 Cor 6:20), at the cost of the death on the cross of the Man–God Jesus Christ.
Who thinks of Fatima when they hear Russia? I am always interested when Russia's in the news and I become VERY interested when Russia is in the news whenever there's a Pope involved! Because quite a bit of the focus of the prophecies of Fatima are centered on Russia. Because "In an interview conducted in November 1984, Cardinal Ratzinger (of the Holy Office) confirmed that, with the Pope’s permission, he had read the Secret and that it concerns, in his words, "a radical call to conversion, the absolute gravity of history, the dangers threatening the Faith and the life of a Christian, and therefore the world. And also the importance of the last times." The Cardinal went on to explain that "if it is not published ... it is to avoid confusing religious prophecy with sensationalism. But the things contained in the Third Secret correspond to what has been announced in Scripture and are confirmed by many other Marian apparitions." (www.fatima.org/essentials/facts/secret.asp)
Now if you're not into Fatima, there's a chance you're not excited yet...in that case take the afternoon to look into it. Keep in mind Fatima is not a made up fairy tale even if that's what you've been led to believe all your life. As we come up on Fatima's 100 year anniversary (2017), now's as good as time as ever to become familiar with it's prophecies.
Now if you're not into Fatima, there's a chance you're not excited yet...in that case take the afternoon to look into it. Keep in mind Fatima is not a made up fairy tale even if that's what you've been led to believe all your life. As we come up on Fatima's 100 year anniversary (2017), now's as good as time as ever to become familiar with it's prophecies.
Check this out:
And here is an excerpt to an article written over 2 years ago that speaks more on why this meeting is getting me pretty hopeful about what is happening in Russia:
"Is what is happening in Russia a partial fulfillment of the promised conversion of that Nation offered by Our Lady to the children of Fatima? President Putin exchanging icons of Mary with Pope Francis was not simply a mere nicety. Accounts which have surfaced indicate that it was done with reverence and genuine signs of Christian piety.
Russia, as official policy, is now defending marriage as between one man and one woman, open to life and formative of family. Just this week president Putin signed legislation outlawing advertisements for abortion in Russia. This is a part of a growing recognition of the Rights of children in the womb as restrictions on abortion continue to grow. Parents are being encouraged to have children and the public policy of the Russian government is being adapted to promote such fruitfulness and hold it up for respect, protection and emulation.
The Russian Orthodox Church is free to speak clearly and authoritatively to the Russian people on matters of faith and morals in Russia today. Indications are that there is a resurgence of Christianity underway. To those who are raising their eyebrows, I am not being naive. I am not saying the President Putin has fully embraced the Christian faith. However, he claims that he has. I do find it distressing that our own President Obama, who professes to be a Christian, has intentionally promoted policies and laws which threaten the sanctity of marriage and the family. He has stopped his ears to the cry of the poorest of the poor in their mother's womb and refuses to defend their Right to Life. He seeks to silence the prophetic and moral voice of the Church in our Nation.
I love the United States of America. On this week when we pause to give thanks, I also know that the goodness in the soul of America will not be extinguished. However, I am first, last and all in between, a Catholic Christian. And, I recognize that something quite promising is happening in Russia. Could this be a part of the promise of Fatima being fulfilled? Could the warming of relations between the Bishop of Rome, the successor of Peter, and the Patriarch of Russia be a sign of the healing of the ancient divisions within the Christian community? Might this all lead to a resurgence of Christianity around the world and the dawning of a new missionary age? I pray that it does." - Deacon Keith Fornier
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