Daily Archives: May 12, 2024

Resurrection of Jesus

Debunking the Myth: Was Jesus a Ghost?

Debunking the Myth: Was Jesus a Ghost?

Introduction:

The figure of Jesus Christ has fascinated and inspired people for centuries, prompting countless debates, discussions, and interpretations. Among the many questions surrounding his life and teachings, one intriguing inquiry persists: Was Jesus a ghost? This notion has emerged from various interpretations of historical accounts, religious texts, and cultural beliefs. However, a closer examination reveals that such a claim lacks substantial evidence and is at odds with mainstream Christian theology.

Exploring the Myth:

The idea of Jesus being a ghost stems from certain passages in the New Testament, particularly the accounts of his post-resurrection appearances. In these narratives, Jesus appears to his disciples in a resurrected form, often seemingly defying the laws of nature by walking through walls or suddenly appearing in their midst. These descriptions have led some to speculate that Jesus was not physically present but rather a spirit or ghost.

Additionally, the concept of Jesus as a ghost has been fueled by misconceptions surrounding the nature of the resurrection itself. Some people mistakenly equate resurrection with becoming a ghost or disembodied spirit. However, according to Christian doctrine, resurrection involves the restoration of the physical body to life, albeit in a transformed state.

Clarifying Christian Beliefs:

Christian theology asserts that Jesus’ resurrection was a bodily resurrection, not a mere spiritual apparition. The Gospels emphasize that Jesus invited his disciples to touch him, eat with him, and witness the physical reality of his resurrected form. These accounts emphasize the tangible nature of Jesus’ post-resurrection existence, dispelling the notion of him being a ghost.

Furthermore, the Christian faith affirms the doctrine of the Incarnation, which asserts that Jesus, the Son of God, became fully human while retaining his divine nature. This foundational belief underscores the physical reality of Jesus’ earthly life, including his birth, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. To suggest that Jesus was a ghost undermines the core tenets of Christian faith concerning the nature of Jesus’ identity and his redemptive work.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Understanding the cultural and historical context of Jesus’ time sheds further light on the misconception of him being a ghost. In the Jewish tradition, the concept of ghosts or spirits was not synonymous with resurrection. Instead, resurrection was associated with the restoration of the physical body to life in preparation for the final judgment and the coming kingdom of God.

Moreover, Jesus’ resurrection was a central theme in the early Christian community, shaping their beliefs, practices, and understanding of salvation. The apostles and early disciples proclaimed the reality of Jesus’ bodily resurrection as a cornerstone of their faith, laying the foundation for the Christian Church.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the idea that Jesus was a ghost is a misconception rooted in misinterpretations of biblical texts and a misunderstanding of Christian theology. The belief in Jesus’ resurrection as a bodily resurrection is central to the Christian faith and stands in contrast to the notion of him being a ghost. By examining the historical accounts, clarifying Christian beliefs, and considering the cultural context, we can debunk this myth and appreciate the profound significance of Jesus’ resurrection in Christian theology.

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St. Isabel of France

St. Isabel of France

Feast dayMay21
Birth272
Death337

St. Isabel of France, also known as Elizabeth of France, was born in 1225 as the daughter of King Louis VIII of France and Blanche of Castile. She was the sister of King Louis IX of France (Saint Louis). Isabel was known for her piety, charity, and dedication to serving others.

From a young age, Isabel demonstrated a strong desire to live a life of religious devotion. Despite her royal status, she chose a life of simplicity and humility. She devoted herself to prayer, fasting, and caring for the poor and sick.

Isabel founded the Abbey of Longchamp in 1255, where she established a community of nuns following the Rule of Saint Clare. The nuns of Longchamp were dedicated to a life of poverty, prayer, and service to the poor. Isabel herself took the veil as a nun in the Order of Poor Ladies, also known as the Poor Clares.

As abbess of Longchamp, Isabel lived a life of austerity and service. She cared for the sick and needy, and she used her resources to provide for the poor. She was known for her compassion and generosity, and she inspired others with her devotion to God and her commitment to serving those in need.

Isabel died on February 23, 1270, and she was canonized as a saint by Pope Leo X in 1670. She is honored as the patron saint of the Franciscan Third Order, the Order of Saint Elizabeth, and charitable societies. Her feast day is celebrated on February 26th. Saint Isabel of France is remembered for her selflessness, piety, and dedication to serving others, particularly the poor and marginalized.

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St. Edward the Confessor

St. Edward the Confessor

Feast dayMay21
Birth272
Death337

St. Edward the Confessor was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England before the Norman Conquest. He ruled from 1042 until his death in 1066. Edward was known for his piety and his reputation for being just and peaceful, earning him the epithet “the Confessor.”

He was born around 1003 to King Æthelred the Unready and his second wife, Emma of Normandy. Edward spent much of his early life in exile in Normandy due to political turmoil in England. He returned to England in 1041, and upon the death of his half-brother, Harthacnut, he became king.

Edward was deeply religious and devoted much of his reign to the Church. He commissioned the building of Westminster Abbey, which was consecrated shortly before his death. Edward was known for his personal piety, his acts of charity, and his dedication to prayer.

Despite his piety, Edward was not a particularly strong ruler. His reign was marked by conflict with powerful noble families, and he struggled to maintain control over his kingdom. He also faced challenges from rival claimants to the throne, including the powerful Earl Godwin and his sons.

Edward died on January 5, 1066, without leaving an heir. His death led to a succession crisis that ultimately resulted in the Norman Conquest of England later that year, when William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings. Edward was canonized as a saint in 1161 by Pope Alexander III, and his feast day is celebrated on October 13th.

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Mass readings for Pentecost Sunday May 19, 2024

Mass readings : Pentecost Sunday

Reading I : Gn 11:1-9

The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words.
While the people were migrating in the east,
they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.
They said to one another,
“Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.”
They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar.
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city
and a tower with its top in the sky,
and so make a name for ourselves;
otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.”

The LORD came down to see the city and the tower
that the people had built.
Then the LORD said: “If now, while they are one people,
all speaking the same language,
they have started to do this,
nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do.
Let us then go down there and confuse their language,
so that one will not understand what another says.”
Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth,
and they stopped building the city.
That is why it was called Babel,
because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world.
It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth.

Or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b

Moses went up the mountain to God.
Then the LORD called to him and said,
“Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob;

tell the Israelites:
You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians
and how I bore you up on eagle wings
and brought you here to myself.
Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant,
you shall be my special possession,
dearer to me than all other people,
though all the earth is mine.
You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.
That is what you must tell the Israelites.”
So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people.
When he set before them
all that the LORD had ordered him to tell them,
the people all answered together,
“Everything the LORD has said, we will do.”

On the morning of the third day
there were peals of thunder and lightning,
and a heavy cloud over the mountain,
and a very loud trumpet blast,
so that all the people in the camp trembled.
But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God,
and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain.
Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke,
for the LORD came down upon it in fire.
The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace,
and the whole mountain trembled violently.
The trumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking,
and God answering him with thunder.

When the LORD came down to the top of Mount Sinai,
he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain.

OR: Ez 37:1-14

The hand of the LORD came upon me,
and he led me out in the spirit of the LORD
and set me in the center of the plain,
which was now filled with bones.
He made me walk among the bones in every direction
so that I saw how many they were on the surface of the plain.
How dry they were!
He asked me:

Son of man, can these bones come to life?
I answered, “Lord GOD, you alone know that.”
Then he said to me:
Prophesy over these bones, and say to them:
Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones:
See! I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life.
I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you,
cover you with skin, and put spirit in you
so that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD.
I, Ezekiel, prophesied as I had been told,
and even as I was prophesying I heard a noise;
it was a rattling as the bones came together, bone joining bone.
I saw the sinews and the flesh come upon them,
and the skin cover them, but there was no spirit in them.
Then the LORD said to me:
Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man,
and say to the spirit: Thus says the Lord GOD:
From the four winds come, O spirit,
and breathe into these slain that they may come to life.
I prophesied as he told me, and the spirit came into them;
they came alive and stood upright, a vast army.
Then he said to me:
Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.
They have been saying,
“Our bones are dried up,
our hope is lost, and we are cut off.”
Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD:
O my people, I will open your graves
and have you rise from them,
and bring you back to the land of Israel.
Then you shall know that I am the LORD,
when I open your graves and have you rise from them,
O my people!
I will put my spirit in you that you may live,
and I will settle you upon your land;
thus you shall know that I am the LORD.
I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD.

OR: Jl 3:1-5

Thus says the LORD:
I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh.
Your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
your young men shall see visions;
even upon the servants and the handmaids,
in those days, I will pour out my spirit.
And I will work wonders in the heavens and on the earth,
blood, fire, and columns of smoke;
the sun will be turned to darkness,
and the moon to blood,
at the coming of the day of the LORD,
the great and terrible day.
Then everyone shall be rescued
who calls on the name of the LORD;
for on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant,
as the LORD has said,
and in Jerusalem survivors
whom the LORD shall call.

Responsorial Psalm : 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29, 30

R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all
the earth is full of your creatures;
bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Creatures all look to you
to give them food in due time.
When you give it to them, they gather it;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading II : Rom 8:22-27

Brothers and sisters:
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that sees is not hope.
For who hopes for what one sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God’s will.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Jn 7:37-39

On the last and greatest day of the feast,
Jesus stood up and exclaimed,
“Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.
As Scripture says:
Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.”

He said this in reference to the Spirit
that those who came to believe in him were to receive.
There was, of course, no Spirit yet,
because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

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