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Daily Archives: July 31, 2023

(Vatican News) Cardinal Czerny urges concrete action to save our common home

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Kendall Harmon

Cardinal Czerny first looked at the new geological epoch of today, called the anthropocene, which has brought about “a staggering turning point in the history of our planet.” Human beings, Cardinal Czerny recalled, have significantly altered all planetary systems: the atmosphere, oceans, continents and ecosystems. What is unprecedented in our time is the combination of various crises, including the ecological crisis, cultural wars, the plight of hundreds of millions of poor people and refugees, and the digital age, with its opportunities and pitfalls.

The Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development went on to emphasise that in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’, he urges us to take into account all aspects of the global crisis linked to climate change and to reflect, in particular, on the cornerstones of an “integral ecology for a new humanity.”

Read it all.

Posted in Climate Change, Weather, Ecology, Energy, Natural Resources, Ethics / Moral Theology, Roman Catholic, Theology

Monday food for Thought from Howard Strickland

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Kendall Harmon

Howard Strickland tells the story of a young girl of about 8 being approached in her parish by a well-meaning older woman who remarked upon her jewelry.“Honey, don’t you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn’t beautiful like the one you’re wearing? It was an ugly, terrible, wooden thing.”
The little girl smiled and said: “Oh, I know that. But they told me in Sunday school that whatever Jesus touches, He changes.”

–quoted in the Sunday sermon by yours truly

Posted in Uncategorized

Kendall Harmon’s Sunday Sermon–Do We Really Understand the Nature of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 13:31-34)?

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Kendall Harmon

You may listen directly here

or you can download it also there.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * By Kendall, * South Carolina, Ministry of the Ordained, Parish Ministry, Sermons & Teachings, Theology: Salvation (Soteriology)

(CT) In Indonesia, Light Skin is Prized. Some Christians Are Pushing Back.

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Kendall Harmon

In leading the church’s youth group, Lie sees these ideas filtering into young people, as the Chinese youth don’t want to socialize with or date non-Chinese.

“I teach teens and young adults that such stigma does not come from God,” Lie said. “I encourage them to interact with people of all ethnicities and who have different skin color, both in church ministry and in social settings, so they can broaden their perspectives, realizing that individuals from different ethnicities are not as they might have thought.”

For Natalisa, the despair over her dark skin only dissipated through a closer relationship with God and a supportive Christian community. “I didn’t dare to develop myself until I realized the value of self-worth in the eyes of God during college discipleship,” she recalled. She joined a small group where friends not only affirmed and accepted her, but also helped her embrace herself as God created her to be.

By viewing herself through a biblical perspective, she was finally able to brush off the culture’s beauty standard. With this understanding, her perspective on herself changed.

She points to Genesis 1:26—“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness’”—as the lynchpin that helped her accept her appearance.

Read it all.

Posted in Anthropology, Ethics / Moral Theology, Indonesia, Pastoral Theology, Religion & Culture, Theology, Theology: Scripture, Women

(NYT) West African Nations Threaten Military Action Unless Niger Coup Is Undone

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Kendall Harmon

West African leaders on Sunday threatened military action against Niger, where soldiers seized power in a coup on Wednesday, unless the country’s democratically elected president is restored to office within a week.

The demand was issued by the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, a 15-member regional bloc, after a crisis summit in Nigeria. It echoed earlier calls by the United States and France, major security allies of Niger, who warned they will cut aid and military ties worth hundreds of millions of dollars unless the deposed leader, Mohamed Bazoum, is reinstated.

After coup supporters massed on Sunday outside the French Embassy in the capital, Niamey, burning French flags and calling for the withdrawal of French troops, President Emmanuel Macron issued a stiffly worded warning. Any attack on France’s citizens or interests in Niger will be met with an “immediate and uncompromising” reaction, Mr. Macron said in a statement.

Read it all.

Posted in Ethics / Moral Theology, Foreign Relations, Military / Armed Forces, Niger, Politics in General

A Prayer to Begin the Day from Ignatius of Loyola

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Kendall Harmon

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to seek for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in Church History, Spirituality/Prayer

A Prayer to begin the day from the Church of England

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Kendall Harmon

Almighty Lord and everlasting God,
we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern
both our hearts and bodies
in the ways of your laws
and the works of your commandments;
that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever,
we may be preserved in body and soul;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Posted in Spirituality/Prayer

From the Morning Scripture Readings

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Kendall Harmon

When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust without a fear. What can flesh do to me?

–Psalm 56:3-4

Posted in Theology: Scripture