DEVIL AND EXISTENCE

So, the devil is living!!! John Paul II has spoken about him in his general audience in 1986. Here are some pieces:

(…) Satan wishes to destroy life lived in accordance with the truth, life in the fullness of good, the supernatural life of grace and love. The author of the Book of Wisdom writes: ". . .death has entered the world through the envy of the devil, and those who belong to him experience it" (Wis 2:24).

(…) In Sacred Scripture we find various indications of this influence on man and on the dispositions of his spirit (and of his body). In the Bible, Satan is called "the prince of the world" (cf Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), and even "the god of this world" (2 Cor 4:4). We find many other names that describe his nefarious relationship with man: "Beelzebul" or "Belial", "unclean spirit": "tempter", "evil one" and even "Antichrist" (1 Jn 4:3). He is compared to a "lion" (1 Pet 5:8), to a "dragon" (in Revelation) and to a "serpent" (Gen 3). Very frequently, he is designated by the name "devil": from the Greek diaballein (hence diabolos), which means: to "cause destruction, to divide, to calumniate, to deceive".

(…) According to Sacred Scripture, and especially the New Testament, the dominion and the influence of Satan and of the other evil spirits embrace all the world.

(…) The action of Satan consists primarily in tempting men to evil, by influencing their imaginations and higher faculties, to turn them away from the law of God. Satan even tempts Jesus (cf. Lk 4:3-13), in the extreme attempt to thwart what is demanded by the economy of salvation, as this has been pre-ordained by God.

(…) The influence of the evil spirit can conceal itself in a more profound and effective way: it is in his "interests" to make himself unknown. Satan has the skill in the world to induce people to deny his existence in the name of rationalism and of every other system of thought which seeks all possible means to avoid recognizing his activity. This, however, does not signify the elimination of man's free will and responsibility, and even less the frustration of the saving action of Christ. It is, rather, a case of conflict between the dark powers of evil and the powers of redemption”. [i]

What may we do? We do not have to be afraid! Our life is in God. He protects us and stays awake. We just need to accept his kingdom in our heart and allow him to dwell in our life. Take care.

[i] General audience, August 13th, 1986

ABOUT MY SCHOOL, WATCH WHAT WE DO!

EASTER 2008

Father Maxime wihes you a

BLESSED EASTER 2008

SPACE: IS THE “STAR WARS” TO COME?

Yesterday at 3:26 am GMT, they probably were a thunder of applause in the American Department of Defense! The pentagon had just shot down one of its spy satellites passing approximately 130 miles over the Pacific Ocean.

The USS LAKE ERIE Navy launched the attack from the Hawaii water with its SM-3 missile. The spy satellite, which orbited the earth since 2006, was killed because it failed in its mission. It had no reason to survive and it was expected to hit our environment the first week of March carrying with him its 1000 pound of toxic fuel: the hydrazine.

On February 14th, Mr. Bush endorses the project of destruction and gave the go ahead to his army. The mission was successfully done. The Pentagon claims victory. However, the threat is still on the way. What about the remains of this explosion, the space hazardous debris? Tumbling from the sky, they can kill an unknown human being elsewhere or hit a plane in its airline traffic route! There is no harm for that, experts say. The risk is considered to be low.

China strongly disapproved the US shoot down. Liu Jianchao, the spokesman of the government urges Washington during a press conference to clear up his action and promptly release data to the international community. Actually, China would have seen behind this an occasion for American to test his new long rang-missile SM-3 and target satellite in orbit. “China is continuously following closely the possible harm caused by the US action to outer space security and relevant countries” said Liu Jianchao.

And yet, one year before (on January 2007 ), Chinese militaries made a great success by shooting down a old weather satellite, sprinkled at 537 miles above Earth, using a ground-based medium-range ballistic missile. This anti-satellite test generated thousands dangerous space debris and they might be a potential threat for a large number of commercial satellites in the universe, American experts said

Australia, Canada, Russia, Japan, South Korea, UK warned China and said the same words: “No to the weaponization of the Space”.

Today, the United States of America have given evidence they can shoot down, from Earth, something in the outer space. In the past, they did it but they change their mind because of the cold war. Their new behavior raises fears. Is it for that reason Mr. Vladimir Putin frankly said at the beginning of this month a new arm race is under way? Pope Benedict XVI cautious over it 6 month ago during his angelus in Rome. He solemnly asked to refused to go in that way.

Unfortunately, it seems the "Star Wars" has begun. The time has come to end it now otherwise Human Being will deal with his self-destruction. “Science without consciousness is nothing but a ruin of soul” said the French writer François Rabelais. India and Iran have not said their last word yet!

The ideas of this thought are based on the Washington Post and Le Monde news of the 20th February 2007.

THE MEDIA ARE GOOD BUT…CAUTION!!!

For the 42nd World Communications Day that will take place in the next May 4th, Pope Benedict XVI, as he usually does, has addressed to the whole world his thoughts. Here are some pieces:

“…There is no denying the contribution they can make to the diffusion of news, to knowledge of facts and to the dissemination of information: they have played a decisive part, for example, in the spread of literacy and in socialization, as well as the development of democracy and dialogue among peoples. Without their contribution it would truly be difficult to foster and strengthen understanding between nations, to breathe life into peace dialogues around the globe, to guarantee the primary good of access to information, while at the same time ensuring the free circulation of ideas, especially those promoting the ideals of solidarity and social justice.

Indeed, the media, taken overall, are not only vehicles for spreading ideas: they can and should also be instruments at the service of a world of greater justice and solidarity. Unfortunately, though, they risk being transformed into systems aimed at subjecting humanity to agendas dictated by the dominant interests of the day. This is what happens when communication is used for ideological purposes or for the aggressive advertising of consumer products. While claiming to represent reality, it can tend to legitimize or impose distorted models of personal, family or social life.

Moreover, in order to attract listeners and increase the size of audiences, it does not hesitate at times to have recourse to vulgarity and violence, and to overstep the mark. The media can also present and support models of development which serve to increase rather than reduce the technological divide between rich and poor countries…”

“…It is clear, for example, that in certain situations the media are used not for the proper purpose of disseminating information, but to “create” events…”

“…For this reason… it is essential that social communications should assiduously defend the person and fully respect human dignity. Many people now think there is a need, in this sphere, for “info-ethics”, just as we have bioethics in the field of medicine and in scientific research linked to life…”

WHY WE ARE NOT GOD (II)

Astronomic findings are in progress. Astronomers have already found our Solar System of 8 planets (now!!!) was not the only one in the galaxy. The Cancri Star 55, similar to our Sun, has 5 planets now instead of 4. An American scientists team has found a new planet which orbits this Star. The finding was announced 2 months ago during a press conference the NASA has released in November 2007.

Let’s ask ourselves! For ages, no one knew that another Solar System of 5 planets similar to ours exist? It’s now known if we trust in our American researchers.

6 month before, in April 2007, A French, Portuguese and Swiss astronomers team have said they have made a great discovery using a telescope in Chile. Actually, they have found a new planet named Gliese 581c not too far from the Earth but outside of our Solar System which orbits the faint Star Gliese 581. For them, any water there could exist in liquid form and this raises the chances it could also harbor life.

In November 2003, the NASA itself showed to the whole world a particular discovery: SEDNA, a planet which is part of our Solar System which seats ice and rock. What is next? Our galaxy (since there are billion) has not finished to give us his wonders yet. Alone, it owns about 200 to 300 billion of stars and some planets probably orbits them.

The International Astronomic Union had to work hard for interpreting the complexity of the planetary System. And researchers are doing so. They want to know and find what is behind the Earth. This is challenge for Man. This is also his ambition: know what is unknown. That’s why he is seeking, exploring, digging galaxies and discovering, sometimes, some hidden things. The space missions over the Moon, March and the Planetary System are obvious evidences. The space shuttle Atlantis might go on the next January 24th (if possible).

All this mean Man do not have everything under control. He doesn’t know many things. He experienced his weaknesses when he came to realize that Pluton can no longer be considered as a planet. He cancelled it from our Solar System in August 2006 during a meeting in Prague. 4 decades has passed and Man was misled by his own calculus and errors about planets!

Man is limited. He is not the master of the Universe. A BIGGER than him, with great acknowledgment, should have have all the information he is seeking. A BIGGER than him should know all the details about galaxies, stars, planets and exoplanets in the Planetary System. A BIGGER than him already knows whether or not there is life somewhere. A BIGGER than him knows the right networking of the Universe.

The Earth, regarding his size, is nothing in our galaxy. A BIGGER than Man has really no concerns to manage it and others stars. Man is not God. He is a created and limited person. He is a living being able to fulfill himself and build what SOMEBODY has given to him. If he closes his eyes over these facts, he is voluntarily weakening his intelligence and nothing good and true could be found.

Scientific research is necessary and essential. However, it must consciously be done with reason and patience without leaving behind the ONE who knows everything and still helps us to make great discoveries.