Boondock Saints and All Saints’ Day
October 8, 2011
News Worldwide — All Saints Day is more of a religious custom than just a national day. All Catholic and Orthodox Catholics believe that saints of God are as alive as we are and that they are mediating on our behalf constantly. There were saints whom we knew and there were many more of them we didn’t get to know of. All Saints Day instituted by Church is solemnity celebrated on November 1st to commemorate all saints, known and unknown. According to Pope Urban IV it is to make sure that all deficiencies are supplied with in a celebration of the saint’s feast during each year by those who have been initiated in Catholic Christian rites, the faithful. The eve of All Saints Day, October 31st, is popularly known as All Hallows Eve.
Where did the Concept of All Saints Day come from?
The concept of All Saints Day comes from a Catholic belief conceptualized in what is known as “Communion of Saints”. The Catholic belief is that all of God’s people whether in heaven, earth, or in a purgatory (as known in the west) are implicated in a communion which simply means that they are alive. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (350 AD) testifies that our common communion with Jesus Christ joins us with the heavenly community of saints in our prayers.
I think I’ve heard of a movie with that name!
The entertainment business has also seemed to take the religious event into consideration. A movie with the name of The Boondock Saints came in 1999 written and directed by Troy Duffy (under genre of Action-Crime-Drama-Thriller). The cast includes Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman, Willem Dafoe, David Della Rocco, Billy Connolly, Bob Marley, David Ferry, Brian Mahoney, Carlo Rota, Ron Jeremy, and Gerard Parkes.
The plot: It so happens that two Irish brothers, after attending a mass in a church, somehow manage to have a brawl with some mafia thugs in a bar and kill them accidently in self-defense. To clear their name they then turn themselves over to the police and get released as heroes. After the incident they see it as a calling by God and start wiping mafia gang members off one by one. They get full public support for their deeds. But law enforcement agencies wouldn’t let such thing to continue. So an FBI Agent is assigned the duty of investigating the ongoing slaughter. The findings in the agent’s investigation force him to think to whether to arrest the brothers or join them to rid Boston of evil. Watch the movie to find the rest of the story.
An unrated version of the movie was released in May 22, 2006. In 2003 documentary film followed the story of Troy Duffy in “Overnight”. In May 2010 a comic book story was released which was written by Troy Duffy, produced by Innfusion Inc. and released through 12 Gauge Comics.
An Objection to the celebration of all Saints Day!
Many non-Catholics say that commemoration of saints at such a wider scale tends to give an impression that All Saints Day is an Idolatry event. According to Catholics worship is only for God and veneration is for his holy men and women who spent their entire life following teachings of Jesus Christ and died in grace. They believe that the highest form of veneration is due to blessings of Virgin Mary. Copyright © 2011
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
Judaism — The blazing furnace
October 6, 2011
Judaism – King Nebuchadnezzar had a huge gold statue made, and erected on a plain in Babylon. He ordered everyone in his empire to bow down and worship the statue; and that anyone who did not do so, should be thrown into a blazing furnace.
Daniel’s three friends refused to worship the statue; and their enemies, who hated all Jews, reported this to the king.
The king summoned them, and asked if the report were true. They answered: You majesty, we shall not try to defend our
selves. The God whom we serve, has the power to save us from the blazing furnace; and he may choose to use his power. But even if he refrains from saving us, your majesty may be certain that we shall not worship your god; we shall
not bow down before your statue.’
Nebuchadnezzar turned red with anger. He ordered his servants to make the furnace seven times hotter than usual. Then he commanded the strongest men in his army to tie the three men up, and throw them into it. Nebuchadnezzar stared
at the furnace in astonishment. He asked his officials: ‘Did we not tie three men up, and throw them in?’ ‘Yes, we did, your majesty,’ they replied. He said: ‘Why do I see four men walking about in the fire? They are not tied up, and they show no injuries – and the fourth one looks like an angel.’
So he released them, and appointed them to even higher positions. Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream
Judaism — Nebuchadnezzar related a second dream
‘I saw a huge tree in the middle of the earth. It grew taller and taller, until it touched the sky, and everyone on earth could see it. Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit was abundant – enough for every living creature in the world. Animals rested in its shade, and birds built nests in its branches; they all ate its fruit.
`While I was contemplating this tree, I saw a holy angel come down from heaven. The angel proclaimed in a loud voice: “Cut down the tree, and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Drive away the animals and the
birds. But leave the stump on the ground, and bind it with iron and bronze; let the grass grow round it.”
`Then the angel turned to me, and said: “Let the dew drench this man, and let him live with the animals and birds. For seven years he will not have a human mind, but he will have the mind of an animal. This is the decision of all the angels, the verdict of all God’s messengers. Thus all people on earth will know that the supreme God has power over human kingdoms, and that he can give them to anyone he wishes; he may even choose as king the lowliest of men.”
Copyright © 2011
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
Judaism — Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream
October 3, 2011
Judaism – Nebuchadnezzar had an unpleasant dream; it worried him so greatly that he could not sleep. He summoned his magicians, wizards, sorcerers and astrologers, and asked them to interpret his dream. They replied: `May your majesty live for ever! Relate to us your dream, and we shall explain it.’ The king said: ‘I insist that you first relate to me my dream, and then tell me what it means. If you fail, I shall have you torn limb from limb.’ They replied: `Your majesty, if you relate your dream to us, we shall explain it.’ The king exclaimed: `You are merely trying to gain time. Tell me what the dream was, and then I shall know that you can tell me what it means.’ They said: ‘No one on the face of the earth could do what you are asking.’ At that the king flew into a rage, and ordered the execution of all the royal advisers in Babylon including Daniel and his companions.
Daniel heard of the king’s order, and told his friends to pray to the God of heaven for help. The friends asked God to reveal the king’s dream to Daniel, so they would not be killed along with the other advisors. That same night their prayer
was answered. Daniel praised God in heaven: `You are wise and powerful. You reveal that which is deep and hidden; you know what lies in darkness, and you yourself are surrounded by light. You have given me wisdom and strength, revealing to me what we asked.’ In the morning Daniel asked the guard to take him to the king.
Judaism –A wicked law
During the time of the Roman Empire the Senate planned to pass a law that would have prohibited both the observance of the Sabbath and the rite of circumcision.
Rabbi Reuben disguised himself as a Roman, and came before the Senate. He spoke perfect Latin, with a Roman accent. ‘Do you hate the Jews?’ he asked. A leading senator replied: `Yes, because they refuse to worship the Roman emperor as a god.’ ‘Do you wish, therefore, to destroy the Jewish religion?’ The senator replied that they did.
Rabbi Reuben said:`If you prohibit the observance of the Sabbath, the Jews will work seven days a week, instead of six. Thus they will become even more rich and powerful.’ So the Senate set aside the first prohibition. Then the rabbi said: ‘If you prohibit circumcision, they will produce even more children – since circumcision reduces fertility.’ So the Senate set aside the second prohibition.
Copyright © 2011
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
Judaism — The valley of dry bones
October 2, 2011
Judaism – The hand of the Lord was upon me, and his Spirit took me to a valley, where the ground was covered with bones. He led me all round the valley, and I saw a vast number of bones, all of which were very dry.
He said to me: `Mortal man, can these bones come back to life?’ I replied: ‘Sovereign Lord, you alone can answer that.’ He said: ‘Prophesy to these bones; command them to listen to the word of the Lord. Tell them that I, the sovereign Lord, shall put breath into them, and bring them back to life. I will attach sinews and muscles to them, and cover them with skin. I shall put breath into them, and bring them back to life. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’
So I prophesied as the Lord had ordered me. While I was speaking, I heard a rattling sound, and the bones began to join together. As I watched, I saw sinews and muscles attaching themselves to the bones, and then skin covering them. But there was no breath in the bodies.
Then God said to me: ‘Mortal man, prophesy to the wind. Tell the wind that the sovereign Lord commands it to come from every direction, and enter these bodies, so they may come back to life.’ So I prophesied as the Lord had ordered me. Breath entered the bodies; and they came back to life, and stood up. They were like a huge army.
Judaism – Promise of new life
God said to me: `Mortal man, the people of Israel are like the bones in the valley. They say that their bones are dried up -
that all hope is gone, and that their hearts are in despair. So prophesy to the people of Israel. Tell them that I, the sovereign Lord, am going to open their graves, and raise them up; I shall bring them back to their land. When I open their graves, raise them up, and bring them back to their land, they will know that I am the Lord. I shall put breath in them, bring them back to life, and let them live in their own land.
Then they will know that I am the Lord. I have promised that I should do this – and I shall. I, the Lord, have spoken.’
Judaism – Daniel’s training
When King Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem, he took some of his prisoners back to his temple in Babylon. He ordered Ashpenaz, his chief official, to select from among them some young men of royal and noble blood. They had to be andsome, intelligent, well-educated, quick to learn, and free from any physical defect; thus they would be fit to serve in the royal court. Ashpenaz was to teach them the language and literature of Babylon, and to give them food and wine from the king’s table. After three years of training they were to enter the king’s service. Among those chosen were Daniel, from the tribe of Judah, and three friends from the same tribe.
Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and sought the chief official’s permission. The chief official refused permission. So Daniel said to the man guarding them: `Test us for seven days, giving us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with the young men who are eating food from the royal table.’ The guard agreed; and at the end of ten days Daniel and his companions looked healthier and stronger than
those who had been eating the royal food. So the guard allowed them to continue eating vegetables.
God gave the four young men knowledge and skill in literature and philosophy. In addition he gave Daniel skill in interpreting visions and dreams. At the end of three years they entered the king’s service.
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Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
Judaism — Ezekiel’s calling
September 29, 2011
Judaism – I heard the voice of God saying: `Mortal man, stand up. I wish to speak to you.’ As the voice spoke, the Spirit of the Lord entered me, and raised me to my feet; and I could hear clearly.
`Mortal man,’ the voice of God continued,`I am sending you to the people of Israel. They have rebelled against me, turning their backs on me; and they are still rebelling, just as their ancestors did. They are stubborn and hardhearted. So you will tell them what I, the sovereign Lord, am saying to them. Whether they listen or refuse to listen, they will know that a prophet has been among them. `You, mortal man, must not be afraid of them, or of anything they say.
They will defy and despise you. You will feel as though you are walking through briars and thorns; you will feel as though you are living among scorpions. But do not be afraid of these rebels, or of anything they say. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen. Remember that they are rebels. Mortal man, listen to everything I say; do not be a rebel yourself.’
Judaism – Bad shepherds and the good shepherd
The Lord spoke through me to the rulers of Israel, the shepherds of his people: You take care of yourselves, but you never tend the sheep. You drink their milk, you wear clothes made from their wool, and you kill those who antagonize you.
You show no love or compassion for them. You do not protect those who are weak; you do not heal those who are sick; you do not bandage those who are hurt; you do not search for those who have wandered from my way; and you do not guide those who are lost. Instead, you treat them cruelly. And for this reason they have been scattered from their land, and predators have attacked them. They have dispersed across the face of the earth, and no one is seeking them.
‘So I myself, the sovereign Lord, will find my sheep, and tend them. As a shepherd gathers his sheep together, so I shall
gather together my people from the places where they have gone. I shall guide those who are lost, bring back those who
have wandered from my way, bandage those who are hurt, and heal those who are sick. But those who are fat and sleek,
I shall destroy. I am a shepherd who always acts justly.’
Copyright © 2011
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
Judaism — The four creatures
September 26, 2011
Judaism – I, Ezekiel, a priest, was living with the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The sky opened, and I saw a vision of God. I heard the Lord speak to me, and his hand was upon me.
I looked up, and saw a storm coming from the north. Lightning was flashing from a huge cloud, and the sky around the cloud was glowing. At the centre of the storm I saw four living creatures in human form. Each creature had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight; and they had feet in the shape of calves’ hooves, which shone like polished bronze. They each had four human arms, one under each wing. Two wings of each creature were spread out; and the creatures formed a square, with their wings touching.
They moved as a group, without turning their bodies. They each had a human face at the front, a lion’s face at the right, a bull’s face at the left, and an eagle’s face at the back. In the midst of the creatures was a light, which looked like a burning coal or a blazing torch. It sometimes became exceedingly bright, and then faded. It moved back and forth among the creatures.
As I was looking at the four creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature. The wheels shone like precious stones; and each wheel had another wheel intersecting it, so the wheels could move in all directions. The creatures controlled the wheels; so the creatures could go wherever they wished.
Judaism –The likeness of the Lord
Above the heads of the living creatures there was a dome, which sparkled like ice. The creatures stood under the dome, reach with two wings stretched out, and two wings covering its body. When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings; it was like the roar of the sea, or like the noise of an army marching – or like the voice of almighty God.
When they stopped flying, they folded their wings. Then I heard a voice from the dome above their heads. And I saw a throne made of sapphire. Sitting on the throne was a figure like that of a man. From the waist up he shone like molten metal, as if a fire was burning within him; and from his waist downwards there were flames. A brilliant light surrounded him, which had all the colours of the rainbow. I knew that I was seeing the likeness and the glory of the Lord. I fell face downwards.
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Copyright © 2011
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
Judaism — Promise of restoration
September 25, 2011
Judaism – The Lord says:`People of Israel, I shall make you well again; I shall heal your wounds. I shall restore you to your land, and cherish every family. Jerusalem and its palace will be rebuilt.
You will sing my praises, and shout for joy. I shall add to your numbers, and they will never be decreased; I shall bring you honour, and you will never be disgraced. You and your descendants will live as your ancestors did in days of old; your community will be as secure and solid as it was in ancient times. Your ruler will come from among you; he will be a prince of your own blood. I shall draw him close to me, and he will devote himself to doing my will. You will be my people, and I shall be your God.
`People of Israel, I have always loved you, and I continue to love you. Once again I shall show my love. Once again you
will take up your tambourines, and dance with joy. Once again you will plant vineyards on the hills, and drink the fruit
of your labour.’
Judaism — The new covenant
The Lord says: The time is coming when I shall fill the land of Israel with people and their livestock. I took care to uproot, pull down, overthrow, destroy and demolish; now I shall take equal care to plant and build up.
`The time is coming when I shall make a new covenant with my people. It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors, when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. Although I was like a husband to them, they broke that covenant. This is the covenant that I shall make with my people: I shall put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts. I shall be their God, and they will be my people. They will not have to teach one another to know me, because all will know me, from the least to the greatest. I shall forgive their sins, and forget their wickedness.
I, the Lord, have spoken.’
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
Does The Assumption Of Mary Divide Catholics and Protestants?
July 31, 2011
There is a firm difference of opinion in The Assumption of Mary related belief between Catholics and Protestants.
Catholic Belief on the Assumption of Mary
According to Catholic teachings, the Assumption of Mary was the physical taken up of Mary in the Heaven after she reached the end of her life. In the churches that observe it on every august 15, the Assumption is a main feast day. In several countries it is a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation.
Protestants Belief on the Assumption of Mary
The Assumption of Mary remains a controversial belief. One reason for this controversy is that despite it was initially found in the 5th century yet it is not clearly referred in the Bible while the Roman Catholic Church roots the belief on some other added effective authority.
Bottom Line
The difference of opinion between the assumption of Mary exits despite there are some Protestants that do believe in it.
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
MARY and MIRIAM; Difference between Mary (Maryam – Mother of Jesus) and Miriam (sister of Haroon (Aaron) and Mosa (Mosses) – The prophet Muhammad PBUH didn’t know the difference between them?
July 31, 2011
This article deals with explaining the key difference between Mary and Miriam.
First — Mary and Miriam had 1300 years difference in their births
The difference between the birth of Marry and Miriam was 1300 subordinate years.
Problem
There is a statement in Quran the Holy Book of Muslims that proves that it is not the book of God.
It is stated in Holy Qur’an that Mary was the sister of Aaron (pbuh) which is a wrong statement as she was rather the mother of Jesus and thus Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was not aware of the difference between Mary and Miriam for the time span between Mary and Miriam was approximately one thousand and three hundred years.
Answer
The Holy book Qur’an states in Surah Maryam, Chapter 19 verses 27-28
‘Then she brought him (child) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: “O Mary! You have certainly done a thing unprecedented. “O sister of Aaron! Your father was not a man of evil nor was your mother unchaste!”” [Surah Maryam 19:27-28]
In the Arabic structure of sentence, a sister is part of family and is a descendant. Therefore, when the people said to Mary, Ya Ukhta Haroon i.e. ‘O sister of Aaron’ it meant descendant of Aaron (pbuh).
It is stated in the Gospel of Mathew, Chapter 1 verse 1
“Jesus Christ, the son of David,..”.
[Mathew 1:1]
It is also mentioned in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 3, verse 23
“And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of
Joseph,…”
[Luke 3:23]
The description of the phrase that Jesus (pbuh) was the son of David (pbuh), is that Jesus
(pbuh) was a descendant of David (pbuh). So, ‘Son’ here too means a descendant.
Bottom line:
In Arabic sentence structure a sister and a son are decedents and when Marry is called sister of Aaron, it is a reference of descendant and when Jesus is called son of David and Joseph it also is in reference of descendant.
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
The High Holy Days
May 26, 2011
The High Holy Days are the Jewish High Holidays. The High Holy days comprise of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The High Holy days include all the days of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the days that come in between these two events.
Here are the important High Holy Days:
Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of Hebrew calendar so it makes a new year for Jewish people. According to the Jewish tradition Rosh Hashanah are the days when the world was created. Moreover, it is also the day when fate was written.
Yom Kippur
Day of Atonement is called as Yom Kippur too. It is one of the holiest days of the year for the Jewish people. Its main ideas are atonement and repentance. These days are observed by Jews with a 25 hours fasting and prayers.
Feast of Trumpets
This Bible feasts calendar includes the dates of Jewish High holidays and feasts from 2010-2014.
The Feast of Tabernacles
According to the Jewish calendar Booths also called as Feast of Tabernacles arrives comes on the fifteenth of Tishri (September-October), the seventh month. This was the third feast which needed a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple and offer sacrifices and offering to the Lord.
Days of Awe
Days of Awe are comprised of ten days and is called as Yamim Nora’im or Aseret Yamei T’shuvah. These days start with Rosh Hashanah and ends at Yom Kippur.
Festival of Lights
Hanukkah is also Romanized as Chanukah or Chanuka. It is the 8th day of Jewish Holy Days and is also known as Festival of Lights.
Purim is related to Akkadian pūru which is part of the is a Jewish holy Days.
Pesach
Passover is a part of Jewish holy days and is a festival. It memorializes the story of the Exodus, where ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
