Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Pope May Return to Hospital

From EiTB24.com:



"Pope John Paul II may have to return to the hospital for tests on the tube inserted in his throat to help him breathe, Corriere della Sera newspaper reads today. The report says doctors are considering a new hospitalization next week both to check the tube and to adjust his diet because of problems swallowing.



There is no comment from the Vatican and Nicola Cerbino; a spokesman at Polyclinic Gemelli hospital where John Paul was rushed twice last month, called it media speculation."

Easter Sernon of St. John Chrysostom

Byzantine Matins for the Feast of Pascha:





PASCHAL SERMON OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Archbishop of Constantinople







Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God?

Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!

Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?

Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!



Are there any weary with fasting?

Let them now receive their wages!

If any have toiled from the first hour,

let them receive their due reward;

If any have come after the third hour,

let him with gratitude join in the Feast!

And he that arrived after the sixth hour,

let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.

And if any delayed until the ninth hour,

let him not hesitate; but let him come too.

And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,

let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.



For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.

He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,

as well as to him that toiled from the first.

To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.

He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.

The deed He honors and the intention He commends.



Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

First and last alike receive your reward;

rich and poor, rejoice together!

Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!



You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,

rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!

Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.

Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.

Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!



Let no one grieve at his poverty,

for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;

for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.

He has destroyed it by enduring it.



He destroyed Hades when He descended into it.

He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.

Isaiah foretold this when he said,

"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."



Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.

It was in an uproar because it is mocked.

It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.

It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.

It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.

Hell took a body, and discovered God.

It took earth, and encountered Heaven.

It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.

O death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?



Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated!

Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!

Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!

Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;

for Christ having risen from the dead,

is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.



To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

Monday, March 28, 2005

Earthquake the Day After Easter

In the same place one hit the day after Christmas...a sign?



From My Way News:



" A massive 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra Monday close to where a quake triggered a tsunami that left nearly 300,000 people dead or missing across Asia, residents and officials said.



The latest quake had the potential to cause a 'widely destructive tsunami' and authorities should take 'immediate action,' including evacuating coastlines within 600 miles of the epicenter, the Pacific tsunami warning center said.



One official said any possible tsunami could be headed toward the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius."

Divine Mercy Novena

Continues...



From Divine Mercy Novena:



"Fourth Day



'Today bring to Me Those Who Do Not Believe In God and Those Who Do Not Yet Know Me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.'"

Generation Life

Versus the Culture of Death...Generation Life and the witness of Brandi Swindell, 28, of Boise, Idaho, who has been on a hunger strike since the feeding tube was removed from Terri Schiavo 12 days ago.

Pope Skips Appearance at His Window

You would think that the Vatican would know that he wasn't going to show, (in reference to the Vatican cameras below):



From Yahoo! News - Pope Skips Appearance at His Window:



" Pope John Paul II skipped his traditional appearance at his window overlooking St. Peter's Square the day after Easter, following a Holy Week during which he was unable to speak.



An appearance Monday -- a national holiday in Italy -- had not been confirmed because of John Paul's convalescence from throat surgery to ease a breathing crisis, although he had kept the appointment to bless pilgrims throughout his 26-year papacy.



Vatican TV cameras zoomed in on the pope's window at noontime, but the curtains remained closed."